EBG Group has entered into an exclusive partnership with Australia-based Universal Fitness Group to introduce a new category of integrated health, fitness, rehabilitation, and wellness destinations across India. Backed by a planned investment of ₹300 crore over the next five years, the collaboration seeks to address the growing demand for comprehensive wellness solutions that combine fitness, recovery, preventive healthcare, and lifestyle experiences under a single ecosystem.
The partnership comes at a time when India’s wellness economy is undergoing significant transformation, driven by rising health awareness, increasing lifestyle-related health concerns, and growing consumer interest in long-term well-being.
Capitalizing on a Rapidly Expanding Wellness Market
According to the Deloitte India and Health & Fitness Association of India Fitness Market Report 2025, India’s commercial fitness industry is currently valued at approximately ₹16,200 crore and is projected to reach ₹37,700 crore by 2030. Membership is expected to increase from 12.3 million to 23.3 million during the same period.
Despite this growth trajectory, industry penetration is forecast to reach only 1.7 percent by 2030, highlighting a substantial untapped market opportunity in a country of more than 1.4 billion people.
Recognizing this gap, EBG Group and Universal Fitness Group aim to create a differentiated wellness platform designed to serve evolving consumer needs beyond traditional fitness offerings.
Building a New Category of Wellness Destinations
Under the agreement, EBG Group will lead the development, rollout, and operations of Universal Fitness facilities across India. The partners plan to establish more than 30 premium Health and Fitness Sanctuaries and two destination wellness retreats over the next five years.
The first phase of expansion will begin in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, followed by launches in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, and other high-growth urban markets.
Each facility will span between 40,000 and 45,000 square feet, significantly larger than conventional fitness centers. The destinations are designed as integrated wellness campuses that bring together fitness, recovery, rehabilitation, and preventive healthcare services.
The facilities will include advanced fitness training zones, group exercise studios, Pilates programs, swim schools, physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation services, as well as AI-powered body composition analysis. Recovery-focused amenities such as magnesium mineral pools, infrared salt rooms, cold-plunge therapy, and dedicated recovery lounges will form a core part of the experience.
Select locations are expected to operate 24 hours a day, subject to regulatory approvals. Premium fitness technology provider Technogym will supply equipment and support the digital wellness ecosystem across all facilities.
Responding to Changing Consumer Expectations
Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Irfan Khan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of EBG Group, said:
“India is entering a new era of health consciousness. While the fitness industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, consumers today are looking for far more than access to equipment. They are seeking structured ecosystems that support performance, recovery, preventive health, and long-term wellbeing. This partnership reflects our conviction that wellness infrastructure will become one of the defining growth sectors of the coming decade.”
Speaking about the broader market opportunity, he added:
“The numbers clearly indicate the scale of what is possible. A market expected to approach ₹37,700 crore by 2030, combined with low penetration levels and increasing awareness around preventive healthcare, creates the foundation for a new category of premium wellness destinations. Through Universal Fitness, we aim to build spaces that seamlessly connect fitness, rehabilitation, recovery, and lifestyle experiences while creating meaningful economic and employment opportunities across the country.”
Bridging the Gap Between Fitness and Preventive Healthcare
According to Kumar Ramachandra, Founder of Universal Fitness Group Australia, India’s consumers have evolved faster than the infrastructure available to support their wellness needs.
“We were seeing consumers who clearly understood the importance of structured recovery, rehabilitation, and preventive health management, yet had no single destination capable of delivering all of these services together. This is not a marginal gap—it represents a significant opportunity to redefine wellness experiences in India.”
Anthony Kerkmez, Co-Founder of Universal Fitness Group Australia, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative.
“We are not building another fitness network. Our ambition is to establish a new benchmark for integrated wellness infrastructure in India. Every facility is being designed around an individual’s complete health rather than a single service offering. India is one of the world’s most sophisticated consumer markets, and it deserves wellness infrastructure that reflects those expectations.”
Creating Long-Term Value Through an Integrated Wellness Ecosystem
Traditionally, consumers seeking fitness, rehabilitation, recovery, and preventive health services have had to engage with multiple providers independently. The Universal Fitness model seeks to simplify this experience by integrating these services into a single membership-driven platform.
The approach reflects broader societal shifts. Lifestyle disorders continue to rise across age groups, preventive healthcare is gaining mainstream acceptance, and younger consumers are increasingly investing in longevity, recovery, and holistic wellness solutions.
Industry experts believe these trends are reshaping expectations around wellness and creating demand for more comprehensive, technology-enabled, and service-oriented solutions.
Significant Employment and Economic Impact
Beyond its consumer offering, the expansion is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities.
Each facility is projected to employ between 50 and 60 professionals across disciplines including fitness coaching, physiotherapy, sports science, hospitality, wellness operations, technology support, facility management, and community engagement.
As the network expands across major cities, the initiative is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while contributing to the development of India’s broader wellness infrastructure ecosystem.
The partners are currently finalizing site selections, operational frameworks, and launch schedules for the first flagship locations.
About EBG Group
EBG Group is a diversified Indian conglomerate with business interests spanning mobility, healthcare, real estate, lifestyle, food services, technology, and education. The organization develops purpose-driven businesses focused on innovation, sustainability, and long-term societal impact.
Its portfolio includes ventures in sustainable mobility, physiotherapy-led healthcare solutions, smart housing, hospitality, and traditional food experiences. EBG Group operates under its guiding philosophy of People, Planet, and Progress.
About Universal Fitness Group
Founded in Australia, Universal Fitness Group is a premium wellness and fitness company that integrates fitness training, recovery therapies, wellness technologies, hospitality-inspired services, and community engagement into a unified health and lifestyle platform.
The company is recognized for creating immersive wellness environments designed to support performance, recovery, longevity, and overall wellbeing through a holistic and member-centric approach.
