Japan’s affordable gym operator to expand in China

Rizap has already experienced success in Taiwan and Hong Kong, where gym culture is gaining acceptance, according to Hiroki Kobayashi, a company spokesperson, as cited by Nikkei Asia.

“In Taiwan and Hong Kong, we have been able to make an impact with low prices,” he said.

“But in mainland China and the U.S., low-priced gyms have been there already. We need to add value other than price.”

Founded in 2022, chocoZAP is the biggest fitness chain in Japan with 1,500 venues and 1.2 million members.

The chain offers unlimited use for 24 hours a day at around JPY3,000 ($19) per month.

The first overseas chocoZAP gym was launched in Taiwan in 2023 and since then seven locations have been established in mainland China and two in Hong Kong.

Kobayashi mentioned that Rizap also aims to expand globally, with potential markets including India and Southeast Asia. The company plans to have 2,800 chocoZAP locations by 2026.

“chocoZAP is our significant growth driver,” its CEO Takeshi Seto said at a news conference on July 1.

“We are trying to make exercise a part of people’s lives, reforming perceptions from something difficult and energy consuming.”