Nordic Capital has confirmed the private equity industry's interest in fitness centres by acquiring three Scandinavian leisure chains, giving it control of a business with annual sales of Skr1bn (€100m).

The acquisition follows the pattern of buy-outs in the UK fitness industry this year. Duke Street Capital made a successful, hostile bid for Esporta while Royal Bank of Scotland's large buy-out unit has beaten Bridgepoint to exclusive negotiations to buy Holmes Place.