The BBM Program
The BBM Program is a New Zealand non-profit founded in 2014 by Dave Letele, operating three subsidized gyms in Manukau, New Lynn, and Tokoroa alongside a foodshare and community kitchen, serving primarily Māori and Pasifika communities with low-cost fitness and nutrition support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersManukau, New Zealand
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The BBM Program does
The BBM Program is a New Zealand-registered non-profit community health organization founded in 2014 by Dave Letele, focused on addressing health inequities in Māori and Pasifika communities. It operates three physical gym locations — Manukau, New Lynn, and Tokoroa — providing free or subsidized fitness access, and runs a foodshare program and community kitchen to address adjacent food-security needs. The organization has received the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Award for its founder, reflecting its public profile and community standing.
The program's service stack combines in-person gym access (priced at $10-15/week) with a digital BBM App (priced at approximately $67/month) and class-booking infrastructure built on the GymMaster software platform. Research partnerships with Massey University and the University of Auckland provide third-party validation of health and social outcomes, which is leveraged for both credibility and funder reporting. The technology footprint is deliberately lean, prioritizing accessibility over feature depth.
Revenue mechanics blend small individual membership fees with charitable donations funneled through the Just Move Charitable Health Trust, which was established in 2018 as the dedicated funding vehicle. The go-to-market is community-led — local outreach, word-of-mouth, and healthcare-provider referrals — targeting underserved South Auckland and Waikato populations. There is no enterprise sales motion, and member relationships are individual rather than institutional, with university and potential government/health-board partnerships serving primarily as research and funding channels rather than revenue contracts.
The BBM Program firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The BBM Program
- Legal name
- Just Move Charitable Health Trust (funding entity for BBM Motivation)
- Website
- https://thebbmprogram.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The BBM Program is a New Zealand non-profit founded in 2014 by Dave Letele, operating three subsidized gyms in Manukau, New Lynn, and Tokoroa alongside a foodshare and community kitchen, serving primarily Māori and Pasifika communities with low-cost fitness and nutrition support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The BBM Program industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Fitness and Wellness Services
- NAICS
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Diet and Weight Reducing Centers (812191)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Strength & Conditioning Bootcamps (HSADABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Group Fitness, Personal Training & Wellness Coaching (EDALAIAE)
Keywords
Where The BBM Program is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manukau
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
The BBM Program business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Charitable Donations and Trust Funding: Funded primarily by the Just Move Charitable Health Trust, a registered charity (CC55414) established May 16, 2018. Receives donations from individuals and organizations to support free and subsidized programs.
- Gym Membership Fees: Community bootcamp memberships at $10/week or casual $15 drop-in sessions. Revenue is secondary to mission; most programs are free or heavily subsidized.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with foundations and corporations including Z Energy, Foodstuffs, Sky City, and various charitable trusts that provide funding and in-kind support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Weekly Membership - $10 per week |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Community Classes - $15 per week |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Casual Drop-in Pass - $15 per session |
| Subscription | Monthly | BBM App - $67 per month |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | From the Couch Program - Free |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
The BBM Program product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The BBM Program provides free and low-cost community fitness bootcamps, the specialized 12-week "From the Couch" lifestyle program for mobility-limited individuals, and food insecurity support through its Foodshare service. Operating from three physical gym locations in New Zealand and a subscription mobile app, it delivers culturally grounded health, fitness, and nutrition services to Māori and Pacific communities and people affected by obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Product overview
The BBM Program operates as a community health and fitness organization offering free and low-cost fitness services to underserved communities in New Zealand. The core offering consists of physical gym facilities in Manukau, New Lynn, and Tokoroa providing community bootcamps (Boxfit, Circuit, Mums and Bubs, Plyometrics, TechFocus, Open Gym, Weights, Resistance Harness), supplemented by the digital BBM App for remote members. The flagship programme 'From the Couch' provides specialized 12-week support for people with mobility limitations and long-term health conditions, while the Foodshare and Community Kitchen address food insecurity. The organization is funded by the Just Move Charitable Health Trust and focuses on Māori and Pacific communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BBM From the Couch: Free 12-week lifestyle support program for people with long-term health conditions who cannot stand for long periods.
- BBM Foodshare
- BBM Foodbank
Products and services
- BBM Community Classes (Bootcamps) Weekly community fitness bootcamps held at BBM gyms in Manukau, New Lynn, and Tokoroa, offering Boxing, HIIT, CrossFit, Yoga, Circuit Training, Mums and Bubs, Heavyweight Champs (beginners), Open Gym, Resistance Harness, Plyometrics, Tech, and male-only/female-only classes for all fitness levels including children and teens. Classes accommodate up to 40 people; weekly membership at $15/week or $30 per fortnight, plus casual $15 drop-in sessions.
- BBM From the Couch
Quantifiable outcome
- Severe depression decreased from 65% to 20% among From the Couch participants (effect size 0.36)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The BBM Program
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The BBM Program technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
The BBM Program partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Total Healthcare PHOcoreHealthcare provider partnership delivering the From the Couch program. PHO (Primary Health Organisation) provides healthcare system connections and support for underserved populations.
- Local DoctorscoreHealthcare provider partnership delivering the From the Couch program. Provides medical support and health referrals to program participants.
- Massey UniversitycoreConducted 3-year independent evaluation of the From the Couch program. Research team led by Professor James Liu and researchers Jenn Sarich and Gloria Finau. Evaluation published results showing significant health improvements including reduced depression rates.
- University of AucklandcoreResearch partnership with Dr Fa'asisila Savila's team evaluating the effectiveness of the BBM programme for sustained health and well-being. Three-year funding from Health Research Council to monitor changes in weight over time.
- Middlemore FoundationminorAnnual partnership to provide Christmas support to hundreds of families doing it tough in the community.
- GymMastercoreFitness management software used for class bookings, member check-ins, payment processing, and liability waivers. Members download the app and manage their membership digitally.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The BBM Program competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Noom: Noom is a digital subscription weight-loss and behavior-change platform with strong evidence-base claims and personalized coaching. Comparable as a recurring, app-driven weight-management service competing for the same end outcome as BBM's programs.
Broad incumbents
- Les Mills International: New Zealand-founded global group-fitness programming company that licenses classes (Bodypump, GRIT, etc.) to gyms worldwide. Comparable as a NZ-anchored group-fitness brand and a community-oriented operator at its Auckland studios.
- WW (Weight Watchers): WW operates a global subscription weight-management and wellness program with community and digital components. Comparable in outcome-focused weight loss but at vastly greater scale and with a commercial (not charity) model.
- CityFitness (New Zealand): CityFitness is one of New Zealand's largest budget gym chains offering group fitness and personal training across multiple sites. It is comparable as a domestic fitness operator serving price-sensitive members, though it lacks BBM's charity funding and community focus.
Direct peers
- TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): TOPS is a non-profit, peer-support weight-loss organization with chapter-based meetings. Comparable as a community-led, low-cost, mission-driven weight-management model that BBM parallels in structure and member psychology.
- YMCA (New Zealand): YMCA NZ operates community fitness facilities with subsidized access and youth/family programming on a non-profit basis. It is the closest direct peer to BBM in mission, member-base profile, and community-led delivery model in New Zealand.
- Lite n' Easy (ANZ): Lite n' Easy delivers structured meal plans and weight-management programs across Australia and New Zealand. Directly comparable as a recurring-subscription weight-loss service targeting health outcomes in the ANZ market.
Regional players
- Green Prescription (NZ): Green Prescription is a New Zealand Ministry of Health-funded program that refers patients to community physical-activity services. Comparable as a public-sector channel for community fitness delivery, and a potential partner or competitor for BBM's healthcare referral flow.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The BBM Program social profiles
Digital presenceThe BBM Program financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The BBM Program leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The BBM Program funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The BBM Program M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The BBM Program
What does The BBM Program do?
The BBM Program provides free and low-cost community fitness bootcamps, the specialized 12-week "From the Couch" lifestyle program for mobility-limited individuals, and food insecurity support through its Foodshare service. Operating from three physical gym locations in New Zealand and a subscription mobile app, it delivers culturally grounded health, fitness, and nutrition services to Māori and Pacific communities and people affected by obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Is The BBM Program a public or private company?
The BBM Program is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The BBM Program founded?
The BBM Program was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The BBM Program based?
The BBM Program is headquartered in Manukau, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does The BBM Program make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Charitable Donations and Trust Funding is the primary driver. The others are gym Membership Fees and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are The BBM Program's main competitors?
Noom is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Les Mills International, WW (Weight Watchers) and CityFitness (New Zealand). Direct peers are TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), YMCA (New Zealand) and Lite n' Easy (ANZ). Green Prescription (NZ) is listed as a regional player.
Does The BBM Program have an API?
No public API is recorded for The BBM Program.
What industry is The BBM Program in?
The BBM Program's product category is Community Fitness and Wellness Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSADABAB, Strength & Conditioning Bootcamps, with a secondary code of EDALAIAE, Group Fitness, Personal Training & Wellness Coaching. Its NAICS code is 713940 and its SIC code is 7997.