Low-cost Norwegian health club chain EVO Fitness has opened three new Precor-equipped clubs in the last three months, with a fourth site set to open in August.

The clubs – located in Lillestrom, Moss, Greaaker and Fredrikstad – are part of a roll out which sees EVO planning to open a total of 20 clubs before the end of 2011. The unmanned EVO clubs are a new concept in Norway. Rather than staffing the sites, EVO manages them using a leading IT system. This enables the chain to take charge of membership contracts and payments, club access and personal training bookings over the internet, 24-hours a day, and keeps the cost of membership to less than €37 (£32) a month.

All of the EVO clubs also have between three and five personal trainers, each running their own business from the gym on a self-employed basis. Each of 450sq m (4,844sq ft) clubs boasts a full complement of Precor's cardio and CLine strength equipment, plus Precor freeweights.

The next club to open will feature Precor's new Experience Series CV equipment and new P80 consoles, which feature touch-screen technology plus an Ethernet connection, and works in sync with the 'unmanned concept' by promoting new workout programmes to users every time they step on the equipment. The EVO chain currently has 14 clubs, all of which have opened in less than 18 months. Precor has equipped four of these sites and will be involved in a further four, all due to open this year.

Plans for 2012 include between 12 and 16 new clubs, many of which will be equipped and supported by Precor.