The short answer: Choose F45 if you want coached group fitness with a rotating menu of cardio, resistance, and hybrid workouts. Choose D1 Training if you want an athletic training program built around strength, speed, agility, conditioning, and progression over time. D1 also has age-based programs for young athletes, a major difference for families comparing the two.
Adults can train at either brand. The useful comparison is between the classes you could attend at your nearby studios, their coaches, and the full cost of joining.
F45 vs D1 Training at a glance
| What matters | F45 Training | D1 Training |
|---|---|---|
| Core approach | Functional group workouts that rotate among cardio, resistance, and hybrid formats | Athletic training with planned performance cycles and a consistent training framework |
| Typical session | Timed exercises across stations; the format changes by workout | Dynamic warm-up, performance training, strength development, core and conditioning, and cool-down |
| Class length | Many classes are 45 minutes; some formats run 60 minutes | D1 describes its standard workout as 54 minutes; check the local booking schedule |
| Adult focus | Group fitness, with the emphasis changing by class | Strength, speed, power, agility, and conditioning within an adult training program |
| Youth programs | Ask the local studio about its age policies and offerings | Dedicated Rookie, Devo, and Prep training for ages 7–18 |
| Coaching | Coaches guide the programmed group workout | Coaches emphasize movement mechanics, adjustments, and development across training cycles |
| Price | Memberships and introductory offers vary by studio | Memberships and training options vary by facility |
| Best first trial | A cardio, resistance, or hybrid class that matches your interests | An adult group session or the appropriate youth program |
These descriptions reflect F45’s workout library and D1’s training overview. The schedule and services at a specific location determine what you can actually book.
What is an F45 workout like?
F45’s calendar includes separate cardio, resistance, and hybrid workouts. Participants move through programmed stations, with the exercise selection and timing changing by class.
That variety is a strength if you enjoy a fast-moving group workout and want to choose your emphasis by day. It also means one trial does not show you the entire program. If your main goal is strength, try a resistance class. If you want both strength and conditioning in one visit, try a hybrid class.
The “45” in the name should not be treated as a guarantee of every class’s length. F45 lists 60-minute hybrid formats, including Riddler and Hollywood. Check the duration when booking. See F45’s hybrid formats.
What is a D1 Training workout like?
D1 describes a five-part workout: dynamic warm-up, performance training, strength development, core and conditioning, and cool-down. It describes its standard session as a 54-minute workout. Its programming uses training cycles focused on qualities such as strength, speed, power, agility, and conditioning. Read D1’s explanation of its training method.
For adults, D1 publishes a weekly training focus that includes lower-body and linear-speed days, upper-body and agility days, and full-body days. That gives you a way to see how individual sessions fit into a broader week of training. See D1’s adult program.
D1 offers more than adult group classes. Its training options include personal, small-group, and team training, as well as age-based programs for young athletes. Ask your facility which options it offers, how they are priced, and whether they fit your goal.
The biggest difference: class variety or athletic progression?
Both brands can include strength and conditioning. The distinction is how they organize your training.
At F45, you can choose a cardio, resistance, or hybrid workout from the studio’s calendar. You may appreciate the changing exercises and the ability to pick a class type that suits a particular day.
At D1, the stated system connects sessions through planned performance cycles. A workout still includes conditioning, but the program also explicitly develops movement mechanics and athletic qualities over time. This may appeal to someone who wants coaching on strength, speed, or agility rather than selecting a different fitness format each visit. See D1’s training framework.
Neither approach is automatically better. Ask each studio how a coach would help you progress toward your goal, and see whether the answer matches the class you experience.
Which is better for adults?
Try F45 first if you want a lively group fitness routine and like choosing between resistance, cardio, and hybrid days. Look at the next two weeks of classes: your preferred formats need to occur at times you can attend.
Try D1 first if you want to train in a more athletic setting, care about developing strength and movement skills over time, or want to ask about personal or small-group coaching. D1 states that its adult training is open to different fitness levels, so you do not need a competitive sports background to inquire. Explore D1 adult training.
If you are comparing F45 with another cardio-and-strength group workout, our Orangetheory vs F45 guide covers that decision separately.
Which is better for a young athlete?
D1 is the clearer starting point for a parent seeking an age-based athletic training program. Its scholastic training is divided into Rookie (ages 7–11), Devo (ages 12–14), and Prep (ages 15–18). The programs are designed around development appropriate to those age groups.
Before enrolling, ask the local D1 facility:
- Which group matches your child’s age and current experience?
- How does the coach teach and adjust movement technique?
- How are strength, speed, and conditioning progressed?
- How many athletes train with each coach?
- Which sessions fit around practices, games, and school?
- Can your child try a session before joining?
F45 is primarily being compared here as a group fitness option. If a teen wants to attend, contact the specific F45 studio about its minimum age, supervision, and available classes rather than assuming one policy applies everywhere.
F45 vs D1 Training pricing
Get quotes from the locations you would actually use. Pricing, trials, and plans can differ by studio, and D1 may quote group classes separately from personal or small-group training. An introductory offer does not tell you the ongoing membership cost.
Use this checklist when you contact both locations:
| Ask the studio | Why it changes the comparison |
|---|---|
| What is the trial price, and when does it expire? | Offers can have eligibility and time limits. |
| What is the recurring price and billing period? | This is the cost you will live with after the trial. |
| How many sessions are included? | Compare the plan against your likely attendance. |
| Are personal or small-group sessions included or separate? | D1 may offer several training options with different prices. |
| Are there enrollment, late-cancel, no-show, or freeze fees? | These affect the real monthly cost. |
| What notice and commitment apply to cancellation? | Flexibility may matter as much as the headline price. |
| Which classes can I attend at my preferred times? | A cheaper plan is poor value if the schedule does not work. |
To estimate value, divide the full recurring monthly cost by the number of classes you realistically expect to attend. For youth training, also consider the coaching format and whether the schedule fits the athlete’s other activities.
How to decide near you
Use the F45 studio finder and D1 facility finder to identify practical locations. Compare travel time, upcoming schedules, and current pricing. Then book a class at each.
For a fair adult comparison, try the F45 format you would attend most and a D1 adult training session. Tell both coaches your experience level and what you want to work on. Afterward, consider whether you understood the workout, received useful coaching, enjoyed the atmosphere, and could repeat the routine consistently.
If your priority is a different style of movement, search Pilates studios near you. You can also explore recovery studios as a separate service category when planning the rest of your routine.
Frequently asked questions
Is D1 Training only for athletes?
No. D1 offers adult training as well as youth athletic programs. Its athletic training style may appeal to people who have never played competitive sports.
Is F45 better for weight loss?
Neither brand can promise a particular weight outcome. The more useful question is which program you can attend consistently and enjoy, alongside the other habits relevant to your goals. Compare the workouts, schedule, and price instead of relying on a claimed result.
Does F45 include strength training?
Yes. F45 has dedicated resistance workouts and strength work in hybrid formats. Check how often those classes appear at your preferred times.
Does D1 Training offer one-on-one coaching?
D1 lists personal training among its options. Contact your local facility for availability, pricing, and what a session includes.
Which should I try first?
For general group fitness with distinct cardio, resistance, and hybrid choices, try F45. For adult athletic training or a youth performance program, try D1. If both sound appealing, book local trials and compare the coaches, usable schedule, and ongoing price before joining.