Body Fit Training Company win court battle with F45, set to bring more gyms to Gold Coast

A successful gym franchise will more than double its venues on the Gold Coast after winning a historic court battle.

The David of the fitness world overcame a gym Goliath to win a court battle that is set to open the floodgates for the company on the Gold Coast.

Fitness giant F45 lost a court battle to stop rival gym the Body Fit Training Company (BFT) from using its computer fitness technology.

F45 has over 1,750 studios in 45 countries and is backed by Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg.

The fitness franchise was locked in a four-year battle with BFT – who has 315 franchises across Australia – but eventually lost in February.

Clients exercise inside a BFT facility. Picture: Supplied/Body Fit Training

F45 had alleged BFT had infringed its patents by copying its system that uses computers to beam fitness routines to its studios, which gym-goers then watch as they work out.

A Federal Court judge ruled the technology it uses to screen its workouts to users cannot be patented.

BFT denied the infringements and sought to revoke the patents, arguing they related to a method that required using “general computers to do ordinary functions’”.

F45 was ordered to pay BFT’s legal costs.

The result is now being appealed by F45.

Body Fit Training Company Miami co-owner Pearce Hanley and Body Fit Training Company joint CEO Richard Burnet. Picture: Kyle Wisniewski

BFT joint CEO Richard Burnet said he was “thrilled” that the Federal Court ruled in his company’s favour.

“The Federal Court has determined that both of F45’s innovation patents are invalid and that, even if those patents were valid, BFT did not infringe them in any event,” he said.

BFT is one of many fitness franchises across the Gold Coast, many of them using a computer to demonstrate movements to members.

Mr Burnet said the Melbourne-based company had five franchises on the Gold Coast with plans for eight more in the next six months.

Clients exercise inside a Body Fit Training studios. Picture: Supplied/Body Fit Training

“The Gold Coast is booming and the flagship is BFT Miami,” he said.

“When you think of Australia and where people are most healthy it’s the Gold Coast.

“It’s one of the most competitive markets, so to crack it here is a testament to our franchisees.”

BFT Miami co-owner Pearce Hanley said he saw an opening to join the fitness industry two years ago following a 169-game AFL career.

Irish AFL great Pearce Hanley has bought into Body Fit Training. Photo: Scott Powick

“The more my business partner and I looked into it, the more we fell in love with it,” the former Gold Coast and Brisbane player said.

“Obviously the gym market on the Gold Coast is very high but we trusted the brand.

“The progressive training blocks with elements of building strength and endurance appealed to me with my background.”