Words: Kit Heathcock | Images: Supplied
Cape Town-born Marc Train has brought the latest celebrity workout and fitness trend to South Africa. He tells us about his new F45 fitness studio in Camps Bay.
How did your business start?
F45 began as a curated fitness programme developed by Sydneyborn Rob Deutsch for big names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicole Kidman. It amassed a cult following in Australia for its emphasis on results-driven, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strong community appeal. The group came to South Africa in 2018, and we opened the first studio in Camps Bay in March. I’m confident that the model is a perfect match for the South African culture. We’re a very active and health-conscious nation. This can be seen from the proliferation of gyms around the country and the rapid adoption of new ways of training. Cape Town has a wonderful fitness community, which perfectly suits the F45 ethos of building a close-knit group of like-minded people.
Why did you choose this area to set up shop?
I wanted a location in the Atlantic Seaboard, due to the nature of F45 and its focus on community engagement. There’s an outdoor culture here which we love and, by setting up shop in Camps Bay, we hope to tap into this through regular training and runs on the beach. It’s also the ideal location in an area without any direct competition.
How did you find your premises?
Our first F45 franchise will be our flagship studio and we had a long list of criteria for the premises. Some friends in the broker industry knew of the studio space requirements and recommended the Camps Bay space to me. It immediately felt like the right fit.
Why are the premises ideally suited to your business?
The view sold us on the studio – it overlooks the beach and allows our members to workout in a picturesque setting.
Who are your neighbours?
Mediterranean restaurant Bilboa and rooftop cafe Chinchilla are wonderful neighbours who drive real foot traffic to the centre. The Bay Hotel also provides a fantastic opportunity for a strong partnership.
What are the rental prices like in this area?
We currently pay R300/m2. The rental prices are relatively high in Camps Bay.
How many people visit your business each day?
F45 offers six classes a day with a maximum of 27 people per class – numbers are kept low to ensure maximum individual attention from trainers.
Do you have any expansion plans?
We want to expand nationally this year; plans are already in place for branches in Joburg and Durban.
Do you operate online as well?
The F45 app offers regular fitness challenges, meal plans and shopping lists for a holistic health-driven experience. Our website also offers eating plans and our training schedules.
What’s your most popular service?
F45 is based on HIIT, which is perfectly suited to today’s time-constrained and health-conscious society. Our 45-minute training sessions are extremely popular as they easily slot into busy schedules and yield incredible results. We host regular global fitness challenges with the other F45 franchises around the world, and every Saturday we get a DJ in the studio to drop some beats for the special hour-long session.
For more information on F45, phone 084 589 1793 or visit their website.
