Xponential Fitness-Backed BFT Opening First Location in Canada With Significant Plans for US
BFT has franchise agreements signed for studios in 12 US cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Tampa, and LA
The functional fitness industry is booming, and Body Fit Training (BFT), a functional and strength training concept, is ready. BFT has announced its entry into the North American fitness market with plans to open its first studio in Toronto, Canada.
Founded in 2017, the boutique fitness brand has over 200 studio locations and a strong international presence, with studios in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Aside from BFT’s premier studio in Canada, the boutique fitness franchise says its domestic footprint will expand exponentially, with franchise agreements already signed to bring BFT to Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, San Jose, and Tampa.
BFT President Lou DeFrancisco says he is looking forward to bringing his business expertise during this period of growth for the functional fitness brand. He graduated from Fairfield University with a physics degree and was the President of StretchLab for four years, scaling the stretching franchise to over 200 studios.
According to DeFrancisco, BFT distinguishes itself from other fitness brands through scientifically proven training techniques aimed at reducing fat and building lean muscle, as well as cutting-edge technology such as heart rate monitors.
Xponential Fitness acquired the fitness brand, which offers 50-minute group strength training classes, last year. When the BFT acquisition was announced last year, Xponential CEO Anthony Geisler stated that he saw a significant opportunity to expand BFT’s studio base in the US and internationally.
“BFT is the missing piece for Xponential as our tenth brand. It is our first simple strength training concept that doesn’t require any additional explanation. Strength training is already many people’s preferred method of working out, and BFT just enhances that model. Plus, with BFT’s success in the Asia Pacific region already, we felt it would be a strong addition to the boutique fitness scene in the US,” DeFrancisco tells Athletech News.
