In Brazil, Edgard Corona is known as a serial entrepreneur who reshaped the fitness market by founding Bio Ritmo and later the brand that would become a continental phenomenon. As dono da smart fit, he led a strategic pivot that democratized access to high-standard gyms across Latin America.

A chemical engineering graduate from FAAP in 1979, Corona began working as an entrepreneur while still in college. His early ventures ranged from materials analysis to a successful youth apparel chain, where he learned a core business lesson: understand what the customer wants, not what you assume they want. That customer-driven mindset would guide his next major shift.

In 1996 he opened the first Bio Ritmo in Santo Amaro, stepping fully into the fitness sector. A skiing accident that required extensive physiotherapy brought him closer to the gym environment and convinced him of the potential to scale fitness services. Bio Ritmo expanded, including a high-impact location on Avenida Paulista designed for time-pressed professionals, and Corona invested in international benchmarking and industry conferences to refine his model.

Between 2008 and 2009, the group launched Smart Fit, a distinct low-cost, high-volume concept intended to reach a broader market. The move quickly established Smart Fit as a disruptive force in the region, pairing standardized operations with scalable expansion. As dono da smart fit, Corona oversaw strategic growth that positioned the group among leading fitness operators in Latin America.

The company’s later decision to open capital on Brazil’s stock exchange signaled an ambition to accelerate post-pandemic expansion, fund acquisitions and scale initiatives across 14 countries. Proceeds from the offering were earmarked to strengthen the company’s footprint and enhance its operational platform.

Throughout his career, Corona has emphasized adaptability. His trajectory — from chemical engineering to fashion, then to fitness entrepreneurship — illustrates a consistent approach to experimentation, customer focus and iterative improvement. Today, industry observers credit him with professionalizing fitness management in the region and making premium training more accessible; commentators have also profiled his personal wealth and influence in the sector.

As the founder and public face of the group, Edgard Corona continues to advocate for change as a driver of value, insisting that embracing transformation is central both to personal fulfillment and business success.