F45 - Santa Monica

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F45 - Santa Monica

Los Angeles, USA

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 Santa Monica Score Overall?

The full client experience at F45 Santa Monicawas impressive achieving The Fit Guide Award Of Excellence.

The class was also impressive and has achieved the Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The Highlights

The coaches delivered a clear and structured class, offering strong demonstrations and using technology consistently to support the session.

The energetic and polished digital branding across the website and app also stood out, making the booking experience feel seamless and professional.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

“The class was well-organized, and I liked how the exercises were broken down with visual demos on screen.”

“I liked how on-brand everything felt, from the colors on the walls to the visuals on the TV screens—it all tied together really well.”

“The website made everything super easy—I felt like I knew exactly what to expect before I even showed up.”

What to Expect From A F45 Santa Monica Session

F45 offers 45-minute group workouts that combine high-intensity functional training with elements of strength, cardio, and recovery. With over 5,000 programmed exercises and 45 different workout templates, the training aims to provide a varied experience each session.

Originating in Australia, F45’s systemized approach blends HIIT, circuit training, and functional movement, with sessions designed to improve endurance, strength, and mobility. Classes are categorized into four types: Cardio, Resistance, Hybrid, and Recovery, each offering a different focus and intensity.

At F45 Santa Monica, participants can expect structured programming, a rotating class schedule, and an upbeat atmosphere. Sessions are scalable to suit different fitness levels, with an emphasis on consistency, movement quality, and community-based training.

The Reception Service

The phone call was a standout, with the receptionist offering a well-paced, informative introduction that covered everything from class types to parking. They asked about our fitness background and made personalized recommendations, leaving us feeling prepared and excited for the visit.

On arrival, we were warmly welcomed and given a helpful introduction and tour. However, the absence of a designated check-in area made the process feel a little unclear at first. The relaxed in-studio environment wasn’t ideal for completing forms or settling in comfortably. While we were shown around and given a good overview of the space and stations, no one confirmed our class booking or collected health information.

After class, staff were friendly and clearly explained the membership options, asking thoughtful questions about our fitness goals. However, they didn’t encourage us to return or mention our remaining sessions, which would have helped round out the experience.

The Class Experience

F45 Santa Monica received our Class Experience Award of Excellence.

Before the session, we received a detailed walkthrough of what to expect, including an extended demo while one coach demonstrated the exercises. While informative, this introduction took up a notable portion of the 45-minute workout. Screens around the studio displayed the timing and exercises, making the session easy to follow.

Once the workout started, both coaches circulated the room and offered form corrections where needed. However, despite having two staff members on the floor, we received very limited personal interaction. As a first-timer, we didn’t feel particularly acknowledged or supported during the session, and no individual encouragement was offered.

The music, energy, and space helped create an enjoyable atmosphere, with community touches like member photos and challenge boards. Still, more personal engagement and post-class follow-up would have elevated the experience.

The Equipment And Studio

We were impressed by the quality and layout of the studio. All equipment was professional-grade, well-maintained, and organized by weight and function, with only minor cosmetic scuffs. The layout allowed for easy movement between stations, with no sense of crowding.

F45’s brand identity was strong throughout, with red, navy, and grey equipment matching the studio’s color scheme and logos. A large feature logo, clean blue turf, and smaller design details elevated the environment. A high-quality sound system and bright lighting added to the energy, creating a fresh, motivating space.

The studio felt purposeful, well-organized, and reinforced the brand while delivering a strong training experience.

The Facilities And Public Areas

The studio made a strong visual impression, with bold logos, signature colors, and modern touches creating a cohesive, energetic feel. Vibrant accents and branded merchandise added to the professional look.

Public areas felt tight, with limited storage and just one bench for waiting. Two restrooms were available, one with a shower, though hot water wasn’t working during our visit.

The space was tidy and well-maintained, with free towels, a refillable water station, and a grooming area stocked with deodorant, lotion, and feminine products.

Digital And Technology

Booking was simple thanks to the studio’s well-designed, intuitive website, which reflected the F45 brand through bold fonts, energetic imagery, and confident copy. While confirmation emails were missing, the site and branded app felt polished and user-friendly, with email and text communications staying on-brand.

The club’s social media presence was strong, with regular updates and vibrant posts that matched the in-studio experience. We also appreciated the use of F45TV screens during class and access to InBody scans and digital workouts, reinforcing F45’s full-spectrum wellness approach.

From booking to in-studio tech, F45 Santa Monica delivered a seamless, high-energy digital experience.

Pricing

F45 Santa Monica offers a 7-Day Trial for local residents at $25, and a “Welcome Week” pass for non-members at $30.

If you're looking for a longer-term commitment, memberships are available from $50 per week for two classes weekly, up to $65 per week for unlimited classes on a rolling, month-to-month basis. Additional membership options include $99 per month for four classes monthly.

Drop-in sessions are available at $35 per class. Smaller commitment packages are also available, starting at a 10-pack for $325. Other one-time options include a 14-day pass for $99, a 20-pack for $550, a 6-month pass for $1,436, and an annual pass for $2,535.

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