The Danish arm of low-cost gym chain Fresh Fitness has been sold to the country’s largest health club operator Fitness World.

Approximately 8.5 per cent of Denmark’s entire 5.3m population are now members of Fitness World clubs after the acquisition of the 22 Fresh Fitness sites (including one which will open in Fredericia next month). By January, the chain will boast 150 clubs across the country, with plans to use this dominant position as a springboard for international growth.

Having brought the two fast-growing chains under one roof, Fitness World CEO Per Lyngbak Nielsen indicated that further acquisitions will be part of the growth strategy.

"It's like having Messi and Ronaldo playing on the same team,” he said. “Over the past nine years we have been able to secure a very strong market position in Denmark, and with the acquisition of Fresh Fitness we have an even broader range of services and competencies we can use as a platform for international growth.”

Fresh Fitness, Denmark, was previously owned by Health and Fitness Nordic (HFN) and a group of investors led by IHRSA board member Rasmus Ingerslev, who also served as Fresh Fitness CEO.

“We have had an excellent partnership with HFN over the past five years, and the sale was good timing for both parties,” said Ingerslev, who will work alongside the founder, majority shareholder and chair of Fitness World, Henrik Rossing.

“On a personal note, I am looking forward to working with new and old colleagues in my role as vice chair on the board of Fitness World.”

The financial details of the deal – which was concluded on Friday (19 December) – have not been disclosed. Fresh Fitness Norway and Sweden, owned by Health & Fitness Nordic, will continue operating unchanged.