F45 co-founder Luke Istomin plans to expand his Reunion Training business to 150 studios now he is opening it up to franchising.
Istomin launched Reunion Training in 2018, two years after he left the F45 juggernaut.
Reunion Training takes the high intensity of an F45 workout and mixes it with strength and conditioning in a personalised program. It has a focus on long term health and fitness that’s open to everyone.
Grouping like-with-like fitness levels so clients don’t feel intimidated is a crucial part of the business model, Istomin said.
There are three company-owned studios in Sydney and membership has grown by 65 people during the last few weeks despite the stay-home orders in Greater Sydney.
The first studio has retained about 60 per cent of its membership since opening three years ago.
“I’m really proud of that. And for franchisees, it’s more comforting to know the customer base is wider. Wellness is a lifelong commitment, and we want to make this accessible to anyone.”
Istomin is committed to a franchisee-centric business model. A sliding scale of fees replaces a fixed upfront franchise fee, with smaller regional town locations charged less than busy metro sites.
There are also deferred payments for equipment leasing which give new franchisees 12 months grace before they start repaying the loan.
“I’ve come from a PT background, I’ve seen the struggles people can have. It’s ideal to have an owner operator who will invest more into the business, but investors are an option and we will employ staff for them and train them,” he told Inside Franchise Business Executive.
With a commitment to reach 150 studios across Australia, Istomin is already in talks about expanding to New Zealand and there could be a studio open within nine months.
