Fitness First, the independent global fitness chain, has hired UBS to carry out a review of its options. The strategic review is likely to lead to a sale. Cinven, the UK-based buyout group that owns Fitness First, is hoping for a sale price in excess of £800m including debt. Forstmann Little & Co, the US-based private equity group, has been tipped as a potential bidder for Fitness first. Forstmann bought 24-Hour Fitness last month for £877m. It is thought the new owners of LA Fitness, MidOcean Partners, want to expand the UK-based fitness gym chain. Deutsche Asset Management has a 10.2% interest in the fitness group, and the German investment group supports Cinven's move to dispose of the company. Fitness First operates approximately 430 fitness centers in 15 countries, the report said. It has 1m members.