ClassPass, the New York-based fitness membership startup, announced recently that it has acquired Singapore-based competitor GuavaPass, one of Asia’s leading fitness subscription services.

The deal comes just after five months after ClassPass announced its strategy to launch its business throughout Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, back in July 2018. 

With this deal, ClassPass has acquired GuavaPass’ 840 studios in 11 cities across Asia and the Middle East, namely Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Shanghai and Singapore.

According to ClassPass’ media release, the acquisition is expected to close this month, after which GuavaPass will cease operations in markets where ClassPass is available and will continue to operate in remaining markets under ClassPass until further notice.

“We’re thrilled to acquire GuavaPass’ assets and select talent and continue building the biggest fitness membership for our customers, and the largest global network for our partners. This transaction will only accelerate our robust growth trajectory as we continue expanding throughout Asia and the Middle East,” said ClassPass CEO Fritz Lanman. “While acquiring competition is not part of our growth strategy, it’s clear that GuavaPass’ founders and team are committed to a common mission and we look forward to welcoming them to ClassPass as we continue global expansion.”

GuavaPass was launched in early 2015 in Singapore with the aim to provide flexible classes and fitness memberships at top fitness studios across Asia and the Middle East. The startup connects its members to a wide range of fitness classes including yoga, cross-functional training, Pilates, HIIT, CrossFit, dance and Muay Thai. 

GuavaPass founders Jeffrey Liu and Rob Pachter, along with selected team members of Guavapass will join the ClassPass team. “To be acquired by an industry leader like ClassPass is a true testament to what we’ve built across Asia and the Middle East,” said GuavaPass Co-Founder, Jeffrey Liu. “When my co-founder, Rob Pachter, and I started this company three years ago, our mission was to provide convenient access to top fitness experiences. ClassPass’ unrivaled talent and technology means that, together, we can take our common mission further.”

In Bangkok, ClassPass has over 160 studios, including Physique 57, Absolute You, Tribe, Base, RYDE, Aspire Cub and CrossFit Arena, while GuavaPass had 72 affiliate studios, including exclusive ones like F45 Training Asok and Surf Set Thailand.  

The acquisition means some of GuavaPass users’ account data and information will be transferred by GuavaPass to ClassPass, which will then be used by ClassPass for the same purposes, such as to provide users with fitness classes and services.

According to ClassPass’s website, GuavaPass memberships will be valid until Jan 14, 11:59pm, in which members can choose to receive the equivalent value for the remainder of their GuavaPass membership through a refund or a ClassPass gift card. You will automatically receive a ClassPass gift card if you don’t let them know of your decision by Jan 13. 

ClassPass credits operate on a sliding value based on time, location and popularity. B1,190 includes 20 credits to book 2-4 classes/month; B2,290 includes 40 credits to book 4-8 classes/month; B4,490 includes 90 credits to book 10-16 classes/month; B6,690 includes 135 credits to book 16-24 classes/month.

GuavaPass, meanwhile, offered unlimited classes at three visits per studio, 6-month validity for B3,199 (see more at GuavaPass vs ClassPass: How do Bangkok's fitness passes compare?)

GuavaPass is ClassPass' second acquisition since its inception in 2013. Its first acquisition was San Francisco’s fitness membership startup, FitMob, in 2015.

ClassPass now operates in over 80 markets across 15 countries and plans to continue its expansion by launching in at least 50 new markets this year. 

We reached out to GuavaPass Thailand for comment and were told to contact ClassPass Thailand, who in turn said they are not ready to reveal additional information at this time.