Martin Offers the Highest Quality 24-hour Gym Experience plus Fitness Classes
What’s your story?
I am a native Scot, and after living for over 15 years in Australia, I arrived in Hong Kong in 2012, tasked with bringing Snap Fitness to Asia. Snap Fitness was Australia’s first 24-hour gym concept.
In 2015, I developed a brand – utime Fitness Studios – which pioneered the 24-hour fitness scene in Hong Kong.
After a successful launch and roll out, I decided to revisit my own personal fitness roots, and develop a next level facility with a brand more committed to strength and conditioning as well as larger group class offerings, while tailoring it specifically for Hong Kong and Asia markets.
In 2018, GO24 Fitness was born – a new brand of 24-hour fitness, focused on delivering unparalleled quality to Hong Kong’s underserviced neighbourhoods. GO24 Fitness Tsuen Wan opened its doors in May 2018.
What excites you most about your industry?
What excites me most is the huge growth potential of both Hong Kong and Asia and the rapid pace at which it is growing. Since I “scratched the dirt” and personally launched the first 24/7 gym in Hong Kong back in 2015, there are now five 24/7 brands with a combined fifty-six locations in Hong Kong alone! That’s pretty exciting.
What is your connection to Asia?
Right now it’s a connection to business, with many friends and contacts. But originally, I travelled through Asia and just loved the diversity of cultures and the everyday buzz of the work hard get paid attitude that continues to fuel my motivation.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
I am, without a doubt, saying Hong Kong, because Hong Kong, being the only city in Asia where I have set up business, has been extremely good to me. It’s fast, it’s furious, and you can execute everything with speed and relative ease. And now, with the rising awareness of Health & Wellness, business is even better.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
What other people think about you is none of your business.
Who inspires you?
Anyone taking risks to follow their ambition or dream.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
GymShark just got a valuation of £1bn.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Absolutely nothing, I ended up exactly where I am because of my past journey.
How do you unwind?
I am not one for relaxing, but, in lieu of an answer, I refer you to the question below.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Has to be the Maldives. I am the worst person when it comes to relaxation but the Maldives makes you relax and doesn’t take no for an answer.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“The E Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It,” by Michael E. Gerber. My Business partner, Rob, bought this for me and every chapter rings bells.
Shameless plug for your business:
GO24 Fitness is Hong Kong’s premier 24-hour, no contract gym without pushy sales people. Co-founded by myself and my business partners Trudy Chan & Rob Johnson, GO24 Fitness was designed for a no-nonsense audience who demand the highest quality gyms and service at an affordable price. GO24 Fitness utilizes the latest equipment and technology from industry leaders, and offers innovative group classes and individual personal training on request.
How can people connect with you?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martee_b_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-barr-1b6ab515b/
Social Media Links?
None.
—
To hear how entrepreneurs around the world overcome their challenges, search your favourite podcast platform for ‘CallumConnects‘ to hear a 5-minute daily breakdown.
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built, and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’, and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
Connect with Callum on Twitter and LinkedIn
Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
