Franchise FastLane Brand Spotlight: The Exercise Coach

At Franchise FastLane, our highly selective process for choosing the brands we work with has helped us build a portfolio of elite business models. What we look for first and foremost with brands is potential – does the franchise opportunity have what it takes to facilitate explosive, yet responsible growth? 

One such brand that fits this description is The Exercise Coach, a true Franchise FastLane success story. 

Value Proposition & Key Differentiators 

In the crowded world of personal fitness, The Exercise Coach has a clear-cut value proposition. The business offers personalized, 20-minute workouts guided by certified Exercise Coaches while utilizing patented technology to drive results for clients. But that’s not all – this is a brand with plenty of key differentiators to achieve separation from the competition.  

The Exercise Coach employs a data-driven platform to deliver personalized workouts for clients of all ages and abilities but mostly focuses on the needs of the growing 50+ population. This is the only national brand focused on this high-value demographic. It also appeals to those who feel out of place in traditional “big box” gyms, are unsure about what exercises to do, or are frustrated by spending hours working out with minimal results. Franchisees can rely on scalable systems to run this simple business model with unmatched levels of support. Add it all up and clients of The Exercise Coach are able to meet their physical goal AND franchisees are able to meet their entrepreneurship goals.  

Hear it From CEO Brian Cygan 

Founded in 2000, The Exercise Coach began franchising their business model in 2011. With over 300+ studios sold across the country, the brand has become the fastest growing personal fitness franchise in the U.S. Here’s what CEO and founder Brian Cygan had to say about the franchise opportunity: “We have created the largest personal training brand in America, based on several factors. First, we are the only national brand in fitness to successfully target and serve the growing population of people in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. Next, our coaching platform is powered by a one-of-a-kind strength training technology, making our offering completely knock-off proof. Finally, with 200+ locations open and over 20 years in the fitness industry, we understand what it takes for our franchisees to succeed. We provide truly inspired and informed support in marketing and operations. The Exercise Coach continues to evolve and has big plans for expansion and growth in 2025. We’ve developed expertise beyond fitness in the business of transferring knowledge to our franchisees, so they can be successful, and we are now focused on developing our franchisees business leadership potential,” stated Cygan. ” 

Hear it From Franchise FastLane 

Chris Miles is Franchise FastLane’s Director of Franchise Development for The Exercise Coach.  

When asked what makes this franchise opportunity so special, he states, “The Exercise Coach isn’t just a business opportunity, but a chance for entrepreneurs to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Leveraging a simple business model and proprietary fitness technology, franchisees play a key role in enhancing the health and wellness of their communities.” 

Hear it From a Successful Franchisee 

Since 2017, Amy Hudson has been a Minneapolis-based multi-unit owner of The Exercise Coach earning recognition as the brand’s “Franchisee of the Year” in 2019. Here’s what she had to say about what attracted her to the business model: “I was attracted to The Exercise Coach because of the strong systems in place, such as a robust, highly effective lead-generation and marketing strategy, strong support, and the way the brand is differentiated within the fitness industry. Because of our approach, proprietary technology, and brand size, we’re well positioned to help the vast majority of the population, including those who need it most, enjoy the benefits of exercise while providing an experience that keeps them as long-term clients. This brand is a joy to own. We get to see lives changed every day, and our employees know their work is meaningful and has great purpose.” 

With proven systems, robust support, and a purpose-driven mission, The Exercise Coach offers franchisees the tools to succeed while making a meaningful impact in their communities. 

The Exercise Coach is seeing an exciting trend of existing clients and employees becoming franchise owners. This growing interest underscores the confidence they have in the brand’s mission, proven systems, and ability to deliver meaningful results.

For more information, please visit The Exercise Coach brand page on the Franchise FastLane website. 

Also be sure to tune into the Strength Changes Everything Podcast from The Exercise Coach! Join Brian Cygan, Co-Founder & CEO, Amy Hudson, a The Exercise Coach franchisee, and James Fisher, PhD, The Exercise Coach's Chief Science Officer, as they provide fresh insights on the science and benefits of strength training. Together, they discuss how evidence-based workouts can transform health, improve quality of life, and redefine aging.

Are You Ready to Step Into Franchise Ownership? 

Franchise FastLane is a proven franchise accelerator, and our mission is to responsibly drive extraordinary growth for the chosen few. We have vetted over 100 brands and partnered with 20+ brands that are ready to grow! To learn more about the brands we represent, explore our brands page today. If you are interested in learning more about the possibility of joining the FastLane or CarPool, please click here to submit an application. To keep up with all the latest happenings, make sure you follow us on LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and check out our collection of photos on Instagram.