Sportl: The Pay-as-You-Go Gym App Sprinting Into the Capital

Why It Matters

Sportl introduces a flexible, commission‑based marketplace that could reshape revenue streams for independent gyms and meet growing consumer demand for on‑demand fitness access. Its success may spur further innovation in the fragmented UK fitness sector.

Key Takeaways

• Sportl raised £250k pre‑seed funding.
• App offers pay‑as‑you‑go gym class bookings.
• Gym owners keep full pricing control, pay commission.
• Launch targets 50 London gyms, plans national expansion.
• Addresses market gap left by Classpass and similar platforms.

Pulse Analysis

The UK fitness market has surged to a £6.5 billion valuation, driven by digital adoption and a shift toward flexible workout solutions. Against this backdrop, former Bank of England analysts Matthew Austin and Ryan Lovelock identified a personal pain point: the rigidity of traditional gym memberships. Their solution, Sportl, combines a mobile‑first interface with a pay‑as‑you‑go model, allowing city professionals to book single classes on their schedule. The £250,000 pre‑seed round, led by former Deliveroo and FTI Consulting executives, provides the capital needed to refine the platform and accelerate user acquisition.

Sportl’s value proposition directly challenges incumbent aggregators such as Classpass, which often impose floor rates and limited commission structures that can erode gym profitability. By granting gyms full control over pricing, availability, and class offerings, Sportl ensures that providers retain the majority of revenue while the app earns a modest commission per transaction. Early feedback from over 300 gym owners confirms that this model alleviates the financial strain of external booking platforms and opens a new revenue channel for under‑utilised class slots, especially during peak times.

Launching in London with 50 boutique and independent studios, Sportl leverages the capital’s dense professional population and networking culture. The platform targets commuters and flexible‑hour workers who seek high‑quality facilities without long‑term commitments. With a scalable architecture and partnerships already extending to chains with national footprints, Sportl is positioned to replicate its London success across other UK cities. If adopted widely, the marketplace could catalyze a broader restructuring of the fitness ecosystem, encouraging more providers to adopt on‑demand pricing and enhancing consumer choice across the sector.