AusLeisure

Members of the F45 gym at Helensvale on the Gold Coast are concerned that they have been unable to access the facility since last weekend.

Members are looking for an explanation as to why the popular gym - which it is understood to have had more than 500 members paying a minimum of $55 a week at one stage - was abruptly shut with its gates padlocked.

As reported by the Gold Coast Bulletin, landlord Bob Perrett padlocked the gates of the property last Saturday, preventing F45 franchisee Michael Hughes and members from accessing the site.

Amid speculation that Hughes may have been behind in rent, Perrett declined to comment, telling the Bulletin “that’s a confidential matter between myself and the tenant. I wouldn’t disclose what’s wrong.”

An email sent out by F45 on Wednesday morning advised that the gym’s closure would be “temporary”.

It advised “we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused due to the sudden and temporary closure of F45 Helensvale.

“We are working with the owners to have you back in the studio training ASAP.”

F45 moved to dispel member concerns that their membership fees might be still deducted, advising “all membership direct debits will be paused until further notice.”

When contacted by media, a spokesman for the F45 franchise didn’t specify what had prompted the gym to close.

The spokesman told the Gold Coast Bulletin “we are working with the owners of F45 Helensvale and the landlord on a solution.

“Helensvale F45 members are our utmost priority and we aim to have them back in studio and training as soon as possible.”

Hughes’ gym business was formally named The FourFive and trades through a company named Hughzibear, with Hughes as its sole director.

The property was last advertised for rent in 2016 for $62,500 a month.

The gym’s Facebook page is no longer active as of today.

Images: The padlocked F45 Helensvale gym (top, courtesy of Mike Batterham) and yje gym while in operation (below, F45 Helensvale/Facebook).

Related Articles

19th March 2019 - Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg buys stake in F45 fitness franchise

24th January 2019 - Embody gym liquidation sees creditors lose $3.8 million

8th November 2018 - F45 launches new model for youth and over sixties

21st August 2018 - F45 opens London base to drive European expansion

6th July 2018 - F45 Pacific Pines gym looks to bounce back after ‘suspicious’ fire

5th April 2018 - Survey identifies F45 as providing highest level of customer satisfaction among Australian gyms

5th September 2017 - ‘Permanent closure’ of Brisbane gym owned by brother of tennis star Nick Kyrgios

28th July 2017 - F45 becomes Australia’s fastest growing fitness studio network

20th July 2016 - F45 Training set to reach 700 franchises worldwide

21st April 2016 - Australian Institute of Fitness agrees career partnership with F45 Training

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.