REVL Singapore is banking on community-driven fitness to stand out in the crowded wellness scene
Singapore’s fitness scene has experienced significant growth over the past couple of years—it’s even projected to generate US$185 million in revenue this year.
From international gym chains and spin studios to CrossFit gyms and boutique concepts, the market has only become increasingly crowded and competitive.
Yet, Ollie Wang, the 30-year-old founder of REVL Singapore (REVL SG), still spotted a gap in the scene. Many fitness concepts are not exactly accessible for total beginners, while more seasoned gym-goers often found themselves without clear pathways for long-term progression.
Moreover, many also struggle to find lasting motivation and community in traditional gym environments, where workouts often end as soon as the timer stops.
With REVL SG, Ollie wanted to create a community-driven experience, catering to varying fitness levels. The boutique fitness studio offers cardio- and strength-based group classes, with three difficulty levels designed to suit different abilities.
The concept seems to have taken off in Singapore—since its launch in 2022, REVL SG has grown to 13 outlets. We spoke to Ollie to find out more about his journey of finding a niche in Singapore’s competitive fitness space, and why community-driven fitness could define the next chapter in health and wellness.
Bringing an Australian brand to Singapore
Ollie has always been drawn to fitness. He worked part-time as a personal trainer in 2017 while managing his university studies.
His interest only deepened during a summer school stint in London in 2019, where he trained at a boutique studio that boasted over 500 members.
There, the way the studio fostered community struck him: Beyond delivering good workouts, the business made sure its members felt like they truly “belonged.” “Maybe one day,” he thought, “I’d like to create a community around fitness that was truly impactful.”
After returning to Singapore, Ollie began his final-year project (FYP) at Singapore Management University, where he was tasked with identifying a market gap for his business course. It was there that his idea began to take shape, and he decided to fully commit to bringing it to life.
Ollie began exploring options in the fitness industry: start his own brand, or bring in an overseas concept. He ultimately decided to bring in a foreign brand, believing it would carry stronger brand equity than building one entirely from scratch.
That’s when he stumbled upon REVL, then a young Australian brand with just three global studios. After speaking with its founders, Ben Woolford and Josh Mildren, he was convinced by their ethos of “people first, fitness second”—their focus on community aligned very closely with his own.
“They were genuine people who wanted sustainable growth,” Ollie recalled. After graduating from university in 2021, he signed on as the business’s Singapore partner, and by Jan 2022, opened the very first REVL SG studio at City Hall (which is also the brand’s 11th worldwide).
A different approach to training
REVL SG offers 13-week programmes for its members, each designed around specific goals, such as strength or conditioning. Every session is coach-led. They provide live demonstrations and instructions, and also ensure proper technique.
But beyond just being a place where people can train hard, REVL SG keeps its calendar fresh with events, from hosting monthly run clubs to turf games, attracting strong turnout from the community.
For Ollie, the business was never meant to be just another boutique fitness studio. He often compares it to a co-curricular activity for adults—a place where people can not just reach their fitness goals, but also feel part of something bigger than themselves.
Some events also have a charitable focus. One of the most memorable was the Make-A-Wish fundraisers, where the community came together to raise over S$153,000, granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Proceeds from various events held by REVL SG went to support Make-A-Wish. This includes a 5KM community run, and Tekan the Trainers, an event where members donated to see their coaches perform challenging exercises.
Apart from this, REVL SG also hosts its annual Movember 24-Hour Challenge, a test of endurance where members try to keep a rowing machine and a stationary bike operational for a full day. For every 5KM on the rower/ bike, the business donates S$1 for men’s health causes. Over 2023 and 2024, REVL SG has raised over S$25,000.
Next month, the studio will be hosting a local edition of Battle Cancer—a worldwide event blending athletic competition with cancer awareness. Registrations and donations are open, and the event has already drawn more than 700 participants and raised S$150,000.
Growth despite a rocky start
Though REVL Singapore has since grown to 13 outlets, the early days were far from easy.
The first six months were particularly challenging. Opening its first outlet during the COVID-19 pandemic meant strict regulations and reduced footfall, but REVL SG managed to pull through—and even expand.
By 2023, Ollie had opened five outlets and went on to take the role of Master Franchisor, taking charge of REVL’s growth across Singapore.
He sold off his ownership of the City Hall outlet to focus on scaling REVL SG, which has since been expanding by three to four outlets every year.
Much of this growth comes from within the community. Former members who had trained with REVL SG, drawn by the culture, have gone on to open their own franchises.
When we hit double digits, it was a pinch-me moment. I couldn’t believe we’d grown to 13 outlets in just three years.
Ollie Wang, founder of REVL Singapore
As REVL SG grew, Ollie quickly learnt that he couldn’t do everything by himself. “The challenges forced me to trust the people in my team, and lean on my brother-in-law and my sister for support.”
Today, he is mainly focused on ensuring each franchise operator is deeply aligned with REVL’s mission—driving consistency across operations, safeguarding brand standards, and nurturing the community at scale.
A cultural shift in fitness
With fitness brands closing left and right in recent years, questions about the brand’s longevity are natural—but Ollie is still banking on community.
For many in the fitness space, it has become an integral part of the experience. The rise of recovery spaces—ice baths, saunas, and compression therapy—is another sign of this shift, as members increasingly seek holistic support for performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
These spaces allow people not only to train harder but also to connect and unwind together, reinforcing the social aspect of fitness.
Looking ahead, Ollie expects demand in the fitness space to grow, particularly as more people show interest in an active lifestyle.
He explained that interest remains especially strong among Gen Z. “Gen Z is embracing fitness more than the generation before. Instead of late nights out, they’re training, competing, and recovering for Hyrox and other events. It’s become a lifestyle shift.”
Government health campaigns have further nudged Singaporeans toward active living, and Ollie sees parallels with Australia, where fitness has long been embedded in the culture. “I think we’ll see even people in their 50s training regularly in the years ahead,” he predicted.
In line with these trends, Ollie hopes to continue hosting more large-scale fitness and charity events, bringing the community together while promoting fitness.
Ollie reflected: “Real success is when members come together not just to train, but to stand behind each other and rally for something bigger. When people unite around a cause, the impact goes far beyond the walls of a studio.”
Featured Image Credit: REVL Singapore
