Sir Chris Hoy invests as Pure Gym opens 100th site

Britain’s most successful Olympian, Sir Chris Hoy, has invested in fitness club operator Pure Gym, which today launches its 100th venue with the opening of a branch in East Kilbride.

The former track cyclist will also act as an adviser to the firm, which last month snapped up smaller rival LA Fitness in a deal understood to be worth up to £80 million. LA Fitness has 43 venues, mainly in London and the south-east of England.

Edinburgh-born Hoy said: “I have followed Pure Gym’s swift expansion over the past few years and have admired the way in which they have changed the gym market for the benefit of consumers of all ages, abilities and interests.

“I am particularly interested by the fact that 30 per cent of our customers have never been members of a gym before.”

The low-cost chain launched its first gym in 2009 and its East Kilbride site is its 11th in Scotland. Last year it called off a planned £300m merger with rival Gym Group due to the prospect of a “protracted” investigation by the competition watchdog.

Chief executive Humphrey Cobbold said; “Chris is a truly outstanding sportsman and a superb technician in terms of training expertise. As a multi-Olympic medal winner he is well placed to advise on strengthening our product offering and services.”