Strata Partners, the owner of Orange Fitness and City Fitness and one of Russia’s largest fitness operators, has announced the development of four new clubs – two in Russia, one in Armenia and one in Kazakhstan.

Orange Fitness clubs will be built in Almaty, Kazakhstan (to open Q1 09) and in Yerevan, Armenia (to open Sept 08).

Meanwhile, City Fitness clubs will be launched in the Russian cities of Tver (to open Nov 08) and Naberegnye Chelny (to open Q1 09) – both cities with a population of around 0.5 million. This will take the number of fitness facilities managed by Strata Partners to 36.

Strata Partners’ strategy is to move into big cities (1 million+ population) and capitals with its premium Orange Fitness brand – clubs that generally offer both fitness and spa – and then open one of their more moderately priced City Fitness clubs in the same town. Mid-sized Russian cities are targeted directly by City Fitness.