Fitness First is to roll its personal training product out across Europe with the help of Escape Fitness.

The chain - which operates 206 health clubs in France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands - is currently developing the personal training business in its European clubs in an effort to bring them into line with the impressive standards set by Italy, where business is booming.

Steve Kouma has transferred from Fitness First Australia to become European Personal Training Manager.

He says: "Italy’s 17 clubs are putting on a truly world class performance compared to other countries. They have one personal trainer for every 186 members and more revenue per member than any other European country."

To encourage clubs in other countries to achieve similar levels of success, Fitness First is working with Escape Fitness to develop dedicated personal training zones in its health clubs. These feature equipment supplied by Escape Fitness such as foam rollers, medicine balls and fitballs.

In addition, the company is employing a personal trainer manager in each club with the responsibility of recruiting and developing the trainers, and setting key performance indicators. Around 95 per cent of Fitness First sites in Continental Europe now have a personal trainer manager in place, and all clubs are due to have the position filled by Christmas.

"With the exception of Italy, personal training is only just starting to take off in continental Europe, where members still tend to rely on gym instructors," adds Kouma.

"With the increasing concerns about health across Europe, we believe there is a real market for personal training as people start to take better care of themselves."