When Jordi and Brooke Duff first started talking about opening a gym, their sights were set on a traditional 24-hour fitness facility. But after stepping into an F45 studio for the first time, everything changed.
“We thought we wanted to run a big-box gym,” Jordi recalls. “But the second we experienced F45—the energy, the community, the results—it was clear we had found something bigger.”
That decision led the couple, high school sweethearts from Christchurch, New Zealand, to open F45 Marshland. Six years later, their studio is thriving—and their lives have been transformed.
Jordi came from a fitness background, managing gyms and working as a personal trainer, while Brooke built a career in music and marketing. When they discovered F45, they realized it was more than just a training model—it was a lifestyle.
“The workouts got me out of bed at 5 a.m. for the first time in my life,” says Brooke. “It wasn’t just about fitness. It was about belonging. That’s what sold us.”
Today, the Duffs run their studio together while raising their children. The flexibility of ownership allows them to spend mornings working and afternoons at home with family—a balance they describe as priceless.
While the workouts are world-class, Jordi and Brooke say the biggest surprise of ownership has been the community they’ve built.
“We knew F45 was community-based, but we never expected our members to become family,” Brooke shares. “We’ve celebrated weddings, engagements, new homes, and babies with them. They’re part of our lives.”
The connections run deep—so much so that several members have gone on to become certified coaches at their studio. “That’s how strong the culture is,” says Jordi. “People don’t just want to train here—they want to be part of what we’re building.”
Owning an F45 franchise, the Duffs say, has given them more than financial security. It’s given them purpose, fulfillment, and a lifestyle most business owners only dream of.
Flexibility: “We wrap up by mid-morning most days and get to spend the rest of the day with our kids,” Brooke explains.
Profitability: “It’s not just good vibes—it’s a strong business model with global brand recognition,” Jordi adds.
Support & Innovation: From new training options like Lift Club and Run Club to partnerships with Red Bull and HYROX, the Duffs say F45 HQ has evolved to keep franchisees competitive and supported.
Impact: “Every day, we see lives change,” says Brooke. “That’s something you can’t put a price on.”
When asked if they’d recommend investing in F45, the Duffs don’t hesitate.
“Absolutely,” says Jordi. “But go all in. Your members expect everything from you, and when you give it, you get so much more back.”
For Brooke, the reward goes beyond the bottom line. “This business has allowed me to be the mom I want to be, to live with balance, and to be part of something bigger than ourselves. It’s truly life-changing.”
After visiting more than 300 F45 studios worldwide, Jordi says the magic is the same everywhere: “Every studio has its own unique community, but the feeling is always the same—like walking into a second home.”
For the Duffs, F45 isn’t just a franchise. It’s family, purpose, and proof that the right business can also be the most rewarding.
“Honestly,” Brooke says with a smile, “we get to live our dream.”
To watch Jordi and Brooke’s full story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlhMM6TMf7g
To learn more about F45 Investment opportunities https://functionalinspiredtraining.com/franchising/f45/
