The énergie Group has outlined growth plans through concerted development of its budget gym offerings in 2014, described by CEO Jan Spaticchia as the “biggest expansion plan in énergie’s 10-year history.”

The Milton Keynes-based fitness franchise group, which currently operates 94 gyms internationally, will open 40 new sites in the UK by the end of the year, under a number of its different brands.

The expansion is to consist of 30 Fit4less gyms, six énergie Fitness For Women sites and four énergie Fitness Clubs.

“These are all confirmed agreements, in the final stages of completion, that will open this year and take our total number of UK and international sites to at least 125,” said Spaticchia.

The breakdown reflects the relative popularity of énergie’s Fit4less offering as well as the current strength of the overall budget gym sector, which continues to see expansion.

Despite this, the firm still sees growth potential in its Fitness For Women and énergie Fitness Club brands, with the latter model having overgone a makeover demonstrated through the recent opening of the énergie Fitness Club in Cork, Ireland.