F45 Training Expands Wellness Focus with GLP-1 Medications
F45’s decision to integrate weight loss medications with Dr. B represents what analysts say is one of the biggest opportunities for the fitness industry
F45 Training is deepening its partnership with telehealth provider Dr. B to combine GLP-1 medications with the boutique fitness franchisor’s on-demand fitness and nutrition tools.
Starting at $249 per month, members of the program will receive a letter of medical necessity to access Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) funds, monthly consultations with a licensed medical provider, unlimited check-ins, compounded GLP-1 medications delivered to their door, access to F45’s app, discounts for upgrading to an F45 in-studio membership and annual blood work at Quest Diagnostics.
“F45 Training is dedicated to empowering all people to achieve sustainable health and longevity,” F45 CEO Tom Dowd said. “While GLP-1 medication is not suitable for everyone, it can be a valuable tool for some individuals on their weight loss journey. This partnership ensures access to resistance training and nutrition programs essential for successful outcomes.”
Dowd pointed out that without such tools in place, up to 50% of weight loss during GLP-1 treatment can come from valuable muscle rather than fat.
“Our program is designed to help participants retain muscle, maximize fat loss and support bone health,” he added.
The new offering expands on F45 and Dr. B’s initial partnership launched last March, which allows current F45 members with HSA or FSA accounts to consult the telehealth platform to determine eligibility for a letter of medical necessity for reimbursement.
The platform has also teamed with Xplor, BODi and Orangetheory Fitness to make it easier for fitness consumers to use their HSA and FSA funds.
“GLP-1 medications empower many people to lose weight and reduce their cardio-metabolic risk factors, and through our provider-led program, we make sure patients have all the materials and support they need to take their treatment safely and confidently at home,” Dr. B founder and CEO Cyrus Massoumi said. “But we believe medication is only part of the equation. Promoting behaviors that lead to sustainable health and longevity is our goal. We’re thrilled that this program offers patients everything they need to get there.”
Along with GLP-1s, F45 has fully embraced wellness and recovery, as seen with its recent partnership with nutrition retailer GNC and the addition of cold plunges, infrared saunas and Hyperice compression/percussive therapy at participating studios.
Also in development is the potential announcement of a new company name that aligns with F45’s wellness-focused direction, which Dowd teased during ATN’s DISRUPT 2024 video series.
Weight Loss Meds: Industry Disrupting to Industry-Leading?
When the blockbuster weight loss drugs first gained attention, their potential impact on gyms, health clubs and boutique fitness studios was a bit uncertain. Now, in early 2025, the results are becoming clear, as we’re already beginning to see a crossover as leading brands strive to become the ultimate one-stop shop for a healthier lifestyle. One new report from investment banking firm Harrison Co. found the total addressable market for U.S. fitness clubs (including gyms and boutique studios) is expected to increase by $6.8 billion as a result of increased GLP-1 use.
“I think it’s one of the biggest opportunities to come along for the industry in a long time,” Paul Byrne, a partner in Harrison Co.’s Fitness & VMS practice, told Athletech News last fall.
Some were ahead of the curve—global boutique fitness franchisor Xponential Fitness acquired Lindora, a chain of metabolic health clinics offering weight-loss medications and more, while Life Time launched Miora, a longevity clinic that includes GLP-1s among its many offerings.
Fitness equipment leader Echelon is also on board with weight loss medications, having just launched ActiveMD, a wellness division providing weight loss medication such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Rybelsus to qualified individuals. Current Echelon members receive exclusive savings on the medication, while new customers earn a free one-year FitPass membership with their first prescription, which unlocks unlimited access to thousands of live and on-demand workouts.