Posted:03-October-2024
Success for BFT as fitness brand takes over the big smoke
2024 has been a remarkable year so far for global fitness franchise Body Fit Training (BFT) with two new franchisees signing on to open studios across Greater London. The brand is excited to welcome Karen Martinez and Bradley Kent, who will be launching studios in Greenwich and Islington, respectively.
With nearly a decade of experience as a personal trainer, Karen Martinez was inspired to take her skills to the next level by investing in her own fitness franchise. “I used to play football at a professional level and was always deeply passionate about the sport. Unfortunately, a serious injury ended my playing career, but during my recovery, I worked with a personal trainer who had a profound impact on me. That experience motivated me to pursue a career in fitness.”
Karen’s journey began as a mobile personal trainer, visiting clients at their homes. "Eventually, I became too busy, so I needed clients to come to me instead. That’s when I started working at a local gym.” Within a year, Karen’s personal training business boomed, expanding her reach by running her own bootcamps and run clubs. "From there, I took on the challenge of turning around the gym I was working at. It was struggling and close to shutting down because the numbers weren’t great, so I stepped in as General Manager to help get things back on track successfully."
Successfully transforming the gym Karen decided to take the next step, discovering BFT through her research into fitness franchises. "BFT immediately stood out. Their message aligned perfectly with my values and the relationship I have with my clients – everything just clicked!" After signing her franchise agreement, Karen travelled to Australia to complete BFT’s renowned initial training program. "It was an incredible experience. I got a real feel for the brand and saw firsthand how much they’ve invested in both the programming and the member experience – I loved every moment!"
Looking ahead, Karen is excited about the future. "We’re currently searching for the ideal location for my Greenwich studio, and with BFT behind me, I know the best is yet to come!”
Bradley Kent’s career path took a unique turn after earning his degree and working as a professional actor. “I’d always had a passion for fitness so ended up building my own personal training business, freelancing for top fitness franchises – it gave me the flexibility to continue working as an actor whilst having a steady source of income.
“However, my passion for the industry continued to grow, so I started reassessing my options,” said Bradley. “I discovered BFT online and wanted to learn more. I reached out to Diane – the brand’s Head of Franchise Development – and her passion and insights were inspiring. After attending a class, meeting the founders Cam and Rich, and visiting their HQ in Melbourne, I knew I wanted to be part of it. What stood out to me was the excellence of the BFT team. Not only is the programming world-class, but they also focus on making fitness accessible to everyone.”
Bradley is now committed to making his Islington studio a thriving hub for local fitness lovers. “I’m passionate about building communities, creating enjoyable spaces, and improving people’s quality of life. With BFT, I can help others succeed while building a successful business.
“Right now, my focus is on getting this initial BFT studio up and running. Once that’s established, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of opening more locations in the future.”
As Karen and Bradley are gearing up to launch, in September, BFT studios nationwide hosted a series of open days for non-members to check out what each studio has to offer. Visitors were guided through each station within the gym, tried out a class, or simply just took a peek at the facilities on offer.
Highlighting BFT’s services, the open days provided a great opportunity for the public to find out more. With over 60 new members joining their UK studios – and more than 3,500 at studios across the globe – the brand is certainly in store for a bumper end to the year.
Reflecting on the brand’s recent successes and future plans, BFT founder Cameron Falloon added, “2024 has already been an incredible year for BFT. Seeing the brand expand into new territories with passionate franchisees like Karen and Bradley is a testament to our commitment to helping people achieve their fitness goals in a supportive and community-driven environment.
“We’re thrilled to have welcomed so many new members into the BFT family during our open days. We have big plans for the rest of the year, and I’m confident this is just the beginning of many more successes to come."
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