The GMM Fitness Club was officially launched yesterday on the AA Floor of GMM Grammy Place, Sukhumvit 21, in a joint-venture partnership with Catareya Wright, who has 13 years of experience in the fitness field.

Catareya, managing director,  is also the owner of the Oasis Health Club, located opposite Pata Department Store in Pinklao. Opened two years ago, the fitness centre has attracted more than 1,300 members and reached break even after only six months of operation.

Catareya holds 49 per cent in GMM Fitness Club Co Ltd, while the majority stake is owned by GMM Grammy.

"Our first 1,175-square metre fitness complex at GMM Grammy Place now attracts nearly 300 members, half of them people working in the building - including Grammy singers and artists, executives and general employees - while the other half are walk-in customers," Catareya said, adding that the fitness complex required a investment of Bt40 million and 33 major items of equipment.

Catareya said the annual membership fee was at Bt28,000 for the general public and Bt18,000 for GMM Grammy employees.

"We expect to reach the breakeven point within three months, when a total of 500-600 members has been achieved," said Catareya. "We plan to expand GMM Fitness Club complexes to other office buildings in Bangkok, opening at least one each year."

Catareya said the company saw great potential for fitness centres in Bangkok as market penetration is still low, at only 3-5 per cent of the capital's population.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation