Anytime Fitness has reiterated its ambitions of becoming the UK’s largest gym chain, having passed the half century mark with two new 24-hour sites in High Barnet and Bicester.

Anytime Fitness has close to 3,000 sites across the globe and has been eager to make its mark in the UK since opening its first franchise in 2010. The company hopes to open another 30 clubs in the UK by the end of the year to reach 81 sites and says its has 150 locations secured for future club openings.

Were this figure to be realised, it could see Anytime Fitness eclipse Pure Gym, which recently claimed the crown of the UK’s largest operator (in terms of sites) from Virgin Active.

“Since we launched in the UK in 2010 we have set ourselves ambitious growth targets and therefore we are delighted to have reached this key milestone,” said Anytime Fitness UK chair Andy Thompson.

“A key factor in our success is the passion and enthusiasm of our franchisees, many of whom have always wanted to own their own business, and are now flourishing with the support of our expert franchise consultants.”