With the launch of its 49th John Reed, RSG Group is looking for more opportunities for its high-end brand in the US and Europe.

Cosmopolitan cities are on the hit list, with sites already up and running in Budapest, Prague, Venice, Zurich, Istanbul, Paris, Los Angeles and Vienna.

RSG is extremely selective about sites which must fit the brief from both a location and architectural point of view to deliver the concept of training mixed with art and music.

The latest opening, John Reed Friedrichshain, is the seventh site in the company's home city of Berlin and is located in a 19th century listed building, which was once a slaughterhouse. Parts are seven storeys high and the design has kept some of the original features, such as the steel beams.

Local and international artists are represented, including works by Otto Baum, Innerfields and Dutch graffiti artist, Marcus Debie. Music is integral to the mix and DJs are on-site to create a nightclub vibe.

Facilities include 2,700sq m of cardio training, a large free weights area, a machine park with equipment from Gym80 and Matrix, as well as functional and group workout areas. This is the second John Reed to include a Reformer Pilates studio.

Relaxation spaces include two saunas – one for women-only and a coffee and health bar for drinks and healthy snacks.

Body check-ups, nutrition coaching, personal training and the creation of a training plan can also be booked.

The operator currently has one John Reed in London which opened in 2021 at a premium site on Liverpool Street.

RSG told HCM the club is performing strongly, but that the company is satisfied with having one club in the UK and currently has no plans to open more in the UK.

This position follows an emerging trend among premium operators to develop 'world city' portfolios, whereby single locations are developed in multiple cities, rather than clusters. The trend is being enabled by operators adopting a more global approach to development using lean management practices.

Founded in 1997 by Rainer Schaller, RSG Group has more than 4.5 million members in 30 countries. When Dr Jobst Müller-Trimbusch and Hagen Wingertzahn took over as joint CEO’s, following the death of Schaller, they said one of their major tasks would be to restructure the company with a clear focus on fitness brands and to strengthen this core part of the business.

Since then there has been some rationalisation, most notably the recently-completed sale of 47 Spanish clubs to Basic Fit and a makeover of McFit.

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