Cult.fit, formerly known as Cure.fit, is a comprehensive health service provider offering both online and offline fitness solutions. Founded by Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori, the platform provides a range of fitness programs including live and on-demand classes, gym facilities, yoga, meditation, and more.
Mukesh Bansal, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, has a rich background in e-commerce, having played a pivotal role in establishing Myntra. He brings extensive experience from his tenure at companies like Deloitte, Flipkart, and various Silicon Valley firms.
Ankit Nagori, another IIT graduate hailing from Bihar, co-founded Cure.fit after a successful stint at Flipkart. While he initially focused on Cure.fit, he later shifted his attention to Curefoods, a cloud-based kitchen venture, while still maintaining involvement in Cult.fit. Ankit’s entrepreneurial acumen earned him recognition in publications such as Entrepreneur Magazine’s “35 under 35” list.
How it all began
Cult.fit’s journey began in 2016 when founders Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori identified a glaring gap in India’s health and fitness landscape. Observing a lack of proactive health management and a prevalent disregard for fitness, the duo, both passionate about wellness, decided to address this issue head-on.
Driven by their engineering backgrounds, they conceived a holistic health platform that would cater to individuals’ specific needs, considering factors such as BMI, sleep requirements, hydration levels, and daily activity. With a vision to promote a culture of wellness and prevent chronic diseases, Cult.fit was born.
Initially focusing on offline studios offering a variety of fitness classes, including Zumba, boxing, yoga, and strength training, the company quickly gained traction. Leveraging their early success, Cult.fit expanded its reach by launching its app in 2017, tapping into the growing demand for digital fitness solutions.
By pioneering a comprehensive approach to health and fitness and combining it with innovative technology, Cult.fit swiftly gained popularity, attracting a large customer base and establishing itself as a leader in India’s health and wellness industry.
Finding the pain point
Ankit revealed that he and Mukesh Bansal explored various industries before identifying health and wellness as their focus area. They recognized that the sector lacked technological disruption five years ago, prompting them to delve deeper into addressing its unmet needs.
Their research highlighted a common tendency among individuals to neglect proactive health measures, often seeking medical attention only when faced with chronic ailments. This insight led them to realize the prevalence of chronic and lifestyle diseases in India, motivating them to develop an integrated and holistic solution.
With a keen understanding of the potential of technology to address these challenges, the duo envisioned a platform that leveraged key data points such as BMI, sleep patterns, daily activity levels, and water intake to offer proactive health management. Despite initially raising capital without an app, they remained steadfast in their vision to build a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem encompassing fitness, nutrition, mental well-being, and preventive care.
Cult.fit initially focused on fitness, diet, and mental wellness, but adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic by pivoting to online home workouts, telemedicine diagnostics, and mental health support. Their recent acquisition of TREAD, a connected fitness startup, signals their entry into smart fitness hardware products, aligning with their commitment to innovation and expansion within the health and wellness industry.
Services
Cult.fit offers a range of products and services tailored to meet the diverse fitness needs of its clientele:
Cult Gyms: With the opening of its first three locations in Bengaluru in September 7, 2021, Cult.fit expanded its offerings to include physical gym facilities.
Evolve Yoga: Launched on September 12, 2023, Evolve Yoga represents a pioneering approach to yoga, rooted in scientific principles.
Plans ahead
Cult.fit’s recent acquisition of Gold’s Gym in India marks a significant milestone in their expansion strategy, providing them with a broader platform to extend their fitness programs beyond India’s borders. Despite this international expansion, the company remains committed to its core objectives: delivering top-notch health and fitness services across three key areas – online and offline fitness, dietary support, and mental health services.
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