Future of Fitness

We are putting a shoulder into the fitness industry and pushing it forward into the modern digital age. Eric Malzone, a 14-year industry veteran, entrepreneur, advisor, and coach, interviews the brightest movers and shakers in the fitness and health industries. Interviewing some of the industry's top executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, topics will vary covering cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship, hot industry trends, and so much more. If you're in or around the industry, this is how you keep your edge sharp.

Juliet Starrett & Alex Alimanestianu - Quarterly Reports: $7.5 Billion Merger, a Surprise IPO, and Executive Shuffles 03/21/2026

Juliet Starrett & Alex Alimanestianu - Quarterly Reports: $7.5 Billion Merger, a Surprise IPO, and Executive Shuffles In this episode, Eric Malzone, Juliet Starrett, and Alex find themselves at the intersection of a shifting fitness economy, dissecting a massive Q1 2026 that has left the industry bifurcated between high-end luxury and high-volume value . The team breaks down the "K-shaped" recovery where premium powerhouses like Lifetime are flex-pricing their way to record margins while mid-market players and franchise models like Xponential Fitness face mounting regulatory and internal pressure . From the blockbuster $7.5 billion Mindbody-EGYM merger to Strava’s surprise IPO filing, this deep dive explores whether the future of fitness lies in high-tech hardware, social networks, or the growing convergence of medicine and movement . Episode Highlights 📈 The K-Shaped Gym Economy: Why Lifetime is winning on "yield per head" ($3,531 average revenue per member) while Planet Fitness continues to battle for the price-sensitive consumer . 🤝 The $7.5B Merger: A "head-scratcher" look at the Playlist (Mindbody/ClassPass) and EGYM deal and what it means for the future of connected gym hardware ⌚ Garmin’s Dominance: How the fitness segment is crushing its competitors with 33% growth, effectively eating the lunch of Fitbit and Google 🚲 Peloton's Profitability Pivot: The narrowing losses and declining employee count as the brand tries to transition from a "melting ice cube" into a sustainable wellness entity 🔔 Strava Goes Public: Insights into the confidential S-1 filing and whether Wall Street will value the 180-million-member platform as a social network or a fitness tool 🤸 Peak Pilates?: Discussion on Xponential Fitness's legal exposure and whether the boutique modality market has finally reached a saturation point 🏋️ CrossFit’s Crossroads: Following the departure of CEO Don Faul, the team discusses the difficulty of monetizing the "beautiful chaos" of the affiliate model . 🏥 Medical Convergence: The emerging trend of bringing HSA/FSA dollars and clinical services directly under the gym roof . /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40540235

John Ford - EGYM's Bet: The Untrained Market Is Where the Real Health Impact Is 03/16/2026

John Ford - EGYM's Bet: The Untrained Market Is Where the Real Health Impact Is In this episode, we sit down with John Ford, Chief Product Officer at eGym, to explore the massive shift currently happening at the intersection of fitness and healthcare. From his early days founding Virtual Active and licensing cinematic workout content to industry giants like Peloton, to his current role leading product strategy at a global fitness unicorn, John offers a masterclass in behavioral science and hardware integration. We dive deep into the launch of Genius AI, discussing how it removes the "intimidation barrier" for gym beginners and provides the objective data—like one-rep max and body composition—necessary to prove fitness outcomes to the medical community. Whether you're interested in the impact of GLP-1 medications on strength training or how AI is actually driving more personal training sales, this conversation provides a roadmap for the future of longevity and health prevention in the club environment. Episode Takeaways 🚀 The Evolution of Fitness Tech: John traces his 20-year journey from filming "Virtual Active" trails with a 40lb steady cam to leading the eGym C-suite. 🤖 Genius AI & Precision Prescription: How eGym’s new AI engine uses real-time hardware data to automate personalized workouts in 30 seconds, replacing the manual 15-minute trainer process. 🏥 Bridging the Healthcare Gap: Discussing the multi-million dollar clinical trials eGym is conducting to prove the efficacy of strength training for chronic conditions and longevity. 💪 The Beginner Solution: Why "integrated hardware-software" is the key to activating the 80% of the population who are intimidated by traditional weight rooms. 💉 The GLP-1 Opportunity: Exploring how the rise of weight-loss medications is creating a massive new demand for supervised, accessible strength training to preserve muscle mass 📈 AI as a Sales Tool: Data shows that AI-driven onboarding actually increases personal training (PT) sales by building member confidence and providing trainers with better "bites at the apple." ⚽ The Dark Side of Youth Sports: A candid look at the "over-optimization" and "pay-to-play" culture in modern club sports and its impact on lifelong fitness 🔗 Perfect Gym: 🔗 eGym: /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40459220

Mike Ranfone & Dr. Marko Lujic - The Gym of the Future Will Change the Future of Healthcare: RTS's Integration Model 03/12/2026

Mike Ranfone & Dr. Marko Lujic - The Gym of the Future Will Change the Future of Healthcare: RTS's Integration Model What happens when a lifelong friendship meets a shared frustration with broken systems? Mike Ranfone and Dr. Marko Lujic did something most people only talk about — they actually built the gym-medical hybrid model that the health and fitness industry has been circling around for years. In this episode, Dr. Lujic opens up about the moment he realized he wasn't practicing healthcare — he was practicing sick care — and how that wake-up call led him and Mike to launch RTS Health in Hampton, Connecticut. Together, they walk us through their full client experience: from DEXA scans and comprehensive biomarker labs to concierge medicine, personalized training, and registered dietitian support — all under one roof for around $1,000/month. They also get real about why collaboration beats territorialism, why most people are "majoring in the minors" when it comes to longevity, and what it actually takes to build a business model at the intersection of fitness and functional medicine. If you've ever felt like the fitness and medical worlds should be talking to each other but aren't — this episode is for you. Episode Takeaways: 🤝 Lifelong friendships can become your greatest business asset — Mike and Dr. Lujic's 35-year friendship gave them the trust and communication that most business partnerships take years to build (and some never do) 🏥 Sick care vs. healthcare — Dr. Lujic's pivot away from hospital medicine came from recognizing he was only treating disease after the fact, not preventing it in the first place 📊 Data drives everything at RTS — DEXA scans, comprehensive biomarker labs, VO2 max testing, resting metabolic rate assessments, and brain scans create a full picture no 12-minute PCP visit ever could 💊 Stop majoring in the minors — Before anyone gets peptides or hormone optimization, they need to earn it by nailing the fundamentals: sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management 🔗 The siloed fitness-medical model is broken — When your trainer and your doctor never talk, nobody wins; true health outcomes require a closed feedback loop between all providers 💰 ~$1,000/month for a full health team — Labs, DEXA, hormone replacement, supplementation, personal training, nutrition coaching, and concierge medical access — all included 🧠 Proactive health means managing the gray zone — The space between "feeling fine" and "something's broken" is where chronic disease starts, and it's where RTS does their best work 🌍 The vision is bigger than one gym — Mike and Dr. Lujic want to consult, affiliate, and educate other practitioners to scale this model nationally, not protect their turf 🚫 They're not trying to sell you on your own health — If you're not invested in yourself, they're not the right fit — and they'll tell you that upfront Checkout our sponsors ✨ 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en 🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40378750

Andrew Sugerman - 1.8 Million Athletes, 2 Million Pounds of Equipment: Centr's Hyrox Partnership 03/07/2026

Andrew Sugerman - 1.8 Million Athletes, 2 Million Pounds of Equipment: Centr's Hyrox Partnership Andrew Sugerman of Centr returns to the Future of Fitness to break down how the brand has completely transformed since their last conversation in 2023 — moving from a broad wellness platform to becoming the performance infrastructure behind one of the fastest-growing fitness movements in the world. Andrew pulls back the curtain on Centr's official partnership with Hyrox, including how they engineered custom competition equipment from the ground up (yes, even the kettlebells got a redesign), why fitness-as-sport is the most powerful retention tool gym operators aren't fully using yet, and what the coming wave of industry consolidation, GLP-1s, and AI means for every fitness business in 2026. Whether you're a gym owner looking to tap into the Hyrox affiliate opportunity or just trying to understand where the fitness industry is headed, this one is packed. Episode Takeaways: 🏋️ Fitness as a sport is no longer a trend — it's the business model. Hyrox proved that everyday gym-goers want to compete, and smart operators are already building around it. 🔩 Purpose-built equipment changes the game. Centr redesigned kettlebells, sleds, turf, and more using real competition data — small changes that shave seconds off race times and reduce injury. 🏟️ Gym operators have a massive opportunity right now. Becoming a Hyrox Training Centr (HTC) drives member acquisition, retention, and community in ways traditional gym programming simply can't. 📱 The app is a tool, not the product. Centr is building a full ecosystem — digital coaching, community, equipment, and environment — not just another fitness app. 🤝 Strategic partnerships are the new growth engine. The Centr x Hyrox x Red Bull flywheel shows how brands can align to create shared value at every level of the athlete journey. 💊 GLP-1s and peptides are exploding as a category — and reduced regulatory guardrails in 2026 could open this market even further for wellness-forward fitness brands. 🤖 AI will reshape fitness operations, but human connection sets the ceiling. Consumers will push back if tech replaces the real-life, in-person experience they actually show up for. 📈 Industry consolidation is accelerating. Expect more major mergers and acquisitions through 2026–2027 as big players compete for market share and mind share. 🌍 Hyrox is going mainstream — fast. With 1.5–1.8 million athletes expected to touch Centr-built equipment at competitions this year, brand exposure for partners is only growing. 🎯 New gear dropping at HFA & FIBO — including a dual-action air bike, rower, skier, and motorized treadmill built for Hyrox training environments. Checkout our sponsors ✨ 🔗 Perfect Gym: 🔗 eGym: /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40310395

Chris Mirabile - Redefining Longevity: NOVOS, Healthspan, and What Really Works 03/06/2026

Chris Mirabile - Redefining Longevity: NOVOS, Healthspan, and What Really Works In this episode of the Future of Fitness Podcast, host Eric Malzone sits down with Chris Mirabile, founder of NOVOS, to unpack the science and business of longevity. Chris shares how surviving a brain tumor as a teenager reshaped his perspective on health and pushed him to study aging at a biological level. The conversation dives into what longevity actually means beyond buzzwords—how it differs from simply living a healthy lifestyle, why healthspan matters just as much as lifespan, and the science behind targeting the biological “hallmarks of aging.” Chris also explains why some popular trends like hormone optimization and peptides are more complex than they seem, and how NOVOS approaches longevity by addressing the root cellular mechanisms that drive aging, disease risk, and long-term performance. Key Takeaways: 🧬 Longevity vs. Just Being Healthy – True longevity means extending healthspan or lifespan beyond what normal healthy living would achieve. 🧠 A Life-Changing Health Scare – Chris’s teenage brain tumor experience sparked his lifelong pursuit of preventing disease and understanding aging. 📚 The “Hallmarks of Aging” Framework – Scientists have identified biological mechanisms that drive aging, and targeting them may slow the process. 🧪 Natural Compounds vs. Pharmaceuticals – Longevity interventions don’t always require drugs; certain natural molecules may influence aging pathways. ⚖️ The Nuance of Hormone Optimization – Hormone therapy may benefit some groups but could shorten lifespan when misused. 💉 Peptides and Longevity Debates – Many popular peptide therapies lack long-term evidence and require caution. 🧑‍🔬 Science-Driven Longevity Products – NOVOS focuses on addressing multiple aging mechanisms simultaneously instead of targeting a single pathway. ⚡ Short-Term Benefits Matter Too – Improving cellular health can lead to better sleep, energy, mood, and recovery today—not just decades later. 🏥 Aging as the Root Risk Factor – Aging itself is the biggest risk factor for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular disease. 🚀 The Future of Longevity – The field is evolving from hype toward a more evidence-based approach to extending both lifespan and healthspan. /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40337610

Pat Rigsby - Franchising Reality Check: B2B Acquisition, Broker Dependency, and Loss of Control 03/03/2026

Pat Rigsby - Franchising Reality Check: B2B Acquisition, Broker Dependency, and Loss of Control From franchising fitness empires to developing the next generation of athletes — Pat Rigsby has seen it all, and he's not done yet. In this episode, Pat joins Eric to break down what's actually shifting in the fitness and sports performance industry in 2025, why the gap between "trainer who pays rent" and real business owner has never been wider, and what two decades of franchising experience taught him before launching Athletes Accelerated. Pat pulls no punches on what it really takes to franchise a concept (hint: it's a legal marriage, not a passive income play), why the youth sports market is one of the most recession-resistant businesses you can build, and how he and partners Doug Spurling and Graham Wilkerson spent over a year stress-testing a model before ever filing an FDD. If you're a sports performance gym owner grinding through 14-hour days while missing your own kid's games, this one hits different. Takeaways: 🏋️ The fitness industry has a new dividing line — real business owners vs. coaches who just happen to pay rent 📱 The buyer journey is no longer linear — consumers are researching you anonymously before they ever reach out 🤖 AI is flooding the market with average content — authenticity and consistent long-form content (like podcasting) cuts through the noise 💊 Wellness integration is here — the fitness industry is merging with health, longevity, and women's hormonal health in a big way 👴 The 50+ market is booming — and it's one of the most underserved, high-value demographics in the space 🎓 The coaching profession is maturing — fewer "dabblers," more people building real livelihoods and actual retirement paths 🏟️ Youth sports is a multi-billion dollar, recession-resistant market — parents spend on their kids before themselves, every time ⏰ The urgency factor is built-in — athletes have a deadline to develop, which shortens your sales cycle naturally 🤝 Franchising is a legal partnership, not a passive income stream — you're obligated to your franchisees' success 🧪 Proof of concept first, franchise second — Athletes Accelerated tested with 24 operators before filing a single FDD 🏈 The ideal franchisee isn't an investor — it's the burnt-out sports performance gym owner who wants systems, not just hustle 📧 Consistency compounds — Pat has published his email newsletter every single day for over 20 years without breaking the chain 🎯 Passion wears thin without structure — systems are the antidote to burnout for mission-driven fitness entrepreneurs Checkout our sponsors ✨ 🔗 Perfect Gym: 🔗 eGym: /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40297310

Mark Mastrov - The 24 Hour Fitness Acquisition: Mark Mastrov Returns with Long Range Capital 02/25/2026

Anthony Geisler's Sequel Brands: Five Boutique Brands, Zero Debt, 100% Control 02/20/2026

Anthony Geisler's Sequel Brands: Five Boutique Brands, Zero Debt, 100% Control In this episode, Eric sits down with serial fitness entrepreneur Anthony Geisler to unpack his new venture, Sequel, why he’s doubling down on longevity, and how he sees the future of fitness shifting toward healthspan, tech-enabled training, and democratized wellness for the masses. ✨ Key takeaways 🔥 It’s you vs. you: Anthony sees entrepreneurship and fitness through the same lens as Kobe’s “Mamba mentality” – the real competition is with your own potential, not other brands. 🏛️ Sequel as the “second act”: After Xponential, he’s rebuilt with the same core team, no debt, and 100% ownership, aiming to run the playbook without public-market and PE constraints. 📈 Health > “fitness industry”: He argues the world—not just the fitness sector—is shifting, with longevity, biohacking, GLP-1s, and tech-driven consumer education driving massive tailwinds. 🧬 Ultimate Longevity Center 🧊 The “playground” model: Sauna, cold, hyperbaric, red light, stretching, EMS, and more under one roof, wrapped in memberships designed to be accessible and habit-forming rather than “celebrity-only” wellness. 💪 Pilates 2.0: With Pilates Addiction, he’s pushing a higher-intensity, more entertaining, HIIT-style Pilates experience aimed at younger, performance-focused consumers who want more “squeeze” from each session. ⚡ EMS finally done right 🧂 Real-world protocol: Anthony walks through his own longevity stack – from salt and whole food to aminos, sunlight, steps, and sleep – and why most people are just one hydration and protein fix away from feeling better. Episode overview Anthony opens up on why, after achieving significant financial success and a multi-brand empire at Xponential, he chose to start all over again with Sequel. For him, business is his arena, and building is his version of Kobe Bryant staying in the game as long as possible—driven by competition with himself and loyalty to the team that loves to build. Checkout our sponsors ✨ 🔗 Perfect Gym: 🔗 eGym: /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40161540

Garrett Salpeter - The NeuFit Framework: Nervous System First, Tissue Second 02/15/2026

Garrett Salpeter - The NeuFit Framework: Nervous System First, Tissue Second In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Garrett Salpeter, founder of NeuFit and creator of the NEUBIE direct current device, to unpack how targeting the nervous system can dramatically speed up recovery, reduce chronic pain, and unlock higher levels of performance across rehab, fitness, and even neurodegenerative conditions. 🧠 Key takeaways 💥 Your nervous system is the “software” running your body’s “hardware” (muscles, joints, tissues), and most rehab focuses on hardware while ignoring the software that actually controls healing and performance. ⚡ Direct current (NEUBIE) works with the body’s natural signaling pathways and can rapidly “turn on” inhibited muscles, improve movement quality, and often cut recovery timelines by 10–60% compared to traditional norms. 🏃‍♂️ From Achilles tears and ACL reconstruction to chronic back pain, neuropathy, MS, and spinal cord injuries, NeuFit’s method shows consistent results by reprogramming protective guarding patterns in the nervous system. 🏋️‍♀️ For gyms and performance centers, NEUBIE becomes a powerful tool to keep clients training through injuries, accelerate mobility and hypertrophy, and support the growing “health optimization + longevity” model of training. 📈 A head‑to‑head human study on diabetic neuropathy showed direct current improving nerve conduction, sensation, and function, while traditional TENS mainly offered temporary pain relief with little functional change. Episode overview Eric opens by sharing his own experience using NEUBIE on a lingering Achilles issue that traditional methods couldn’t fix, and how one intense session left him sore but noticeably better within a week or two. Garrett then traces his journey from disappointed hockey player and engineering student to building a medical device company around direct current and neuroscience-informed rehab. He explains why NeuFit is spelled “NEU” (for neurological) and why he believes neurological fitness is the real upstream driver of faster injury recovery, metabolic and hormonal health, and long-term high performance. Instead of obsessing over damaged tissues on imaging, his approach starts with how the nervous system is reacting—guarding, bracing, shutting down, or misdirecting load. LINKS: /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40107210

Mark Fisher - The Gym Owner's AI Stack: A Framework for 2026 02/10/2026

Mark Fisher - The Gym Owner's AI Stack: A Framework for 2026 In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Mark Fisher to dig into the messy, exciting reality of AI for brick-and-mortar gym owners, from overhyped agents and AI bubbles to very real, practical use cases that actually move the needle for local fitness businesses. TAKEAWAYS 🔥 How AI is both wildly overhyped and still underutilized in fitness, and why your “felt” productivity with tools like Cursor or Claude may not match real-world outcomes. 🤖 The rise of agents (like the infamous Claude/Molt bot), why they’re not truly ready for most operators yet, and the real risks of letting AI touch your money, calendars, and accounts. 📲 Why AI-generated content is turning LinkedIn into a “dead internet” vibe, how obviously-bot posts can hurt your brand, and what authentic, personality-driven content still does well. 🏋️ How brick-and-mortar gyms should rethink email and organic social in 2026, given brutal deliverability changes and collapsing organic reach on platforms like Instagram. 📈 The core growth levers that still work for local gyms—paid ads, real referral systems, and high-volume local business partnerships—and why these matter more than obsessing over nurture content. 🧠 “Pocket expert” use cases: using AI to triage real-life operator headaches (like insurance claims after a pipe burst, leases, legalese, and tax questions) so you show up smarter to human pros. 🩺 Personal health and finance with AI: building a longitudinal health file, interpreting labs and wearables, and stress-testing your investment and insurance decisions—without pretending AI replaces your doctor or advisor. 🔍 The emerging game of AI search optimization for gyms (alongside old-school Google SEO) and why your website, Google Business Profile, and Instagram still function as your digital storefront. LINKS: ****** /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/40040735

Daniel Wischer & Erwin Korst - Why Most AI Initiatives Fail: Sport Alliance on Being Data Ready vs. Data Aware 02/05/2026

Paul Byrne - The Consumer Health Revolution: Why GLP-1s, Biometrics, and AI Are Finally Converging 01/31/2026

Verdine Baker - From StretchLab to iFLEX, Sequel Brands' Twist on Dynamic Stretching 01/26/2026

Amber Burke - The Quiet Scale: Burn Bootcamp's Massive Growth Without the Noise 01/21/2026

Brian Le Gette - Ammortal & The Future of "Human Vibrancy" 01/16/2026

Robb Wolf - Why Market-Based Healthcare Is Fitness's Next Big Opportunity 01/11/2026

Robb Wolf - Why Market-Based Healthcare Is Fitness's Next Big Opportunity In this episode, Robb Wolf returns to discuss the rapid advancements in AI, the state of the longevity and health industries, the impact of GLP-1 medications, and the systemic challenges within modern healthcare. He shares personal insights on using AI for language learning and health diagnostics, critiques the "majoring in the minors" in the longevity space, and explores how AI could democratize access to high-quality health information. Robb also delves into the potential of market-based reforms to address the healthcare crisis and gives an update on his company, LMNT. 🔹 **AI as a Personal Health & Learning Tool** – Robb uses Grok to learn Italian and as a preliminary health advisor, noting its potential to lower costs and democratize advanced medical insight. 🧠 **Longevity = Fundamentals First** – True longevity comes from strength training, Zone 2 cardio, sleep, sunlight, and community—not just chasing telomere length or exotic supplements. ⚕️ **GLP-1s: Net Positive with Caveats** – These drugs show strong appetite control benefits but can cause muscle wasting; combining them with protein and resistance training is key. 🏥 **Healthcare System Is Broken** – Robb argues for a return to catastrophic insurance paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and transparent, market-based pricing to incentivize health. 🩺 **Diagnostic Starter Kit for AI Health** – Start with genetic data (23andMe), basic metabolic panel, hormone profile, and optionally a DUTCH test—all under $300—to give an AI a baseline. 🌞 **Sunlight as Powerful Medicine** – Adequate sun exposure may reduce all-cause mortality as significantly as not smoking a pack a day. 🤖 **AI Could Replace "Meat-Bot" Doctors** – AI’s pattern recognition and infinite memory may soon outperform human doctors in diagnostics, making functional medicine insights widely accessible. 💧 **LMNT & Electrolyte Research** – Robb’s company is funding metabolic health research, including an upcoming ketogenic diet study for bipolar and schizophrenia at an Ivy League institution. 🔬 **Hidden Gut Issues Missed by Standard Tests** – Robb shares his own struggle with parasites and candida overgrowth that routine labs missed, highlighting the need for specialized testing. LINKS: /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/39627705

Dr. Nestor Rodriguez - From Academic Medicine to Telehealth Scale: Carbon World Health's Medical-Fitness Integration Model 01/06/2026

Power Moves 005 - Alyssa D’aquino: Crunch Takes On Pilates 01/05/2026

Power Moves 005 - Alyssa D’aquino: Crunch Takes On Pilates In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Alyssa D’Aquino, Vice President of Group Fitness at CR Fitness, to discuss a major shift in the big-box gym landscape: the integration of boutique-style Pilates Reformer studios inside traditional gym clubs. Alyssa shares her journey from dancer and behavioral therapist to corporate fitness leader, and explains how CR Fitness is leading the way by making high-end Pilates more accessible through an innovative, inclusive membership model. Key Takeaways 🚀 The Big Announcement In 2026, CR Fitness will launch its first-ever Pilates Reformer Studio inside its McKinney, Texas location. This pilot program is designed to bring a boutique Pilates experience into a high-volume gym environment. 💸 Disrupting the Market While boutique Pilates studios typically cost between $100–$300 per month, CR Fitness is changing the game by including Reformer classes in its Peak Results membership for just $30 per month. 🧘 A “Crunch” Spin on Tradition The Pilates programming is proprietary and developed in-house to ensure safety and effectiveness. It’s built around pre-designed “blocks of work” that allow instructors to maintain the brand’s signature energy without sounding scripted or robotic. 🛠️ Solving the Talent Gap To address the technical demands of Reformer instruction, Alyssa partners with NEDA and ETA to offer in-house certifications. This approach eliminates the typical six-month certification wait and enables rapid, scalable instructor training. 🔥 Universal Appeal Pilates is no longer limited to a niche audience. Alyssa notes a significant increase in men and athletes using the Reformer for core engagement, performance, and recovery—highlighting the importance of core strength for everything from squats to running. 📈 Expansion Mindset Following the success of CR Fitness’s Hot Studios—which began as a franchise pilot before becoming a corporate standard—the company expects the Pilates Reformer rollout to become the next major trend adopted across franchises. /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/39615865

Dr. Ryan Greene - Monarch Athletic Clubs: Where Medicine Meets Movement - Fitness 2.0 12/12/2025

Dan Uyemura - The AI-First Gym: How PushPress Is Rewriting the Playbook for Operators 12/07/2025

Juliet Starrett & Alex Alimanestianu - Quarterly Reports: Peloton, Life Time, Planet Fitness, Garmin & The Bloodwork BOOM 12/02/2025

Juliet Starrett & Alex Alimanestianu - Quarterly Reports: Peloton, Life Time, Planet Fitness, Garmin & The Bloodwork BOOM The fitness and health industry is experiencing a major transformation driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological innovation, and the rise of artificial intelligence. In this episode, hosts sit down with Juliet Starrett and Alex Alimanestianu to break down the latest quarterly reports from major fitness industry players and explore the emerging bloodwork and health diagnostics revolution that's threatening to disrupt traditional healthcare companies. From the contrasting fortunes of legacy brands to the explosive growth in wearable technology, this conversation covers it all. Traditional gym chains like Lifetime Fitness and Planet Fitness are showing surprising resilience, with Planet Fitness in particular demonstrating strong financial health and an aggressive growth strategy. Meanwhile, Peloton continues to face ongoing challenges adapting to post-pandemic market conditions, and the boutique fitness sector under Exponential Fitness shows mixed results as operators navigate shifting consumer demand. Garmin is posting record-breaking years, benefiting from the booming wearable technology market that helps consumers track their health metrics in real-time. But the most significant disruption on the horizon comes from artificial intelligence's entry into health diagnostics and personalized wellness. Juliet highlights how tools like ChatGPT are enabling individuals to analyze their own blood work and medical data, fundamentally changing the patient experience. This democratization of health information threatens traditional diagnostic companies while creating opportunities for innovative health tech platforms like Function Health, which recently made major strategic moves. The convergence of wearable technology, consumer health data analytics, and AI-powered advisory services is reshaping how people approach fitness and wellness. As AI chatbots become more sophisticated at interpreting health data and providing personalized recommendations, the entire industry—from gyms to diagnostic labs to fitness equipment manufacturers—must adapt or risk obsolescence in a market where consumers increasingly expect immediate, affordable, and personalized health insights. In This Episode: Reunion conversations and conference highlights Longevity and wellness trends reshaping the industry The role of strength and conditioning in longevity practices Deep dive into Lifetime Fitness quarterly performance Peloton's ongoing challenges and strategic pivots Exponential Fitness franchises: the mixed bag Why globo gyms are making a comeback Planet Fitness playing offense with aggressive expansion Garmin's record-breaking year in wearables Function Health's big strategic move The bloodwork boom: How AI is disrupting medical diagnostics Meta AI glasses and the future of fitness tech LINKS: https://www.sportalliance.com/en/perfect-gym/ https://www.withflex.com/ /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/39234865

Carl Daikeler - Beachbody to BODi: Content is King, Simplicity is Queen 11/17/2025

Carl Daikeler - Beachbody to BODi: Content is King, Simplicity is Queen In this episode, Eric Malzone talks with Carl Daikeler, co-founder and CEO of BODi (formerly Beachbody), about his remarkable path in transforming home fitness over the past quarter-century. Carl's story begins as a direct marketing expert who created 8 Minute Abs before building what would become one of the most extensive collections of fitness and nutrition programs available—featuring legendary workouts like P90X and Insanity from elite Super Trainers. The conversation covers BODi's transformation from a company focused on physical appearance to one championing healthspan and longevity. Carl discusses creating Shakeology®, which pioneered the superfood protein shake category, and how he developed one of the first social-influencer and affiliate networks in the fitness space. They dig into why the industry needs to serve everyday people seeking better health rather than just fitness enthusiasts, why genuine approaches work better than influencer marketing, and how keeping things simple opens fitness to more people. Key Takeaways 🏋️ Carl spent over 25 years building BODi from the success of 8 Minute Abs into a home fitness and nutrition leader serving millions 💪 Programs like P90X and Insanity showed that people would fully commit to challenging home workouts when given proper structure and support 📚 BODi's library includes more than 140 distinct programs created with top-tier Super Trainer experts 🥤 Shakeology® broke new ground as the original superfood protein shake made for regular people looking to improve their nutrition 📱 Carl created one of the fitness industry's first social-influencer and affiliate networks, ahead of the curve on community-driven growth 🤝 Real community support and accountability make the difference between short-term efforts and lasting lifestyle changes ❤️ The shift from Beachbody to BODi represents a bigger movement toward healthspan, longevity, and complete wellness instead of just aesthetics ⏱️ Consistent 10-20 minute daily movement creates meaningful health improvements without requiring marathon workout sessions ✨ People connect more with honest, relatable fitness content than they do with heavily produced influencer material 🎯 The fitness world needs to serve the 98% of people wanting sustainable health, not only the 2% pursuing elite performance or competition physiques 🌍 The Beachbody Foundation has given more than $10 million to support various organizations and communities, demonstrating a commitment to accessible wellness for everyone 🔮 Tomorrow's fitness innovations should focus on being affordable, accessible, and designed around where people actually are in their wellness journey LINKS: /episode/index/show/futureoffitness/id/39061545

Jay Worthy - MyZone & The Future of Motivational Technology 11/12/2025

Adam Schafer - Beyond the Fake: Mind Pump on Trust, Truth, and Industry Snake Oil 11/07/2025

Kim Gouch - Get Real: How Retro Fitness Plans to Claim #2 in HVLP 11/03/2025

Colleen Lewis & Dr. Amy Lee - bluSONIL: Where Aesthetics Meets Longevity 10/28/2025

Dr. Andy Galpin - Why Performance Beats Longevity - and How to Coach Both 10/23/2025

Chris Clawson - How EGYM is Moving Fitness to the Forefront of Preventative Healthcare 10/18/2025

Chris Craytor - AI Strategy and 'Affordable Luxury' Success in Mid-Market Clubs 10/13/2025

Gray Cook - Movement Health Is the Missing Vital Sign 10/08/2025

Future of Fitness

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