How much does an F45 Training franchise cost?
The 2026 F45 Training Incorporated Franchise Disclosure Document estimates that one U.S. F45 Studio requires a total initial investment of $362,300 to $857,700. That range covers the standard studio described in the FDD and includes the disclosed $40,000 to $67,000 allowance for optional Recovery Amenities. It is not the same as the $60,000 Establishment Fee, and it is not a liquid-capital or net-worth requirement.
Data basis. Legal franchisor: F45 Training Incorporated, a Delaware corporation. Ultimate parent: F45 Training Holdings Inc., doing business as FIT House of Brands. FDD issuance date: April 1, 2026. Primary cost sections: Items 5, 6, and 7; financing: Item 10; supplier and contract obligations: Items 8 and 17. Information checked July 13, 2026.
The live official F45 Training franchise information confirms that the brand is currently presented as a franchise opportunity. The current franchise-controlled websites reviewed did not publish a matching public copy of the April 2026 FDD, so FDD Item and page citations in this article are intentionally unlinked.
Capital snapshot
What is included in the $362,300 to $857,700 range?
The official total combines contract payments, required branded equipment, premises and buildout costs, pre-opening expenses, optional Recovery Amenities, minimum Royalty Fee payments for the first three months, and Additional Funds for the same three-month operating period. The tables below preserve the Item 7 categories rather than replacing them with a midpoint or “typical” budget.
Agreement, training, branded equipment, and opening payments
| Item 7 expenditure | 2026 amount | When paid | Key qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishment Fee | $60,000 | Effective Date | Paid to F45 Training Incorporated; nonrefundable. |
| Document Preparation Fee | $2,500 | Effective Date | Item 5 describes the fee as “up to” $2,500. |
| Equipment Pack | $115,000 | When ordered | Price applies if ordered and paid within 12 months of the Effective Date. |
| Equipment Pack shipping, taxes, and duties | $0–$20,000 | At order or when assessed | Storage is estimated at $600 per month if delivery cannot be accepted. |
| Induction Seminar | $1,500 | As arranged | Covers two attendees; each additional attendee is $750. |
| Head Trainer Induction | $600 | At registration | Travel, lodging, meals, and compensation are separate. |
| Grand Opening | $25,000 | Before and around opening | Payment timing contains an internal FDD inconsistency discussed below. |
| Promotional Merchandise | $3,000 | When Equipment Pack is ordered | Nonrefundable required opening inventory. |
| F45 Body Fat Scanner | $8,500 plus delivery and taxes | When invoiced | Purchased from the franchisor, an affiliate, or designated supplier. |
| Minimum Monthly Royalty, first three months | $7,500 | $2,500 on first day of each month | This is the minimum only and does not calculate Gross Sales. |
Premises, design, construction, and installed assets
| Item 7 expenditure | 2026 amount | When paid | Main range driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Property | $5,000–$25,000 | As arranged | Estimate assumes rented premises; extra prepaid rent or a security deposit can increase the amount. |
| Architectural Floor Plan Design, Engineering, and Construction/Permit Documents | $10,000–$20,000 | As invoiced | Paid to the franchisor, affiliates, and/or suppliers. |
| Leasehold Improvements | $1,000–$350,000 | As invoiced | Depends on site condition, labor and material costs, and landlord tenant-improvement allowance. |
| Utility Deposits | $1,000–$2,000 | As arranged | Generally refundable subject to provider terms. |
| Exterior and Interior Signage | $5,000–$10,000 | As arranged | Must comply with F45 System Standards. |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Other Equipment | $4,000–$10,000 | As arranged | Excludes items already contained in the Equipment Pack. |
| Office Equipment and Supplies | $1,000–$3,000 | As arranged | Required items may be purchased from designated sources. |
| Item 7 expenditure | 2026 amount | When paid | Main qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer System | $1,000–$2,000 | As arranged | Includes required computer hardware, tablet, and internet router. |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $1,000–$3,000 | As invoiced | Varies by state and local requirements. |
| Professional Services | $1,000–$5,000 | As arranged | Attorney, accountant, architect, and other consultants. |
| Insurance | $1,000–$4,000 | As arranged | Initial premiums; required limits and policies are detailed in Item 8. |
| AED | $1,500–$2,100 | As invoiced | Required equipment from designated sources. |
| Music Licenses | $1,700–$2,000 | Annually | Paid to performance-rights organizations. |
| Training travel and living expenses | $4,500–$9,000 | As incurred | For two attendees and the Head Trainer. |
Optional recovery and initial operating cash
- Recovery Amenities
- $40,000 to $67,000. Optional design, construction, products, equipment, additional design work, shelving, merchandise racks, and a point-of-sale counter. The official franchise page describes Recovery by F45, while the consumer-facing site separately describes the brand’s recovery offering.
- Additional Funds
- $60,000 to $100,000 for the first three months. Includes payroll—the largest component—plus bank charges, cleaning, conference, courier, utility, vehicle, recruiting, security, Studio amenities, and telecommunications expenses. It excludes rent or mortgage payments.
The official low and high totals both include the optional Recovery Amenities line. Subtracting that optional line from the official endpoints produces a derived range of $322,300 to $790,700 before Recovery Amenities. That arithmetic is not a separate franchisor estimate and does not change any other Item 7 assumption.
Floating bars use a $0 to $900,000 scale. The second range is a derived calculation from compatible Item 7 figures.
Interpretation: choosing not to add Recovery Amenities removes the disclosed $40,000 to $67,000 optional category, but it does not resolve buildout, rent, financing, or working-capital variability. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 2–5. Derived calculation: official endpoint minus the corresponding Recovery Amenities endpoint.
Which F45 costs create most of the uncertainty?
Leasehold Improvements are the largest disclosed variable category, ranging from $1,000 to $350,000. The low end assumes a nearly complete premises with the landlord covering almost all hard construction; the high end assumes little or no tenant-improvement allowance. The FDD also says a typical allowance anticipated for 2025 was about 30% of development costs, but expressly warns that the allowance may not be available in every market.
The FDD discusses studios in leased spaces and describes expected sizes in two places: approximately 2,000 to 3,000 square feet for the real-property estimate and 1,650 to 2,400 square feet in the leasehold-improvement note. Because those descriptions are not identical, a buyer should confirm the approved size and cost model for the specific site rather than use one square-foot figure as a universal assumption.
Bars compare disclosed dollar amounts on the same 2026 one-Studio basis. They are not a summed budget and have different payment dates.
Interpretation: the $115,000 Equipment Pack is the largest fixed opening line shown here, but the variable Leasehold Improvements range can exceed it substantially. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 1–3.
The official total does not include the cost of buying land or a building, building permits, or financing when the franchisee builds or purchases the premises. Additional Funds also exclude rent or mortgage payments. These exclusions can make the Item 7 total materially different from the total cash and borrowing capacity required for a specific site.
When is the money paid?
The cash requirement is staged, but several major payments occur well before opening. The 2026 FDD creates the following practical sequence for a standard F45 Studio.
Franchise Agreement Effective Date
Pay the $60,000 Establishment Fee and up to $2,500 Document Preparation Fee. Both are generally nonrefundable. Approved U.S. military veterans may receive up to a 25% discount on the Establishment Fee only.
Site, design, and lease commitments
Real Property, architectural and engineering documents, professional services, deposits, permits, insurance, and Leasehold Improvements are paid as arranged or invoiced. The official FIT franchise onboarding process identifies site selection, lease negotiation, planning, design, induction, marketing, inspection, and approval as separate opening stages.
Equipment Pack order
Pay $115,000 for the Equipment Pack, plus $0 to $20,000 for shipping, taxes, and duties, and pay $3,000 for Promotional Merchandise. The $115,000 price is protected only through the Final Payment Date, defined as 12 months after the Franchise Agreement Effective Date.
Training and grand-opening period
Pay the $1,500 Induction Seminar Fee, $600 Head Trainer Induction Fee, and $4,500 to $9,000 of estimated training travel and living expenses. Grand Opening Expenditures total $25,000 and may be directed to the franchisor or approved third parties.
Opening and first three months
Pay the $2,500 minimum Royalty Fee on the Opening Date and in advance on the first day of each following month, subject to the 7% of Gross Sales calculation. Maintain $60,000 to $100,000 of Additional Funds for the first three months, while separately funding rent or mortgage payments.
The 2026 FDD gives three formulations for Grand Opening timing. Item 5 says the spending period begins 120 days before opening; the Item 7 table says 90 days before opening; and the Item 7 footnote says a directed payment is due on the earlier of the Equipment Pack order or four months before opening. The buyer should obtain the controlling schedule in writing before committing cash.
The Maryland Addendum changes the standard rule: all initial fees and payments owed by Maryland franchisees are deferred until the franchisor completes its pre-opening obligations under the Franchise Agreement. Source: 2026 FDD, Maryland Addendum, p. 1.
What fees continue after an F45 Studio opens?
The main continuing obligations are the Royalty Fee, Brand Fund contribution, Marketing Fee or equivalent local advertising expenditure, Technology Service Fee, required merchandise purchases, and certain training, conference, technology, and monitoring costs. The Royalty Fee and Brand Fund use the FDD definition of Gross Sales; they are not percentages of profit.
| Continuing obligation | 2026 amount or basis | Timing | FDD reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | Greater of 7% of Gross Sales or $2,500/month | Minimum in advance monthly; balance on the 15th of the following month | Item 6, pp. 1, 6–7 |
| Brand Fund | Up to 2% of Gross Sales or $200/month, whichever is higher | Monthly for the prior month | Item 6, p. 1 |
| Marketing Fee or Local Advertising Expenditure | $2,500/month | Opening Date and monthly in advance | Item 6, pp. 1, 6 |
| Technology Service Fee | Currently $500/month | Beginning when services are first used | Item 6, pp. 2, 6 |
| Merchandise for Resale | At least $1,500 every three months, plus shipping, taxes, and duties | Every three months | Item 6, pp. 3, 7 |
| LionHeart Bands | Currently $54 each; up to $100 each, plus shipping and handling | At least 100 annually after the first 12 months | Item 6, pp. 3, 7 |
| Annual Conference | $600 per ticket; minimum two tickets unless approved otherwise | When invitation is issued | Item 6, p. 5 |
| Head Trainer Induction | $600 plus attendee travel and related expenses | Whenever a new Head Trainer is hired | Item 6, p. 3 |
The official F45 LionHeart information describes the consumer-facing heart-rate-monitor ecosystem. The cost obligation, minimum annual quantity, and timing above come from Item 6, not from the consumer product page.
Conditional and event-triggered fees
- Promotional Programs. After the first 12 months, a disclosed performance trigger may allow required participation in special programs costing no more than the monthly Royalty Fee.
- Compliance and evaluation. Non-Compliance Fee up to $2,000 per violation; On-site Evaluation Fee currently $160 and up to $320, plus a current $250 per diem; Third-Party Inspection Costs up to $250 if the Studio fails inspection.
- Training. Additional Training currently $250 per day per person and up to $500; On-site Remedial Training currently $250 per day and up to $500, plus costs; pre-opening On-site Training can be $4,000 to $11,000 if the Head Trainer requirement is not satisfied or training is requested.
- Inventory and events. Nutritional Supplements may cost $3,000 or the then-current amount if required; a DJ supplied by the franchisor currently costs $25 to $400 per session; Non-Attendance Fee is currently $100 to $300 per person.
- Transfer and securities. Transfer Fee equals 25% of the then-current Establishment Fee plus reasonable transfer, training, legal, and accounting costs. Securities Offering Fee is $3,000 plus actual review costs.
- Renewal. Renewal Fee is the greater of $5,000 or 10% of the then-current Establishment Fee or similar initial fee, due when the renewal Franchise Agreement is signed.
- Late payment and verification. Interest can be 18% per year or the maximum lawful rate. Audit costs apply when an audit finds an understatement of 3% or more.
- Supplier approval, insurance, enforcement, and indemnification. The franchisee may owe product-testing and facility-inspection costs for a proposed supplier, reimbursement for insurance purchased after a coverage failure, actual enforcement costs including attorneys’ fees, and actual indemnified losses.
- Secret Shopper program. If implemented, the current fee is $250 per Studio per year and may increase by no more than $50 per Studio annually.
Does the same cost range apply to multiple studios or nontraditional locations?
No. The $362,300 to $857,700 Item 7 range applies to one standard F45 Studio. The FDD says it cannot estimate the total initial investment for a Franchise Agreement that requires multiple Studios. It discloses only an additional $60,000 Establishment Fee for each additional Studio committed under that agreement.
F45’s multi-Studio cost contract
Source: 2026 FDD cover; Item 5, p. 1; Item 7, p. 5.
The 2026 FDD also identifies a separate affiliate, F45 U LLC, that licenses smaller-footprint F45 locations on university campuses, country clubs, and other nontraditional venues under a different arrangement. Those nontraditional costs are not disclosed in this FDD and must not be blended with the standard Studio range. The FDD further states that older separate “Development Deals” are no longer offered.
- Do not apply the standard Studio range to F45 U LLC locations. The legal offer, footprint, equipment package, and agreement differ.
- Do not multiply $362,300 to $857,700 by the Studio count and call it an official multi-unit estimate. The FDD expressly declines to estimate that combined investment.
- Do not treat the military incentive as a discount on the total investment. The program may reduce only the $60,000 Establishment Fee, by up to 25%, for approved U.S. military veterans.
Does F45 disclose liquid capital, net worth, or financing requirements?
The 2026 FDD and the current official U.S. franchise pages reviewed do not state a fixed Liquid Capital, Net Worth, or Non-Borrowed Funds threshold. That absence does not mean a buyer can fund the project entirely with debt. Item 7 still requires enough capital to cover the disclosed investment, excluded rent or mortgage obligations, financing costs, and site-specific overruns.
F45 Training Incorporated does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a note, lease, or other obligation. Item 10 describes an arrangement with Swoop Funding, an independent capital-access platform that may present possible third-party financing solutions. Any loan is solely between the franchisee and lender; approval and terms are not controlled or guaranteed by F45. The provider’s public site describes its United States business-funding platform.
- Personal Guarantee
- The Franchise Agreement may require Principals to guarantee performance and financial obligations. The FDD’s cover also highlights spousal liability as a special risk.
- Working Capital
- The franchisee must maintain sufficient working capital during the term. Item 7’s Additional Funds cover only the first three months and exclude rent or mortgage payments.
- Financing
- Financing can change cash timing but does not reduce the underlying Item 7 obligations. Interest, lender fees, collateral requirements, and approval risk are outside the official total unless expressly listed.
What should be confirmed before relying on the cost range?
The current FDD gives a broad but structured cost contract. A buyer still needs written answers for the site, equipment order date, optional Recovery Amenities, state addendum, and any multi-Studio commitment.
- Confirm the current disclosure package. Verify the April 1, 2026 FDD and any later amendment or state addendum before signing or paying. The FTC Franchise Rule explains the federal disclosure framework.
- Lock the Equipment Pack timing. Confirm the Final Payment Date and whether shipping, tax, duty, or storage charges have changed.
- Reconcile the buildout scope. Obtain the approved square footage, landlord allowance, construction scope, permits, and items excluded from Leasehold Improvements.
- Choose the Recovery Amenities scope. Confirm whether the $40,000 to $67,000 optional package is included in the site plan and which products and construction work are required.
- Resolve Grand Opening timing. Obtain a written payment schedule that reconciles the 120-day, 90-day, and four-month language in Items 5 and 7.
- Budget excluded occupancy costs. Add rent or mortgage payments, additional deposits, building permits, land or building purchase costs, and financing costs where applicable.
- Separate one-Studio and multi-Studio commitments. Request a location-by-location capital schedule instead of treating the single-Studio range as a combined official estimate.
- Review required suppliers. Item 8 estimates that required purchases and leases represent 80% of opening purchases and leases and 80% of ongoing purchases and leases. Confirm current supplier prices and specifications.
What is the practical capital takeaway?
The verified 2026 FDD range for one U.S. F45 Studio is $362,300 to $857,700, including optional Recovery Amenities and three months of Additional Funds. The largest uncertainty is the premises: Leasehold Improvements alone range from $1,000 to $350,000, while rent or mortgage payments are excluded from Additional Funds and some ownership, permit, and financing costs sit outside the official total.
The initial investment must also be separated from the continuing fee contract. After opening, the franchisee pays a Royalty Fee equal to the greater of 7% of Gross Sales or $2,500 per month, a Brand Fund contribution of up to 2% of Gross Sales or $200 per month, a $2,500 monthly Marketing Fee or equivalent local spend, a current $500 monthly Technology Service Fee, and required inventory and event-triggered charges. For a multi-Studio commitment, the only additional total disclosed is the $60,000 Establishment Fee for each additional Studio; the FDD does not provide a combined development estimate.