Australian health and fitness chain Consolidated Fitness has acquired a further 15 sites from the Body Club, taking its total portfolio to 34 sites and making it the largest club chain in Australia.

Established in October 2001 with the purchase of 13 Allsports Lifestyle clubs and six the Perfect Fit clubs, Consolidated Fitness now has an active membership of more than 80,000 people.

'The Body Club chain is a very good strategic acquisition,' said chief executive, Greg Hurst. 'With 15 clubs in a population of 1.2 million people it has the highest penetration of any club chain in an Australian capital city.'

Consolidated Fitness is planning to launch a national brand name for all three of its acquisitions by mid 2002, and all 34 clubs will be refurbished.

At present, Consolidated Fitness has no plans for further growth.