Gold's Gym vs F45 Training: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Fitness & Health Real Data Not Investment Advice
GG

Gold's Gym

Fitness & Health
$294K – $719K
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VS
FT

F45 Training

Fitness & Health
$300K – $700K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
F45 Training wins on investment range ($19K less) vs Gold's Gym.
Fee Burden
Both have the same royalty rate.
Unit Count
F45 Training wins on total units (1,000 more) vs Gold's Gym.
Satisfaction
Gold's Gym wins on franchisee satisfaction vs F45 Training.

Investment & Fees

Metric Gold's Gym F45 Training
Min Investment $294K $300K
Max Investment $719K $700K
Franchise Fee $60K $50K
Royalty Rate 7.0% 7.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 2.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Gold's Gym F45 Training
Avg Unit Revenue $2.0M $550K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Gold's Gym F45 Training
Total Units 700 1,700
Annual Growth 10.0% 3.0%
Failure Rate N/A 7.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Gold's Gym F45 Training
Franchisee Satisfaction 71/100 60/100

Track Record

Metric Gold's Gym F45 Training
Years in Business N/A 11
Years Franchising N/A 8

Financial Requirements

Metric Gold's Gym F45 Training
Min Net Worth Required N/A $500K
Liquid Capital Required N/A $200K

Operations

Metric Gold's Gym F45 Training
Avg Employees N/A 8
Training Weeks N/A 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gold's Gym or F45 Training a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Gold's Gym has 700 total units and a 71/100 franchisee satisfaction score. F45 Training has 1,700 total units and a 60/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Gold's Gym franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Gold's Gym franchise requires an initial investment of $294K – $719K. The franchise fee is $60K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a F45 Training franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a F45 Training franchise requires an initial investment of $300K – $700K. The franchise fee is $50K, with ongoing royalties of 7.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Gold's Gym vs F45 Training?

Gold's Gym's royalty rate is 7.0%. F45 Training's royalty rate is 7.0%. That means F45 Training has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Gold's Gym or F45 Training?

Gold's Gym has 700 total units. F45 Training has 1,700 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Gold's Gym or F45 Training semi-absentee friendly?

Gold's Gym is typically run as a owner-operator model. F45 Training is typically run as a semi-absentee model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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