Insurance giant Achmea is closing down or selling off its fitness centre chain blaming increasing competition and changes in keep-fit habits.

Twelve Health Centers will close their doors with the loss of 126 full-time jobs. The remaining 19 will be taken over by the Fitland group, website nu.nl reports.

Achmea Health Center director Anco van Geffen told nu.nl in total 450 workers, most of whom are part-timers, will lose their jobs. The centres have been loss-making for years, Van Geffen said.

He declined to give further details of the deal with Fitland but did say Achmea was looking at other ways to encourage its policyholders to stay fit and healthy.

The centres were first opened in 2000 and offered people with an Achmea health insurance policy a discount.