Mick Fanning: Launches FS8 fitness training studio network at Manly

Surfing hero Mick Fanning was on the northern beaches to launch a “revolutionary new fitness movement” that combines pilates, yoga and toning exercises.

A new network of fitness studios that integrate pilates and yoga into its workouts was launched by pro-surfing hero Mick Fanning in Manly on Wednesday.

The former three-time world champ kicked of FS8, described by its owners as a “revolutionary new fitness movement” in a shopfront on East Esplanade.

FS8 full-body workout classes, which also include “tone” exercises, will be accommodated on the site of the failed Criniti’s Italian restaurant that abruptly closed in November 2019.

A workout session at a FS8 fitness studio. Picture: FS8

Former owners of Criniti’s, the popular restaurant chain that was hit hard by a retail spending downturn, voluntarily appointed administrators and closed the doors to five of its outlets.

In Manly, part of the Criniti’s site was taken over by the Rockpool Dining Group. which opened a Fratelli Fresh eatery in July last year.

The rest of the former Criniti’s site has remained vacant — until now.

Mick Fanning, pictured at the Manly FS8 studio, is an ambassador for new fitness studio FS8. He will soon open his own outlet in Byron Bay. Picture: Richard Dobson

On its website FS8 said that ‘F’ stands for functional; ‘S’ for style “remixing pilates yoga and tone in a way that has never been done before”.

And ‘8’ represents the 8 “key modalities that form the core of FS8”.

Fanning, who is an ambassador for the FS8 network, which is aiming to open more than 50 studios across the country this year, told News Corp that he is opening one of the fitness studios in Byron Bay.

Pictured in Manly is professional surfer Mick Fanning. Mick Fanning who is an ambassador for new fitness studio FS8, owned by F45. He will launch the Manly studio this week and will soon open his own outlet in Byron Bay. Picture: Richard Dobson

The surfer added that he started yoga two decades ago to help manage his scoliosis.

“Yoga, pilates and tone is something I’ve used throughout my career. It was something that really helped with obviously strengthening the core but also lengthening muscles while strengthening them.

“People forget you’ve got to stretch, everyone just goes to the gym and lifts weights most of the time, but I find pilates, yoga and tone are ways to not only work out but for me having scoliosis I just feel straighter after it, which is perfect.”

The FS8 fitness studio in Manly offers a combination of pilates, yoga and tone exercises using weights and resistance bands. Picture: FS8

Fanning is currently training up to five days a week as he prepares to return to competitive surfing, having accepted a wildcard at the World Surf League leg at North Narrabeen that starts on Friday.

The Manly studio, set to open on Saturday, will offer an entire week of complimentary classes, which can be booked through the FS8 app.

FS8 is also offering foundation memberships at a discounted rate for the first 50 members.