UBX boxing clever with growth

Australian-based boxing brand UBX have now  opened in Sheffield.

At almost 5,500 sq ft, the gym at Ecclesall Road, is more than double the average UBX location requirement of between 1,500 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft, where it takes a  minimum 10-year lease.

The chain, which has over 90 sites in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, and was co-founded by fitness entrepreneur Tim West, and Danny Green, four-time world champion Australian boxer, boasts that its flexible format, and no class timetables, or bookings makes it: ‘Everything a traditional gym is not: fun, flexible, addictive and inclusive.’

UK openings are with master franchisee Empowered Brands, owner of energie Fitness, and the aim is to roll out 250 UBX sites in the UK and Ireland by 2028.

GCW are looking for more sites in the south of the country, particularly in the suburbs within the M25. It is hoped the chain could have 10 locations fitting out or open by the end of this year.

The scale of the Sheffield site has given UBX the chance to spread over three levels, with a main reception, adjacent to a snack and protein shake bar at the entrance. Stairs down into the basement lead into a mix of changing areas with showers.

UBX’s expansion and success has come at a time when the fitness market has gone through a difficult period during and since Covid. Lockdown closures and dwindling numbers of office workers have seen gym attendance hit hard.  “Gyms need weekend trade, so a lot of these central locations have become unaffordable. This has resulted in many having to move out of their city locations due to prohibitively high rents that have eroded profit margins,”  said Charlie Hanrahan, surveyor, GCW.

He added: “As a result, new concepts have come into play in the market, with gyms learning to adapt to the suburbs and locations where people live and spend more time.”