The deal, forged in partnership with Club Sports Group, marks Wahlberg’s first ownership stake in an F45 location
Mark Wahlberg, investor, chief brand officer and well-known face of F45 Training, is investing in his own F45 studios for the first time, partnering with Club Sports Group (CSG) to expand the functional fitness and HIIT franchise in the Boston area.
CSG, the world’s largest F45 franchisee by studio count, currently operates three F45 Training locations near Beantown in Swampscott, Weymouth and Westford, Massachusetts.
Following Wahlberg and CSG’s first F45 studio at 99 Summer Street in the Boston Financial District last month, the two are slated to open a North End F45 studio at 111 North Street in the first quarter of this year.
“Given his longstanding collaboration with F45 Training, working with Mark to make fitness more accessible than ever across Boston is a dream come true,” said Travis Frenzel, CEO of Club Sports Group. “Our second location, soon opening in the North End, has a special pre-opening offer for everyone looking for the best workout of their lives and what Mark incorporates to reach his own fitness goals.”
“The Family Plan” actor will continue to personally design his exclusive-to-F45 ‘Wahlberg Week’ workouts throughout the year, which encompass seven new routines across cardio, strength and hybrid training classes.
“It’s an honor to partner with Club Sports Group and expand the footprint of F45, the best group fitness approach on the planet, which has long impacted my own health and wellness journey right in my hometown of Boston,” Wahlberg said. “Returning to my roots, I see this as a great chance to improve the quality of life for everyone in the communities that are so close to my heart, and will be stopping by the studios every chance I get.”
Tom Dowd, who joined F45 as CEO in March and has a close business relationship with Wahlberg, recently spoke exclusively to Athletech News’ on the “Unscripted” podcast to discuss his vision for the fitness franchise, highlighting F45’s intentions to perhaps become more of a lifestyle brand and lean into retail.
F45 recently launched Vaura Pilates, a total-body conditioning athletic reformer Pilates concept, in New York City’s Upper East Side. The brand also recently debuted FS8, which offers 50 minutes of yoga, Pilates and toning.
Expanding into other fitness arenas is a key priority for F45 moving forward, Dowd has told ATN.
“We want to make sure we’re offering the different modalities to cater to everybody’s needs,” he said. “We’re very focused on toning, yoga and Pilates so that we offer something different to the marketplace.”
