Being an F45 Training franchisee can be both fun and challenging, just like most worthwhile things in life. In this article, we take a look at something most of us love and do really well—getting a good workout—to see how it relates to the world of franchising. There are all sorts of parallels when it comes to planning, sticking to the workout, and making the most of the time you spend pushing through it.
Start with a goal in mind.
Before leaping into sets of burpees, you should ask yourself what you’re hoping to get from that day’s session. While long-term fitness goals shouldn’t change that often, what we do day-to-day to get there is much more fluid. One day, you might want to focus more on strength, the next day endurance, and another day might be dedicated to active recovery as your muscles and nervous system repair.
Running a good franchise is not all that different. While you should have a long-term goal and strategy, your monthly, weekly, and even daily tactics might change as your business grows. You should always keep a long-term goal in mind, but realize that getting there will require a plan that is tailored to the lifecycle of your business and its milestones. Just like fitness, breaking up a bigger, more audacious goal into lots of smaller steps is a great way to make it easy and achievable.
A successful franchisee will constantly refine their overarching plan at different stages of their franchise journey. By reading, researching and speaking to other franchisees in the F45 network, you’ll be able to proactively manage your business and make sure that everything you do happens with intent and purpose.
Fueled for success.
Nutrition is vital when it comes to maximizing those workout gains and ensuring that you have the fuel to hit every movement in the day’s session. The same applies to your business. This is an industry that runs on passion and excitement, but when things get tough, you might find your enthusiasm waning. It’s important that you keep your franchise’s momentum going with the right type of fuel.
Make sure you have the right people and systems in place for your franchise—this will keep your studio progressing and innovating along with the broader F45 Training network.
Strong for the job.
Most workouts require some form of strength, as it helps with endurance, protects your joints and posture, and prevents against injuries. In the same way, if your franchise doesn’t have a strong base, your business will be prone to setbacks and may not reach its full potential. Make sure your staff are well-trained and up-to-date with the latest industry news and that your systems are as streamlined as possible.
Don’t try to do too much or grow too quickly—real strength is built over time by gradually adding weight or reps as your body adapts. Apply the same thinking and approach to your business. Look to add new products and services only after the first are running smoothly and efficiently, and make sure your current member base is strong before actively seeking new members. Always push to grow your franchise from a place of stability and strength.
Prioritize mobility and agility.
Even if you have strength and endurance, it is essential that you are able to cope with a sudden change in direction or heavy workload. You must properly program agility and mobility work into your training regime in order to adapt to new challenges and obstacles.
A successful franchisee needs to adapt quickly to new opportunities in order to stay ahead of the pack. The fitness industry is always in a state of flux, with new methods of training constantly being developed and trends coming and going. The scalable F45 Training model provides allows franchisees the ability to take different routes to their goals and overall success.
Stronger for longer.
Real fitness goes beyond a sprint or one rep max. It’s no good being able to run 40 yards quickly or have an impressive deadlift if you get winded walking up a couple of flights of stairs. Franchising also isn’t a quick sprint—you’ll need to have perseverance to work towards your overarching goals and objectives. Don’t get bogged down by daily setbacks and obstacles. Take time to regularly look back on how far you’ve come and what you achieved, and always keep an eye on those bigger dreams and goals.
Train your brain.
So much of our physical ability is linked to how strong and clear our thinking is. If we tell ourselves a workout is going to be difficult and that we can’t do a certain movement or number of reps, we probably can’t.
How often have you tried to do something only to fail over and over again, often just missing it by inches? One day, after you’ve realized that it’s possible and drop the negative self-talk, it clicks. As a franchisee, you must cultivate a positive mindset and be aware of self-doubt when it comes to your business. Doing so will help you see obstacles as opportunities, which keeps you geared towards success. It goes without saying that constantly innovating and seeking out new information will also help keep you be mentally resilient and stimulated in both the short and long-term.
Being part of a team helps.
Training alone can be great for clearing your head, but if you’re looking to hit a personal best or need a motivational kickstart, group fitness is the way to go. Working alongside others is a great way to learn and improve your own performance, and tapping into a group’s energy is extremely inspiring. We become a reflection of the people we spend the most time with, so choose your franchise team carefully. Your team should be comprised of people who have common goals and beliefs and will help you operate at your full potential.
Enjoy it!
Working out can be physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging, but it keeps us coming back for more. Pushing yourself to extreme exhaustion during every session is not sustainable and will come at the cost of consistent long-term success. Most of us chose this business because we love the world of fitness and find working out fun and pleasurable. The same should apply to your franchise—try not to see it as a chore or something you “have to do.” Instead, approach each day with passion and positivity and you’ll find yourself waking up energetic and inspired, both in your training and in business.
This could be a life changing opportunity.
