F45’s FS8 to Open Pilates Studio at San Diego Military Base

The Pilates-yoga-tone concept joins F45 as the Mark Wahlberg-backed fitness franchise continues to reach servicemembers

FS8, F45’s new low-impact Pilates brand, is making its first on-base debut this Friday at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in Miramar, California, joining F45’s existing studio.

The new fitness studio will be open to military members and their families.

It’s the latest way F45 is reaching servicemembers, having previously created a Veterans Impact Program for active duty members, veterans and military spouses. Another program, F45 SkillBridge Fitness Internship, assists service members transitioning out of the military and are interested in becoming trainers, studio managers or franchise owners within the F45 network.

“We understand how vital it is for the men and women of the Armed Forces to maintain their physical and mental well-being in order to do what they do best, and we are honored to provide those that call MCAS home with convenient access to our best-in-class fitness programming,” F45’s director of military operations Michael Nichols said.

“With the opening of this new studio, MCAS residents can seamlessly balance the functional and high-intensity interval training available at F45 with the low-impact Pilates-based training of FS8 , providing a holistic approach to fitness.”

The Pilates-yoga hybrid originated in Australia and opened its flagship studio in Austin, Texas, earlier this year. Upcoming studio openings are set for the U.S., along with master franchise agreements to bring FS8 to South Korea and Europe. The 50-minute workouts offer circuit-based sessions that blend Pilates, tone and yoga and are suitable for fitness enthusiasts of any level.

Tom Dowd, F45’s CEO, says the Mark Wahlberg-backed fitness franchise is honored to support Armed Forces members.

“In addition to providing science-backed fitness programming to members of the military, we are committed to helping them transition to civilian life when they complete their service with programs like SkillBridge and the Veterans Impact Program 45 (VIP45), which aims to empower veterans with exclusive benefits to transition from military life to franchise ownership, including providing a 50% off the standard franchise fee.”

Under Dowd’s leadership, F45 also brought Vaura Pilates, a 50-minute sensory athletic reformer Pilates concept , to New York City’s Upper East Side. Considered its flagship location, Vaura Pilates offers a club-like atmosphere under a mirrored ceiling, complete with mood lighting.

“We are creating a new full-body sensory experience unmatched by any other exercise regimen,” Dowd said of Vaura, which stems from Australia’s Vive Active and has two locations in Singapore. “Everything about our classes, from the studio design and luxurious amenities to the club-like mood lighting and more, work in harmony to create a space that inspires transformative results members will love, and they will awaken muscles they never knew existed.”

As for F45, the functional fitness franchise will soon expand into South Africa following a master franchise agreement with Johannesburg-based Functional Fitness South Africa led by CEO Karen Loader, an experienced and multi-unit F45 franchisee.

While F45 has functional fitness and Pilates covered, its next venture includes educating fitness consumers to ensure a complete wellness experience. With that comes a new wellness campaign overseen by Cristina Chan , an F45 athlete and recovery expert.

“Whether it’s writing educational articles, creating video demos, or providing face-to-face coaching around the world, the goal is to help people achieve their greatest potential through a holistic approach to health and fitness, including recovery,” Chan explained.

Dowd is one of ATN’s 50 Power Players for 2024. See the full list .

The post F45’s FS8 to Open Pilates Studio at San Diego Military Base appeared first on Athletech News .