Australia’s fastest growing and most advanced group fitness training model. Since franchising in 2018, we have 300 studios open globally. BFT is a part of Xponential Fitness, the largest global franchise group of boutique fitness brands.
BFT: Different, Better
Body Fit Training (BFT) is Australia’s fastest growing and most advanced functional group training franchise… now expanding across the UK and Ireland!
When we say we are Different, Better, we don’t just mean for our members – although that is important – we also mean for our franchisees and their teams. Competition in the fitness space is strong and being #DifferentBetter gives our model the edge…
Different, Better for members:
- Scientifically proven training techniques aimed at reducing fat and creating lean muscle into a variety of 50-minute sessions – meaning members never get bored
- All sessions overseen by accredited coaches in a dynamic group environment
- High levels of visual content showcasing our programs shown on multiple digital displays allow our coaches to spend more time on members and build unrivalled communities
- Great value for money as this is as close as you can get to personal training without the price tag
- Unlimited access to any studio with one membership and no lock-in contract.
Different, Better for franchisees and their teams:
- Bigger, better, fairer territories than elsewhere in the industry
- Industry leading, exclusive, cutting-edge bespoke heart rate technology BFT3 developed by the BFT founder, together with the best partnerships in the fitness industry space for all of the studio equipment.
- Our evolution of fitness programming at HQ ensures members stay engaged and excited
- Attractive short and long-term cash flow financial model. Minimum breakeven and cash flow positive time frames. As evidenced globally, low set up costs and high margins create the right formula for success
- Equipment financing options (dependant on individual circumstances) to help establish your business and assist with cash flow
- The best equipment on the market that is reliable and significantly enhances your offering
- Pre-launch guidance and proven activity to secure memberships prior to your grand opening
- Ongoing training and 24-7 support from HQ. From operations to HR, legal to accounting, there’s always someone there for you
- Regular activity and events to tap into for membership retention and recruitment including the 8-week challenge three times a year and fitness races like HYROX.
The result: our franchisees have a fast-track to profitability because they attract members quickly and keep them for longer.
- Average weekly member visits to our studios are significantly higher than the sector at 4 times a week
- On average, our franchisees break even at month 18 making this one of the top-performing investments in the fitness franchise sector.
A little bit more about BFT
Launching with four franchises in Melbourne in April 2018, BFT now has 700 franchises sold and 300+ locations open across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, Canada, USA and, most recently, Hong Kong. New studios are opening soon in Spain, Malaysia and Indonesia and the UK continues to accelerate its growth with 12 new signed locations. BFT was also awarded the APAC Franchise of the Year Award for two years in a row in 2020 and 2021 and is part of Xponential Fitness, the largest global franchise group of boutique fitness brands.
Our 3 core pillars are:
- Develop a training model akin to that afforded to elite athletes, for everyone
- Develop a business system to provide opportunities for passionate people to stay in our industry
- Develop an education vertical to provide best practice face-to-face education, driving industry standards and innovation.
Successful BFT studios currently operate in a mix of zones, from retail and commercial through to shopping centres and industrial estates. Ground floor is preferred as this creates easier access and visibility, as well as less requirements for building requirements.
The UK fitness market is ready for something new and exciting. Weekly training that is thoroughly thought through, programming that is different everyday keeping members accountable while progressively getting fitter and stronger throughout their BFT journey.
As a coach this is the most enjoyable part, seeing the success and enjoyment of others!” - CHARLIE HANSEN, BFT BATTERSEA
Could you be a BFT franchisee?
We are looking for either fitness owner-operators wanting to work in the business with a hands–on approach or entrepreneurs keen to drive new sources of income by appointing studio managers on their behalf. Franchisees can be Personal Trainers themselves wanting to operate their own successful studio or, if you are not a qualified fitness professional, you can employ a head trainer to work alongside you and help build your community of members.
If you’re motivated, committed and seeking a rewarding opportunity in the fitness industry with a fresh, exciting and innovative brand, then this could be the perfect partnership for you.
Hear from BFT's first UK franchisee...
“As fitness enthusiasts and entrepreneurs we were keen to build a business that brings a fresh new approach to our local community when it comes to keeping fit.
We first discovered the boutique fitness model in North America and when we came across BFT we knew we had found something special. The innovative programming and the robust franchise business model ticked all the right boxes and the journey so far has been incredible.
To be the first site of the UK makes us very proud, we have opened the doors with a number of members that surpassed our expectations and the feedback from them just re-affirms that we made the right choice!
The support from HQ is incredible, they really go the extra mile to ensure that as franchisees we are opening in the strongest possible position. We are super excited to continue this journey and are already on the hunt for our next location!” - BRIAN SAUND, BFT LEICESTER
More on our Training and Support for Franchisees
Once you become a franchisee with BFT, you will go through 6 full days of comprehensive training to help you (and your team) launch your studio. We will also assign a Regional Franchise Manager (RFM) to you who will guide you through the steps of getting your studio open. This person stays with you after your business opens and will be on hand to support in areas such as business operations, business development and overall performance.
Other training and support available to you includes:
- Franchisee platform with access to manuals, standards and global best practice
- Marketing collateral and support
- Website presence and regular updates
- Ongoing bespoke training and education for your personal trainers
- BFT apps and tech support
- Access to partnerships such as HYROX.
How much does a BFT franchise cost?
For anyone considering becoming a BFT franchisee, there is a very compelling financial model due to low start-up costs compared to other fitness concepts. There are also high margins per member and lower operating costs, resulting in early break-even and an attractive return on investment (currently at 18 months).
Based on established studios, the ongoing profit per year is significant, with multi units also available. Franchisees will need a minimum investment of £80,000 and the balance can be funded. We will go through all of the financial information so you have a full understanding of the costs involved and projected revenues.
Enquire now to find out more.
THE NEXT STEPS
To learn more about this incredible franchise opportunity, simply click below for further information:
How to make a difference with your fitness franchise
Cameron Falloon, the founder and joint CEO of Body Fit Training, believes the secret to running a successful fitness franchise is creating an ethos that values every individual that walks through the door, helping them to progress and feel important. Not only does this help you retain your members, but the likelihood is that they will recommend you to friends and family.
There are over 7.2 thousand health and fitness clubs in the United Kingdom, with over 10 million combined members1. Only Germany has more health and fitness club members in Europe, making the UK one of the continent’s fitness hotspots. However, according to the IHRSA, 81 per cent of health and fitness studios fail within their first year due to mismanagement or failure to generate enough profit. To avoid becoming just another statistic, focus on the service you provide to each member. Here are my tips on ensuring your fitness franchise makes a difference not only to your recurring monthly revenue, but to member engagement and retention.
Engage with your local community
Engaging your fitness franchise with people from your local community is a great way to make a difference with your gym. Believe it or not, the idea of going to a gym is quite daunting for most people, so getting yourself out there is a great way to meet potential members. By embracing your community, not only do you get yourself known, but you also ensure your business generates various benefits and business development opportunities.
There are a few ways to participate with your local community, such as offering membership discounts through purchases at local amenities or partnering with local charity events. You could also ensure you are present at community events – quiz nights, street parties, fun runs - giving out freebies or setting up a stall where people can come and talk to you. In addition, I recommend offering to speak and give advice in local schools, societies and clubs.
You can also utilise social media when connecting with people in your area. It is an effective way of transferring your fitness club culture to the local community. Using sites like Instagram or Facebook to hold online fitness challenges or competition giveaways will raise your profile and incentivise membership involvement while developing a community feel for your fitness club. Also, using social media platforms means you can engage with your members outside your gym’s visiting hours - this way, your brand appears more welcoming and approachable.
Build a bond with your customer base
Creating a sense of belonging in your gym is one of the most important assets to your fitness franchise. If your current members feel like they are part of the community, they will keep coming back. And they will also be more likely to recommend your facility to co-workers, family and friends – something critical to the success of any fitness franchise.
People frequently sign up for gym memberships when they feel a surge of motivation. However, after a few weeks, they often lose their enthusiasm and get bored of doing the same thing over and over. In fact, the majority of health clubs and gyms lose 50% of their new members within the first six months2, so getting past this difficult period and converting them into long-term customers should be your primary goal. To do this, I recommend training your staff to approach and engage with your members. The best advocates for your club are your employees, as their interaction with members can lead to increased member visits. Strong membership engagement can generate further sales, as satisfied members are far more likely to recommend your fitness club to their peers.
Keeping customers engaged through various workout programmes is also essential to retaining customers. For example, at Body Fit Training, we have a variety of 13 programmes, including cardio, strength, functional, and core stability, which provide members with a varied fitness programme. This ensures our members see great fitness results, stay motivated and feel challenged throughout their time with us. When you combine various training methods with a coaching team that facilitates a positive, friendly culture, your fitness franchise is on the right track to success.
Share the load with your franchisor
The beauty of investing in a fitness franchise is that your franchisor has been there, done that. So, they will already have the marketing tools and systems in place to let you focus on providing the excellent customer service for your members. They will also have handy tips and tricks to boost member satisfaction and approach customer retention, whether that be talking directly with them to get feedback or a reward scheme offering perks and loyalty programmes. A good franchisor will provide a network of like-minded franchisees and a platform to ensure your continued growth and support, as well as offering extensive ongoing training, weekly and monthly update webinars, and one-on-one support as your business matures.
About the author
Cameron Falloon is the Founder and Joint CEO of global fitness franchise, Body Fit Training. With over 25 years in the health and fitness industry, Cameron has travelled the world and worked with varying populations from general to chronic rehabilitation patients to elite athletes as well as the rich and famous. Recognised as Australia’s fastest-growing fitness franchise with 50,000+ members across 225+ studios, Cameron has a passion and dedication for delivering world-class training programmes, practices and education to the broader fitness industry.
1 Statista, 2022, Fitness industry in the United Kingdom (UK) - statistics & facts
2 Noob Gains, 2022, 41 New Fitness & Gym Membership Statistics
