What RSG Group does

RSG Group GmbH is a privately held, family-owned fitness and lifestyle conglomerate founded in 1997 by Rainer Schaller in Germany, headquartered in Schlüsselfeld with corporate operations in Berlin. The company operates approximately 900 gyms across 30 countries, serving 4.5 million members with 10,000 employees through a portfolio of 10 brands and investments spanning every major fitness tier: discount (McFIT, 230+ company-owned studios in Germany, Austria, and Italy), music-driven premium (JOHN REED Fitness Music Clubs in 10+ international cities), iconic global (Gold's Gym, acquired 2020, ~600 locations), boutique (JOHN & JANE'S in Berlin), ultra-premium lifestyle (HEIMAT in Los Angeles at ~7,000 sqm and HEIMAT by Waris Dirie in Paris), a sports model agency (McFIT MODELS, serving BMW, Bentley, Deutsche Bank, GQ, L'Oréal, Zalando), a sports nutrition brand (Qi²), and a digitalized neighborhood gym (KLUB McFIT, launched 2024).

The core business model is recurring monthly subscription revenue from studio memberships, complemented by franchise royalties from the Gold's Gym global franchise network and the newly launched McFIT international franchising program (2026), B2B corporate wellness contracts via Wellhub and Gympass partnerships, brand advertising and strategic partnerships, sports nutrition product sales (Qi²), digital subscriptions (Hero Workout, 50%-owned), and restaurant/ancillary revenue (HEIMAT Kitchen). Technology infrastructure includes the AI-enabled THE MIRAI R&D platform for fitness data analysis, the Hero Workout 3D motion-tracking wristband and app, the JOHN REED Radio proprietary streaming platform with four curated music channels, the McFIT Klub App for digital member onboarding and unstaffed studio access, and the CYBEROBICS virtual course training platform.

Following founder Rainer Schaller's death in October 2022, Hagen Wingertszahn and Dr. Jobst Müller-Trimbusch assumed dual-CEO leadership, with brother and owner Dr. Gerd Schaller joining as third CEO in 2025. The company divested its 47 Spanish studios to Basic-Fit in 2024, rationalizing the European footprint. Despite the leadership transition, RSG Group continues to expand via international franchising, premium concept launches (HEIMAT, KLUB McFIT), and strategic corporate partnerships (Paramount+, Gympass, ESN). The European fitness market context — €39.1B revenue in 2025 across 67,500+ clubs — provides a large and growing addressable market, while the global health and fitness club market is projected to grow from USD 120B (2025) to USD 298B (2036).

Name

RSG Group

Legal name

RSG Group GmbH

Website

https://rsggroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

RSG Group is a German family-owned fitness conglomerate operating ~900 gyms across 30 countries with 4.5 million members through 10 brands spanning discount (McFIT), music-driven (JOHN REED), iconic (Gold's Gym), and ultra-premium (HEIMAT) tiers, plus digital and B2B offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Fitness Studio Memberships: RSG Group's primary revenue stream is membership fees from its company-owned and operated fitness studios across brands including McFIT, JOHN REED, Gold's Gym, JOHN & JANE'S, HEIMAT, and KLUB McFIT. Members pay recurring subscription fees for gym access. The company also collects franchise royalties and fees from its Gold's Gym franchise network (~500 locations globally) and McFIT master franchisees internationally.
2. Corporate Fitness Programs: RSG Group generates B2B revenue through corporate fitness programs including Business Membercards (annual corporate memberships) and the Wellhub partnership platform for employee wellness benefits. These generate recurring revenue from enterprise clients providing fitness access to employees.
3. Brand & Strategic Partnerships: Revenue is generated from brand partnerships, co-marketing campaigns, and sponsorship placements in RSG Group's studios and digital platforms. Partners gain visibility across McFIT and JOHN REED studio networks through advertising placements and strategic co-branded activations.
4. Hero Workout Digital Subscriptions: The Hero Workout digital fitness platform (50% owned by RSG Group) generates revenue through app-based digital training subscriptions, selling the wristband hardware and in-app training plans to consumers.
5. Qi² Sports Nutrition: RSG Group's sports nutrition brand Qi² generates revenue from the sale of sports beverages, mineral water, and selected sports food products. Products are distributed within RSG Group's German and Austrian studio brands.
6. HEIMAT Kitchen Restaurant: HEIMAT Kitchen restaurant generates food and beverage revenue from both members and external guests at the HEIMAT Los Angeles location, serving a global cuisine with fresh, natural ingredients across breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and casual dining occasions.
7. McFIT Franchise Fees: RSG Group collects franchise fees from master franchisees and direct franchisees operating McFIT studios internationally, as well as franchise setup and ongoing royalties. McFIT currently operates 230 company-owned clubs in Germany, Austria, and Italy, with international franchising launched in 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RSG Group operates a global multi-brand portfolio of fitness and lifestyle studios — including McFIT (discount fitness), JOHN REED (boutique music-led club), Gold's Gym, HEIMAT (premium wellness), JOHN & JANE'S, KLUB McFIT, Qi² and McFIT MODELS — serving roughly 4.5 million members in more than 900 studios across 30 countries. The company also sells franchise rights, corporate fitness solutions and strategic brand partnerships, and operates THE MIRAI as an internal R&D unit for digital fitness products.

Product overview

RSG Group is a diversified international fitness conglomerate operating a portfolio of 9 brands and 1 investment across the fitness and lifestyle spectrum. Its brands span discount fitness (McFIT — the founding brand, with 230+ company-owned studios in Germany, Austria, and Italy, now franchising internationally), music-driven fitness clubs (JOHN REED — first Fitness Music Club concept in international cities), the iconic Gold's Gym (acquired 2020, ~600 studios globally including company-owned and franchise), boutique fitness (JOHN & JANE'S — SOULBASE/POWERBASE concepts in Berlin), premium concept clubs (HEIMAT — world's first Concept Fitness Club in LA, ~7,000 sqm), female-focused boutique gyms (HEIMAT by Waris Dirie — Paris, 2023), a sports model agency (McFIT MODELS — Europe's largest), sports nutrition (Qi2 — Made in Germany), and neighborhood gyms (KLUB McFIT — unstaffed, fully digitalized, launched 2024). B2B offerings include franchise (McFIT and Gold's Gym), corporate fitness (Wellhub partnership), brand partnerships, and real estate services. Digital investments include 50% stake in HERO Workout (3D motion capture, real-time exercise feedback) and THE MIRAI (AI-powered R&D platform for fitness and health data analysis). The group was rebranded from McFIT GLOBAL GROUP to RSG Group in 2019 and acquired Gold's Gym in 2020.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• McFIT: The first discount gym chain in Europe, founded in 1997, operating 230+ studios in Germany, Austria, and Italy.
• JOHN REED
• Gold's Gym
• JOHN & JANE'S
• HEIMAT
• HEIMAT by Waris Dirie
• McFIT MODELS
• Qi²
• KLUB McFIT
• Hero Workout

Products and services

• McFIT Discount, large-format fitness studios offering affordable monthly gym memberships to mass-market consumers in Germany and across Europe.
• JOHN REED Boutique fitness clubs combining strength and cardio training with curated in-house music streaming and live DJs, designed as design-led lifestyle destinations for urban members.
• Gold's Gym (RSG-operated markets) Iconic bodybuilding-rooted fitness studios operated by RSG Group under Gold's Gym international master franchise rights in markets outside the United States.
• HEIMAT Premium wellness concept positioning for design-conscious and wellness-oriented members seeking upscale fitness and recovery experiences.
• HEIMAT by Waris Dirie Premium women-focused wellness concept that is a co-branded extension of the HEIMAT line featuring Waris Dirie, including the West Hollywood flagship.
• JOHN & JANE'S Women-only fitness studio concept in the RSG portfolio offering a dedicated, female-only training environment.
• KLUB McFIT High-end, premium fitness club format within the McFIT family of brands, positioned above the legacy mass-market McFIT studio product.
• Qi² EMS (electronic muscle stimulation) focused training studio concept within RSG Group's portfolio for members seeking technology-driven training.
• Hero Workout EMS-based fitness equipment and workout concept in which RSG Group acquired a 50% interest to complement its Qi² studio format.
• McFIT MODELS Modeling and influencer-driven lifestyle brand developed under the McFIT name, extending the group's fitness identity into broader lifestyle content.
• Corporate Fitness / Wellhub & Humanoo Partnerships B2B corporate wellness offering that gives employees of partner companies access to RSG Group's studio brands via employer-sponsored benefit platforms (Wellhub/Gympass, Humanoo, mth.land).
• International Franchise Program Licensing of McFIT, JOHN REED, Gold's Gym (international) and HEIMAT to local and regional franchise partners for market entry outside directly operated geographies.
• THE MIRAI RSG Group's internal digital R&D center that builds proprietary studio-management software, booking and access apps for the group's brands, supporting both consumers and operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Gold's Gym reached ~3 million members and ~600 locations globally under RSG Group ownership
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EuropeActive (Next Level Leaders Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026RSG Group is a major operator backing the EuropeActive Next Level Leaders programme, a reimagined version of the UK Active Future Leaders Programme marking its 10-year anniversary. The initiative develops the next generation of strategic, globally-minded leaders for the fitness and physical activity sector. Other backers include Go Fit and The Gym Group.
• ESN (Elite Sports Nutrition)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024RSG Group and ESN announced an exclusive partnership for maximum performance in the gym. ESN is a leading sports nutrition brand and the partnership likely involves product integration, co-branded offerings, or exclusive distribution of ESN products within RSG Group's studio network.
• GympasscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024RSG Group and Gympass formed an exclusive partnership to strengthen corporate wellbeing in Europe. Gympass provides access to RSG Group's studio network as part of its corporate wellness subscription platform, enabling employees of Gympass corporate clients to use RSG Group gyms.
• Waris DiriecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RSG Group partnered with supermodel, bestselling author, human rights activist, and artist Waris Dirie to create HEIMAT by Waris Dirie — an innovative boutique gym exclusively for women in Paris, launched in early 2023. The concept embodies 'PROUD FEMALE FITNESS' and combines boutique fitness with private community, cultural events, and art exhibitions.
• Deutsche SportakademieminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RSG Group launched an education initiative partnership with the Deutsche Sportakademie (German Sports Academy) to provide training and certification programs for fitness professionals.
• FC Viktoria Berlin (Women's Team)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023JOHN REED became the official fitness partner of the women's team of FC Viktoria Berlin, providing fitness training support and facilities for the club's female athletes.
• Sergio RamosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022RSG Group partnered with professional footballer and soccer world champion Sergio Ramos to launch 'SERGIO RAMOS by JOHN REED' — the company's first celebrity fitness concept. Classic boutique fitness elements were combined with a gym space curated by Sergio Ramos, including design based on his personality. The first club opened in Madrid in January 2022.
• Holmes Place SpainminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022RSG Group acquired Holmes Place Spain in 2022, one of the most important brands in the premium fitness segment. The chain's five clubs were centrally located in Madrid and Barcelona, expanding RSG Group's premium segment presence in Spain.
• Hero WorkoutcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020RSG Group took a 50% stake in the fitness startup Hero Workout in 2020, which has since grown to 50% ownership. Hero Workout provides a 3D motion-tracking wristband and intelligent companion app that delivers real-time exercise feedback. The partnership integrates digital personal training technology with RSG Group's physical studio ecosystem.
• PEARL Model ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020RSG Group acquired Pearl Model Management in 2020 as its second model agency (alongside McFIT MODELS). Pearl is established in the international fashion business, covering all areas from commercial to haute couture, representing diversity, quality over quantity, and personality development for models.
• TIGERPOOLminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017RSG Group founded TIGERPOOL management agency in 2017, which promotes selected designers and artists from fashion, lifestyle, and art sectors.
• FC Bayern Munich / 'A heart for children' charityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009McFIT sponsored a football match against FC Bayern Munich for charity 'A heart for children' for a record fee of €1,000,000. The match took place on July 25, 2009 in front of 50,000 spectators at Arena Auf Schalke.
• Vitali and Wladimir KlitschkominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2008McFIT signed Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko as brand ambassadors in 2008, forming a win-win partnership with the world champion boxers.
• Brand & Strategic Partners (advertising clients)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRSG Group's Brand & Strategic Partnerships team works with advertising and brand partners to place their brands in McFIT and JOHN REED studios through classic advertising bookings, sponsorships, contest sponsorships, special McFIT+ loyalty program placements, and unforgettable event collaborations. Partners reach an audience of 4.5 million members across the studio network.
• WellhubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRSG Group partnered with Wellhub to provide comprehensive and flexible corporate wellness solutions for companies. Wellhub handles all administration on behalf of the employer, providing employees with access to RSG Group's fitness studios (McFIT, JOHN REED, Gold's Gym) and other health and wellness offerings. Employees can instantly and easily benefit from the diverse offerings through a tailored solution.
• Paramount+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSG Group announced a strategic partnership with Paramount+ in Germany and Austria. As part of the innovative agreement, McFIT, JOHN REED, Gold's Gym, and other RSG Group brands are integrated into Paramount+'s streaming platform content ecosystem, creating cross-promotional and content integration opportunities.
• gym80coreTechnology or IntegrationRSG Group holds a 35% stake in gym80, a leading fitness equipment manufacturer. This investment ensures preferential access to high-quality training equipment for McFIT studios and positions RSG Group as a global leader in fitness equipment innovation. gym80 equipment is used across McFIT's cardio, free weight, machine, and functional training areas.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Life Time Fitness: Life Time Fitness is a US-based premium multi-brand fitness operator with 170+ athletic country clubs offering fitness, spa, and lifestyle amenities. It is highly comparable to RSG Group's premium concept (HEIMAT) and multi-tier strategy across Gold's Gym and JOHN REED.
• Anytime Fitness: Anytime Fitness is the world's largest 24-hour fitness franchise with 5,000+ locations across 50+ countries. Its global franchise model is directly comparable to RSG Group's Gold's Gym franchise network (~600 locations) and McFIT's international franchise strategy.
• Fitness First: Fitness First is a premium international fitness chain with clubs across Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is comparable to RSG Group's premium brands (JOHN REED, HEIMAT) and offers similar tiered premium fitness experiences in major metropolitan markets.
• Equinox: Equinox operates a portfolio of premium and ultra-premium fitness clubs across major US and international cities, including Equinox Hotels and SoulCycle. It is directly comparable to RSG Group's premium-tier concepts like HEIMAT and JOHN REED in design, lifestyle positioning, and pricing.
• F45 Training: F45 Training is a global boutique fitness franchise with 1,500+ studios offering functional group workouts. It is comparable to RSG Group's boutique brands (JOHN & JANE'S SOULBASE/POWERBASE) and shares the global franchise model approach with Gold's Gym.
• PureGym: PureGym is one of the largest low-cost fitness operators in Europe and the Middle East with 600+ clubs. It directly competes with McFIT on price, accessibility, and 24/7 operating model across multiple European markets.
• The Gym Group: The Gym Group is the UK's largest low-cost gym chain with 240+ locations operating 24/7. It is highly comparable to McFIT's discount model and is one of the backers of the EuropeActive Next Level Leaders programme alongside RSG Group.
• Basic-Fit: Basic-Fit is the largest low-cost fitness chain in Europe with 1,000+ clubs across multiple countries. It is a direct competitor to McFIT and acquired RSG Group's 47 Spanish studios in 2024, making it the most relevant direct peer for RSG Group's discount gym business.
• David Lloyd Leisure: David Lloyd Leisure operates 130+ premium family-oriented health, fitness, and racquets clubs across the UK and Europe. Its premium multi-amenity club model (fitness, spa, racquet sports, family) is directly comparable to RSG Group's HEIMAT premium concept clubs.

Broad incumbents

• Planet Fitness: Planet Fitness is the largest low-cost fitness franchise in the US with 2,500+ locations and ~18 million members. While operating primarily in the US, its discount gym model is highly comparable to McFIT's positioning, scale ambitions, and franchise-led growth strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rsggroup
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/rsg-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/rsggroup_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RSG Group