Sweat, chill, repeat

Founded in the United Kingdom by former Davis Cup player David Lloyd, the group has established itself as a leading European name in premium sports clubs. Its DNA? Uniting fitness, wellbeing and sociability in spaces that are designed to be genuine hubs for everyday activities. Yes, you train there, but you also unwind, watch your children thrive, share a meal or extend the day in dedicated work areas. As its first Swiss address — although there is a branch in neighbouring Veigy, France — the Bellevue location embodies this same vision through a precise operating model, in immaculate spaces set amid lush greenery.

An efficient English model
The establishment’s activities director, François Chaussumier, oversees tours of the club with almost paternal attention. The former Olympic tennis and physical fitness coach has worked there for twenty years — a level of loyalty he shares with Director Frédéric Bouvier, who has been there for three decades. His role? “To bring the club to life through training programmes and events, but also to understand who comes, when and why.”

At David Lloyd, data informs every decision: class attendance, age profiles, preferred time slots and beyond... The offering is precisely adjusted to suit every visitor. This English-style mastery extends throughout the club’s rigorous health and safety protocols while also permeating internal club culture. Team spirit, embodied values and frequent staff recognition all contribute to fostering a tangible sense of belonging — the “Employee of the Year” is even rewarded with a tropical getaway.

From country club to ecosystem
The evolution has been striking. Founded in the 1970s, Geneva’s country club was taken over in the 2000s by Ernesto Bertarelli’s family. Its elite sporting positioning was then strengthened, notably through preparation training for the Alinghi team and the Bol d’Or. In 2020, David Lloyd Leisure took over the facilities and invested 15 million Swiss francs.

Since then, attendance has more than tripled, with a quarter of current members being under the age of 22 — as part of a deliberate, more family-friendly shift. New investment and infrastructure extensions should further strengthen both the club’s offering and it’s momentum — while always staying firmly focused on members’ comfort. “We are notably creating a space entirely dedicated to Reformer Pilates, as well as a fourth paddle tennis court to meet strong demand,” adds François Chaussumier.

Three pillars, one complete experience
The club structures its offering around three pillars: fitness, racquet sports and aquatic activities. The experience truly comes to life through signature classes. The iconic “Blaze” class combines running, strength training and combat, keeping effort in the red zone for between 9 to 18 minutes of the 45-minute session! It’s unquestionably intense and takes place in a dedicated immersive studio (a 700,000 Swiss franc investment), complete with lights and music for extra motivation. The concept can even be extended for special events (ex. “Blaze & Bubbles”) or international competitions. Another striking innovation is EGYM: smart machines that automatically adjust to the user’s physique, range of motion and strength levels!

And then there’s the much-awaited moment of release. A spa for ages 22+, a Himalayan salt sauna, peppermint showers that alternate between hot and cold, a jacuzzi… recovery becomes a ritual. The goal is a fully immersive experience — beyond a moment of performance — that truly embeds sport into daily life.

davidlloyd.ch