F45 Training personal fitness centres still operating in Townsville

Owners of three F45 Training centres in Townsville say their respective fitness franchises are not in any danger of closing, despite issues facing the global business.

F45 Training Townsville Central gym owner Kelly Kennedy and Maddie Moon. Picture: Evan Morgan

The owners of three F45 Training fitness centres in Townsville say that despite well-publicised reports of issues confronting the global business, their respective franchises are not in any danger of closing.

Kelly Kennedy said on Tuesday that she had just marked eight years as owner-operator of F45 Training Townsville Central on Charters Towers Road and F45 Training Thuringowa on Bamford Lane.

She said that she had worked hard to ensure that her franchises, recently voted by Bulletin readers as among thetop three in Townsville, were professionally operated and that she took pride on a hands-on approach that extended to her role as head trainer.

“I live and breathe it up here (in Townsville), all day, every day.”

She said she had 300 clients across her two personal training centres and was looking to take on new members.

“All fitness levels, all ages, if you like training in a group environment.”

F45 Training Townsville Central gym owner Kelly Kennedy and Maddie Moon on Tuesday. Picture: Evan Morgan

She said the franchisor continued to provide support, as it had “from day 1”.

Sonia Whiteley, owner of F45 Training Townsville North, said there were no plans to close her business of more than five years.

She said it was unfair to single out fitness franchises when many small businesses were struggling given the prevailing economic conditions.

“Everyone is feeling cost-of-pressure living, I see small businesses closing everywhere, so it is not just something about the fitness industry, I think the macro-economic climate is not favourable to small business full-stop.”

The businesswoman said reports of some franchise holders looking to sell their businesses after reaching the “critical five-year mark” were a normal part of the typical small-business cycle.

“Again, it’s not just about the F45s, there are a whole lot of other things going on.”

Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg stops by F45 Woolloomooloo for an early morning workout in 2020.

Ms Whiteley said she had every faith in new F45 chief executive Tom Dowd, who is based in Texas and who had plans to consolidate the business globally.

As of mid-2021, the business, backed by celebrity Mark Wahlberg along with Australian co-founder Adam Gilchrist – not the cricket player – had almost 3000 franchises in 63 countries.

Ms Whiteley said Mr Dowd was “about 8000 times more transparent then we’ve had in the past”.

“In terms of the support that we are getting from head office now and the direction that they are taking it has substantially improved,” she said.

“They’ve inherited a challenging business model and they are now doing their best to support their franchise base.”

F45 Training Townsville City, which is also operating and run by a third franchisee, was contacted for comment.

Originally published as F45 Training personal fitness centres still operating in Townsville