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.

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