How does The Exercise Coach franchise operate after opening?
A The Exercise Coach Studio sells appointment-based personal training through a physical studio. Certified Coaches assess clients, enroll them in approved plans, schedule sessions, supervise EXERBOTICS®-enabled workouts, record results and manage follow-up. The franchisee controls local employment and execution; Exercise Coach USA, LLC controls the service menu, equipment, software, marketing rules, data access, territory boundaries and operating standards.
Data basis. Legal franchisor: Exercise Coach USA, LLC. Evidence basis: the 2026 U.S. Franchise Disclosure Document issued April 20, 2026 and amended April 30, 2026; Items 1, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19 and 20; the Franchise Agreement; the Franchisee Participation and Software License Agreement; and the Brand Standards Manual table of contents. The offered format is one approved physical Studio, with optional Area Development Agreement rights for multiple Studios. Item 20 covers calendar years 2023–2025 and reports outlet status through December 31, 2025. Official consumer and franchise pages were checked July 27, 2026.
What does the Studio sell, and who buys it?
The Studio sells personalized training, not open-gym access. The 2026 FDD identifies one-on-one and small-group personal strength training, one-on-one Coach-Assisted Stretching, and Strength Plus plans combining strength, stretching, stability, balance and brain training. It also permits metabolic health and nutrition programs and designated retail products.
All new franchised outlets must launch as Strength Plus Studios. Strength Plus uses six- and twelve-month transformation plans; other services may be month-to-month, while stretching and stability/balance may use session packs. The franchisor can change authorized services, memberships and plan features.
Primary client
Adults of all fitness levels, with a stated focus on adults age 50 and older. The official Who It Works For page also addresses time-constrained clients, people uncomfortable with conventional gyms, and people managing physical limitations.
Approved demand channels
Local advertising, the franchisor-hosted Studio webpage, corporate referrals, referrals and networking, and Strategic Relationships. Current official materials identify OnePass, Silver&Fit®, Active&Fit® and OPTUM-related programs; availability and reimbursement remain program- and location-specific.
The official consumer FAQ describes one-on-one training and small groups of up to four people. The consumer website presents two 20-minute, Coach-led sessions per week, but the contract controls Studio programs, schedules, memberships and representations.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 1, pp. 1–3; Item 16, p. 36; Item 19, pp. 40–42; Franchise Agreement §§11.2–11.4; official consumer pages linked above.
How does work move through a Studio?
The cycle is appointment-based and data-supported. Approved marketing and referrals produce leads; Studio personnel complete assessment and enrollment; certified Coaches deliver supervised sessions; and required Technology Systems carry scheduling, payment, client records, performance data and reporting into the next cycle.
Lead capture and appointment
- Actor
- Franchisee team, FranBoost, and Exercise Coach USA, LLC.
- Action
- Generate approved local demand, receive website or phone inquiries, and contact prospects.
- Required system or asset
- HubSpot, JustCall, the franchisor-hosted local webpage, approved campaigns.
- Output
- A recorded lead and booked introductory visit or assessment.
Intake and assessment
- Actor
- GSC- and SBB-certified Coach.
- Action
- Complete required intake, obtain releases and technology acknowledgments, and evaluate body composition, mobility and strength.
- Required system or asset
- EXERBOTICS® Equipment, InBody equipment, designated mobility software and approved forms.
- Output
- A documented baseline and an approved, individualized service recommendation.
Enrollment, payment and scheduling
- Actor
- Coach, manager or other franchisee employee.
- Action
- Offer only designated plans, accept required non-cash payment methods, enroll the client, and schedule sessions.
- Required system or asset
- Designated POS, business-management and scheduling software, approved membership or Package documents.
- Output
- An active client record, booked sessions and any recorded Prepaid Liability.
Supervised service delivery
- Actor
- Certified Coach physically supervising the client.
- Action
- Deliver only approved strength, stretching, stability, balance, brain or nutrition protocols.
- Required system or asset
- EXERBOTICS® Equipment, approved non-proprietary equipment, TEC Apps and the Brand Standards Manual.
- Output
- A completed session with performance and attendance data recorded.
Progress review and repeat booking
- Actor
- Coach and Studio team.
- Action
- Review strength and attendance information, communicate with the client, schedule the next visit, and manage service issues.
- Required system or asset
- TEC Apps, CRM, phone/SMS, Studio email and scheduling system.
- Output
- A retained client relationship, next appointment, renewal or plan adjustment.
Reporting and compliance
- Actor
- Managing Owner, manager and franchisee accounting personnel.
- Action
- Maintain records, monitor KPIs, close reporting periods, submit or permit generation of Gross Sales reports, and cure deficiencies.
- Required system or asset
- POS, FlexBI, QuickBooks Online, franchisor-controlled data access and ACH authorization.
- Output
- Operational reports, required payments, audit trail and corrective actions when needed.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Items 6, 8 and 11; Franchise Agreement §§6.5–6.7, 10.3 and 11.1–11.15; Franchisee Participation and Software License Agreement, Arts. II–IV.
The EXERBOTICS® Equipment is contractually dependent on Gymbot’s licensed software and eIP System. The Participation Agreement states that revocation of data access makes the equipment non-operational. Gymbot provides tiered remote support, but the franchisee must maintain internet connectivity, routine equipment condition, client support and hands-on troubleshooting directed by remote technicians.
Who performs each function, and what remains the franchisee’s decision?
The system permits manager-run onsite operations, but does not disclose an absentee model. The Managing Owner must retain at least 20% ownership unless waived, hold binding authority, complete required training and provide at least weekly oversight. During normal business hours, the Managing Owner or a trained manager must be onsite.
Franchisee
- Employment
- Chooses staffing levels; hires, fires, schedules, assigns and pays employees.
- Local execution
- Generates sufficient leads, delivers approved service and resolves client complaints.
- Maintenance
- Maintains premises, equipment, internet, records, insurance and financial assurance.
- Pricing
- May vary suggested prices within the contractual approval limits.
Franchisor
- System design
- Defines programs, membership features, methods, forms and brand standards.
- Approval
- Approves sites, marketing, suppliers, equipment, managers and material price deviations.
- Control
- May inspect, survey clients, score quality, require remediation and change the Manual.
- Support
- Provides guidance, training, local webpage hosting and possible field visits.
Required third parties
- Gymbot, LLC
- Equipment, proprietary software, TEC Apps, eIP System and remote technical support.
- FranBoost
- Required digital marketing management, optimization, analytics and reporting.
- Technology licensors
- POS, mobility software, CRM, phone/SMS, BI and accounting components.
- Strategic partners
- Programs such as OnePass, Silver&Fit® and Active&Fit® when active.
A trained manager can provide onsite management, but the Managing Owner remains accountable for the manager’s work and must retain a leadership role. Coaches are a separate role: anyone delivering personal training or related client services must complete both GSC Certification Training and SBB Certification Training and sign the required Confidentiality Agreement.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 15, pp. 35–36; Franchise Agreement §§8.1–8.5. The official franchise information page describes hands-on and executive ownership paths, but the Franchise Agreement’s weekly oversight and onsite-manager requirements define the binding operating structure.
Which suppliers and Technology Systems are mandatory?
Gymbot, LLC is the exclusive designated supplier for all exercise and fitness-related equipment, including EXERBOTICS® Equipment, and for the proprietary software and TEC Apps used with that equipment. FranBoost is the required digital marketing supplier. Exercise Coach USA, LLC is the disclosed exclusive supplier for the designated mobility software, CRM with phone/SMS, and employee business-productivity platform.
The franchisee may choose suppliers for some non-proprietary furnishings and cleaning supplies, but every item must meet specifications. Alternatives require a formal request, samples and supporting information. The franchisor can revoke approval, require equipment or Technology System upgrades, and obtain independent, unlimited access to computer and POS data.
The franchisor’s public support portal routes Studio operators to HubSpot/JustCall, BI tools, Coach certification, orders, payments, marketing and incident reporting. Third-party licensors support their products; the franchisee remains responsible for use, cybersecurity, training, connectivity and physical equipment.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 8, pp. 15–19; Item 11, pp. 29–31; Franchise Agreement §§11.6–11.8; Franchisee Participation and Software License Agreement, Art. II.
How exclusive is the Territory?
The Franchise Agreement grants an exclusive Territory containing at least 5,000 “qualified households,” defined as households with annual income of at least $120,000 when the Territory is designated. Exercise Coach USA, LLC may not place another Studio using the Marks inside that Territory during the term. The protection is location-based, not a complete monopoly over customers or channels.
The franchisor and its affiliates reserve Alternative Channels of Distribution, including internet, wholesale, non-branded retail and app-based service channels, and the franchisee receives no compensation from those sales. The franchisee may solicit clients from outside the Territory, but extra-territorial marketing requires approval and cannot target another Studio’s Territory. Ecommerce, virtual training and out-of-Studio service are prohibited without prior approval.
Territorial exclusivity protects the physical Studio format. It does not block franchisor-controlled alternative channels, third-party equipment licensing permitted by the Participation Agreement, or incidental client movement across Studio boundaries. Any Area Development Agreement adds a separate exclusive development territory, but that protection can be lost if the developer misses the development schedule.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 12, pp. 31–33; Franchise Agreement §§3.1–3.3 and 10.3(f)–(i). The official Studio locator illustrates the franchisor-controlled local-page and location-routing structure.
What does Item 20 show about the operating network?
At December 31, 2025, Item 20 reported 221 U.S. outlets: 217 franchised and four company-owned. The total increased from 170 at year-end 2022 to 195 at year-end 2023, 215 at year-end 2024 and 221 at year-end 2025. The 2025 net increase was six outlets.
98.2% of total 217
1.8% of total 4
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 20, Table 1, p. 46. Reconciliation: 217 + 4 = 221; 98.2% + 1.8% = 100.0% after rounding.
Where does the franchisor exercise the strongest control?
The strongest controls sit at the customer promise and operating infrastructure. Exercise Coach USA, LLC can prescribe the service menu, membership features, protocols, equipment, operating days and hours, payment methods, client forms, suppliers, data-entry rules and marketing standards. It may amend mandatory Manual provisions after notice and require Technology System upgrades.
Quality control includes field visits, inspections, mystery shoppers, client surveys, scoring, corrective measures, remedial training and audits. The franchisor may access Studio operational and client data without contractual limits through required systems. The franchisee bears employment, local-law, client-service, maintenance, cybersecurity, bookkeeping and execution responsibilities.
Which operating details should be verified before signing?
Operating-model synthesis. The central mechanism is recurring, coached personal training sold through approved plans and fulfilled in a physical Studio using EXERBOTICS® Equipment and certified Coaches. The franchisee’s most important responsibility is turning approved demand channels into consistently scheduled, supervised sessions while managing local staff, compliance and client follow-up.
The strongest dependency is the combined equipment, software and data stack controlled by Exercise Coach USA, LLC and Gymbot, LLC. The key distinction is that an exclusive physical Territory does not include Alternative Channels of Distribution. The largest undisclosed operating question is the current Studio-level labor model: the FDD specifies qualifications and supervision, but not a standard post-opening headcount, shift pattern or coach-to-client staffing ratio.