The Hindu Business Line : Talwalkars to launch premium health clubs

Riding on the retail boom, Talwalkars Better Value Fitness Ltd is planning indoor swimming pools at malls with intentions of bringing in a range of premium health clubs into the country. The fitness company is planning a 50:50 joint venture with a European major in the area of health and fitness and is likely to open its first premium health club early next year.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Prashant Talwalkar, Managing Director, Talwalkars, said, “We would be floating a equal joint venture with a European company, which is a manufacturer of health- and spa- related products. The purpose is to graduate from health clubs to having exclusive clubs in the area of health and fitness. There would be all- weather pools included in these clubs.”

JV with Future Group

Having entered into a joint venture with the Future Group recently, Talwalkars now has access to the malls owned by the retailer. It is now open to more such tie-ups with retailers to gain access to malls where it intends launching its premium health clubs. “Our premium health clubs would include a gym, a spa and an indoor swimming pool, along with a restaurant which would also serve health food. We would be using the expertise of our European partner to enter these areas in the malls,” says MrTalwalkar. It has earmarked a member fee of Rs 25,000 annually for its premium health clubs and has planned to open three of such centres beginning with the city of Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Talwalkars is also looking at giving corporate membership across its health clubs in the country. “There would be packages for corporates who can use our health clubs.

There would be roaming facilities provided for the employees of the company who can use our facilities when they travel across the country,” says Mr Talwalkar. With 45 gyms and clubs under its fold, Talwalkars plans to add another 15 in the next three months.

Besides, Talwalkars is roping in more members by tying up with corporates such as Star India and Standard Chartered Bank for their Nache Baliye and Marathon events respectively.

For Star India, it would provide professional choreographers to train the participants on a national level. While for the marathon planned in Mumbai, Talwalkars would be the official training partner for the runners at the event. “We are expecting an additional 3,000 members as a result of our corporate tie–ups with such events,” says Mr Talwalkar.

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Talwalkars to launch premium health clubs

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