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What actually makes a city “fit” — and what does that mean for the fitness industry? Dr. Stella Volpe joins All Things Fitness and Wellness to unpack the 2026 ACSM American Fitness Index and the factors shaping physical activity across U.S. cities. The conversation goes beyond gym memberships and workout habits to look at the environments that influence whether people move in the first place: walkability, parks, infrastructure, access, community design and public policy. For fitness operators and wellness leaders, the findings offer a broader look at the conditions that support active populations — and where the industry fits into the picture. We discuss what the highest-ranking cities are getting right, where gaps remain, and what the data tells us about creating communities where physical activity is easier to make part of everyday life.

The fitness business headlines are moving fast this week, from leadership changes and the growing demand for personal trainers to major expansion plans, wearable tech and new membership strategies. In this episode of This Week In Fitness, host Krissy Vann breaks down the stories shaping the business of fitness and wellness, all in under five minutes. This week: • Oura postpones its planned IPO after targeting an implied market value of approximately $15 billion. • ISSA welcomes Andrew Wyant back as CEO as gyms report growing demand for job-ready personal trainers. • Gold’s Gym names NASM its official personal training certification across company-owned locations and expands its trainer development pathway. • VASA Fitness launches its new “Built to Be Strong” platform as it prepares to open nearly 20 new clubs in 2027. • Planet Fitness marks a decade of its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with more than $12 million contributed since 2016. • Pure Barre launches an unlimited student membership, with pricing starting at $99 per month at participating studios. Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.

Fitness consumer behavior is changing, from when people work out to why they choose a studio, how much variety they want and what keeps them coming back. Ivy Wu, VP of Global Marketplace at ClassPass, joins All Things Fitness and Wellness to unpack the data and trends fitness operators should be watching. We explore the continued rise of community-driven fitness, the shift toward workouts as a social experience, and how operators can evolve their programming without losing what made their brand successful in the first place. We also dig into the business side: how to think about unused class capacity, customer acquisition and incremental revenue, which metrics actually matter for retention, the role of consumer reviews, and whether dynamic pricing could become a bigger part of the fitness industry. Ivy also shares data showing that average direct studio fill rates among ClassPass-integrated fitness partners are below 36%, raising an important question for operators: how much potential revenue is sitting unused in the schedule? For gym, studio and boutique fitness operators, this conversation offers a data-backed look at where consumer demand is moving and how to make smarter decisions around programming, pricing, capacity and the member experience.

The fitness industry is growing, Peloton is making a bigger play for runners, and AI is becoming a bigger part of how gyms and studios operate. This week on This Week in Fitness, Krissy Vann breaks down the fitness business stories shaping the industry: The Health & Fitness Association reports continued revenue and membership growth among fitness operators Peloton launches three new treadmills, expands Peloton IQ and taps Miley Cyrus for its latest campaign NASM and Crunch Fitness launch an interview guarantee for certified personal trainers Mindbody parent Playlist introduces AI tools for retention, benchmarking and revenue forecasting Hone Health and BODYBAR Pilates partner around fitness, biomarker testing and longevity Club Pilates expands its annual 80s Week into Decades Week This Week in Fitness from All Things Fitness and Wellness covers the latest fitness industry news, gym business trends, fitness technology, wellness, personal training and operator strategy. #FitnessIndustry #FitnessBusiness #Peloton #GymIndustry #FitnessTechnology #WellnessIndustry 00:00 - This Week in Fitness 00:15 - HFA Reports Continued Fitness Industry Growth 01:28 - NASM + Crunch Fitness Launch Trainer Hiring Pathway 02:20 - Mindbody Parent Playlist Expands AI Tools 03:34 - Peloton Makes a Bigger Play for Runners 04:29 - Hone Health + BODYBAR Pilates Partner 05:15 - Club Pilates Launches Decades Week

Artificial intelligence in fitness and wellness is moving well beyond chatbots and automated workout plans. In this conversation, Tony Medrano, CEO and Co-Founder of LongevityPlan.AI, joins Krissy Vann to explore how AI has evolved, what today's technology can actually do with health and performance data, and where it could change the way consumers, coaches and fitness businesses approach personalization. Tony's relationship with technology predates the current AI boom. A former U.S. Navy officer and Stanford JD/MBA graduate, he built his first technology company while still in school and began working with artificial intelligence years before ChatGPT brought AI into the mainstream. He's also a three-time full Ironman finisher, bringing together his interests in technology, health and human performance. The conversation explores the rise of digital twins, which can bring together information from wearables, lab work, biomarkers and other health data to create a more individualized picture of a person. Tony explains how these models could be used to evaluate potential interventions and make health and performance recommendations more personalized. They also get into some of the bigger questions surrounding the technology: Who owns increasingly detailed personal health data? How should privacy be handled? Where does human expertise remain essential? And what should fitness and wellness operators understand as AI becomes embedded in more consumer health products? The episode also examines the broader shift toward preventative and personalized health, and what that could mean for trainers, coaches and fitness businesses as consumers gain access to increasingly sophisticated information about their own bodies. In this episode: AI before and after ChatGPT, digital twins and personalized health, wearables and biomarker data, data ownership and privacy, AI's role alongside coaches and practitioners, preventative health, longevity and human performance. For fitness and wellness leaders, the bigger question isn't simply whether AI will become part of the industry. It's where the technology is genuinely useful, where its limitations remain, and how it could change what consumers expect from fitness and health businesses. Connect with All Things Fitness and Wellness: www.atfw.ca Learn more about Longevity Plan: longevityplan.ai

HYROX has a new majority investor as the fitness racing company enters its next phase of global expansion. In this episode of This Week in Fitness, Krissy Vann breaks down the latest fitness business headlines, including a major ownership change at HYROX, two AI acquisitions shaping ABC Fitness’ technology strategy, a refreshed brand and digital experience from Planet Fitness, Amped Fitness’ push into creator-led marketing and a new community initiative from LA Fitness. This week: • HYROX ownership change: Infront Sports & Media has sold its majority stake in HYROX to an investor group led by L Catterton. HYROX held more than 100 events during the 2025/26 season, attracting more than 1.4 million participants and 1.5 million spectators, according to Infront. • ABC Fitness expands its AI strategy: ABC Fitness has acquired FitMetrics, an AI-assisted coaching platform, following its July acquisition of Replify. The two technologies bring AI into both gym operations and coaching workflows, from lead follow-up and scheduling to client check-ins and programming support. • Planet Fitness refreshes its brand and app: Planet Fitness is updating its visual identity while adding workout tracking, wellness integrations and an updated Crowd Meter to its mobile app. The changes follow recent investments in strength equipment, club layouts and recovery amenities. • Amped Fitness bets on creators: More than 2,000 creators participated in the operator’s three-month Amped Summer campaign. Amped reports that the resulting content generated more than 100 million social media views as the company builds creator-led marketing into its broader strategy. • LA Fitness launches a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb: Participating locations across the U.S. will challenge members, guests and first responders to complete 110 flights on a StairMaster from September 11 through 13 in recognition of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers. This Week in Fitness delivers a quick, business-focused look at the deals, technology, operator strategies, investment and industry developments shaping fitness and wellness. Connect with All Things Fitness and Wellness: www.atfw.ca

This week on This Week In Fitness, we’re covering a leadership change at 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness’ expanded HYROX partnership, Crunch Fitness’ redesigned premium Crunch Select concept, Crosscourt’s latest funding round, World Gym’s entry into Thailand and VASA Fitness’ new internal trainer development program. Stories this week: • 24 Hour Fitness leadership change: Karl Sanft has left his role as President and CEO. Multiple industry reports indicate founder and owner Mark Mastrov is stepping in as interim CEO. No reason for Sanft’s departure has been publicly announced. • EoS Fitness x HYROX: EoS plans to bring dedicated HYROX training spaces, classes, equipment and digital programming to 25 U.S. locations, beginning in Arizona and California. • Crunch Select: Crunch Fitness is expanding its premium club strategy with boutique-style programming, recovery services and upgraded amenities. The first updated Crunch Select location is expected to open in Long Beach, New York. • Crunch growth: The company also returned to the Inc. 5000 for a second consecutive year and now reports 585 gyms globally and more than four million members. • Crosscourt raises $2 million: The basketball fitness concept has now raised $4 million in total funding and plans to open a Miami flagship in spring 2027 while continuing to build its technology platform and Los Angeles operation. • World Gym enters Thailand: The company is opening its first location in the market and plans to extend its HYROX partnership into Thailand later this year. • VASA Fitness x ISSA: VASA will sponsor up to 150 personal trainer certifications annually for existing employees as part of a new internal career development program. This Week In Fitness delivers a quick look at the leadership, expansion, investment, programming and workforce stories shaping the global fitness industry.

This week on This Week In Fitness, Crunch Fitness expands its Crunch 3.0 model with dedicated Pilates, strength, boxing and recovery spaces, while EGYM updates its BioAge fitness indicator and introduces a new longevity-focused training program. We also cover Nike and Hyperice’s next move in wearable recovery technology, STRONG Pilates’ expansion into Central and Eastern Europe, Atlanta’s new citywide physical activity initiative and a survey examining how health tracking may be affecting consumer wellbeing. Stories this week: • Crunch Fitness expands Crunch 3.0 with reformer Pilates, boutique-style training studios, contrast therapy, infrared saunas and red light therapy. • EGYM updates BioAge using data from millions of workouts and launches a structured Longevity program focused on strength, cardiovascular fitness and mobility. • Nike and Hyperice introduce the Air Zoom Hyperslide after the Hyperboot generated more than $10 million in its first eight months. • STRONG Pilates signs a master franchise agreement with Xtreme Brands to enter Poland, the Czech Republic and additional Central and Eastern European markets. • Atlanta launches Make Atlanta Your Own Gym, encouraging residents to use more than 300 public parks, trails and outdoor spaces for physical activity. • A Naturepedic-commissioned survey finds many Americans track health metrics daily, while some report feeling overwhelmed by health advice and optimization culture. This Week In Fitness delivers a concise look at the business, technology, programming and consumer trends shaping the global fitness and wellness industry.

This week on This Week In Fitness, we're covering one of the biggest obesity drug developments of the year as Eli Lilly reports positive Phase 3 results for retatrutide, a potential next-generation obesity treatment. We also look at ClassPass' new partner protections for gyms and studios, Crunch Fitness' $100 million expansion into Phoenix, Ultimate Longevity Center's rapid franchise growth, Planet Fitness' new partnership with Apple Music, and Wattbike's integration with EGYM. Stories this week: • Eli Lilly reports positive Phase 3 trial results for retatrutide, with participants losing up to 22.6% of their body weight. The company plans to seek U.S. regulatory approval in early 2027. • ClassPass introduces new partner protections, including enhanced fraud prevention, dynamic pricing insights, and Mindbody Direct Protection to help gyms and studios safeguard their direct business. • CR Fitness Holdings announces plans to invest approximately US$100 million to open 20 Crunch Fitness clubs across the Phoenix market by the end of 2027. • Ultimate Longevity Center awards 200 franchise territories before opening its first location, highlighting continued momentum in the longevity and preventative health sector. • Planet Fitness partners with Apple Music, offering free music subscriptions to new members while hosting themed '90s Night workout events at more than 600 clubs. • Wattbike integrates with EGYM, allowing VO2 Max estimates and cycling performance data to contribute to members' Cardio BioAge scores. Whether you're a gym owner, studio operator, supplier, investor, trainer or fitness executive, This Week In Fitness brings you the biggest stories shaping the global fitness business each week. Subscribe for weekly fitness business news, industry trends, technology, franchising, wellness and connected fitness updates.

This week on This Week In Fitness, we're covering Bloomberg's report that United PF Holdings, the largest Planet Fitness franchisee, is negotiating a potential debt-for-equity restructuring, Playlist's launch of AI Concierge for Mindbody customers, Ultimate Longevity Center's rapid franchise expansion, DEKA's new global Gym vs Gym competition, Peloton's latest strength-focused training program, and Myzone's new report on exercise habits and member engagement. Stories this week: • Bloomberg reports United PF Holdings, the largest Planet Fitness franchisee, is negotiating a potential debt-for-equity transaction with lenders as it addresses upcoming debt maturities. • Ultimate Longevity Center awards 200 franchise territories before opening its first location, signaling continued interest in longevity, recovery and preventative health concepts. • Playlist launches AI Concierge, an artificial intelligence-powered virtual front desk for Mindbody customers that automates customer communication, appointment booking and lead response. • DEKA introduces Gym vs Gym, a new global competition allowing more than 1,000 affiliate gyms to compete using the standardized DEKA Mile format. • Peloton launches HiLit+, a new seven-week strength, mobility and recovery program as the company continues expanding its longevity and strength training strategy. • Myzone releases its State of Global Exercise Behaviour 2025 report, finding that consistency, community and moderate-intensity exercise remain key drivers of long-term member engagement. Whether you're a gym operator, studio owner, supplier, investor, trainer or fitness executive, these are the business stories shaping the future of the fitness industry. Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape. #fitnessbusiness #gymowners #fitnessindustry

This week on This Week In Fitness, we're breaking down new data from ABC Fitness on member acquisition, retention and consumer spending, ŌURA's new collaboration with LillyDirect to support people using GLP-1 medications, UFC GYM's launch of medically supervised longevity clinics, and Crunch Fitness' appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. We'll also look at TRX's expansion into mass retail through a new licensing partnership and reflect on the legacy of fitness pioneer Les Mills Sr., whose influence helped shape the modern group fitness industry. Stories this week: • ABC Fitness releases its Mid-Year 2026 Wellness Watch Report, showing slower membership growth, stronger member engagement, rising consumer spend, and the growing importance of community. • ŌURA and LillyDirect partner to combine wearable health tracking with GLP-1 care, expanding digital support for patients using prescribed weight-loss medications. • UFC GYM and NexGen MD Scientific officially launch PWR Clinics, bringing medically supervised longevity, hormone therapy, GLP-1 programs, and wellness services into UFC GYM locations. • Crunch Fitness appoints President Chequan Lewis as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Jim Rowley during a period of continued global expansion. • TRX announces a retail licensing partnership with Blulabs that will expand its product portfolio into more than 25,000 retail locations. • The fitness industry remembers Les Mills Sr., Olympian, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Les Mills brand, who passed away at the age of 91. Whether you're a gym operator, supplier, investor, technology company, trainer, or fitness executive, these are the business stories shaping the future of the industry. Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.

On This Week In Fitness, we're covering reports that private equity firm L Catterton is in exclusive talks to acquire a stake in HYROX, a new multinational analysis projecting billions in economic value from combining structured exercise with GLP-1 medications, and the Health & Fitness Association's efforts to strengthen the fitness industry's role in healthcare and public policy. We also examine ISSA's new Fitness Business Bundle, launched as industry sources estimate that approximately 80% of new personal trainers leave the profession within their first two years. Plus, Amped Fitness launches a creator program with a $25,000 prize pool, and Peloton sends eight of its top New York instructors to London as part of a summer instructor exchange initiative. Stories this week: • HYROX reportedly attracts interest from L Catterton as the fitness racing brand surpasses 1.3 million participants and expands its global training ecosystem • New FTI Consulting analysis finds structured exercise improves health outcomes and economic returns when paired with GLP-1 medications, with projected benefits reaching billions across multiple countries • More than 130 fitness industry leaders gather in Washington, D.C. for the Health & Fitness Association's Advocacy Summit, conducting 92 meetings with lawmakers and federal policymakers • ISSA launches its Fitness Business Bundle focused on marketing, lead generation, AI, automation, and business development for fitness professionals • Amped Fitness introduces the Amped Creator Program and Summer Creator Challenge with $25,000 in prizes for member-generated content • Peloton brings Robin Arzón, Cody Rigsby, Alex Toussaint, Ally Love, Emma Lovewell, and other instructors to London for a summer community engagement series Whether you're a gym operator, fitness executive, supplier, investor, trainer, or wellness professional, these are the stories shaping the future of the fitness and wellness industry. Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape. #FitnessIndustry #HYROX #GLP1 #Peloton #ISSA #HealthAndFitness #FitnessBusiness #GymBusiness #HealthTech #WellnessIndustry

George Gregan is a World Cup-winning rugby legend — but his second act might be even more interesting. After retiring from professional sport, George became Chairman and Athletic Director of FSU (Fitness Solutions), the parent company behind PTP Fit, one of Australia's most recognized performance training brands. PTP's lineup spans resistance bands, PowerTubes, the Total Resistance System, foam rollers, yoga mats, and more, backed by free programs and video tutorials that support the full training journey. Under the FSU umbrella also sits Australia's most comprehensive yoga and Pilates brand, offering premium mats and Pilates equipment designed for serious practitioners. And alongside all of that, George co-founded Bahe, a recovery and grounding footwear brand rooted in wellness. Together, he has built a portfolio that touches nearly every corner of the fitness and wellness product space. Now he's setting his sights on the United States, and he's doing it in real time. In this episode, George joins host Krissy Vann to talk about the journey from athlete to entrepreneur, the lessons learned building across multiple product categories, and why success in Australia doesn't automatically translate into a blueprint for America. If you're scaling a brand, entering a new market, or navigating the challenges of product-based businesses in the fitness and wellness space — this conversation is for you. 🎙️ All Things Fitness and Wellness (ATFW) is a B2B podcast covering the business of fitness, wellness, gyms, studios, technology, investment, and industry trends. Connect with George Gregan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-gregan-42596662/ Connect with Bahe: https://bahe.com.au/ Connect with PTP Fit: https://us.ptpfit.com/pages/about-ptp

This week on This Week In Fitness, we're covering Hims & Hers' growing health and wellness ecosystem, World Gym's major HYROX partnership in Taiwan, the launch of Oura Ring 5, new data on stress and exercise habits among Americans, and Planet Fitness franchisee Easy Mile Fitness' $30 million expansion in Oregon. Stories this week: • Hims & Hers adds MyFitnessPal, iFIT, Dexcom, Flo Health, HelloFresh, Factor and more to its Benefits program • World Gym and HYROX announce a three-year partnership across 140 clubs in Taiwan • Oura launches Oura Ring 5 with GLP-1 Insights, Health Radar and expanded health monitoring features • New survey finds 72.7% of Americans experience stress regularly while 69.2% use exercise to cope • Planet Fitness franchisee Easy Mile Fitness invests $30 million to expand and upgrade clubs in Oregon Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape. #FitnessBusiness #HimsAndHers #HYROX #WorldGym #OuraRing #WearableTech #PlanetFitness #GLP1 #FitnessIndustry #HealthTech #WellnessBusiness #ThisWeekInFitness

In this episode, we revisit some of the most memorable conversations we've had on leadership, discipline, resilience, and the mindset required to build something meaningful. Featuring Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan Race, Pete Holman, inventor of the TRX Rip Trainer and Nautilus Glute Drive, and Alan Leach, CEO of West Wood Club and one of the fitness industry's most respected voices in sales and leadership, this compilation brings together hard earned lessons from people who’ve spent decades building, innovating, and pushing through adversity. From Spartan mentality and mental toughness, to leadership under pressure, to the importance of discipline, communication, and consistency, these conversations explore what separates high performers from everyone else. Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or simply trying to become better in your own life, this episode is packed with perspective that still holds up years later.