Devon fitness entrepreneur Duncan Attwood has expanded his fit20 business beyond the county with the opening of a third studio in Wellington, Somerset.
Duncan opened his first fit20 franchise in Exeter in 2019 before expanding into Torquay in 2024. The new Wellington studio marks the next stage of that growth, taking a business developed in Devon into another part of the South West.
With almost three decades of experience in the health and fitness industry, Duncan holds a Sports Science degree and a Master’s degree. His latest studio is based at 58B High Street in Wellington and follows six years of developing the fit20 model from his original Exeter base.
Devon fitness business grows across the South West
Devon Business News has followed the development of fit20 locally, including the earlier expansion of fit20 from Exeter into Torquay.
The concept is based around a personalised 20 minute strength training session once a week, guided by a personal trainer in a private studio. Duncan says it is the impact he has seen on members that has kept him committed to the business.
“What has kept me committed is seeing the results people get,” said Duncan. “Throughout my career I’ve seen people join gyms with the best intentions but not necessarily get the results they hoped for.
“Then you hear what getting stronger actually means to someone. They can get out of the bath more easily, carry their shopping, get down on the floor to play with their grandchildren or keep up with friends and family on walks. Those might sound like small things, but to that person they can make a huge difference.”
Duncan’s connection with Devon goes beyond the studios themselves. We previously featured the Devon fitness coach when he took on a charity skydive in support of Exeter charity InFocus. You can also find out more about Duncan Attwood and his business success through his Devon Business Directory profile.
The move into Wellington now gives Duncan three locations across Devon and Somerset. “Wellington feels like a great fit for fit20,” Duncan says. “For me, the most rewarding part has always been seeing the difference becoming stronger can make to someone’s everyday life, and now we have the opportunity to help even more people experience that.”
For Devon’s business community, the opening is an example of a locally established franchise operation using its experience in the county as a platform for wider regional growth. From one Exeter studio in 2019 to three locations across the South West, Duncan’s expansion shows how a business developed locally can gradually extend its reach beyond Devon.
More information about the training concept and its studios is available from fit20 UK.
Devon Business
We support local entrepreneurship and help companies get noticed in the Southwest of England. Our Devon Business Directory lists local service providers and highlights businesspeople across the region. We blog about businesses that are making a difference, recognising business leaders and sharing success stories. We also look at marketplace trends and ways to increase productivity.
