Beloved Brisbane gym chain Ritual HQ in liquidation

A Brisbane gym chain much loved for its community deeds has applied for voluntary liquidation after a decade in business. It comes after an iconic brand quit its southside mega gym.

The Gap outlet of Ritual HQ gym has been cleared out.

Beloved Brisbane gym chain Ritual HQ has closed its The Gap outlet after a decade toning bodies and doing good deeds for charities and the community.

Ritual HQ Pty Ltd, trading as Ritual HQ, has applied for voluntary liquidation with Sydney firm Mackay Goodwin appointed on June 9 as liquidators.

The Everton Hills outlet was closed two years ago, while a space at Paddington was now being used as a coaching studio and has a for-lease sign out the front.

It was believed to have been put on the lease market about a week ago.

Former owner and founder Chantal O’Brien, who is no longer a director or shareholder after returning to a corporate career last year, said she and her successor Tyler Small were “absolutely gutted’’.

“We never recovered from Covid, it destroyed our business,’’ she said.

The Gap gym has been cleared out.

In 2017 they started actively volunteering in the westside and Hills District communities, enlisting their members as well as staff.

Known affectionately as the Ritual HQ Army, hundreds of gym members and staff volunteered to help worthy groups in need, serving on sausage sizzles, car washes to serving and even as bar staff at weddings.

Tyler Small and former Ritual HQ owner Chantal O’Brien in 2017 at a car wash fundraiser for Tanzanian children. The gym was renowned for its community good deeds. Picture: Peter Cronin

The charitable works made Ritual HQ well known and loved.

Ms O’Brien posted in May last year, when she handed over to Tyler, that she “couldn’t be prouder’’ of his efforts.

“Running a business and pulling it out of the ashes, which is what he’s been doing since I handed over, is not easy,’’ she posted.

“I couldn’t ask for a better person to continue the work and the community I helped shape over the years.’’

The business started with just 10 people and rapidly expanded before Covid hit, employing a dozen coaches and other staff at one point.