Franchise Executives asked fitness franchisors to share what they plan to focus on in 2025. Here’s what they had to say.
Chris Caldwell, CEO, Lift Brands Asia Pacific
In 2025 Lift Brands (Snap Fitness, Fitstop and 9Round) is continuing to double down on its investment in support office resources to assist our franchisees develop and grow their gym operations.
Specifically, the investment is focused in the areas of additional club operations support personnel, new property site identification, modernisation projects and technology to provide an enhanced customer experience.
The gym club network has grown by almost 60 per cent since 2020, now with over 500 locations, so the pace of growth needs to be matched with the appropriate support office structure.
Matt Gordin, CEO, Boutique Fitness Studios
Our sales for 2024 have been great, and we want to continue that growth trajectory in the Australian and New Zealand markets. We have several priorities for 2025, with a strong focus on empowering and providing additional support to our existing franchisees. It’s going to be a busy year, and we’re excited to prioritise initiatives that will drive growth and success.
We plan to invest in franchisee training with sales and business sessions, grassroots marketing strategies, and operations training to equip our franchisees for success.
We’re also investing in technology, including apps to streamline daily operations and XPlus (Virtual Training) to simplify membership and reduce attrition. Additionally, we’ll support our master trainers across all brands to enhance the member experience, ensure studio trainers receive quality training, and foster continuous improvement.
And of course, we’ll continue to grow awareness for our brands, establishing ourselves as leaders in providing unique, results-driven fitness experiences.
Michael Ramsey, CEO and co-founder, Strong Pilates
Strong Pilates is prioritising investments that enhance our unique blend of high-intensity, low-impact workouts.
Our focus is on world-first equipment innovations, such as a new system launching in January 2025 that can achieve a 45+kg deadlift, row, squat and press – a revolutionary addition to Pilates. Two years in the making, this innovation enhances strength and resistance training alongside cardiovascular and low-impact movements, providing our Australian and global franchisees with yet another point of difference in-market.
We’re also investing heavily in our global expansion, with 100 new studios planned for the US market alone. Our resources are directed towards introducing and maintaining our exceptional training standards across nine countries while fostering the community-focused approach that has driven our success.
Next year and beyond, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of innovation, ensuring our franchisees can offer members the most effective and engaging workout experience possible.
When it comes to a seamless studio and customer experience, we are enhancing our App technology to ensure our members can benchmark their progress, particularly during set challenges throughout the year. This will also provide franchisees and studio managers with essential information about member goals to ensure a more personalised experience. We are also introducing a Strong Instructor App which provides instructors with class and member information, along with incentives to onboard new members.
