About

us

Did you know that...

fit20 is an international company founded in the Netherlands. The first fit20 studio opened in Zwolle, the Netherlands in 2009. Today there are more than 120 studios in the Netherlands and we continue to grow with studios in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Qatar, USA, New Zealand, Iraq, Spain, France, Germany, Morocco, Qatar, Sweden and Ireland. We are in the process of opening studios in several other countries including Switzerland.


We have received several industry awards for innovation and entrepreneurship, including the prestigious Gazelle award. It has been a great honor to receive these awards and recognition from the business community. In the end, however, our purpose always lies with providing an exceptionally effective and efficient training experience to our members. Our greatest reward has always been our happy, healthy and loyal member base.
fit20 has developed a very precise and rigorous educational system for franchise owners and trainers. This system, known as the fit20 Academy, is a fundamental building block of our success strategy. We continue to devote great energy and resources to further develop our Academy programme.

We are a franchise company. Each studio is independently owned and operated by a franchise owner. Most studios have several trainers on staff. In total there are more than 300 fit20 trainers working side-by-side with franchise owners.

Meet our Founder

CEO and fit20 founder Walter Vendel (picture right) had a successful career in the corporate world. He heard from a good friend about a training method that yields incredible results in a short amount of time. Walter, having a lifelong interest in sports and health, was immediately intrigued. Together with co-founder and manual therapist Bram Kroeske (picture left), he adapted the training to suit a broader audience. Walter’s wish was for as many people as possible to experience this fantastic training. Subsequently, the first fit20 studio opened in Zwolle, a medium-sized city in the Netherlands. Soon, more studios followed throughout the Netherlands and eventually worldwide.
The fact that so many people benefit from the fit20 training continues to be a great source of inspiration for Walter. 

“Nothing makes me happier than hearing that a fit20 member feels stronger and fitter, has more energy, or is relieved of physical complaints. Or that someone at an older age can maintain a great deal of mobility and freedom thanks to the training. That means fit20 has positively changed another life.”

The fit20 world headquarters is located in Hattem, the Netherlands. Everyone who works at the headquarters, including our founder Walter Vendel, trains weekly at the in-house fit20 studio. We, too, are changed by fit20 every week! Several large companies have in-house fit20 studios to help keep their employees strong and healthy. These companies include Siemens and Randstad. fit20 is a mission-driven company with important core values.

Meet the UK Master Franchisors

Niri and Catherine Patel are the dynamic duo behind fit20 UK. With their extensive background in franchising, having built BNI’s most successful master franchise territory in India and owning multiple BNI franchise territories in the UK, they bring a wealth of experience and passion to the fit20 family.

“We were both finding it increasingly difficult to exercise due to lack of time and recurring injuries, so fit20 came into our lives at just the right time. We now feel stronger and healthier than ever before and love our weekly fit20 training.”

For more than 25 years, Niri has invested his time, insight, and passion into helping people grow their businesses into thriving enterprises. When a good friend from Holland introduced him to fit20, he quickly realised its unique benefits and the vast potential it held for the UK market. Niri’s personal discomfort with traditional gyms and his vision for a more inclusive fitness solution inspired him to bring fit20 to the UK.

“We saw a huge gap in the fitness market for people who, like us, didn’t feel comfortable in traditional gyms. fit20 provides a welcoming, effective solution that can significantly improve the nation’s health.”

Niri Patel is a business leader, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for health and fitness. As the joint owner of fit20 UK, Niri is spearheading the expansion of 500 boutique personal fitness studios across the UK. Alongside overseeing fit20 UK, Niri designs and delivers results-focused coaching, training, and seminars for business and personal development. 

With a background in Education, Personal Development and Well-being training, Catherine is committed to developing and shaping a franchise offering that supports the ongoing growth and development of the franchisees. Together they are on a mission to revolutionise the fitness industry, offering a proven business opportunity that helps people to be healthier, happier and wealthier in all ways.

 We add
 strength to
​ your life

Mission fit20 UK

High intensity strength training is the most important form of training for overall health and wellness. This includes resilience, vigor, cognitive function and mental focus. We add strength so you can get the most out of your life.

Vision fit20 UK

Strength is one of the best predictors of survival and longevity. Strength improves almost every health outcome and is therefore paramount for general health and well-being at all ages. We want strength for all people.

Strength
​changes
​everything

Core values fit20 UK

Personal attention

We give the attention required to guarantee success.

Realising potential

Everyone has countless possibilities, physical, mental and emotional. We help to realize this potential.

Learning is everything

Continuous learning and growth are the foundations of success.

We share success

We celebrate and learn from each other’s successes, growing our knowledge base and experience.

fit20 UK headquarters

fit20 Sheffield is the UK headquarters for the fit20 brand. Here we train and support our franchise owners, regional developers, and our fit20 Certified Trainers.

Please contact your nearest studio for questions regarding training, appointments, pricing and directions.

fit20 United Kingdom
Harry Brearley House,
Fox Valley Way,
Stocksbridge,
Sheffield S36 2AE

info@fit20.co.uk
0114 288 8795