Providence agrees to buy Fitness Park, which has franchises in Spain

Providence Equity Partners, the owner of VivaGym in Spain, has agreed to acquire Fitness Park Group, a French chain whose international expansion includes Spain through master franchise agreements. The deal, reported by elEconomista on 29 October 2026, is subject to customary regulatory approvals and signals a change of ownership for Fitness Park’s franchise network.

An acquisition following a competitive bidding process

The acquisition follows an auction led by investment bank JP Morgan. The process valued Fitness Park at approximately €600 million and attracted interest from other bidders, including a French family investment group.

That figure represents the business’s valuation during the bidding process, rather than a final purchase price disclosed in the published report. This distinction matters when assessing the financial scale of the news: no definitive deal value has been specified.

Providence is a US investment firm with an established presence in Spain’s gym sector through VivaGym. The acquisition will add another fitness group to its portfolio, this time with a franchise network that the buyer itself identifies as one of the business’s key strengths.

Although the purchase agreement has been announced, the deal still requires customary regulatory approvals. The announcement should therefore not be confused with completion of the transaction.

An international network with a presence in Spain

Founded in 2009, Fitness Park has grown to more than 467 gyms and over 1.7 million members. Both figures cover the group as a whole, not just its Spanish operations.

France remains its main market, where the network employs approximately 2,400 people. Its international expansion covers Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Italy through master franchise agreements. Further openings are also planned in Belgium.

Its Spanish presence makes the deal relevant to the country’s franchise community: the change of ownership affects the group behind a brand already established in this market. This is not an announcement of a new brand preparing to enter Spain, but a corporate transaction involving an existing international network.

The geographical spread also highlights two distinct aspects of Fitness Park’s business: its core base in France and its growth abroad through master franchise agreements. Providence points to this combination when explaining its interest in the company.

The buyer reaffirms its commitment to franchisees

In its announcement, Providence highlights Fitness Park’s distinctive offering, strong franchise network and established position in France as a platform for further organic and international growth.

The investment firm also has a specific message for franchisees: it remains committed to retaining the brand and supporting its growth. This statement is the part of the announcement most directly relevant to continuity for the franchise network following the change of ownership.

The stated commitment concerns support for Fitness Park and its development. It does not amount to a specific timetable for openings in Spain or a change to the terms of franchise agreements. The news indicates the buyer’s stated intentions, but does not establish what operational measures might follow in each market.

Providence expands its investment in gyms

The acquisition follows other moves by the investment firm in the fitness sector. In Spain, VivaGym acquired Altafit in 2024 and subsequently added Synergym, Fit Up, Smartfit, Macrofit and other independent gyms.

These earlier deals explain the buyer’s significance in the Spanish market, but do not in themselves imply any integration between VivaGym and Fitness Park. The message accompanying this transaction focuses on retaining and developing the French brand and supporting its network.

Practical takeaway: franchisees and prospective investors interested in Fitness Park should distinguish between the purchase agreement, which remains subject to approval, and any future decisions affecting individual markets. The announced support for the brand matters; specific plans for Spain will need to be assessed when they are communicated.