Fast Fit EMS Fitness, co-founded by Serban Pop in 2019, is redefining the fitness experience through technology, hospitality, and results-driven innovation. What began with just two personal trainers has grown into a luxury fitness brand spanning multiple clubs, led by a clear vision and a relentless commitment to excellence. From advanced EMS suits to customized programs and a proprietary training academy, Fast Fit offers a high-impact alternative to traditional gyms — built for modern lifestyles and busy schedules.
In this interview, we speak with Serban Pop, COO and Co-Founder of Fast Fit, who shares his journey from trainer to operator, the challenges of leading a fast-scaling business, and why the brand is primed for global expansion. Serban offers insights into new markets, the kind of franchisees Fast Fit is seeking, and what it takes to join one of the most ambitious fitness ventures in the MENA and ASEAN regions.
How long have you been in your current position and what are your key responsibilities?
I started in 2019, but not in this position. As one of the founders, I began as a Personal Trainer—one of the two personal trainers who started the company, and I became a COO in 2022. My key responsibilities are:
- Operations & Club Performance: Managing daily operations, enforcing SOPs, and ensuring every club runs smoothly, profitably, and consistently. I set and track monthly/quarterly targets while continuously improving service standards.
- Team Leadership & Talent Development: Oversee hiring and development of Area Managers, Branch Managers, and Personal Trainers. I implement KPI systems, career pathways, and manage incentives to drive performance and growth.
- Customer Experience & Retention: Uphold our 10/10 satisfaction standard by refining the customer journey, resolving escalated issues, and ensuring retention through systems, training, and feedback loops.
- Sales, Marketing & Brand Strategy: Direct pricing models, promotional campaigns, and multichannel sales efforts. I guide brand messaging across digital and in-club touchpoints to maintain alignment and drive engagement.
- Innovation & Product Development: Launch new service offerings and tech products like our EMS Home Suit and app. I also lead operational enhancements like EMS device upgrades and booking system improvements.
- Franchising & Expansion: Spearhead franchise model development and oversee club expansions across KSA and GCC. I ensure legal compliance, franchise readiness, and structural scalability.
- Systems, Technology & Culture: Oversee CRM, analytics, and internal platforms (Zoho, app development). I also drive our company culture—leading by example with a hands-on, high-performance, growth-focused mindset.
Overall, how long have you been involved in franchising?
Since day one with Fast Fit only, 2024.
What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is the constant growth. I love learning every day, meeting people from different backgrounds, and creating new pathways for our team members to thrive. Being a role model and leading by example is something I take seriously.
I’m passionate about bringing innovation to the fitness market and shaping Fast Fit’s marketing campaigns to reflect our vision. I’m fully committed—day and night—to everything related to development and process.
What drives me is the opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up and turn Fast Fit into a top fitness brand, not just in Saudi Arabia but across the region.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The most challenging aspect of my job is delivering what I promise—because I set high expectations, have strong beliefs, and hold myself to very high standards. I know what Fast Fit can achieve, but success doesn’t rely on me alone—it requires alignment across the entire team.
It’s also challenging to get others to see the vision as clearly as I do and to fully commit to the ultra-high level of hospitality I demand in our fitness clubs. Ensuring consistent execution across all locations, and finding the right people to match our culture and pace, especially within short timeframes, adds another layer of complexity.
Still, I embrace these challenges—they’re part of what makes building Fast Fit so rewarding.
What is it like to work with franchisees from different countries and cultures?
I’ve never done this before, but I’m excited to dive in and see how it goes. My expectations are high, and I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from everyone involved. My goal is to build an amazing team—one that’s connected, driven, and committed to creating a powerful brand together: FAST FIT.
What is the main reason you are considering international franchising?
At Fast Fit, we believe we offer a concept unlike anything else on the market. We’re not just here to transform bodies — we’re here to change lives. We have all the tools to help our members become healthier, and the vision, systems, and structure to help our partners grow wealthier.
Whether you join us to train or to build, Fast Fit is where transformation begins.
What is unique or special about your brands products and services?
What makes Fast Fit different is the way we reimagine the fitness experience. We don’t operate like a traditional gym—we focus on luxury, hospitality, and cutting-edge fitness technology to deliver results that are fast, visible, and personalized. Our commitment to unmatched customer service makes every member feel like a VIP. We constantly innovate, introducing tools and systems that help our clients achieve their goals more efficiently.
What truly sets us apart:
- Our exclusive Fast Fit EMS devices and suits, designed in-house based on over 12 years of EMS expertise.
- Our tailored training programs, built for real-life needs—from fat loss and muscle gain to postpartum recovery and pain relief.
- Our Fast Fit Academy, where every Personal Trainer is trained in our unique methods, ensuring consistent, high-level service across all locations.
- And for clients who want more: personal EMS suits, giving them a premium, hygienic, and customized experience.
Fast Fit isn’t just a fitness club — it’s a new standard in wellness and results.
Why do you think you will be successful internationally?
I believe we’ll succeed both nationally and internationally because of our mindset, our vision, and the way we plan and execute. We’re not just building a fitness brand — we’re building a system designed for growth, consistency, and excellence.
With a clear purpose, a strong operational foundation, and a culture that pushes limits, Fast Fit is ready to scale across borders and set new standards in the fitness industry worldwide.
What are the priority countries/territories you are looking to develop?
Our priority regions for development are the MENA region and Asia, where we see strong demand for innovative, results-driven fitness solutions.
To be more specific, we are actively targeting: Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand. These markets align with our vision, offer high growth potential, and are ready for a premium EMS fitness concept like Fast Fit.
Why have you identified these countries and/territories as a top priority?
- High Obesity Prevalence in MENA & ASEAN:
- Obesity crisis in Gulf countries: Kuwait (~50%), Qatar (~51%), Bahrain (~44%), Iraq (~42%), Egypt (~46%)—well above global average
- Urgent demand for efficient fitness solutions targeting health improvements.
- Busy Work Culture & Limited Time:
- Singapore: Young professionals face long work hours, making it harder to maintain healthy lifestyles
- Southeast Asia: Urban elites in Jakarta, KL, Manila lack accessible public fitness infrastructure and need premium, time-saving alternatives
- Low Participation in Organized Fitness:
- ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia) show low fitness-industry penetration with limited public facilities—creating opportunity for premium in-club EMS solutions .
- Singapore does have amenities, but few specialized EMS studios catering to professionals.
- Growing Fitness Market:
- Southeast Asia health & fitness market is projected to reach USD 2.68 billion by 2025 with ~9.4% CAGR
- Expansion in the MENA region is driven by rising health awareness aligned with fast-paced lifestyles.
What are the main qualifications and capabilities you are looking for in a master franchisee or area developer?
- Proven Business Experience: Strong track record in operations, management, or scaling businesses.
- Solid Financial Capacity: Ability to invest in multi-unit development and support ongoing operations.
- Local Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the territory’s culture, consumer behavior, and regulations.
- Commitment to the Brand: Willingness to follow Fast Fit’s system, values, and vision without shortcuts.
- Operational Excellence: Experience in managing teams, delivering consistent service, and executing systems.
- Growth Mindset: Ambition to open and scale multiple locations as per development schedule.
- Strong Network: Established relationships in real estate, government, and business communities.
- Full-Time Focus: Must be hands-on or have a dedicated team—not a passive investor.
- Sales & Marketing Capability: Ability to drive customer acquisition and build the brand locally.
- Leadership & Culture Fit: Aligned with Fast Fit’s high-performance, customer-first, and hospitality-driven culture.
Any additional information you would like to share about your brand and your international expansion plans?
Make sure you’re ready to commit fully, lead a strong team, and follow proven systems. Success comes from passion, discipline, and believing in the brand. Know your market, trust the process, and be ready to grow—we’ll support you every step of the way.
To know more about Fast Fit EMS, click https://worldfranchisecentre.com/franchise/fast-fit/
