It all started with a conversation. Not in a corporate boardroom.
But in the middle of nets, surrounded by sweat, bat knocks, and recovery sessions.
Glenn Maxwell, one of Australia’s most explosive cricketers, was training during an IPL season with Punjab Kings when he struck up a chat with Preity Zinta. They weren’t talking about movies or match strategy – but something deeper: how Indian athletes train, recover, and repeat.
That conversation has now turned into something big.
In April 2025, Maxwell officially announced his investment in Drive FITT, a performance-first fitness and cricket club co-founded by Preity Zinta, Indian cricketer Shubman Gill, and three global entrepreneurs – Mark Sellar, Deke Smith, and Vikram Aditya Bhatia.
But this isn’t just another celebrity-backed gym.
This might start a revolution in India’s sports fitness industry – and not just for professional cricketers.
A New Kind of Sports Club
So, what is Drive FITT?
Imagine a space that combines:
- High-performance cricket nets,
- AI-powered fitness tracking,
- Recovery zones that look like they belong in a sports science lab,
- And coaching programs that treat every member like an athlete.
That’s the idea behind Drive FITT.
Founded in July 2024, Drive FITT set out to become India’s first fitness ecosystem designed around sports performance, not just weight loss or muscle gain. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend cricket lover, their programs are built to help you train, recover, and repeat like a pro. And it’s catching on fast.
Why Now? Why India?
According to a recent FICCI-EY report (2024), India’s health and fitness market is poised to cross $13 billion by 2026. What’s more interesting is that sports-based training programs – especially cricket – are becoming more popular in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
Cricket isn’t just a sport here; it’s a culture. Surprisingly, most cricket training academies in India still follow outdated fitness methods. There’s a gap between what athletes need and what’s available. Drive FITT wants to close that gap, and Maxwell saw the potential.
Maxwell’s First Investment in an Indian Startup
This is Maxwell’s first-ever startup investment in India – and he’s not here just for the press.
He’s involved in designing training protocols, recommending fitness equipment, and bringing global best practices from Cricket Australia and the Big Bash League into Drive FITT’s DNA.
“Cricket, fitness, and recovery have always been central to my life,” Maxwell said in a recent statement.
“This concept brings them together in a way that’s modern, meaningful, and impactful.”
That’s not marketing fluff. Maxwell has faced multiple injuries throughout his career. From ankle issues to concussions, he knows the value of recovery and strength training in extending an athlete’s life on the field. Now, he wants Indian athletes – young or old – to have that same edge.
Who’s Behind Drive FITT?
The founding team is a mix of glamour, grit, and global sports business minds.
- Preity Zinta – Not just a Bollywood star, she’s a proven female business leader who has spent over a decade in the Indian Premier League as co-owner of Punjab Kings. Her entrepreneurial journey from acting to cricket ownership to fitness innovation reflects her deep understanding of business, branding, and fan psychology.
- Shubman Gill – India’s rising cricket superstar. His role brings in credibility, relatability, and inspiration for young athletes across the country.
- Mark Sellar & Deke Smith – Both Australian entrepreneurs with backgrounds in fitness innovation, gym design, and wearable tech.
- Vikram Aditya Bhatia – CEO of Drive FITT, a former sports consultant and performance coach who has worked with both athletes and brands.
With a combination like this, it’s not hard to see Drive FITT turning into a business tycoon-level brand in India’s booming fitness landscape.
What Makes Drive FITT Different?
There are plenty of gyms in India. There are cricket academies too. But Drive FITT blends both, and then adds data, recovery science, and personalization into the mix.
Here’s what sets it apart:
1. Real-Time Data Analytics
Members wear smart wearables that track their:
- Bat swing speed
- Reaction time
- Heart rate variability
- Muscle recovery status
The data helps coaches design better training schedules and monitor injury risks.
2. Recovery Zones
Think cold tubs, infrared saunas, and compression therapy pods.
“You don’t just build muscle by working out—you grow by how well you recover,” says Vikram Bhatia.
3. Cricket Nets with Tech Support
Drive FITT’s indoor nets are powered by motion sensors, ball tracking tech, and shot analysis tools. Imagine playing a net session where your bat speed, follow-through, and timing are all monitored like in a national camp.
4. Flexible Memberships
This isn’t a space only for elite athletes. Anyone can join.
- Daily Pass: INR 1,000
- Monthly Plan: INR 7,000
- Annual Membership: INR 35,000
- Family Plans: INR 55,000/year (2 adults + 2 kids)
You can walk in solo or bring your whole family into a culture of fitness.
The Larger Vision: Not Just a Gym, But a Movement
According to Shubman Gill:
“India has always had talent. But we lacked systems that treat young players like professionals. Drive FITT is that system.”
The goal isn’t to compete with gyms. It’s to redefine what fitness means by putting performance first. Drive FITT is targeting expansion into 12 cities by 2026, including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh. Their goal is to reach 1 lakh members in 3 years. They’re also working on a mobile app that lets users track workouts, receive tips from Maxwell, and even join virtual sessions hosted by celebrity trainers and athletes.
What This Means for the Indian Fitness Landscape
India is going through a fitness transformation. Post-COVID, awareness around immunity, physical strength, and athletic recovery has skyrocketed. Gym memberships have grown by 32% YoY in 2023-24, and Tier 2 cities are showing faster adoption than metros. But most people still associate fitness with either:
- Weight loss
- Bodybuilding
- Or running on treadmills
Drive FITT brings a third approach – Train Like An Athlete. And that’s where the magic lies.
The Power of a Story
Preity Zinta recalls how she saw Maxwell train during his IPL stint with Punjab Kings.
“His mindset, his preparation—it was different. He didn’t just play the game; he prepared like his life depended on it. That’s what we want to bring to everyone.”
And Maxwell? He’s now in it for the long haul.
“Injury recovery isn’t glamorous. But it’s the reason I’m still playing today. Drive FITT is my way of passing that on,” he said.
This story isn’t just about money, fame, or fitness. It’s about building a culture where even a 14-year-old in Ranchi can train with the same tools and mindset as an IPL cricketer. That’s the promise of Drive FITT.
Final Thoughts
In a world where every cricketer has a gym photo and every gym sells transformation packages, Drive FITT is doing something rare: blending science, sport, and spirit. With Glenn Maxwell on board, it’s more than just a startup – it’s a signal.
The future of fitness in India will be performance-based, data-driven, and deeply connected to sport. And maybe, just maybe … the next big Indian cricket sensation won’t be discovered in a stadium, but inside a Drive FITT center near you.
