FiT Inc. Secures JPY 3 Billion Loan to Expand Fitness Gym 'LifeFit' to Over 500 Locations
Health-tech company FiT Inc. has secured a total of JPY 3 billion, including a credit line, from financial institutions such as the Bank of Kyoto. The funds will be used to accelerate the expansion of its core business, the 'LifeFit' fitness gym chain, with the goal of building a nationwide network of over 500 locations by the end of 2026. The company, which has grown through a combination of directly owned and franchised gyms, is currently the third-largest 24-hour fitness gym operator in Japan by number of locations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 05:52 (43h 20m after Collected)
FiT Inc. (Headquarters: Kyoto City, Kyoto; CEO: Keita Kato), a company developing health-tech businesses leveraging IT, announced that it has raised a total of JPY 3 billion, including a credit facility, from institutions including the Bank of Kyoto, Resona Bank, Hokuriku Bank, Mizuho Bank, and the Japan Finance Corporation. With this funding, the company aims to accelerate the rollout of its core business, the 'LifeFit' fitness gym, and build a network of over 500 locations by the end of 2026.
**Background and Purpose of Funding**
Under the slogan 'Democratization of Health,' FiT has been promoting the creation of a new health infrastructure by merging fitness and IT to realize its vision of 'bringing fitness into daily life.' Through funding in 2024 and 2025, the company accelerated the opening of both directly managed and franchise (FC) stores, expanding its national network as planned. Its track record of store openings, profitability, and growth potential were recognized, leading to continued support from financial institutions and this latest funding round. Recently, FiT also entered into a capital and business alliance with Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd., further strengthening its business foundation and accelerating its growth.
**Accelerated Expansion Strategy Towards 500 Stores**
For 2026, the company plans to open approximately 280 stores in a single year. This includes over 100 directly owned stores (with plans for 13 in Tohoku, 16 in Kanto, 20 in Tokai, 16 in Kansai, 10 in Chugoku, 15 in Kyushu, 10 in South Kyushu, and 10 in Okinawa) and over 180 franchise stores. This is expected to expand the 'LifeFit' network to over 500 locations by the end of 2026. FiT has built a unique growth model, balancing low costs and high profitability through unmanned operations and an app-based system, driven by both direct and franchise expansion.
**Growth Strategy Beyond Network Expansion**
In addition to expanding its store network, FiT will strengthen new business development in the health-tech domain. Specifically, the company will advance into the personalized healthcare field using LifeFit user data and develop corporate wellness support services. Leveraging a stable funding base, FiT aims for sustainable business expansion while balancing financial health and growth speed.
**Comment from Keita Kato, CEO of FiT Inc.**
'I am delighted that our business expansion in the fitness and health sector has been recognized by the financial institutions that have supported us since our early days. In our hometown of Kyoto, over 24,000 users, more than 1% of the population, use LifeFit. Our 2025 chain expansion plan is progressing as scheduled, and we are now ranked third in the industry by the number of 24-hour fitness gyms. We plan to have a network of over 500 stores by the end of 2026. We will continue to focus on business growth to realize our vision of 'bringing fitness into daily life.'
**About 'LifeFit'**
'LifeFit' is a fitness gym where users can start their workout 24/7 in as little as one minute via an app. The pricing is reasonable, starting from JPY 3,058 (tax included) for 30 days, with no initial or administrative fees. Everything from member registration to gym use and checking crowd levels can be managed through the app. A 'LifeFit Corporate Plan' is also available for companies.
**Background and Purpose of Funding**
Under the slogan 'Democratization of Health,' FiT has been promoting the creation of a new health infrastructure by merging fitness and IT to realize its vision of 'bringing fitness into daily life.' Through funding in 2024 and 2025, the company accelerated the opening of both directly managed and franchise (FC) stores, expanding its national network as planned. Its track record of store openings, profitability, and growth potential were recognized, leading to continued support from financial institutions and this latest funding round. Recently, FiT also entered into a capital and business alliance with Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd., further strengthening its business foundation and accelerating its growth.
**Accelerated Expansion Strategy Towards 500 Stores**
For 2026, the company plans to open approximately 280 stores in a single year. This includes over 100 directly owned stores (with plans for 13 in Tohoku, 16 in Kanto, 20 in Tokai, 16 in Kansai, 10 in Chugoku, 15 in Kyushu, 10 in South Kyushu, and 10 in Okinawa) and over 180 franchise stores. This is expected to expand the 'LifeFit' network to over 500 locations by the end of 2026. FiT has built a unique growth model, balancing low costs and high profitability through unmanned operations and an app-based system, driven by both direct and franchise expansion.
**Growth Strategy Beyond Network Expansion**
In addition to expanding its store network, FiT will strengthen new business development in the health-tech domain. Specifically, the company will advance into the personalized healthcare field using LifeFit user data and develop corporate wellness support services. Leveraging a stable funding base, FiT aims for sustainable business expansion while balancing financial health and growth speed.
**Comment from Keita Kato, CEO of FiT Inc.**
'I am delighted that our business expansion in the fitness and health sector has been recognized by the financial institutions that have supported us since our early days. In our hometown of Kyoto, over 24,000 users, more than 1% of the population, use LifeFit. Our 2025 chain expansion plan is progressing as scheduled, and we are now ranked third in the industry by the number of 24-hour fitness gyms. We plan to have a network of over 500 stores by the end of 2026. We will continue to focus on business growth to realize our vision of 'bringing fitness into daily life.'
**About 'LifeFit'**
'LifeFit' is a fitness gym where users can start their workout 24/7 in as little as one minute via an app. The pricing is reasonable, starting from JPY 3,058 (tax included) for 30 days, with no initial or administrative fees. Everything from member registration to gym use and checking crowd levels can be managed through the app. A 'LifeFit Corporate Plan' is also available for companies.