Latest news with #MuratAlikhanov
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
The 1Fit fisco: How a popular fitness app left hundreds of Malaysians in the lurch
SHAH ALAM – Hundreds of Malaysian users have been left in limbo after the popular fitness app 1Fit abruptly shut down its operations this month. Despite promoting and renewing memberships up until the very last days, the app's management blamed financial difficulties and announced a liquidation process, leaving users confused, frustrated and calling for government intervention. 1Fit CEO and founder Murat Alikhanov. Photo: 1Fit's official Instagram page. From Fitness Favourite to Sudden Farewell Known for its affordable access to a variety of workouts, from bouldering and pilates to gym and swimming sessions, 1Fit quickly gained popularity among Malaysian fitness enthusiasts. But on June 14, the company shocked its user base by announcing via Instagram that it was ceasing operations in Malaysia. The announcement came alongside a video message from 1Fit Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder Murat Alikhanov, who cited unsustainable costs as the key reason for the shutdown. 'This is not how we wanted the story to end. We are heartbroken, for our team, for our partners and for our users who loved the product. To everyone who supported us, thank you. To our Malaysian community, we are deeply sorry that we could not take this further,' Alikhanov said. He claimed 1Fit had invested USD4.2 million (RM17.8 million) into building its Malaysian platform, but despite their efforts, it had become unsustainable. He provided refund instructions via a WhatsApp link, assuring users that refund requests would be processed in queue order and subject to available funds under a formal liquidation process. Users Left Without Access or Answers However, users who paid in advance for memberships ranging between RM1,500 to RM3,500 have been left without services or clarity. Many were unable to use their full subscriptions, including Maine, a user who had paid RM2,500 for a 15-month plan but had only used it for 2.5 months since joining in April. Her friend, who had been on the app for nearly a year, also suffered losses and had submitted a refund request, awaiting further updates. As of the date of the closure, many users reported a lack of official communication and radio silence across 1Fit's support and social platforms. A statement shared by affected users revealed that over 600 individuals have since joined a WhatsApp support group in hopes of coordinating efforts and sharing information. Many voiced concerns that the only available refund process, a Google Form requiring users to agree that refunds are subject to queue order and available funds, felt untrustworthy and vague. 'To date, many affected users have reported a lack of official communication from 1Fit regarding reimbursements. The company's social media platforms and customer support channels have gone silent, leading to growing concerns over transparency and accountability,' the group shared. Was It a Scam? Users Question 1Fit's Ethics Critics and users have taken to Instagram to vent their frustrations. 'What happens to those who recently paid over RM2,500 for a full-year membership? Why shut down so abruptly without any prior warning? After raising the membership price, the company suddenly closes. Was 1Fit a scam all along?' @aafiqazlan questioned. User @idorashazlina tagged the police and demanded an investigation. 'You were just urging everyone to renew their membership and now, barely a week later, you pull this stunt? Something does not add up,' she said. Another user, @yee_minnn, accused the company of knowingly misleading consumers. '1Fit continued to actively promote and encourage renewals of their membership plans, despite allegedly being aware that they were on the brink of shutting down. This is a clear breach of ethical conduct,' he said. International Complications and Calls for Government Action Adding to users' concerns is the fact that 1Fit also previously shut down in Mexico, allegedly without refunding users there. To make matters more complicated, Alikhanov is reportedly based in Kazakhstan, creating cross-border legal barriers that hinder Malaysian users from pursuing direct legal action or claiming refunds. Affected users are now urging the Malaysian government to intervene, calling on the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), the Communications and Digital Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry to step in. 'The 1Fit episode represents more than a failed startup, but a wake-up call for how well Malaysia protects its citizens from businesses such as this. "We urge the ministries to break the silence and stand up for Malaysian consumers now,' the statement added. What Now for Users? As of now, there is no new official statement from 1Fit and refund status remains unclear. Users have been advised to document their payments, join user support groups and report the issue to consumer protection agencies like KPDN or National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC).
Rakyat Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Rakyat Post
1Fit Malaysia's Sudden Closure Shocked Members & Staff
Subscribe to our FREE The gym app 1Fit was popular because it allows members to try out many different workout classes in different gyms and studios at an affordable price. You might have seen its relentless advertisements popping up in your social media feeds a few weeks before. However, 1Fit suddenly pulled the plug on 13 June 2025 because the company is allegedly low on funds and will be initiating a formal liquidation process to wind down its operations. The news shocked many members because some recently signed up or renewed their membership and were not informed of the pending closure. Its founder and CEO Murat Alikhanov made a public video explaining that they first started 1Fit because they wanted to make workouts accessible to everyone. He said they allegedly tried to make the business sustainable and explored all options to no avail. He also said the company will begin to issue refunds. Shining a torch on the business model While this sounds like a clear cut solution by the company, the situation on the ground is murkier. Affected members in Malaysia claimed the app was inaccessible and they couldn't cancel their memberships. A user pointed out that it was unethical for the company to push their advertisements and push for membership renewal when they're allegedly aware of its pending closure. The company closure also affected its employees. Sabrina Azham, a Business Development Manager at 1Fit, wrote on When asked if she was scammed, she said it was complicated because salaries were paid on time and merchants paid up until May so it didn't feel like a scam. She reiterated that the company shutting down overnight without care for its people and members showed poor leadership and unethical behaviour. Some members have began digging into the company's background and found several uneasy details. 1Fit apparently went through a similar situation in Mexico around April to May, and in the United Arab Emirates. Former members in Mexico claimed the company shutdown overnight, ignored their messages and many claim they never received refunds. 1Fit started in Malaysia in February 2024. A Members signed up with 1Fit here due to its attractive prices. A 1Fit membership pass can cost around RM2,500 for unlimited classes for 12 months. In hindsight, the longterm commitment required should have rang alarm bells (but we can all learn from this). Once again, we learn that when something is too good to be true, it truly is. If 1Fit is compared to ClassPass, the latter uses credit system that should last members about four to five classes per month. ClassPass members do not have to commit longterm. Screenshot 1Fit first started in Kazakhstan in 2018 with the promise that one membership subscription lets members access any gyms with unlimited workouts. The attractive offering helped the company quickly expand to Mexico, Dubai, and Malaysia. However, the bad business model soon caught up with the company. Entrepreneur Timothy Tiah shared that similar business models have been tried and tested, and some failed. He gave Movie Pass in the United States as an example of this. He also pointed out how ClassPass eventually switched to a credit system when offering unlimited classes was not beneficial. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
