Jetts Fitness 24/7 has opened its 50th club, with a further 60 more outlets planned for 2010.

Last year the fitness franchise defied the global downturn to deliver 500 percent growth and is predicted to more than double annual turnover by the close of this financial year.

Brendon Levenson, group managing director, said “The key to the success of Jetts has been the consistent, strategic delivery of our value proposition as we expand our footprint into towns and cities across the country.

“As a business, we provide high returns, low time cost, low staffing and overhead structure and passive ownership in a feel good industry,” Levenson said. “WeÕre being inundated with interest from potential franchisees and many of our current franchisees are opening second, third and fourth locations.”

The chain offers slimmed down clubs focusing on the core equipment people use on a regular basis, such as treadmills and bikes, weight training equipment and free weights. The elimination of high cost facilities such as pools, steam rooms and group fitness classes allows clubs to be located in neighbourhood shopping centres, with low prices and no long term membership contract required.

“TodayÕs consumers are more value conscious and time poor than ever; opening the door to exercise at a time that suits their schedule with no barriers really fits with the needs of the current market,” said Levenson.

This year the company is anticipating a turnover of 5.2 million for the 2009/2010 financial year and group revenues to exceed 30 million off a base of 90,000 members by calendar yearÕs end.

Growth of the club network is expected through club openings in all established metropolitan markets, as well as new clubs in Darwin, Hobart, regional NSW and VIC and expansion into NZ.

“Our expansion goal is to position a club within eight minutes of 80 percent of the population, with a view to enabling more Australians to get fit and healthy on their terms.”