Friskis history

How It All Began

In 1978, Johan Holmsäter had an idea. It was about getting people to move—not just once, but throughout their entire lives.

Accessible, Relaxed, and Joyful
Johan created a social meeting place—open to everyone, with a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. This made it easier for people to get started.

He also understood that for people to want to stay active for life, it had to be fun—both the training itself and everything around it. Great workouts combined with a vibrant social environment increase the chances that you’ll actually want to come back.

Our Groundbreaking Training Was Launched

Johan Holmsäter introduced Jympa, a groundbreaking new form of training that worked everything the body needed—in under an hour. It was simple and fun to join in! But Jympa wasn’t just a workout; it was a philosophy.

Jympa was as much about the experience as it was about the physical results. It wasn’t about having a body—it was about being one.

Friskis, Svettis, and the &

Friskis&Svettis brought together knowledge from both healthcare and the sports world under one roof. In the early years, training was divided into two parts:

Friskis was for those who couldn’t join regular sessions—such as injured people, older adults, pregnant individuals, or anyone needing supportive, restorative exercise.
Svettis was for those who were ready for more intense workouts—full of energy and good health.
But the heart of the idea lay in the &. It symbolized the bridge between Friskis and Svettis, allowing people to train through all stages of life.

From 1 to Half a Million

At the very first Jympa session, only one person showed up. But within months, the success was undeniable. Jympa filled rooms to capacity, and Friskis&Svettis clubs began popping up all over Sweden.

What started as a small, bold student movement quickly grew, spreading to all ages, places, and social groups. Today, 40 years later, we’re Sweden’s largest sports association—with over half a million members in Sweden alone!

From Jympa to Many Forms of Training

Over time, the distinction between "Friskis" and "Svettis" disappeared. Instead, our range of training options expanded. We introduced dance, spinning, outdoor training, Indoor Walking, opened gyms, and educated trainers. Our training evolution is ongoing, but the core idea remains: Movement for life.

80 Training Forms – Same Philosophy

Today, we offer around 80 different types of training. Not every club offers every workout, but all of them have Jympa. And no matter what you choose to train, the same philosophy is always at the core: We focus just as much on top-quality training as we do on creating a truly great experience. It’s not about having a body—it’s about being one.