Panobianco

Panobianco is a Brazilian fitness center chain and franchisor, founded by cousins Rafael, Bruno and André Panobianco. The idea took shape in 2011, when Rafael shared his gym concept with his cousins during an internship, and the first unit opened in 2012 in the Campos Elíseos neighborhood of Campinas, São Paulo state, with a modest initial capital of about R$ 30,000 contributed equally by the three partners. From that single gym, the business grew into a network: it reached four units by 2016, consolidated to 49 active units by 2020 despite a challenging market environment, and by 2024 had become a national reference with 245 units across Brazil. In 2025 the chain projected reaching 500 units in Brazil and began expanding into Mexico, giving the brand an international footprint. The company positions itself as "a maior franqueadora de academias do Brasil" (the largest gym franchisor in Brazil) and says it serves more than 1 million students across more than 183 cities nationwide, with a network described as exceeding 450 units. Its founders emphasize hands-on operational experience, having worked across all areas of a gym from cleaning and reception to teaching, which they credit for the depth of the business model. Panobianco sells membership plans rather than a single product. Its public plan lineup includes the Orange plan, covering strength training and cardio, group classes, the Panobianco App, guest passes, a free assessment and limited access to other units, and the Platinum plan, which adds unlimited access to all Panobianco units (excluding Select and CT units) and is offered without a loyalty commitment. Training formats advertised include cardio, spinning, strength training, group classes, functional training, Pilates and yoga. Facilities are marketed around comfort, with high-standard equipment, rotating lockers, heated showers, air conditioning and parking. The brand operates primarily through franchising, inviting entrepreneurs to bring Panobianco to their cities and providing a franchisee area, corporate plans and a Panobianco Store. It is headquartered in Campinas, where it began, and remains a privately held Brazilian company. Its mission is stated as providing health, well-being and quality of life to its clients, with a vision of being among the largest gym networks in the world.

Panobianco's origins trace to 2011, when Rafael Panobianco, during an internship, shared his idea for a gym with his cousins Bruno and André Panobianco. That conversation created the partnership that would become Panobianco Academia. In 2012 the first Panobianco unit opened in the Campos Elíseos neighborhood of Campinas, São Paulo state. The founders started with only about R$ 30,000 in capital — R$ 10,000 from each partner — and, by their own account, no robust financial structure. The early years were about validating the model. By 2016 the chain had reached four units, which allowed it to begin structuring itself as a network. The year 2020, despite a challenging scenario for the fitness sector, became a consolidation milestone: the network grew to 49 active units. Growth then accelerated sharply. By 2024 Panobianco described itself as a reference in the fitness market with 245 units spread across Brazil. In 2025 the company entered a phase it calls "protagonismo e internacionalização" (leadership and internationalization). It projected reaching 500 units in Brazil and began implementation in Mexico, giving the brand an international presence. The company also states that it serves more than 1 million students in more than 183 cities and invites people to join "more than 450 units." Its stated mission is to provide health, well-being and quality of life to its clients, and its vision is to be among the largest gym networks in the world. The founders attribute the chain's depth to having lived the reality of a gym — working in cleaning, reception and as instructors — before running the business.

• 2025

  The company projects 500 units in Brazil and begins expansion into Mexico, consolidating an international presence.

• 2024

  Panobianco becomes a national reference in the fitness market with 245 units across Brazil.

• 2020

  Despite a challenging scenario, the network consolidates and reaches 49 active units.

• 2016

  The chain reaches 4 units, validating the model and beginning to structure itself as a network.

• 2012

  First Panobianco unit opens in the Campos Elíseos neighborhood of Campinas, São Paulo, with about R$ 30,000 in initial capital.

• 2011

  Rafael Panobianco shares his gym idea with cousins Bruno and André during an internship, forming the founding partnership.

Brazilian fitness chain positioning itself as the largest gym franchisor in Brazil, emphasizing accessible membership plans, comfort-oriented facilities and hands-on founder expertise.

• Plano Orange

  Membership plan covering strength training and cardio, group classes, Panobianco App, up to 5 guests per month, free assessment and up to 4 monthly accesses to other units (excluding Select and CT units).

• Plano Platinum

  Membership plan adding unlimited access to all Panobianco units (excluding Select and CT units) and up to 4 monthly accesses to CT units, with no loyalty commitment.

• Panobianco App

  Branded mobile app included in membership plans.

• Training formats

  Cardio, spinning, strength training, group classes, functional training, Pilates and yoga.

1. 1Panobianco - Feitos de força e vontadepanobiancoacademia.com.br
2. 2Sobre Nós | Feitos de força e de garra desde o começopanobiancoacademia.com.br
3. 3Panobiancowikidata.org