GYMGUYZ UK launches first six franchises

New franchisees are ready to provide mobile personal training in clients’ homes

Personal training fitness franchise GYMGUYZ UK has officially opened for business in its first six locations.

Franchisees in Brighton, Kingston upon Thames, Elstree and Borehamwood, Barnet, St Albans and Watford are now ready to provide mobile personal training in clients’ homes.

Laura Plaster was GYMGUYZ UK’s first franchisee, launching her business in Brighton.

Prior to joining GYMGUYZ, she was a Metropolitan Police special constable and has experience in a range of industries, which led her to researching franchising options and what GYMGUYZ could offer.

Laura explains: “I loved the idea of bringing the success GYMGUYZ has achieved in the US and Canada over to the UK and being part of it from the start.

“No one else is doing what GYMGUYZ does. It’s a unique model and with a low minimum investment I saw it as a more attractive opportunity in comparison to the traditional fitness franchises.”

Laura was in discussion with the franchise prior to the COVID-19 outbreak and worked closely with the GYMGUYZ central team to get ready to launch post-lockdown.

“The way the team has adapted to keep the process moving over the past few months has been amazing,” she says.

“Being one of the first UK franchisees makes me feel proud and with the amazing support of managing director Laike Mantori we have managed to get everything together quickly and efficiently.”

The Brighton franchise was shortly followed by the announcement of Kingston in south west London, led by Victoria Deborah.

Victoria graduated with a degree in sports exercise science and has always had an interest in fitness, so the opportunity to combine her passion with her work was something she was keen to pursue.

Victoria says: “I was looking for something different that solves a problem in the UK fitness market. Therefore, when the idea of GYMGUYZ was pitched to me, it was perfect.

“The growth prospects of not only the team, but also the franchise, was an integral factor and something that attracted me to invest.

“I can’t wait to see how the trainers develop into their roles and to deliver transformations for their clients and I’m excited to see the franchise expand over the coming months.”

Selina Mantori - wife of Laike - owns GYMGUYZ’s other four franchises.

Selina, who has 35 years’ business experience in various fields, including interior design and real estate, says: “As my husband is the master franchisee, I’ve been quite involved with the brand and quickly recognised the benefits of how it fits in with my lifestyle and decided that becoming a franchisee was a great opportunity.

“GYMGUYZ offers flexible hours, low fees and running costs with high returns. It was a no brainer for me.”

“The whole process only took about eight weeks for me to start up the franchise in my territories.

“From the initial discussions to collecting the equipment and van, it was seamless. I cannot wait to get started serving my clients in my own neighbourhood and surrounding areas.”

Commenting on the launch of the UK franchises, Laike says: “We have ambitious plans for the UK and with our first locations now ready we’re excited for what the brand can offer to all its communities.

“As we continue to redefine the personal training industry, we look forward to expanding across the country with new franchise opportunities.”