Functional group training

F45

If it’s good enough for Mark Wahlberg, is it good enough for you? The Hollywood A-lister’s investment group in early 2019 took a minority stake in this high-profile fitness business that has an American persona but is in fact an Australian concept.

F45 is a 45-minute, station-based, functional and cardio training concept developed in 2013. The brand that kick-started the functional training trend now has more than 1500 studios across 40 countries, and was featured in Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchises of 2019 list.

Fitstop

You’ll need a Cert III in fitness and some industry experience to invest in this business, which is now five years old with two years of franchising under its belt.

As it expands along the east coast of Australia, the brand offers support in negotiating sites, planning and design, and fitting out the gym. Fitness teams and new owners undertake a 10-week induction process.

Fitness programs incorporate high intensity training with slow and progressive strength training; the programs are supported by an online nutrition portal to give members the ability to maximise results.

The Coaching Zone

The Coaching Zone provides 45-minute group personal training sessions for the beginner through to the advanced. Each class incorporates the latest techniques and MyZone heart rate technology. Developed by Belgravia Health and Fitness, The Coaching Zone gets input from renowned fitness experts such as Commando Steve.

The network of more than 35 franchisees benefit from the knowledge and experience of the parent company as well as specialised programming and technology, accounting, corporate services and marketing, and take advantage of links with local council and aquatic centres managed under the Belgravia Leisure business.

The HIIT Factory

Orangetheory Fitness

It’s a fast-growing fitness brand that prides itself on not one closure among the 1200 locations opened up around the world over the past nine years.

The fitness model is all about cardio burn; it harnesses scientific theories about postexercise oxygen consumption and combines this with heart-rate monitoring to keep members in the target zone.

For franchisees the brand promotes low overheads and fixed expenses with high margins.

Orangetheory Fitness originates in the US and is part of the Collective Wellness Group in Australia.

High intensity interval training is common as a class in many gyms but the HIIT Factory has embraced the 30-minute sessions as a business purpose.

Another Australian-born business it now numbers seven studios in Melbourne and Western Australia. Enthusiastic trainers drive the family-friendly sessions (kids are encouraged to watch and be inspired).

Ideal franchisees are already experienced in the field, with a fitness Cert III or IV, their own venue and client base.