Eye on Small Business: FS8, Fairfield
Backed by F45 – the Austin, Texas-based, Australian franchiser of more than 2,000 fitness studios over 60 countries — FS8 https://fs8.com is designed to offer a new kind of experience, promising transformative full-body workouts. On Oct. 26, it will open its first F8 fitness studio in Fairfield.
Leading this new location is Anthony Licitra, head of studio operations, “a proud Connecticut native” as he said and experienced operator of some of the top-performing F45 studios in the country. We caught up with him to talk franchises and fitness:
Anthony, can you share a bit about your personal background as it relates to Connecticut?
“I was a college basketball player and have always been into fitness. I grew up in Glastonbury, outside of Hartford. In 2010, I moved down to Stamford as I began my professional career in tax accounting. I’ve been in Stamford ever since. My family and I love it here.”
Why and how did you make the leap from tax manager to fitness?
“In 2018, two friends (and I) opened F45 training locations in both Stamford and Norwalk, right as F45 training became extremely popular. Fast forward to 2022: Due to the success of these studios, Club Sports Group (a premier F45 franchisee and leader in the health and fitness industry), acquired them from us and hired me to help with their expansion. It was the perfect time to take a leap and join the fitness industry full-time. My finance career helped prepare me for this new career as there are many finance and accounting aspects to our business.
“Since then, Club Sports Group has grown to owning and operating nearly 70 F45 locations in the USA, acting as the largest F45 franchisee group in the world.”
We’ve already learned that FS8 ensures variety and effectiveness for all fitness levels through 50-minute circuit-based sessions, which focus on lengthening, strengthening, stabilizing and mobilizing the body. What more can you tell us?
“FS8 combines reformer Pilates (which uses a special machine) with elements of yoga and toning. It’s paired with one-of-a-kind technology, which helps guide you through your workouts, similar to the technology you see at an F45 studio. A certified instructor will lead each class, and our programming consists of several different types of Pilates-focused workouts.”
What’s next for FS8?
“FS8 Stamford in early 2025 and then hopefully we can add more FS8s around the Northeast. You will start to see more FS8s pop up all around the world as franchise sales are rapid.”
Is there a saturation point for the industry in our area and if so, when do you think it might be reached?
“With any business you need to be very careful about where you choose to be located. Oversaturation in fitness is a real thing, but we believe the Pilates demand is high enough and there is a need for more innovative products in Fairfield County.”
