Low-cost operator Basic-Fit is set to speed up its expansion plans across the European market.

Citing "current developments and a strong pipeline", the Dutch company said it plans to accelerate the pace of organic club openings from a current target of 125 to around 150 clubs a year.

With the new target, the company expects to the number of clubs in its portfolio to reach 1,250 in 2022.

The announcement marks the second cranking up of pace of expansion for Basic-Fit within the last nine months. Announcing its full-year results in March 2019, the company outlined plans to increase the number of club openings from 100 to 125 per year.

In a statement, Basic-Fit said that it expects the new openings to generate a significant boost to income.

"As a result of the large number of new clubs and solid development of the mature club network, we expect to increase revenue by at least 20 per cent a year in the coming three years," the statement said.

Basic-Fit's plans are seen as a further sign that the European fitness market is undergoing a period of growth, with one analyst stating that it "shows that the potential to grow in underpenetrated fitness markets remains attractive".

In July 2019, Basic-Fit acquired Fitland, the Netherlands' third-largest fitness operator, which added 37 mid-market clubs to the business.

With a portfolio of 750 clubs across five countries, Basic-Fit is one of Europe's largest fitness operators. It markets itself as a "high-quality, value-for-money fitness experience".