HEALTH club operator Fitness First, which plans to open a new club in Stockton creating 16 jobs, is benefiting from the fitness boom as first half profits sprinted ahead by 60 per cent.
Membership across the Poole, Dorset, company's gyms rose to 365,000 worldwide in the six months to April 30, an 87 per cent rise on the same period of last year.
The boost pushed pre-tax profits to £8m before one-off costs.
Fitness First runs 92 clubs in the UK but also has a burgeoning business in Europe, the Far East and Australia, where it bought 11 sites last November.
The company now claims to be the largest health club operator in Europe and one of the biggest in the world.
Chief executive Mike Balfour said: "With platforms now established in 13 countries, the group is well positioned to enjoy the strong expansion in the global health and fitness industry. We envisage strong growth in both clubs and profits going forward."
Fitness First's clubs - which each contain gyms, health spas, beauty salons and creches - claim to target the value-for-money end of the fitness market.
Subscription fees are £33 per month, and £42 per month in London. The company opened 12 health and fitness clubs in the UK during the six month period and membership numbers sparked by 33 per cent to 200,000.
The Stockton club, at Preston Farm, is due to be completed in August.
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