D1 Training Tops 100 Locations With Athlete-Inspired Approach
The fitness franchise is modeled after elite college football training principles and offers youth sports as well as adult programs
D1 Training, a Tennessee-based athletic training fitness franchise, has opened its 100th site in Merrillville, Indiana, after a stellar 2023 in which D1 established 26 additional locations. In the coming year, D1 Training intends to open another 50 locations and has another 100 in development, for a total of 250 units planned.
The fitness franchise credits its rapid growth to improvement in its franchisee support and operator training, its expanding network of coaches and pro athlete ambassadors such as Tim Tebow. D1 Training also modified its sign-up process to ensure athletes are enrolled in the perfect program to achieve their goals, which the fitness franchise says has optimized its business strategy and athlete experience, resulting in 6.5% revenue growth compared to the prior year.
Although D1 Training has trained over 100 NFL draft picks and over 3,000 college athletes, the fitness franchise also offers family workouts, group workouts and private and semi-private training, welcoming anyone dedicated to their fitness journey to its five core tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength program, core and conditioning and cool down.
“Watching this company grow from our roots in Tennessee to a beloved fitness brand across the country has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Will Bartholomew, D1 Training founder and CEO.
After playing alongside NFL legend Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee and becoming a National Champion and captain, D1’s founder ended up rehabbing an injury before realizing there was no place to train as a Division 1 athlete. It was then that he set out to develop D1 Training facilities to train next-level athletes in 2001. By 2017, D1 Training began franchising and went on to receive a strategic investment from Princeton Equity Group in 2021.
“The journey from our first location to our 100th location has been a humbling experience – and to see this historic moment come to life is truly an honor,” Bartholomew said. “This milestone opening further solidifies D1 Training as an industry leader as we continue to deliver world-class coaching and great programs to 100 different cities, serving thousands of athletes.”
D1 Training sees scholastic training as an untapped and exciting growth zone where its training facilities can address the demands of young athletes as well as adult fitness enthusiasts seeking athletic and personal training programs.
“It’s rewarding to be a part of such a remarkable business, surrounded by exceptional individuals and dedicated franchise owners,” said Dan Murphy, D1 Training’s chief operating officer. “We’ve proven that we can stand the test of time and that the market really wants what we are providing at D1 Training.”
