A growing middle class and the current obesity crisis has made the Asian fitness market a source of “huge untapped potential”, according to Simon Flint chief executive of Evolution Wellness.

The US$500m merger between Fitness First Asia and Celeb Fitness announced earlier this year, has seen the creation of the new fitness giant in Asia, with more than 400,000 members, 1,100 staff and 151 locations across six nations.

Talking to Health Club Management, Simon Flint said there was “huge untapped potential across South-East Asia” and the opportunity to grow further.

He highlighted the surge in the number of middle class people with more disposable income who were “beginning to consider fitness as a lifestyle choice”.

Flint added that the increase in income coupled with a growing obesity epidemic meant that South-East Asia was fertile ground for ambitious fitness brands.

Malaysia, in particular, has a 30 per cent adult obesity rate, while type II diabetes affects more than one in 10 people.

The low penetration rates of gyms and health clubs also means that there is extensive room for Evolution Wellness to expand, said Flint, highlighting that fact that Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia all have small gym markets.

However, he revealed that there was a growing awareness of the Evolution Wellness brand, and fitness in general.

"When we first put a health club in a shopping mall, everyone was very puzzled. But by 2010, landlords were carving out a space for us in their plans referring to us as a magnet tenant,” said Flint. “Now we're seen as an anchor tenant, along with cinemas, food courts and grocery stores".

Read the full interview with Simon Flint in the latest edition of Health Club Management