April 7, 2023
We have an exciting announcement to make!
Jack Thomas, the host of the Fitness Business Asia podcast, has launched an international rating system for the fitness industry.
The Fit Guide, also known as ‘TFG’, is a resource to help consumers find the world’s leading fitness clubs, gyms and studios, and it has launched in its first city, New York.
We know what you’re thinking - New York isn’t in Asia - but don’t worry, Asian cities will be added to TFG soon, starting in Singapore.
Jack, along with his business partner Matt Lavender, realized that until now, the fitness industry has lacked a global authority dedicated to recognizing excellence, unlike the well-established and respected rating systems for restaurants and hotels.
Jack and Matt founded this company with the aim of helping both fitness enthusiasts and club owners, by encouraging growth and high standards in the boutique fitness industry, which is currently making a big comeback after a difficult few years.
TFG conducts thorough and unbiased evaluations that are based on more than 250 objective standards. Their standards were developed in collaboration with top hospitality and fitness industry professionals. This meticulous reviewing process encompasses every aspect of an exceptional fitness experience, such as reception services, group classes, facilities, technology, and online presence.
TFG is on a mission to anonymously visit the best clubs around the world, and to document their experiences using their highly trained ‘Experience Evaluators’. The deep data set that is being gathered by TFG will allow the everyday fitness lover to make informed choices as to where to train and spend their hard-earned cash. Furthermore, the in-depth analysis will be made available, at a cost, to the owners and operators of the world’s premium fitness clubs, further improving the quality concepts we know and love.
Excellence, integrity, and collaboration are the key values of TFG. Collaboration with the fitness industry is at the heart of TFG’s approach, so there is a large focus on encouraging and highlighting excellence. The objective and detailed breakdown ensures that the reports are fair and provide immense detail to the owner, and a clear review of each category to the consumer.
Out of the fifty clubs that TFG has evaluated in New York, only five achieved the highest accolade, The Fit Guide 5-Star Award, which highlights an exceptional overall experience. These industry-leading clubs were Orangetheory Manhattan-Plaza District, Physique 57 Soho, F45 Lower East Side, MADabolic Brooklyn, and Fhitting Room Flatiron. A further 23 clubs have been recognized for their excellence, achieving The Fit Guide 4-Star Award.
The Fit Guide also offers special mentions to leading clubs that have been ‘Recommended’ and ‘Rated’.
Following a successful launch in the boutique fitness hub of NYC, TFG will soon be publishing the London edition of The Fit Guide. London, which many consider Europe’s answer to New York’s fitness scene, is a leading market in the boutique fitness industry and a hub for new concepts, featuring fast-growing and innovative brands such as 1Rebel and BXR.
After London, TFG will unveil the results of the 50 clubs evaluated in Singapore, the most developed fitness market in Asia. The clubs reviewed vary from global giants to single-location startups, and have provided some eye-opening results, which are sure to be of interest to fitness enthusiasts worldwide
TFG is keen on expansion and has plans to produce editions of The Fit Guide for the leading fitness cities worldwide. To keep up to date with the latest information from TFG, sign up for their weekly Newsletter which provides deep insight into the industry, analyzing stats and trends discovered from hundreds of evaluations.
If you’re based in the region, make sure you bookmark The Fit Guide Singapore for your premium fitness needs in Asia’s gym capital.
