Australasia Franchise Group CEO, Dave Hundt, is excited. The business has launched a whole new brand, EnVie Fitness – a name which in French means ‘in life’. EnVie is a female only brand, and Hundt, the managing director, is confident it’s shaped to suit.

“We’re breaking open the market with a new concept rigorously customised to the researched demands of today’s female client. We provide a high degree of personalisation that woman want and fees that make the experience entirely affordable,” Hundt said.

“We’ve taken the best bits of what’s available, extended hours (5am to 10pm), child minding groups and personal training.”

Like the burgeoning convenience models that have inspired some of the offer, the franchise has low staff requirements and will be unstaffed during certain periods. But Hundt has stopped short of following the trend for constant access. “We don’t believe we need to be 24/7.”

The system works on very low cost, no contract membership. Membership of 300 to 600 people for studios makes it a viable business, Hundt believes.

“We are looking to attract personal trainers, people with a fitness qualification who are looking for a business model to further their experience,” he said. 

“For franchisees with a true passion for fitness, this is one of the most favourable platforms in the industry with a low-cost entry and a no-royalty payments package.”

The first gym in the chain will be a franchised site in Wollongong set to open in July. 

“We have sites for less than $100,000 in comparable locations to Jetts [Fitness] and Anytime [Fitness].”

Typical sites will be strip malls with all-important foot traffic and parking at hand. The studio size will be 150 to 200 sq m and the venues will have an extensive range of cardio and strength equipment from international brands that have been designed for women.

“We want to make sure every single member gets a great workout every time, gets the support, gets results, has the convenience and access to child minding.”

EnVie is targeting a broad female clientele (from 16 to 80) who prefer real gym equipment in a non-gym environment.

“We see an opportunity in women’s fitness; a large percentage of customers at 24/7 [gyms] prefer female only [clubs]. We feel with a suitable offering, we’ll do extremely well.”