From an Abandoned Factory to India’s Biggest Gym: The Story Behind Club 72

Some stories are worth sharing because they remind us that big ideas can begin in the most unexpected places. Club 72 is one of those stories. Before it became one of India’s biggest fitness gyms, the space was a closed industrial property that had remained untouched for nearly three decades. When I first came across it, I knew there was something different about the opportunity but turning that thought into reality was a completely big challenge.

I always wanted to create something that created an impact on a larger community, and I see this could help turn that thought into a real one. What followed was a journey of ambition, uncertainty, difficult decisions and relentless execution. Why did we choose this space, what did it take to transform it, and how did the idea evolve along the way? Let’s know more about the story….

From a Closed Factory to a Blank Canvas

Five years turned into ten, ten into twenty, and before anyone realized it, 30 years had passed. Over the years, several businesses occupied the space, but changing market conditions and operational challenges made it difficult for them to continue there.

For decades, hardly anyone could have imagined that this forgotten space would one day come alive again. It needed more than renovation; it needed a clear vision, strong commitment, and someone willing to take on the challenge. That is where Pro Ultimate stepped in. The scale of the property gave us the opportunity to build something far beyond a conventional gym. We knew it would require more than investment and planning. We needed experienced architects, designers and fitness industry professionals who understood how people train, what a modern gym requires, and how to transform a large blank space into a destination.

When we first looked at the space, it was almost impossible to imagine what it could become. There were old, rusted machines left behind, small trees and vegetation growing across different parts of the property, and sections of the building that had deteriorated over the years. After being unused for three decades, it looked less like a place ready for renovation and more like a forgotten, abandoned site. But for us, it wasn't just an old factory, it was the beginning of something we had yet to build.

“Club 72 was never just about transforming a forgotten space. It was about bringing it back to life and putting an overlooked part of the city on the map.”— Abhishek Gagneja

Why Transforming Such a Massive Industrial Property Was a Challenge

Taking over a massive, abandoned industrial space was never going to be a simple renovation project. The property had remained unused for decades, which meant we weren't just modifying an existing facility, we were starting almost from the ground up.

The first challenge was understanding how to transform such a large blank space into a functional, world-class fitness destination. It required experienced architects, designers, and a detailed vision for everything from the layout and training zones to member movement, amenities, and the overall experience.

Then came another important question: the location. The property wasn't situated in one of the city's most popular or established areas. We had to take a calculated risk on whether people would actually make the journey to a destination that wasn't already on their radar.

That meant Club 72 couldn't simply occupy the space- it had to create a reason for people to come there.

Our vision was to build a facility so distinctive and ambitious that it would attract people beyond its immediate surroundings. And over time, that is exactly what happened.

The Idea Behind Club 72

My vision for Club 72 was never to build just another gym. I wanted to create a complete fitness and recreation destination, a place where fitness, wellness, sport and lifestyle could exist under one roof. The idea was to move beyond the traditional definition of a gym and build an ecosystem that people could genuinely make part of their lifestyle.

A COMPLETE FITNESS SPACE INCLUDES:

●     Swimming Pool

●     Indoor Sports & Recreation

●     Functional & HYROX Training

●     MMA Academy

●     Kids’ Gym

●     Health Café

I wanted Club 72 to work for different people, different ages and different fitness goals. Some days, it could be strength training or cardio; on others, members could play indoor sports, explore different training formats or simply choose a different way to stay active. The scale of the facility also meant members wouldn't have to plan their workouts around crowded equipment or wait in queues. There would be enough variety and space to make every workout feel different.

Most importantly, I wanted to build something that could stand alongside the best fitness destinations internationally. Club 72 was not about building a bigger gym; it was about redefining what a gym could be.

Beyond the scale and variety, I wanted to create something that gave people a reason to keep coming back. A place where every visit could offer something new: new experiences, new activities, and a different reason to stay consistent.

For me, that was an important part of the vision: “making fitness feel less like a routine you follow and more like a destination you look forward to visiting.”

18 Months That Changed the Space Forever

From an Empty Industrial Shell to a Vision Taking Shape 

The transformation began with a space that was almost impossible to imagine as a fitness destination. It was vast, empty and industrial with little resemblance to what Club 72 would eventually become. We had to start by seeing beyond what was there and visualizing what it could be.

Planning a Space This Large Was a Project in Itself 

With an area of this scale, every decision mattered. The layout, infrastructure, equipment placement, training zones, movement of members and overall experience had to be planned together. We weren't simply filling a large property; we were designing how people would experience it.

Building Every Zone With a Purpose 

Every section was planned with a reason. Strength, cardio, functional training, HYROX training, indoor sports, wellness and recreation each needed their own identity while still feeling connected. The goal was to give members enough variety to make every visit different.

When the Plan Met Reality 

As execution began, reality brought its own challenges. Plans changed, unexpected problems surfaced and several decisions had to be revisited. At this scale, even a small change could affect multiple parts of the project, so adaptability became as important as planning. There were countless discussions, revisions and long days behind what people eventually saw. The vision had to be translated into reality, one decision at a time.

The Day the Space Finally Became Club 72

What once stood unused had become a complete fitness and recreation destination. For us, Club 72 wasn't just the completion of a project, it was proof of bigger vision, persistence and execution created from a space everyone else had left behind.

What Club 72 Means Today

India’s biggest 1,00,000 sq. ft. gym, was created as a complete fitness destination where everything comes together under one roof. The idea was to redefine fitness beyond machines and workouts, giving people opportunities to build strength, stay physically active through sports and swimming, explore martial arts, and experience different forms of fitness and recreation. It was about creating a space that supports an active lifestyle, not just a workout routine.

Looking back, Club 72 is a reflection of a vision that took years of planning, a committed team, trusted partners and the support of the Tricity community to bring to life. Today, thousands of people walk through its doors, not just to train, but to participate, connect and experience fitness in different ways.

What makes it meaningful to me is seeing people make the space their own. From bike rides and yoga workshops to dance sessions and community events, the response has shown us that Club 72 has grown beyond the idea we originally imagined. People aren't simply visiting a gym; they are becoming part of a community. But perhaps the most exciting part of the story is that it is still being written. And that, to me, is the real measure of what we set out to build.