F45 - Paddington

F45 - Paddington

London, UK

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The F45 Story

F45 is a well-known Australian circuit training franchise founded in 2012 by Rob Deutsch in Sydney. The brand saw rapid expansion and was one of the first boutique franchises to IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019. It has since been delisted from the NYSE and is now under the leadership of Tom Dowd as company president, who has overseen new developments in the concept and partnerships with leading fitness brands such as HYROX and Strava.

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 London Paddington Score Overall?

The full client experience at F45 London Paddington was excellent, achieving The Fit Guide Award Of Excellence.

The class was also very good, winning our Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The Highlights

The class was very well-structured and delivered, with the unusual but welcome surprise of having two instructors coaching us.

We appreciated how everyone in the class was given good attention and help with form and technique.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

The class experience was smooth and impressive, having two coaches on the training floor really enhanced the experience.”

“The coaching cues and feedback through the class, both individualized and to the whole group, were very helpful.”

“The equipment was on brand and the studio space was clean and spacious.”

What To Expect From A F45 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 in Australia, and is the same at every F45 location across the world. 

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 you to work, rest or move to your next station.

The Reception Service

The call ahead of our visit gave us a good sense of what to expect, with clear details on the workouts and facilities.

When we arrived, the welcome was friendly once we finally got inside, but being asked to wait out in the cold with nowhere to sit wasn’t the smoothest start to the experience. Once we were in, though, things picked up. The front desk team was friendly, made conversation, and offered helpful touches, like holding onto a bag that wouldn’t fit in a locker. The orientation covered what we needed to know, and everything felt easy to navigate without being rushed.

After class, there was a friendly vibe at the desk and we got a clear run-through of the package options. There wasn’t a strong nudge to book the next class, but the interaction felt approachable and pressure-free — leaving us with a positive impression and open to coming back.

The Class Experience

F45 London Paddington received The Fit Guide Class Experience Award of Excellence, making it one of London’s stand-out offerings.

The class had a great flow and energy, helped by the fact there were two coaches on the floor. Their guidance felt confident and encouraging, and they kept the session moving with clear cues and plenty of motivation. The mix of screen prompts and live coaching made the structure easy to follow and added to the polished feel of the workout.

A bit more one-on-one attention at the start and some extra guidance on trickier moves would have made things feel more tailored.

The session wrapped up on a high note, with the coaches thanking the group and sticking around afterward for questions. The friendly atmosphere and light sense of community in the studio made the experience fun and approachable, leaving us with a strong desire to return.

The Equipment And Studio

The studio made a strong impression with its clean, spacious layout and sleek branding woven into the equipment and walls. F45 logos on the dumbbells and bikes, along with the signature sled track, created a polished and cohesive feel that fit the brand’s identity well.

The equipment itself was in excellent condition, neatly arranged, and fully stocked for all ability levels, with high-quality pieces from reputable brands like Concept 2. The setup made it easy to move around and train safely without feeling crowded.

The Facilities And Public Areas

The public areas felt functional and straightforward, with a clean setup that supported the overall studio experience. The changing rooms and showers stood out as they were spacious, well-stocked with amenities like deodorant and moisturizer, and offered consistent hot water.

Branding carried through the space, with strong exterior signage and a big F45 logo inside, giving a lively first impression. Towels were complimentary and thoughtfully presented in red for workouts and black for showers.

The waiting area was small with only one bench, and the towels, while clean, were showing signs of wear.

Digital And Technology

The booking process and app setup at F45 were smooth and reliable.

The website was easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and packed with clear information, and the in-class tech really elevated the workout by showing exercises and timing on screens, making the session feel slick and well-organized.

Pricing

First-timers at F45 have the option to get an introductory deal that includes seven days of unlimited training for only £20. In addition to the trial, F45 London Paddington offers unlimited class memberships or per-class drop-ins, rather than class packages to their clients. 

The most flexible option is the month-to-month membership, which initially signs you up for one month for unlimited classes for £229 per month. After the first two months, your membership will change to a monthly rolling package at the same price of £229 per month.

When looking for longer commitments, clients can choose from the six-month package and the annual unlimited membership, costing £209 and £199 per month respectively.

Top Scoring Categories

Class Experience
four
Equipment & Studio
five
Public Areas
four
Digital & Technology
four

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