Egym acquired Hussle, a network of gyms, pools, spas and health and fitness apps headquartered in the UK. Egym reported that through the deal, the company “further expands its leading position in the European market with its corporate fitness network Egym Wellpass.”
The global fitness technology and corporate health innovation company said the Wellpass vision provides all employers with “qualified yet inexpensive products and services to keep employees fit and healthy within a seamless network of partner facilities.”
With the integration of Hussle, Egym reportedly now offers unlimited access to a network of “over 1,500-plus gyms, pools and spas via one discounted pass, covering 96 percent of UK regions in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.” Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In January 2024, Egym named Chris Clawson, the former CEO of Life Fitness and former chairman of the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), as general manager of Gymtech, and Rob Barker, former CEO of Precor, as a strategic advisor to Egym CEO Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer. The hires followed Munich, Germany-based Egym and Life Fitness reporting that they were “working on a new Smart Cardio integration project, inspired by Egym’s Smart Cardio system.”
“From our initial conversations, it was evident that Jamie Ward and Neil Harmsworth wanted to genuinely enhance an industry they’re passionate about when they founded Hussle 13 years ago,” suggested Roesch-Schlanderer. “Their enduring entrepreneurial spirit, particularly evident during the pandemic, is commendable. Their track record in establishing an outstanding employee wellness company is truly inspiring. The NHS’s prioritization of prevention over repair provides significant opportunities. We wholeheartedly share this belief and are excited to begin this journey together.”
Hussle CEO Jamie Ward said he “knew that Egym’s proposition was game-changing from the moment he met Philipp and his team.”
“As I understood Egym’s products better and listened to their vision, I realized I was looking at the future and wanted Hussle to be a part of it,” Ward added. “We started Hussle back in 2011 to make fitness easily available to everyone. Our vision has always relied on a super strong fitness industry and the Egym team shares that core belief. We’re delighted to help evolve Egym’s vision into reality. We’re just getting started. There will be huge things to come.”
Neil Harmsworth, COO of Hussle, said he was “excited about the opportunity to combine Hussle’s corporate customer proposition with Egym’s revolutionary gym tech so that their fitness operator partners could benefit from new customers and its best-in-class gym equipment and software.”
“This is a landmark deal for the fitness industry which links the next-generation gym tech of Egym with the fast-growing corporate benefits space that Hussle enables for our fitness operator partners through companies like AXA Health and Bupa,” Harmsworth noted.
“We warmly welcome Jamie, Neil and the entire Hussle team to Egym,” offered Wellpass Managing Director Nicolas Stadtelmeyer. “Our mission is to foster health and well-being in every workplace. With over 32 million employees and a €2.5 billion corporate wellness market, stepping into the UK market was a logical and strategic move. Following our entry into France, we now encompass the three largest European economies. The future holds great excitement for us.”
Dynamic Market Growth
Hussle reported its corporate sales “grew over 250 percent in 2023 and are set to continue that trend in 2024,” according to a press release announcing the acquisition. The release noted that “almost one million individuals in the UK have worked out using Hussle.”
The UK corporate wellness market is expected to grow “at a compound annual growth rate of 4.72 percent, reaching a market size of nearly £3 billion (€3.4 billion) over the next five years,” according to the data reported in the release.
“Industry experts anticipate a robust global average annual growth rate of seven percent in the corporate wellness market until 2029, projecting it to exceed €73 billion,” Egym stated. “The demand is poised to escalate as an increasing number of businesses across all sectors initiate wellness programs for their employees. These workplace wellness initiatives enhance productivity and curtail the expenses associated with sick leaves. Moreover, the growing recognition of the significance of employee health and well-being is anticipated to drive further expansion in the corporate wellness market.”
How It Works
Companies sign a framework agreement with Egym Wellpass or Hussle and determine the personal contribution employees pay for participation. After registering, they have immediate access to around 14,500 exercise facilities in Germany, Austria, the UK, France, and Belgium and a constantly growing range of online courses. Usable tax benefits further reduce employee cost.
Image courtesy Hussle
