Australian fitness franchise F45 has secured deals to open sites in emerging markets across the Middle East and Africa – taking the number of countries it operates in to more than 40.

The operator has agreed deals to open its first locations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while also securing franchisees in two new African markets – Kenya and Mauritius.

The deals have taken the number of sites it has secured in the Middle East to 19 and to eight in Africa.

In Europe, it has now opened – or has existing deals in place for – 60 locations.

Founded in 2014 by former equities trader Rob Deutsch, the chain has grown exponentially and currently has more than 1,500 studios worldwide.

F45 offers high-intensity interval training (HIIT) consisting of 45-minute workouts featuring a range of 35 different workout programmes.

“We've worked tirelessly to create an innovative brand and proven franchise model that can operate from anywhere in the world," said Luke Armstrong, global sales director of F45.

"This is a truly pivotal moment in our global expansion, and we look forward to entering even more territories in the near future”.

Armstrong added that the company, which recently secured investment from actor Mark Wahlberg, will look to "ramp up" its global expansion.