The head of Curves International Inc, which operates the world's largest fitness franchise, yesterday set a goal of opening more than 200 locations domestically over the next five years.
"Taiwan is very much like Japan. Women don't like going to gyms because these places are not designed for them. They might get stares from men and feel uncomfortable. Gradually they just give up," Gary Heavin, founder and chief executive officer of Curves, said at a press briefing yesterday.
After entering Japan early last year, the chain expanded to nearly 500 locations and expects to command one-third of the Japanese market by the end of this year, Heavin said.
Curves opened a pilot center in the Tianmu area in March, which has attracted 200 members. Its first franchise will be launched in Taipei in early August near the intersection of Nanjing E Road and Fuxing N Road.
Taking a different approach from most large fitness centers, Curves focuses on women and claims to offer a convenient and efficient workout environment.
With an average size of 45 pings (148.5m2), each location is equipped with basic exercise facilities but does not offer showers, saunas or swimming pools.
Heavin said he was optimistic about gaining a large share of the market because only 2.2 percent of Taiwanese go to gyms, compared with 15 percent in the West.
Candy Tang (唐雅君), chairwoman of Alexander Health Club (亞力山大俱樂部), Taiwan's largest fitness center chain with 20 clubs nationwide and 280,000 members, said competition would stimulate the domestic market.
"Any new business model might have opportunities here as the fitness sector in Taiwan is far from the saturation point," she said in a telephone interview.
She also called on the government to relax regulations on issuing fitness operation licenses in commercial areas to encourage entry of new players in the market.
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