As a business analyst Pratik Patel knows how to spot a good investment, so when he and his wife wanted to set up their own business, they chose the 9Round Fitness franchise opportunity.

Pratik initially looked at joining a 9Round kick boxing gym as a member. "I soon realised that 9Round would make a good investment," he says. Now Pratik, his wife (also from a business background), his best friend, and a business partner have together invested in five 9Round boutique gyms in and around London offering high intensity interval training (HIIT) and boxing-based fitness.

Three of the gyms are already open and two open soon. "9Round gyms are smaller than traditional gyms, so it's easier to find sites, and the investment required is lower, starting around £115,000 a club," says Pratik, from Erith, Kent.

"It's our first venture into business together and it's great fun. We have reduced the risk by investing in several sites, and the 9Round franchise head office team is exceptionally supportive. I come from a family that has always run its own businesses, but I knew little about the fitness sector or franchising, and 9Round has supported us all the way."

9Round is relatively new to the UK, but is part of US-based gym group Lift Brands, which operates multiple gym brands worldwide, with over 2,000 sites.

Pratik says: "It's great to get in at the beginning of 9Round's UK expansion. It's exciting to break new ground and you get direct interaction with the UK Office, who are always keen to help you make a success of your business.

"I have a good job in financial services so I could have just banked my savings, but I wanted the rewards of running my own business and could not let the 9Round opportunity pass by."