“Our coaches develop great personal relationships with our clients and understand their goals”

Body Fit Training recently made its entrance to the UK with its first franchise in Leicester, proving to be a huge success in the area

When it comes to franchises that have smashed their goals over the past few years, it is hard to think of anyone better than Body Fit Training (BFT). The brand uses proven, scientifically validated training methodologies to develop 13 varied programmes into eight-week progressive training blocks. These are the same periodisation and progressive overload principles and methodologies that are employed by conditioning coaches around the world to train elite athletes.

Since launching in 2018, the fitness franchise has gone from strength to strength, winning the Fit Summit Franchise of The Year Award for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021 and experiencing massive global success across its 225 studios.

But the internationally recognised fitness brand has another reason to celebrate.

Brian Saund and James Kotak have recently launched BFT’s first UK franchise in Leicester. Between them, the Leicestershire duo have a strong community focus, business acumen and a passion for fitness – all attributes that lend themselves to be the perfect BFT franchisee. And after the successful opening of their Leicester studio, James and Brian are set to keep on scaling up their business in the coming months and continue to build on their growing membership of over 175.

How it all started

Brian and James first became aware of the boutique fitness model in North America and soon found themselves travelling to Australia to experience BFT first hand.

“From the outset, it was clear that BFT offered something different to traditional gyms in the UK, explained Brian. “Not only was the brand helping people produce incredible results, but it was doing it whilst keeping sessions fun and motivational for all participants.”

As experienced gym goers, the duo knows the importance of switching up sessions to avoid boredom.

Brian continued: “The fact that the BFT studio we visited offered a variety of workouts, meaning members wouldn’t experience plateaus or get bored of coming to sessions, was a huge selling point for us. We eventually made a few enquiries about how we could get involved, and after conversations with the head office team, we decided this was too good an opportunity to miss. It’s fair to say we haven’t looked back since.”

Sneak-peek into training

To learn more about the BFT model, Brian and James joined a BFT boot camp in Melbourne where they attended a six-day training.

Brian explained: “The first three were all based around business integration training, where we were brought up to speed with the brand’s operations and sales process. We were also given an insight into the IT and management systems we had to use. The final three days are designed to teach you about the training and coaching we deliver in the gym.”

Tapping into the support from head office, the duo has also received guidance throughout the entire opening process, from site selection, lease negotiation and construction, to recruiting studio staff and activating the sales process and marketing strategy.

Brian added: “We had some of the team fly all the way from Australia for our Grand Opening, which made us feel incredibly welcome to the BFT family. Since opening, we have received great ongoing support and attend weekly update webinars where we receive one-on-one support to ask any questions we need.”

Helping members be better every day

But it is not only the support offered to franchisees that makes BFT an appealing business opportunity. The franchise also aims to provide a great member experience as it encourages franchisees to embrace their local community as well as the BFT franchisee community.

As well as owning BFT, Brian is also a wellness coach and mental health advocate and expects BFT to impact more than just people’s physical fitness. “I’m a stage four cancer survivor and know all too well what happens when you neglect yourself,” he explained. “Now, my personal and professional focus in life is to develop myself and lift those around me. So, the new BFT gym is a great tool to improve the mental health of the people in our local community.

“James and I are all about creating a great environment to help our members push each other to be better every day. Our coaches develop great personal relationships with our clients and understand their goals. That way, we can provide constant motivation and encouragement to get them where they want to be. “

Brian and James are the proof of how successful the BFT model can be, which is why they recommended BFT to anyone interested in investing in a franchise

Brian added: “Within our first week of launching, the studio had already attracted 175 members. This proves that despite everything that has happened over the past few years, the health and fitness market is booming. Owning a BFT franchise will allow you to capitalise on this trending fitness industry.”