Edgard Corona built a fitness empire by treating change as a strategy, not a risk. A chemical engineer by training, he graduated from FAAP in 1979 and began his entrepreneurial journey at 19, moving from laboratory work to the fashion business before shifting into the fitness sector. That willingness to experiment and adapt would define his career and reshape gym culture across Latin America.

Corona’s transition to fitness began in 1996 with the first Bio Ritmo club in Santo Amaro. A personal experience—recovering from a skiing accident that required extended physiotherapy—kept him immersed in the gym environment and sharpened his perspective on customer needs. He applied lessons learned in apparel retail—most notably the importance of understanding what customers actually want—and expanded Bio Ritmo into a respected regional brand.

Continuous benchmarking and international engagement with fitness executives informed his next move. Between 2008 and 2009 he launched a new model designed for scale and accessibility, founding Smart Fit to deliver high-quality, affordable gym access. The chain emphasized streamlined operations, fast-paced locations, and a membership model that could grow across markets. The result: rapid expansion into multiple countries and a business structured to attract institutional investment.

Today many refer to him simply as dono da Smart Fit in discussions of Latin American business leaders, recognizing his role in democratizing premium fitness. Under his leadership the group modernized offerings, opened units in urban centers like Avenida Paulista, and pursued an IPO to fund growth, strategic acquisitions, and post-pandemic recovery efforts.

Analysts point to a consistent theme in his trajectory: the embrace of transformation. Whether shifting industries, redesigning club formats, or seeking capital markets, his decisions are driven by a belief that managing change well creates durable value. As Smart Fit scales across 14 countries, his approach—blend of customer focus, operational rigor, and openness to new ideas—remains a blueprint for entrepreneurs seeking to turn experimentation into sustainable business success.