Fitness First has quietly pulled down the shutters on its BEAT microgym in Charing Cross, just weeks after the global gym chain sold its founding site in Bournemouth.

BEAT, which opened to much fanfare in March 2014 was a heart-rate focused studio launched in response to the growing popularity of boutique studios among London gym goers. The club closed at the end of last month, with BEAT sessions now being offered instead at Fitness First’s nearby club at The Strand.

A spokesperson told Health Club Management that Fitness First is considering its options for the site of the closed BEAT club and is currently in discussions with landlords.

“We decided to combine the operation of our Charing Cross club with our neighbouring club at The Strand, which has recently been upgraded,” the spokesperson said.

“With a very high proportion of members using both clubs, we felt this change was in the best long term interest of our operation in the area.”

Although BEAT as a training concept is available now at Fitness First The Strand and at Fitness First London Bridge Cottons, the closure of the only standalone BEAT site suggests the rollout of the concept might not be as extensive as originally stated.

Fitness First owner Oaktree Capital Management is understood to have put the chain’s UK arm up for sale and despite the recent closure of the Bournemouth and Charing Cross sites, the spokesperson was unable to say whether further sites are likely to close in the near future.

They added: “Over the past few years, Fitness First has made changes designed to deliver the best fitness experience on the market, this has included revitalising our portfolio and reviewing the operation of a small number of our local clubs. However, there is currently no update on any further clubs.”