Jims acquires fitness chain NRG and doubles in size

Colruyt Group’s fitness chain Jims has reached an agreement with the shareholders and management of NRG for the acquisition of 40 fitness clubs. This will double the number of Jims clubs, turning it into the second largest fitness player on the Belgian market. The NRG fitness clubs will be converted into Jims clubs over the course of the next year. The acquisition of NRG reflects Colruyt Group’s ambition to make good health more accessible to everyone.

Number of fitness clubs doubled

The acquisition of the fast-growing NRG means that, at a stroke, Jims becomes the second largest fitness chain in Belgium. Jims operates 40 fitness clubs, 34 of which are in Belgium, while NRG has 40 clubs in Belgium. This brings the total to 80, making Jims the second largest player in the Belgian fitness sector. The acquisition will also accelerate the achievement of Jims’ ambitious growth plans. Pieterjan Nuitten, business unit manager at Jims: "This puts us several years ahead of target in the plan for the future we had set for Jims. We have now doubled in size at a stroke.” ​

Accelerating

Colruyt Group wants to make good health and well-being accessible to everyone, and sees the Jims fitness chain as playing a key role here. This acquisition significantly increases Jims’ presence in the Belgian (and in particular the Flemish) fitness market. It will enable the group to both reach and support more people in their search for a healthy lifestyle. It also gives the chain the scale it needs to further develop initiatives such as nutritional coaching, pre- and postnatal guidance and partnerships with healthcare institutions, physiotherapists and hospitals. Lastly, Jims will also be able to achieve more synergies with the group’s food formulas, such as the Sports Profile Test in conjunction with Collect&Go. ​ ​

Jims has been part of Colruyt Group since April 2021 and has seen nice growth since that time, with the number of clubs increasing from 27 to 40. Jims stands out for its high-quality services, its enthusiastic and competent personnel and its focus on health in the broadest sense of the term.

Complementarity is key

Jims and NRG are complementary in terms of both locations and offering. Jims is primarily city-based (with a strong presence in Ghent and Brussels, for example), while NRG is well represented in Antwerp and Limburg. This means that there is little overlap in terms of location, despite the two chains being about the same size. In terms of offerings, Jims excels in its provision of inspiring group classes and personalised coaching, while at NRG, the focus is more on community and a strong local connection. The two brands are otherwise similar, especially in terms of membership options and pricing, which will facilitate the integration process, The objective is to evolve relatively quickly into a single brand with aligned membership options and rates.

Employees remain on board

All 180 NRG employees will be moving across to Jims. "We will do all we can to welcome them into the Jims family”, says Pieterjan Nuitten. "For example, they now also have access to the Jims Academy, where we provide training for our own personnel. And we are convinced that we can learn a lot from each other.”

Aziz Allali, founder and CEO of NRG, looks back with satisfaction on the company’s journey: “NRG has seen very strong growth in recent years, thanks to our employees and local partners and the support of PE Group, a private equity player founded by Stefan Yee. I’m proud that Colruyt Group – a warm Belgian family business – will become a new home for our team and our members. Without a doubt, the combination of NRG and Jims will develop into a unique fitness chain.”

About the transaction

On 10 December 2024, Colruyt Group reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in NRG. The parties have agreed not to release any details on the terms of the transaction. NRG will be fully integrated in Colruyt Group’s consolidated figures. The group does not expect any material impact on the operating profit and net result.