Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping Franchise

Lance Farrell developed Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping from his background in Taekwondo and interest in bodybuilding. His martial-arts journey began at Iowa State University in 1980; he started teaching in Guthrie Center, Iowa, in 1982 and moved the program to Creston in 1985. He later moved to Des Moines to pursue fitness and martial arts full-time.

The first Farrell’s 10-week session took place in Des Moines in 2001, with 40 Taekwondo parents and instructors participating. The program combined exercise with the accountability of a martial-arts community. Farrell’s began franchising in 2007, according to its official brand history.

FIT Franchise Brands was founded in 2023, bringing Farrell’s and what is now MAX Fitness and Wellness Center under one umbrella. The group’s March 2025 Growth Summit brought owners from both brands together for education and networking. Its franchising page provides the current ownership inquiry route.

FIT Franchise Brands describes personalized training, coaching materials and ongoing mentorship for franchisees. The parent company maintains franchise-support, operations, marketing and master-instructor-training roles. Its public materials do not specify the current Farrell’s initial owner-training schedule, required participants or associated travel costs.

For a concrete example of continuing education, the company’s March 2025 Growth Summit included presentations and workshops at its Manalapan, New Jersey headquarters. Topics included member retention and team building, with panel discussions, networking and vendor presentations bringing owners together across the two brands. This is a documented past event, rather than a promise of a particular future training schedule.

The customer-facing 10-week fitness challenge is separate from franchisee business preparation. Owners need to organize instructor coverage, enrollment, class scheduling and member relationships; the current franchise training commitments should establish how the franchisor prepares and supports them in those responsibilities.

Farrell’s offers a defined fitness experience built around kickboxing, strength work and nutrition coaching, with group participation and accountability at its center. Its scheduled instructor-led classes and 10-week challenge provide a concrete program for an owner to introduce to a local community.

The opportunity may suit a hands-on, relationship-oriented business leader who enjoys organizing a team and helping members stay engaged. Joining FIT Franchise Brands also connects owners to a broader fitness-franchise network. The business case rests on delivering a consistent member experience and building local membership—not on assuming that customer transformation stories predict franchise earnings.

To compare premises, staffing and the complete operating budget, read our guide to fitness franchise formats, budgets and ownership questions.