NRG Gyms Lands £4M from Puma Growth Partners to Expand High-Value, Low-Price Gyms

Puma Growth Partners Invests in NRG Gyms

Puma Growth Partners, a leading provider of growth capital to small and medium-sized businesses, has announced a £4 million investment into NRG Gyms. Founded by Shafiq Ahmed, NRG Gyms is an award-winning chain of high-value, low-price gyms that has rapidly expanded across the UK.

This investment comes as the UK fitness market continues to grow, with an estimated valuation of £2.8 billion by 2025, driven by consumers prioritising health and fitness.

NRG Gyms: A Rapidly Growing Fitness Brand

1. Proven Business Model

Since its launch in 2013, NRG Gyms has expanded to:

• Seven locations in cities including London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield

• Over 30,000 members nationwide

The business focuses on delivering a premium fitness experience at an affordable price, with features such as:

• Best-in-class equipment

• Excellent customer service

• Safe and inclusive environments, including dedicated female zones

2. Data-Driven Success

NRG Gyms leverages sophisticated, data-led site selection strategies to:

• Identify prime locations

• Compete with larger, established brands

• Achieve market-leading volume and revenue growth

How the £4 Million Investment Will Be Used

The funding from Puma Growth Partners will enable NRG Gyms to:

• Expand its portfolio of gyms across the UK

• Enhance member experiences through advanced data and analytics

• Develop a technology-led back-office infrastructure to support rapid scaling

Strengthened Leadership Team

NRG Gyms has recently enhanced its management team with the appointment of Neil Greenhalgh as Non-Executive Director. A qualified Chartered Accountant with nearly 20 years at JD Sports, Neil brings invaluable expertise, having:

• Served as Chief Financial Officer for five years

• Played a pivotal role in JD Sports’ transformation into a FTSE 100-listed global retailer

• Led the acquisition process for Xercise4Less gym chain in 2020

His appointment further strengthens NRG’s position as a leading operator in the low-cost, high-value gym sector.

Statements from Leadership and Investors

Shafiq Ahmed, Founder & CEO, NRG Gyms

"I am delighted that Puma has chosen to continue to support the growth of NRG with further investment into the business. It’s a testament to the success of the business and will allow us to continue to grow our member communities, develop our pipeline of new sites all whilst continually investing in the team, people development, and infrastructure required to grow further."

Henri Songeur, Investor, Puma Growth Partners

"We are delighted to continue our support for NRG with funding that will help the business grow its portfolio of gyms and continue to build on Shafiq’s passion for his business, members, and his colleagues. The strong management team and proven business model have positioned NRG as a formidable operator in a sector expected to be worth approximately £2.8 billion in 2025. The addition of Neil Greenhalgh further enhances the company’s capacity to establish itself as a leading provider of low-cost, high-value gym facilities. We look forward to working closely with Shafiq, and the wider team, to help realise their ambitions for the business going forwards."

The Future of NRG Gyms

With Puma Growth Partners’ £4 million investment and a strengthened leadership team, NRG Gyms is poised to:

• Accelerate its nationwide expansion

• Enhance customer experiences through technology and data analytics

• Solidify its position as a leader in the UK’s high-value, low-price fitness market