Club Pilates vs F45 Training
Club Pilates vs F45 Training: Club Pilates costs $385K–$839K to open; F45 Training costs $349K–$786K. Club Pilates has 237 units, F45 Training has 753. SBA loan history: Club Pilates = 281 loans (0.0% default); F45 Training = 270 loans (5.6% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Club Pilates vs F45 Training — Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
F45 Training requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($349K vs $385K for Club Pilates), a 10% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $65K for Club Pilates versus $60K for F45 Training — F45 Training has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Club Pilates and 7% for F45 Training — equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, F45 Training operates 753 units to Club Pilates's 237 — roughly 3× the system size. Club Pilates has been operating 19 years (founded 2007) versus 13 for F45 Training (founded 2013) — a 6-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Club Pilates has the deeper SBA lending track record with 281 historical 7(a) approvals versus 270 for F45 Training. Club Pilates's peak SBA year was 2019 (65 loans); F45 Training's peak was 2020 (63 loans). F45 Training's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Geographically, Club Pilates concentrates in CA (57 SBA-funded units) while F45 Training leads in TX (42) — pick the brand whose strongest state matches yours for warmest lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Club Pilates deals is $273K vs $281K for F45 Training — useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Club Pilates and 5.6% for F45 Training — Club Pilates has the cleaner historical loss profile by 5.6 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 61 (Moderate) for Club Pilates and 58 (Moderate) for F45 Training, giving Club Pilates the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 61/100 | 58/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 281 | 270 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 5.6% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $385K – $839K | $349K – $786K |
Franchise Fee | $65K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $100K | $100K |
Net Worth Required | $500K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 237 | 753 |
Franchised Units | 237 | 751 |
Company-Owned | — | 2 |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2007 | 2013 |
Franchising Since | 2012 | 2015 |
Years Franchising | 14 yrs | 11 yrs |
Headquarters | BAKERSFIELD, CA | Austin, TX |
Category | Fitness | Fitness |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Club Pilates or F45 Training?
Lower upfront capital required
F45 Training
Club Pilates: $385K starting · F45 Training: $349K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Club Pilates
Club Pilates: 281 SBA loans · F45 Training: 270 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Club Pilates
Club Pilates: 0.0% · F45 Training: 5.6%
Larger system & brand presence
F45 Training
Club Pilates: 237 units · F45 Training: 753 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Club Pilates: 7% · F45 Training: 7%
More lender financing options
F45 Training
Club Pilates: 55 unique lenders · F45 Training: 95 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation — your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Club Pilates vs F45 Training: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Club Pilates and F45 Training is about more than brand preference — it's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $349K to $839K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Club Pilates with 281 SBA loans and F45 Training with 270. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands — not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice — consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.