F45 - Downtown Dubai

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F45 - Downtown Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The F45 Story

F45 is a well-known Australian circuit training franchise founded in 2012 by Rob Deutsch and Adam Gilchrist in Sydney. Today, the brand stands at over 1,750 locations across 45 countries, and was one of the first boutique franchises to IPO on the New York stock exchange in 2019.

F45’s success has received celebrity endorsements from the likes of Hugh Jackman in their early days, as well as Mark Wahlberg, who is also an investor in the company.

Their tagline “team training, life changing”, is reflected in their community-focused workouts that are catered to all fitness levels.

How Did F45 Downtown Score Overall?

The full client experience at F45 Downtown was strong, achieving The Fit Guide 4-Star Award.

The class was also very good and has won our 4-Star Class Experience Award

The Highlights

The class experience was the highlight of our visit to F45 Downtown, with the fun and friendly coaches providing encouragement and motivation. The two coaches offered extra attention, both gave off a positive vibe and seemed to be enjoying the session.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

“The coaches were very friendly and encouraging.”

“The vibe of the class was fun and relaxed.”

“The studio’s high ceilings and distinct F45 branding were standout features.”

What to Expect From A F45 Downtown Session

The name stands for “Functional Training 45”, with sessions being a mix of functional HIIT and strength exercises delivered in a 45-minute format. Each day, the workout is predetermined by F45 HQ and is the same at every F45 location worldwide. 

Their Saturday “Hollywood” sessions are the only 60-minute class and are famous for hiring local DJs to create a party atmosphere and bring the community together.

Workouts are typically run by two or more coaches per class. To support the coach, clients are guided by screens that display each exercise as well as beeps and graphics that cue them to work, rest or move to their next station.

The Reception Service

The club and concept were explained in great detail during our pre-visit phone call by an enthusiastic staff member.

On arrival at the club, our coach was doubling up as a receptionist and did a great job of introducing the concept and space. She asked us if we’d done F45 before and conducted an injury check, all with a smile. Although the team were unsure about a few of the package options, the conversation about continued training after the class was good-spirited and warm.

The Class Experience

F45 Downtown received The Fit Guide 4-Star Class Experience Award, making it one of Dubai’s stand-out offerings.

The class was well-structured and explained clearly by two friendly and encouraging coaches. The class format was a little hard to follow with many different timings, but the coaches laid it out clearly and the in-class technology helped keep everyone on track. 

Rather than focus on form and technique, the coaches were more motivational and built the energy and vibe. They were very friendly, personable and encouraging, which helped make the session an enjoyable experience.

The Equipment And Studio

The studio space had nice high ceilings and the distinctive F45 branding was prevalent. There was some general wear and tear but overall the space was in good condition.

The Facilities And Public Areas

Workout and shower towels were provided free of charge. Lockers were provided with key locks. Free water refill stations were available.

While the public areas were quite basic in design, they were fit for purpose. There was no defined waiting area, as the whole studio space was one big room. The changing facilities and showers were clean and in good condition.

Digital And Technology

The club’s website was professionally designed and featured high-quality and engaging video content. Branding throughout the website was strong and our evaluator was able to get great insight into what they should expect during an F45 session.

The in-class technology included F45’s signature Lionheart heart-rate tracking technology as well as TV screens that highlighted the workout and displayed videos of the correct technique.

Pricing

F45 Downtown offers an introductory deal for first-time clients. Newcomers can enjoy a three-day trial for free.

If you’re looking for a longer-term commitment, unlimited memberships are available from 1100AED for a monthly recurring deal to 5610AED for a six-month commitment.

Drop-in sessions are available at 120AED per class, with smaller commitment packages also available, starting at a five-pack for 565AED.

Top Scoring Categories

Class Experience
Equipment & Studio
Digital & Technology

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