Anytime Fitness is headed to Dubai, opening its first club in the Middle East hotspot later this year. It will be the first of many Anytime Fitness clubs opening in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the next eight years following a master franchise agreement signed in the region.

It’s more good news for the gym franchise, which earned bragging rights after securing a deal with Apple, making Anytime the tech giant’s first gym partner.

Behind the gym’s upcoming growth in the region is an investment group led by Dr. Mark Mobius, a new master franchisee announced by Self Esteem Brands, Anytime’s parent company, which recently announced plans to merge with Orangetheory Fitness.

“Being a long-time member of Anytime Fitness and having used the clubs around the world makes this investment a natural for me,” Mobius said. 

He will be joined by fellow investor John Ninia to grow Anytime Fitness, along with Ben Matute and Richmond Sy, two Anytime Fitness Philippines franchise operators. Matute and Sy will relocate to Dubai to launch Anytime Fitness UAE and open clubs across the country over the next eight years.

Anytime’s Global Push

Sander van den Born, Self Esteem Brands’ executive vice president of international, remarked that the UAE is at the “top of the list” when the health and wellness-focused company looks at regions that can capture strong growth.

The Self Esteem Brands executive also noted the “wider recognition of health and wellness initiatives” across the Middle East region, making the fitness operator’s entry into the market ideal.

With the addition of the UAE, Anytime Fitness will operate in more than 40 countries and territories. The gym franchise recently announced plans to enter France, among other international moves.

In the U.S., Anytime Fitness will scale its footprint with the help of Omega Fitness, which was acquired by Seattle-based private equity firm Rainier Partners last year.

Dubai Emerges as ‘Fitness Capital‘

If it seems there’s been an advanced push for fitness and wellness in the UAE recently, there has. Dubai, in particular, has been called the “fitness capital” of the region by fitness industry veteran Jack Thomas, co-founder of The Fit Guide, an international rating system that anonymously evaluates fitness and health clubs.

Dubai’s cosmopolitan vibe has anchored the UAE city’s fitness services market with a $700 million value, and it is on track to cross the billion-dollar mark, according to Ken Research’s findings last month.

Ahead of the curve, Barry’s opened a studio in the business district of Dubai in 2017, while F45 Training and Mayweather Boxing, among other fitness concepts, have also settled into the city. 

For its part, the UAE issued a ‘National Strategy for Well-Being 2031’ as it plans to make the region a “world leader in quality of life” by promoting healthy and active lifestyles and positive mental health. 

Dubai’s wellness retreats are second to none; the city is gearing up for a tourism boom this year, with rejuvenation seekers flocking to the lavish region and its high-end “healing hotels” offering an abundance of therapies and services, such as IV drips, salt caves, saunas and more.

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Outdoor Voices is in the middle of a firestorm after former employees have revealed the troubled activewear company is headed towards bankruptcy, following reports that the brand is closing all stores and transitioning to an online-only retail model.

The brand has seemingly removed all of its 15 brick-and-mortar retail locations nationwide from its website. 

The news of the potential insolvency was first reported by Sourcing Journal, which cited former Outdoor Voices employees with close knowledge of the matter. The activewear brand has also missed rent and vendor payments in recent months, according to the publication, and gave pink slips to most of its corporate employees.

According to another report, from Puck News, Outdoor Voices has already closed all of its retail locations and intends to focus solely on its e-commerce business.

Rise & Fall

Like Lululemon, Outdoor Voices has developed a cult-like following as devotees of the brand have embraced its merchandise as much as its #doingthings lifestyle ethos. Founded in 2013 by Tyler Haney, the brand moved from its New York City roots to Austin, Texas, as it grew. 

By early 2020, right before activewear and athleisure began to see a pandemic-related boom, Haney stepped down as CEO during restructuring efforts. Internal strife had been brewing and an anonymous letter had been sent to the Outdoor Voices’ board and executives that targeted Haney for her management style.

Financial troubles were also percolating, with the company’s valuation down to $40 million in 2020, a steep decline from its 2018 valuation of $110 million. By 2021, the brand had named Gabrielle Conforti, former Urban Outfitters president, as its CEO. 

The activewear company had begun shopping for a buyer in 2022, according to Business of Fashion. 

Haney may have been out of the picture, focusing on Joggy, a cannabis supplement brand, but she appeared to find time to keep a watchful eye on the brand she founded — even leaving comments last year on Outdoor Voices’ social media posts that indicated she had felt the brand had lost its way. 

Now, with news swirling of a potential Outdoor Voices bankruptcy, the active Reddit community on r/OutdoorVoices has been posting images of closed stores, many with notes in the windows that have the Venmo handles of former employees. One photo from a shop in Minneapolis reads, “Our (chairwoman) Ashley Merrill refuses to pay anyone severance. We appreciate anything that you can give. All funds will go directly to this staff. Thank you!” 

Activewear Brands Struggle Post-Pandemic 

It’s been a trying time for some in the activewear game, with leggings giant Lululemon even admitting that it will remain cautious in 2024 in the face of market uncertainty.

Gap’s activewear arm, Athleta, reported an 18% net sales drop in its third quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year, noting in its earnings release that sales continued to be a challenge. Athleta has said it would work on re-engaging its core customers.

Activewear brand Bandier had also been looking for a buyer to mitigate supply chain challenges before getting acquired along with Carbon38 by BC Brands in January. 

More traditional sportswear giants have also seen some headwinds. Under Armour also reported slowing sales, and Nike cut its annual revenue forecast, announcing a $2 billion cost-savings plan that included restructuring.

One outlier is Gymshark, which recently reported a rather uncommon push-and-pull situation, having experienced slumping profits in 2023 (reporting $16.5 million, down from $35.3 million) but a 15% revenue increase. The brand, founded and led by U.K.’s youngest billionaire, Ben Francis, is going full-steam ahead. 

Outdoor Voices didn’t immediately respond to Athletech News’ request for comment

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Burn Boot Camp is fueling its nationwide expansion and providing its franchisees with financial options, partnering with ApplePie Capital, a firm specializing in franchise business lending.

The fitness brand made Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list earlier this year and recently launched its first national brand campaign as it eyes growth.

Pat Harding, vice president of finance at Burn Boot Camp, said the franchise selected ApplePie Capital for its ability to offer a dedicated lending program that specifically addresses the financial needs of Burn Boot Camp’s franchise partners.

“ApplePie Capital is our preferred financing vendor because their focus is on the long-term success of our franchise partners and helps make access to the capital they need predictable and easy,” Harding said.

The financial firm noted the financial health of the group strength and conditioning franchise, particularly its rapid growth.

Founded in 2012, Burn Boot Camp began franchising in 2015, having grown to over 335 operating locations and 550 territories sold. 

“Every year, we look at thousands of Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) to find the brands that are showing the strongest growth and the best track records of unit-level economics,” said Jamie Davis, vice president of business development at ApplePie Capital. “We are very selective and are focused only on franchise brands that have a desire to grow with a strong capital markets partner behind them. Burn Boot Camp definitely fits that mold with a passion for the brand that cuts across the entire organization.”

Burn Bootcamp is projecting 10,000 global units by 2033 as it ramps up its expansion efforts.

The total estimated initial investment for prospective Burn Boot Camp franchisees is $239,225 – $562,979, with an initial franchise fee of $60,000. 

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The $1.8 trillion global wellness market, coupled with advancements in biometric tracking and health technology, has investors banking on the future of wellness.

Renowned cyclist and endurance athlete Lance Armstrong’s Next Ventures is the latest VC fund to get in on the wellness craze, targeting $100 million — its first fund in almost five years — to invest in whole-person health, preventive care and diagnostics.

Next Ventures managing partner Julian Eison, was forthright:

“We said, hey, this whole consumerization of health is omnipresent,” Eison told PitchBook, which reported on Next Ventures’ plans to write pre-seed, seed and Series A checks with an average check size of $2 million. 

It’s a viewpoint shared by other leading investors and experts.

As Jon Canarick of North Castle Partners, Mark Grabowski of Snapdragon Capital Partners and Lance Dietz of KB Partners shared during Athletech News’ DISRUPT 2023 video series, there is an overall sense of optimism surrounding the health, fitness and wellness markets. 

“I think almost universally there’s growth in consumer expenditure in health and wellness across multiple categories,” Grabowski said, noting that the industry as a whole is on an “upward trajectory.” 

Wearables Track More Than Just Fitness

He also indicated that health and fitness trackers have even more runway, especially with consumers embracing preventive wellness practices. Advancing technology also means that wearables no longer cater to elite athletes or weekend warriors. Instead, consumers of all ages and in any health condition can track their health metrics, widening the available consumer market.

“When you think of everything from blood testing to stool samples, there you’re actually addressing some different issues,” Grabowski pointed out. “It’s not about, ‘Am I optimizing my workout performance?’ It’s about allergies, chronic issues, immune responses and other things that people are dealing with.” 

Investors are taking note, with Ultrahuman’s multi-device ecosystem the latest funding recipient. The company just secured $35 million in a Series B to advance its health monitoring endeavors, which include a smart ring, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a ‘Blood Vision’ system and an upcoming home health device that assesses environmental impacts on well-being. 

Next Ventures’ portfolio touts some notable health and wellness names, including smart ring brand Oura, AI wearable company Humane and Genopets, a move-to-earn game. The VC fund also invested in Utah-based Amp Human in 2019, maker of PR Lotion, which merged with Momentous, a ‘human performance” supplement brand.

As for Oura, the smart ring maker is expected to enter a “health-focused” chapter, having recently welcomed an executive from the Apple Health team and signing a deal to make its wearable device FSA/HSA eligible. 

Wellness CPGs Gain Steam, Too

Tech may always be a hot area for its jaw-dropping capabilities that seem to advance each week, but good old consumer packaged goods have been receiving the attention of investors, too — especially those in the wellness categories. 

Even major retailers like Target are banking on the wellness wave, introducing over 1,000 health-supporting products across all verticals. For good reason, too: consumers have not only become more health-conscious, but GLP-1 users have redirected their spending away from unhealthy items and toward wellness purchases.

Bloom Nutrition, a supplement brand in the greens and superfoods category recently scored a major investment from C4 maker Nutrabolt. 

Health and wellness guru/A-lister Gwyneth Paltrow, no stranger to all things green juice and longevity-supporting, is also eyeing the power of products with wide appeal. The goop founder has turned feeling good into a profitable brand, catering to the masses with a new line of budget-friendly wellness and beauty products, a departure from goop’s higher-priced items. 

Paltrow’s Los Angeles-based VC firm, Kinship Ventures, has reportedly sought to raise $75 million for its debut fund, eyeing early-stage consumer goods and tech companies.

Over on the East Coast, Humble Growth, a N.Y.-based growth equity firm launched by an all-star team that includes RxBar founder Peter Rahal, secured over $312 million for its debut. Earlier this year, Humble Growth acquired a significant minority stake in Momentous in a deal worth $32 million.

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TruFit Athletic Clubs, a Texas-based high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym chain, opened its 40th club and fourth Tennessee location, touting its “affordable luxury” approach to club memberships. 

The opening of the latest TruFit location in Murfreesboro, Tennesse, included a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month, with the TruFit executive team presenting a $1,500 check to Tennessee Alliance for Kids (TAK), a child welfare service provider.

The new TruFit Murfreesboro location boasts affordable access to amenities such as state-of-the-art equipment, fitness trainers, group fitness classes, a turf field, basketball court, a women-only workout area, childcare services, a sauna, HydroMassage and personalized wellness solutions. Virtual personal training is also available, and a TruFit app lets members book group classes, track progress and consult personal training plans.

In addition to its family-friendly approach with its childcare services, TruFit clubs also promote wellness to older children and teens with low-impact, non-spine-loading programs.

The HVLP brand offers tiered memberships (Basic, Essentials and Results+) starting at $10/month. It operates 36 locations in Texas and four in Tennessee.

NewSpring Mezzanine invested subordinated debt and equity in TruFit Clubs last fall, with the financial firm noting that fragmented gym markets in smaller, non-metro areas provide “ample opportunity” for TruFit.

“Through a data-driven approach to analyzing potential new markets, the company has wisely identified its next geographic area for expansion, and we’re excited to help this business reach new levels of growth,” said NewSpring Mezzanine general partner Anne Vazquez.

Last month, TruFit announced the promotion of Aaron McFarland to the position of COO. In a statement regarding his new role, McFarland noted that over the past two years, TruFit has experienced “explosive growth” with a 45% increase in its member base. 

“TruFit is establishing itself as a significant player in the fitness industry, and I am enthusiastic about enhancing our commitment to nurturing a stronger, more empowered community,” said.

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High-earning New Yorkers are expected to look increasingly well-rested, full of vitality and overall centered this summer as wellness brand Continuum opens its flagship location in New York City’s Greenwich Village, adding to the health and wellness landscape of the Big Apple.

Opening its doors in May, Continuum Club has a waitlist for those hoping to receive its white glove service and hyper-personalized offerings, including one-on-one personal training sessions, massages, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Himalayan salt saunas, cold plunge treatments, spacious workout zone and lounge areas. 

The “intentionally exclusive” club was leased through September 2032, occupying a 25,000 square-foot space that was once home to David Barton Gym and, most recently, Peloton’s Tread Studio, according to The Real Deal. 

Behind Continuum is its CEO and president Jeff Halevy, a former fitness tech entrepreneur and NBC’s “The Today Show” health correspondent.

AI-Infused Wellness

Unlike other luxury wellness clubs, the members-only Continuum is infusing advanced technology within its space, leveraging what Halevy says are “the most comprehensive physiological data sets, deep learning, and an expert team providing vertically integrated services” to deliver “ideal total wellness.”

Continuum Club clients receive a “bespoke wellness prescription” that the wellness company says is curated by its expert personnel and biometrically informed AI, which will adapt and adjust its recommendations over time. 

“Our club in Greenwich Village was meticulously curated to both house the leading technology and services in the wellness space and to do so in a cohesive, intentional, luxury environment,” said Continuum’s Chief Revenue Officer Tom Wingert, a former marketing executive from Lululemon. “We’ve brought an extraordinary team of NYC-based artisans together to create a sanctuary in the heart of the city that celebrates the heritage of the neighborhood and deeply incorporates nature in a way that encourages serenity amidst busy city life. The space is truly one of one.”

Although Continuum plans to expand its physical presence by establishing new clubs, the luxury brand will roll out its AI-driven wellness app beyond its club locations so users can experience biometric analysis and personalized prescriptions wherever they are.

Wellness at Every Corner 

The post-pandemic era certainly has resulted in a wellness boom in NYC. While Continuum plans to serve the Greenwich Village elite, Remedy Place, a social wellness club, opened in the Flatiron neighborhood in 2022.

Founded by Dr. Jonathan Leary, the “temptation and toxin-free” environment offers functional medicine, chiropractic movement, acupuncture, cupping, ice baths, infrared saunas and vitamin IV drips with an emphasis on socialization. Remedy Place also offers three different membership tiers, ranging from $350/month to $2,250/month, each offering guest passes. The wellness club also has a location in West Hollywood, California.

Also located in Flatiron is The Well, offering quarterly memberships for access to its social wellness experience that includes massage and skin health services, vitamin therapy, yoga and movement, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, vibrational energy healing and health coaching. Private events can also be booked at The Well, for corporate outings or a staycation. The Well also recently broke ground on The Well Bay Harbor Island, a wellness-focused condo and office space in Miami that rivals luxury residential concepts like Life Time Living.

While The Remedy Place and The Well offer club-level memberships, non-members can also experience a luxurious wellness session by booking a service of their choice, or head to one of NYC’s many communal bathhouses that have become all the rage.

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Ultrahuman, a wearable tech company with products such as a habit-tracking ring, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an upcoming home health device, has secured $35 million in a Series B equity and debt funding round to fuel growth and support advanced research in the health monitoring space. 

Emerging technology is making it easier than ever for consumers to take proactive health measures as metabolic health takes center stage, especially with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearing the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) this month.

Ultrahuman, which has expanded into over 150 retail outlets worldwide, says it’s on track to exceed $100 million in annualized revenue run rate by the end of the year — and things are just heating up.

The Bangalore, India-based wearable tech brand plans to expand UltraFactory, its manufacturing facility, to ramp up production of its health-supporting devices.

“Our ability to make long-term manufacturing investments, supported by our profitability, is unique in the smart rings market,” said Mohit Kumar, co-founder of Ultrahuman. He launched the company in 2020 alongside co-founder Vatsal Singhal after being inspired by seeing MMA athletes using data to train and recover.

The Series B round marks a pivotal step forward to dominate the smart rings space, Kumar said, adding that Ultrahuman has the goal of becoming the market leader, with the retail expansion having helped the tech brand reach new audiences.  

“Our vision of being the top player in terms of both active devices and geographic presence is within reach, thanks to our rapid expansion and the love we’ve received from our users,” Kumar continued.

The funding round included participation from VC firms Blume Ventures, Steadview Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, Alpha Wave and Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal.

Multi-Device Health

The wearable tech market may be crowded, but the centerpiece of Ultrahuman (and what sets it apart from competitors) is its multi-device health ecosystem — one in which the company says can create a “grand unified view of the human body” by gathering a large set of biomarkers on its integrated platform. It’s a differentiating factor that expands Ultrahuman past the pure smart ring space.

“The future of health is integrated, and at Ultrahuman, we’re making that future a reality today by seamlessly combining various health data streams to empower preventative health and wellness,” Kumar said.

However, smart rings have proven to still be a hot device. Last month, Samsung entered the wearable ring space with its Galaxy Ring to compete with market leader Oura, which itself is signaling the same move as Ultrahuman and deepening its push into the health-tech space.  

A crowded space, indeed — and that’s before Apple has even taken a shot at the wearable ring space. Industry experts have anticipated the tech giant joining Oura and Samsung, especially when considering Apple’s patent filings. 

Ultrahuman appears to be going beyond wearables, having announced Blood Vision, a blood test that correlates sleep changes, resting heart rate, HRV and movement trends with markers in the blood.

The company provides an example of how it would work, where the system can ascertain how an improvement such as sleep quality may influence an LDL marker — the goal being for users to fully see the connection between their lifestyle habits and their blood markers. Over time, users can track the progression of certain health markers, receiving a true “behind the curtain” look at their health.

Next Up: Healthy Homes

As the at-home environment is predicted to become the epicenter of the wellness real estate market and its projected expansion to $887.5 billion by 2027, Ultrahuman’s upcoming ‘Home’ device perfectly aligns with Global Wellness Summit’s top forecasted trend for 2024.

The silent, low-profile device will soon be available for pre-order and promises to optimize living spaces by monitoring daily markers that impact health — everything from exposure to artificial light, air quality, humidity and noise levels.

Users can also gain insights into snoring and sleep quality and optimize their sleep environment by analyzing external temperature. An airplane mode allows users to shut off wifi and Bluetooth, while a smoke sensor can alert users of a fire.

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One of the top wellness trends of 2024, Pilates is rapidly taking over the nation. JetSet Pilates, a Miami-based boutique fitness franchise, is capitalizing, expanding well beyond its home state with studios planned across the U.S. and internationally.

Known as a “modern Reformer Pilates experience,” JetSet offers 50-minute workouts guided by curated playlists. Eight studios are open, with twelve in development across Tampa, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Doral, Coral Gables, North Miami, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest and Aventura.

Outside of the Sunshine State, JetSet has signed several development deals throughout Texas (McKinney) North Carolina, New York City (SoHo) and Georgia while the brand eyes 600 franchised studios across the U.S. as it expands. JetSet also has an agreement signed in Australia.

“JetSet is dedicated to cultivating a robust franchise community, grounded in trust and enriched by comprehensive support and training, to ensure our partners excel in delivering Pilates experiences,” said Bert Albertse, CEO of JetSet Pilates. “Each and every JetSet instructor is trained to create personal connections with clients so everyone can reach their personal goals.”

Pilates Power

Pilates has come a long way since it was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, a German physical trainer who created the movement system while suffering the experience of being a prisoner of war, finding that movement and stretching were key to the human body.

Fast-forward to 2024, and the whole-body exercise modality is renowned for increasing flexibility, building strength and rehabbing injuries. The Pilates boom has also hit TikTok, with #PinkPilatesPrincess and #PilatesPrincess trending, further spreading the practice among young social media users who embrace fitness, wellness and ‘ballet core.’

Tamara Galinsky, JetSet Pilates founder, has long known the benefits of the practice, taking a leap of faith to launch the fitness brand in 2010. She recently spoke with Athletech News in an exclusive interview about JetSet’s remarkable growth, crediting the brand’s immersive class experience and certified instructors.

“Each session at JetSet is not just a pilates class; it’s a meticulously curated journey,” Galinsky told ATN in February. “What began as a single studio has burgeoned into five corporate locations, with 29 franchised locations in development and poised to expand to over 600 franchised studios domestically. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

Although she had desired to move to a franchise model early on, Galinsky said she was mindful of doing it at the right time and only after assembling the best in the industry.

“Today, I can confidently affirm that our franchising team possesses a level of expertise that few, if any, emerging brands can boast at this stage,” she said.

JetSet Lands in Australia

As for its international endeavors, Kathryn Woodfine, JetSet franchise owner, is bringing the boutique Pilates experience to the Australian market. Enthusiastic about the brand and the workout, she shared that the experience is unmatched.

“As a fitness enthusiast who has tried just about every group fitness class out there, I’ve found JetSet to be unrivaled and am confident it will thrive in Australia and around the world,” Woodfine said.

While Melbourne will be JetSet’s first international location, the Pilates franchise plans to focus on establishing flagship studios in other influential cities.

“Our team is dedicated to empowering franchise partners with operating systems, financial planning tools, technology, training, support and products that are second to none,” said Sarah Buie, head of franchise development. “We are passionate about these partnerships and bringing JetSet to communities worldwide.” 

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM), as awareness of metabolic health continues to gain steam. 

The system will become available to purchase online without a prescription this summer. 

The wearable Stelo Glucose Biosensor System is designed for those 18 years and older who don’t use insulin and either treat diabetes with oral medications or don’t have a diabetes diagnosis but are interested in seeing firsthand how diet and exercise impact their blood sugar levels.

Using a small sensor worn on the back of the upper arm, Stelo continuously measures, records, analyzes and displays glucose values every 15 minutes when connected to an app. Users can wear each sensor for up to 15 days before replacement.

Stelo isn’t designed for those with “problematic hypoglycemia” since it won’t provide the necessary alerts. 

Although Dexcom notes that Stelo users shouldn’t take medical action based on the device’s findings without consulting with a healthcare professional, the health tech company says the glucose biosensor system can help users understand how modifications such as diet and exercise can impact glucose excursion. 

Considering that approximately one in three American adults have prediabetes — a staggering 80% of whom don’t know they have it —  Stelo can serve as an invaluable tool, underscored by its ease of accessibility. It’s a stance that appears to be shared by the FDA.

“CGMs can be a powerful tool to help monitor blood glucose,” said Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Today’s clearance expands access to these devices by allowing individuals to purchase a CGM without the involvement of a healthcare provider.

“Giving more individuals valuable information about their health, regardless of their access to a doctor or health insurance, is an important step forward in advancing health equity for U.S. patients,” Shuren continued.

While a price hasn’t been mentioned yet, one William Blair analyst estimates Stelo may cost around $90 a month and that consumers could use their healthcare savings accounts to offset the expense.

Consumers Embrace Wearables for Health

By all accounts, consumers are entering a new era of health and wellness. The pandemic may have inspired health and wellness, but it also led to skyrocketing sales of pulse oximeters, perhaps a testament to how much consumers have come to rely on monitoring devices beyond fitness and activity trackers.

Instead of simple trackers, companies such as Whoop bill their technology as ‘human performance,’ leaning into AI and providing biometric data points across sleep, recovery, stress and strain.

Smart ring maker Oura is also invested in the glucose realm, having partnered with CGM platforms Veri, Supersapiens and January AI to offer insights into sleep and glucose biomarkers.

One wearable tech startup, Signos, raised $20 million last year as it looks to disrupt the medicated weight loss and metabolic space by using Dexcom CGMs to provide real-time diet and workout recommendations based on the readings with its app.  

The CGM Market Heats Up

Although Stelo may be the first CGM cleared for over-the-counter purchase, the CGM space is expected to become increasingly competitive. Abbott’s first consumer biowearable, Lingo, is currently being rolled out across the U.K. with ambitions of receiving a green light for the U.S. market. Similar to Stelo, it tracks glucose levels and provides personalized insights in response.

“Our mood, weight, energy levels and ability to focus are all connected to our individual glucose levels, which rise and fall in response to the food we eat, hours of sleep, regular exercise, and even life’s daily stresses,” said Lily Soutter, a nutritionist in Abbott’s Lingo division. “Improving your metabolic health by tracking your glucose levels over a meaningful period of time can motivate you to implement changes to better manage those spikes and dips, ultimately benefiting your health and well-being.”

Meanwhile, companies like Roche are forging a new frontier in diabetes management and the CGM space using predictive AI for its Accu-Chek SmartGuide device. Using a CGM sensor, Roche’s system displays current glucose levels, predictions for the following two hours and provides a risk prediction for nocturnal hypoglycemia.

The post Continuous Glucose Monitors Emerge as Next-Gen Wearable appeared first on Athletech News.

Litesport, formally Liteboxer, has upended the at-home, virtual reality fitness landscape, casting real trainers into users’ personal spaces to deliver strength, total body and boxing workouts — and things are just heating up, with the brand eyeing the healthcare space. 

Having been selected last year by Xponential Fitness to develop Xponential’s new virtual and mixed reality app for Meta Quest, Litesport co-founder and CEO Jeff Morin says 2024 is shaping up to be even better for the VR/MR fitness company.

An MIT-educated engineer and certified personal trainer with an eye for both physical and technological performance, Morin shared that Litesport doubled its active subscriber base in January and was on track for similar growth in February. 

Healthcare Applications

“Our roadmap includes expanding partnerships and venturing into healthcare, highlighted by our participation in a clinical trial for Parkinson’s research,” Morin tells Athletech News. “Additionally, we’re advancing our technology with AI-based body tracking and enhanced HD video to deliver an even more immersive and effective fitness experience.”

To hear Morin tell it, the future of VR fitness is both bright and boundless.

“As technology advances, we anticipate VR headsets becoming more compact and user-friendly, further enhancing the fitness experience,” he predicts. “Mixed reality will blur the lines between the virtual and the tangible, enabling users to interact with gym equipment in new and innovative ways.”

Of course, as with any emerging technology, artificial intelligence will also play a significant role in the VR/MR evolution, which Morin says will offer ultra-personalized workout experiences and sophisticated body tracking metrics. 

“At Litesport, we are at the forefront of these developments, integrating AI and mixed reality to make traditional gym equipment ‘smart’ and to provide personalized coaching that adapts to each user’s unique fitness journey,” he said.

Motivating More People To Work Out

Apart from its groundbreaking foray into healthcare, Morin notes that Litesport has empowered countless fitness enthusiasts by removing the traditional barriers to gym access with a welcoming, intimidation-free environment. The brand also introduced a “Standard Tier” subscription at $8.99, which Morin points out makes Litesport the most competitively priced app in the Quest market. 

“This inclusivity extends to individuals who may feel uncomfortable or are physically unable to attend in-person gym sessions,” he explained. “By leveraging VR technology, we make it possible for users to experience the benefits of a gym from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. For instance, someone hesitant to step into a boxing gym can now immerse themselves in a virtual boxing experience, gaining confidence and skills in a supportive setting.”

Litesport offers over 2,000 on-demand classes in modalities including boxing, strength and total body. Through the powers of virtual and mixed reality, the platform also democratizes access to top-tier fitness trainers, a luxury Morin points out was previously a luxury available to few.

“Through gamification and interactive elements, we also introduce an element of motivation and engagement that traditional fitness methods may lack,” Morin added.

More To Come

Morin sees boxing and beat-based workouts as the most on-trend VR fitness modalities, which he says appeal particularly to the newly adopted gamer demographic. But what sets Litesport apart is that it offers live, real trainer-led workouts for an immersive experience enhanced with proprietary hand-tracking technology that allows for using real dumbbells — a first in the VR fitness space. 

“Looking forward, we anticipate a diversification of popular modalities as users seek more varied and comprehensive fitness solutions,” Morin said.

Litesport’s VR fitness tech also has an edge over conventional fitness methods, with precision movement tracking, motivation, accountability through progress tracking and multiplayer experiences. 

“These features, combined with the ability to exercise in various virtual settings, keep workouts fresh and exciting,” Morin said. “Our approach to VR fitness emphasizes not just gamification but functional fitness, making exercise both fun and genuinely beneficial.”

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The fitness and wellness app space has gained another notable name, with Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo soon launching Erakulis, an all-in-one wellness app inspired by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s habits and routines across fitness, nutrition and mental balance. 

The new app launches on April 3 with subscriber fees that start at 4.99€/month.

“As a professional athlete, discipline, focus and balance have been key to my success on the field,” Ronaldo said. “The countless hours of training, attention to nutrition, and mental preparation have played a crucial role in my journey. We’ve added these features into Erakulis.”

Taking a holistic health approach, Erakulis offers personalized wellness plans, community support and even online appointments, where users can seek guidance from health and wellness experts via a video call feature.

The pro-athlete-founded wellness app will compete with Centr, an app founded by actor Chris Hemsworth before being acquired by HighPost Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Mark Bezos, brother of Jeff Bezos.

A waitlist has launched where early adopters can nab a limited-time 50% discount on their Erakulis subscription. 

Stars Embrace Wellness Apps

In addition to Ronaldo and Hemsworth, other well-known athletes and celebrities are using their notoriety to make even more bank with the launch of fitness and wellness-related apps in recent years. Seemingly replacing sneaker endorsements, athletes especially seem keen to continue building their brand with digital offerings.

Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall has entered into digital fitness-meets-holistic training with House of Athlete Plus (HOA+), an app that concentrates on both physical and mental fitness and includes live one-on-one personal training and personalized communication. 

Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill also broke ground in femtech with the launch of Jennis, a female and hormonal-focused app that offers workouts and can adapt training based on various phases, such as perimenopause and menopause. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger recently debuted his new app, The Pump, featuring a motivating community, personalized habit tracker and guided workout videos, with ‘The Terminator’ ever-present during the user experience, while singer Carrie Underwood’s fitness app Fit52 continues to be a hit. The Grammy winner also recently launched her own workout music channel on SiriusXM, Carr-Dio by Carrie’s Country, blending high-energy hits with fitness advice from the singer.

The post Cristiano Ronaldo Launches Wellness App, Rivaling Chris Hemsworth’s Centr appeared first on Athletech News.

Newer and more advanced technology such as fitness wearables, artificial intelligence software and robotics is reducing employee well-being, according to a new briefing paper from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW).

The preliminary research may be a wake-up call to the countless businesses that have embraced artificial intelligence and automation technology to reduce labor costs and advance their bottom line; it could also have ramifications for the makers of fitness wearables like watches, rings and bands.

Using data from an online survey of over 6,000 workers in the United Kingdom, IFOW discovered that while digital information and communication technologies correlated with improved quality of life, extensive exposure to newer technologies can be detrimental to well-being.

One key survey finding is that frequent engagement with AI software, robotics and wearables (defined as fitness trackers, smartwatches, smart glasses, GPS devices and other data-gathering sensors) “exhibited a negative relationship with quality of life,” with even moderate exposure to robotics revealing an adverse effect on quality of life.

Start of the Conversation

IFOW’s findings highlight an important area that has yet to be fully explored in the current tech-forward age, but ultimately the paper encourages employers to understand the need to roll out technology that actively engages workers and to conduct “rigorous monitoring of risks and impacts.”

“The findings of this working paper – coupled with the current rapid pace of adoption of workplace automation technologies – emphasize that this work should be a priority if this technological transformation is to deliver a future where innovation and well-being advance together,” the authors wrote.

As the paper’s authors also point out, all hope is not lost in an overly connected world that will continue to lean toward tech. Instead, the findings “underscore the importance of a proactive, human-centered approach to technology deployment, emphasizing the value of worker consultation and participation rights, clarification of purposes and balanced consideration of technological benefits and risks.”

The authors also state that the need for additional research is evident, especially when understanding the different impacts of technology by sector and its overall impact on the intersection of well-being with productivity and worker retention. 

A Case for Corporate Wellness Platforms

In addition to prompting the start of a meaningful conversation, the survey’s findings are interesting, especially when juxtaposed against the rise of corporate wellness programs. 

Not everyone is sold on such employer-focused programs, as one Oxford researcher recently illustrated in a controversial take, but IFOW’s initial results on the topic are likely good news for platforms that are encouraging employers to invest in well-being programs for their staff. 

Corporate wellness giant Gympass has soared to a $2.4 billion valuation and continues to add to its robust line-up of wellness offerings, recently expanding its sleep category this month with snooze-supporting apps Rise Science and SleepScore. According to Gympass research, 98% of employees worldwide report sleep is crucial for their well-being, and 60% say work stress negatively impacts their sleep.

Global healthy eating platform Lifesum, tapped to support staff employed by tech titans Amazon and PayPal, recently revealed an eye-opening statistic: that nearly 71% of stressed-out Gen Z and Millennials would quit their jobs tomorrow in favor of one that better supports their overall well-being and that almost 70% would be more productive if their employer improved their well-being. 

The post Fitness Wearables, AI Linked to Reduced Employee Wellness appeared first on Athletech News.

Value gyms may be a hit in the U.S. and Canada, but demand is also increasing across the pond. 

The Gym Group, a high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym operator in the U.K., just reported solid revenue growth of 18% in 2023, adding 850,000 members and opening six new gyms. The fitness brand, which was founded in 2007, says it plans to open 10-12 locations this year.

The fitness operator was recently declared one of the winners of the U.K.’s post-pandemic fitness industry boom for its accelerated growth from 32 locations in 2012 to its current 233 gyms.

“We have maintained positive momentum in revenue through the second half to deliver results that have offset cost inflation, in line with our guidance,” said CEO Will Orr. “With a strong start to 2024 and clear signs that demand for health and fitness has never been stronger, these are solid foundations on which to build our Next Chapter growth plan.”

Over the next three years, Orr says The Gym Group will accelerate “site rollout” and strengthen the performance of its core business. 

“There continues to be substantial headroom for low-cost gyms in the U.K., and we are fully focused on our aim of making high-value, low-cost fitness even more accessible for all,” he continued.

The Gym Group group offers gymgoers 24/7 access with contract-free memberships starting at £13.99/month. The gym offers fitness equipment and a variety of free fitness classes, including small group training, strength and conditioning, mind and body and cardio. Personal trainers are also available to create custom plans.

Like other low-price gyms such as Planet Fitness and Crunch, The Gym Group strives to cater to younger fitness consumers, welcoming members who are at least 16 years old and providing special discounts to college students.

Its approach appears to be working, with The Gym Group reporting that 92% of its members rated the brand four out of five and that more than 60 million member visits were made in 2023, with average visits increasing by 10% over the previous year.

Gyms Capitalize on UK Fitness Demand

The fitness club attributes the emergence of the HVLP gym market to “harsh economic times,” an increasingly competitive market and consumer demand for value. According to a factsheet on The Gym Group’s website, member surveys reveal that the club operator is attracting new fitness enthusiasts such as shift workers, students, retirees and those classified as low-income.

As The Gym Group plots its continued expansion, global gym franchise Anytime Fitness has also made headway in the U.K. with new gym openings, capitalizing on six vacant retail units — one of which was a former post office — in Loughton, Upminster, Brentwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Gerrards Cross and Wimbledon.

Although generally at a slightly higher membership price point than The Gym Group, Anytime Fitness sees the demand for fitness clubs in the U.K. and, at the same time, has been able to revive vacant spaces. 

“These new gyms have shown the ability of our sector to take on these high-footfall locations and give them a new lease of life as a facility that the local community can be proud of,” said Kieran Smith, senior property and relationships manager at Anytime Fitness U.K. “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the demand for gym memberships hasn’t waned and this is being increasingly recognized by commercial landlords.”

PureGym, another U.K.-based gym brand, is taking a different approach and plans to bolster its presence in the U.S. and Canada under the Pure Fitness name, competing with the likes of stateside low-price, high-value fitness brands. Much like The Gym Group, the brand offers flexible 24/7 operating hours and a zero-contract membership model. 

The post The Gym Group Eyes Expansion as UK Fitness Market Heats Up appeared first on Athletech News.

Leading fitness equipment and technology brands brought their best to IHRSA 2024, the annual convention and trade show put on by IHRSA, now known as the Health & Fitness Association.

Athletech News breaks down some of the key products that made waves on the show room floor from brands including Aktiv Solutions, EGYM, Freemotion Fitness, Life Fitness, Matrix, Precor and Technogym.

Energizing their respective spaces and showing what’s next in fitness evolution, these seven brands showcased their top-tier releases across strength training, cardio and fit tech, all designed to engage consumers while assisting club operators. 

Aktiv Innovates on Traditional Strength Training

The rise of strength training is likely the fitness biggest trend of 2024, with consumers of all ages and fitness levels finding time to weight train, taking to the benefits of increased muscle mass, joint protection, fat loss and lowered resting heart rate.

Aktiv Solutions, a commercial gym design and supply company, used IHRSA 2024 to unveil its latest innovation: the Gym Rax Smith 3D Trainer (3SD). The next-gen smith machine features a free bar path, mimicking barbells while offering the benefits of the traditional smith machine, including the lack of need for supervision.

Aktiv created the S3D to onboard those new to strength training while also catering to expert lifters.

“The S3D presents an opportunity for operators to appeal to their broader constituencies without alienating more advanced lifters,” explained Bryan Green, founder and CEO of Aktiv Solutions, adding that users “can get that last rep without fear that they’ll injure themselves without a spotter.”

The S3D touts a patent-pending movement carriage that synchronizes its safety catches and serves as a built-in spotter — perfect for newer users, Gen Z and active-aging populations. 

The safety feature makes S3D a particularly beneficial addition to unsupervised fitness facilities like hotels or university gyms.

Precor Embraces the Glute Trend

Precor is also heavily invested in strength, partnering with Glutebuilder to breathe new life into glute training, which has become highly popular on social media platforms like TikTok. Besides looking good, training the glutes has numerous benefits including hip stabilization and pain prevention in the back and neck. 

The partnership will see an all-new line of six patent-pending glute training products that combine the motion design of Glutebuilder’s founder and CEO, Arturo García López, with Precor’s engineering and manufacturing expertise.

“We recognize the surging popularity of glute training worldwide, and the innovations within the new Precor Glutebuilder Line offer novel ways to engage and attract new fitness enthusiasts,” said Precor’s CEO Dustin Grosz. “We are delighted to partner with this esteemed brand and leverage Arturo’s groundbreaking developments.”

Those who missed IHRSA 2024 will be able to preview the Precor Glutebuilder Line at FIBO in April in Cologne, Germany.

Technogym Launches AI-Powered Health & Longevity Tracking

It was impossible to ignore Technogym at IHRSA 2024, with its massive presence on the tradeshow floor and outfitted in its signature black and yellow branding.

Already a force to be reckoned with, Technogym took its ecosystem a step further with the debut of Technogym Check Up. Harnessing AI to assess physical and cognitive conditions, Technogym Check Up has the power to prescribe the ideal fitness program that adapts over time based on the individual user.

Nerio Alessandri, Technogym founder and CEO, says the latest innovation represents the access point to the entire Technogym ecosystem, offering a “fully personalized program for every single individual that evolves over time thanks to AI.”

Leaning into longevity, Technogym’s latest offering goes beyond cognitive function, body composition, strength performance, balance and mobility. It uses the data to calculate a “Wellness Age,” a nod to the brand’s ‘Technogym as Medicine’ philosophy.

The new tool puts longevity-seeking consumers in the driver’s seat of their health. At the same time, Technogym’s ecosystem and data-forward approach can also unlock invaluable data for fitness operators.

EGYM Empowers Users To Move Beyond the Scale

EGYM, a leading fitness tech provider, put its new BioAge feature front and center at IHRSA 2024, a measurable approach to fitness that calculates a user’s wellness across four pillars: strength, cardio, flexibility and metabolism.

It may be time to toss the scale since BioAge takes things beyond simple bodyweight measurements. Giving users a solution-based path, BioAge focuses on four different areas of need, tracking progress and providing users with valuable visual feedback along the way. 

The result? A comprehensive approach to health and fitness that keeps users engaged and motivated — especially when they quickly start seeing results. 

“Unfortunately in our industry, usually it’s all about what a member sees on the scale,” Dana Milkie, EGYM general manager for North America, told ATN. “It can be a little demotivating, particularly in the first three or four weeks when you’re starting to exercise trying to change your body and you don’t see anything on the scale. From a BioAge perspective, you begin to see changes very quickly as whatever biological age you started at begins to go down.”

BioAge is visible on EGYM’s Fitness Hub, trainer app and branded member app, making it accessible anywhere for individuals who work out at various facility types. The innovation also serves as a powerful tool for operators and fitness trainers, allowing them to share tangible results with clients, deepening motivation with proof.

Matrix Brings Luxury to Cardio

Matrix Fitness, a commercial fitness leader under Johnson Health Tech, has elevated cardio with a luxurious look and feel with the launch of its Onyx Collection, a line of five ultra-premium cardio machines, including a treadmill, Ascent Trainer, ClimbMill, upright cycle and recumbent cycle. 

“Every touch point and every element of the Onyx Collection was designed to be exceptional, immersive, and unlike anything else in our portfolio,” said Andrew Kolman, vice president of global product development. “At Matrix, meaningful innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our partners can expect to see this guiding principle artfully expressed in every design detail.”

With its impressive 32″ touchscreen console and interactive touch controls, users can sprint, interval train, complete fitness tests or run on rolling hills. 

Kolman explained that feedback from industry partners fueled the creation of Onyx’s luxe design, with its oversized screen allowing operators to brand the experience and advertise their own messaging. 

The Onyx Collection is headed to FIBO next month in Germany, which will take place from April 11 to 14.

Life Fitness Gives Operators the Keys

Life Fitness used IHRSA to remind the fitness industry that cardio is still king and that the key to a successful product is deepening user engagement while offering new revenue channels for club operators. 

Symbio, an ultra-premium cardio line features a Runner (treadmill), Incline Elliptical, SwitchCycle and Recumbent Cycle — all of which enable club operators to easily upload on-demand workouts featuring their in-house instructors.

Gym goers want an engaging cardio experience, which Symbio can deliver, as operators can add new member onboarding videos or promote additional services.

“(It) gives you the ability as a trainer, instructor, facility owner, operator — to completely customize the experience,” said Life Fitness global training and education manager Leigh Wierichs. “The content doesn’t have to be a class — although it could be an actual on-demand class or something nutrition-related. It could be something explaining the different capabilities of the treadmill; it could be something talking about how to prepare for a 5K. It can be anything that you think would resonate.”

Content abilities aside, Life Fitness’ new Runner offers a standout feature, adaptive flex deck technology so that users can select their preferred level of firmness – either 40% softer or firmer.

For Freemotion, Content Is King

Freemotion Fitness, along with parent company iFIT, put a spotlight on its new 22 Series cardio line at IHRSA 2024, boasting iFIT’s robust content library of nearly 17,000 coach-led workouts, including Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps and ultrarunner Tommy Rivers Puzey. 

The 22 Series cardio line offers a six-piece collection that spans an incline trainer, a Reflex treadmill with an impact-reducing deck, an elliptical and three bikes, all with 22-inch HD touchscreens that display content and automatically adjust speed, incline, resistance and fan speed based on the on-screen workout.

With an emphasis on delivering top-notch video content that is immersive and exciting, iFIT films its footage on all seven continents, including adventurous locations such as Mount Everest. It’s a creative decision that Adam Guier, vice president of North America sales at Freemotion, says has a tremendous impact on member engagement.

“We hear members say, “I went on a vacation to such and such place because I had exercised in that same location from virtually,'” Guier said. “We also hear members who say, “I went on vacation, came back, and did the same run on the console that I had done on vacation.”

Beyond the gym, members can use the iFIT app at home or on vacation, using equipment from NordicTrack or ProForm, other iFIT brands.

The post These Fitness Products Made Waves at IHRSA 2024 appeared first on Athletech News.

F45 Training has been on an upswing as Tom Dowd nears his first anniversary as CEO of the functional fitness franchise, which just announced itself as the exclusive fitness provider for Ikon Pass holders for the 2024-2025 winter season. The partnership will include discounts and special fitness programming.

Ikon Pass, owned by Alterra Mountain Company, offers avid skiers and snowboarders the “ultimate pass” to access some of the best mountains, such as Steamboat, Mammoth Mountain and Big Bear.  

Encouraging adventurers to “experience the F45 difference,” the functional fitness brand welcomes Ikon Pass holders with an exclusive 14-day trial for $14 at select studio locations in the U.S. and Canada. The partnership is ideal for snow sports enthusiasts who rely on HIIT and functional training in the offseason to safely shred and carve the slopes, F45 notes.

“In collaboration with Ikon Pass, F45 expands its reach – even now going so far as literally summiting mountain tops – to ensure everyone has access to today’s strongest offering in functional fitness,” Dowd said. “We have no doubt that Ikon  Pass holders joining the F45 family ahead of the upcoming season will only strengthen their athletic aptitude and help them reach their overall wellness goals, both on and off the slopes.”

In the coming months, both F45 and Ikon Pass are teaming up with collaborative athletic programming that will be available both digitally and in-person at F45 nationwide.

“F45’s exercise approach is a clear benefit for winter sports enthusiasts as they condition for all mountain activities,” said Ryan Blanchard, vice president of brand partnerships for Alterra Mountain Company.

Athletech News recently spoke with U.S. Army combat veteran and F45 training athlete Noah Galloway about the functional fitness franchise’s future and its new leadership under Dowd. Galloway notably emphasized F45’s commitment to inclusiveness and unique workouts. 

“What new CEO Tom Dowd and the team are creating is purposeful, they want it to feel more family-oriented,” he said. “They wanted to be very inclusive, warm and inviting. I think that we’re about to make a huge splash in the fitness world.”

F45 also entered the new year with news that Mark Wahlberg, investor and chief brand officer of the functional fitness brand, will expand the franchise in the Boston area, investing in his own F45 studios in partnership with Club Sports Group.

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With a vast network of 50,000-plus gyms, studios, classes, personal trainers, and wellness coaches, Gympass isn’t neglecting the importance of sleep. The leading corporate wellness provider is emphasizing the sleep-health connection, expanding its sleep category with new sleep monitoring apps, Rise Science and SleepScore.

The move comes in conjunction with World Sleep Day on March 15, with Gympass subscribers on the Starter Plan and above able to access the new sleep-supporting apps. 

Sleep Emerges as Key Wellness Trend

In a society that rewards hustle culture, obtaining adequate sleep has become a rare luxury. The CDC points out that a third of U.S. adults get less than the recommended amount of sleep. The impact of poor sleep hygiene can have devastating effects beyond circles under the eyes, with lack of sleep linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and even depression.

As Gympass research has found, 98% of employees worldwide say sleep is crucial for their well-being, and 60% say work stress negatively impacts their sleep. Gympass has been steadily focused on all aspects of wellness, partnering with Headspace, Sleep Cycle, Meditopia and Calm. 

Rise Science, a sleep and energy tracker created by a team of sleep experts, informs Gympass users of the ideal time to carry out their tasks based on their circadian rhythms — when to exercise, have their last cup of coffee or get ready for bed. Based on sleep science, the approach is meant to make users feel well-rested.

SleepScore leverages cognitive behavioral science and sleep and circadian hygiene to analyze user data, resulting in a personalized sleep improvement program based on lifestyle and needs. The program is supported by two independent studies and uses a smartphone’s microphone and speaker capabilities to track and measure breathing rate and body movement.

Next month, Gympass users can use SleepScore to track their sleep improvement over time with a graphical representation.

“Sleep is essential for holistic wellbeing,” said Gympass co-founder and CEO Cesar Carvalho. “By providing employees with the tools they need to improve their sleep, Gympass is helping companies invest in their most valuable asset: their people.”

Corporate Wellness Booms

As employee wellness continues to become a hot topic and an increasingly non-negotiable offering from modern employers looking to attract and retain top talent, Gympass is soaring. The corporate wellness platform hit a $2.4 billion valuation after an $85 million funding round and signed on with Apple Fitness+.

Gympass topped 2.6 million subscribers in January, with over 400 million cumulative employee check-ins across its partner network. The corporate wellness platform has attracted top companies such as Amazon and Aflac for its ability to encourage employees to become active and engaged, resulting in reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism rates. 

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Club Pilates, the wildly successful Xponential Fitness-owned brand, has hit a new record with the opening of its 1,000th location, in Portland, Oregon, underscoring Pilates’ position as one of the most in-demand fitness modalities.

On Xponential’s recent earnings call with investors, executives noted that Club Pilates experienced the strongest license sales in 2023 (361), followed by StretchLab (159) and BFT (149). 

“From 30 open locations in 2015 to opening the 1,000th nine years later, this milestone is a true testament to the incredible growth the brand has experienced and the impact Club Pilates has in the lives of our members and communities across the globe,” said Mike Gray, president of Club Pilates, which has a presence in 12 countries.

Prior to Gray leading Club Pilates, Shaun Grove helped catapult the brand to worldwide recognition alongside Xponential founder and CEO Anthony Geisler until Grove’s departure in 2021 to become president of Rumble Boxing, another Xponential brand.

In honor of its continued success, Club Pilates nationwide will host Millennia parties with members and staff to mark the milestone while also celebrating individual studio achievements.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate this moment with Club Pilates Grant Park, (Portland) which is particularly serendipitous, as the franchise owners are one of our earliest franchise groups, opening their first studio in 2013, and have partnered with us extensively to become our second largest franchise group in the Club Pilates System,” Gray said.

“This celebration would not be possible without the inspiring dedication of our franchise partners, studio teams and corporate team alongside our proven business model, which has helped continue to propel our growth forward and change lives,” he added.

Keely Watson, franchise owner of Club Pilates, Grant Park, emphasized the pivotal moment for the low-impact Reformer-based fitness brand.

“It’s been an incredible journey over the last ten years since we opened our first studio, which was the 13th location for Club Pilates,” Watson said. “Seeing the brand grow and bringing Pilates to so many people worldwide has been truly inspiring. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make Pilates accessible for our members and provide our staff with chances to grow in the industry across our 30 locations in two states.”

Watson added that the plan moving forward is to bring Pilates to even more communities, confirming that her group alone has 45 additional studios currently in development.

A hit in both urban and regional areas, the Pilates brand has opened in nearly 50 states in the U.S. and has been growing internationally with a master franchise agreement in France. Additional agreements are in development in Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, New Zealand and Switzerland.

In addition to its success on land, the popular fitness modality has also made its way to the high seas as part of a partnership between Xponential Fitness and Princess Cruises, dubbed ‘Club Pilates at Sea.’ One upcoming adventure sets sail this August for a weeklong scenic cruise in Alaska, offering a full range of Club Pilates classes led by top instructors.

Fitness entrepreneur Allison Beardsley, founder of Club Pilates, has since moved on to launching Red Light Method, a boutique fitness experience that combines red light therapy with exercise. 

The post Club Pilates Hits 1,000 Studios as Modality Booms appeared first on Athletech News.

The BXNG Club, a San Diego-based chain of luxury combat-based fitness clubs, has initiated a funding round with the hopes of securing $2 million to advance its strategic expansion plans. 

Adding to its four San Diego locations, a high-design facility in the Arts District of Los Angeles is slated to open in the second half of this year, complete with two boxing rings, 50-plus heavy bags and specialty bags, a tailored grappling area, a functional training space with Olympic lifting platforms, a weight room and a cardio deck. 

A wide range of 45-minute fitness classes are available, including boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, cycling, yoga and cardio and strength workouts. Clients will have access to upscale locker rooms, saunas, towel service, and an exclusive members lounge. The brand also offers one-on-one personal training.

An early bird membership is available for the LA-based club at $139/month or $1,399 for a founding member annual membership.

“BXNG and Los Angeles are made for each other —- we are bringing our innovative fitness concept, an unmatched level of coaching and a focus on member experience while LA brings unparalleled fitness-focused culture,” said CEO Artem Sharoshkin, who was named CEO of The Year by San Diego Business Journal. “Together, we will create a chemistry for success,” 

Sharoshkin has had an interesting journey, from an 18-year-old taking a kickboxing class to joining as an employee, working his way up the ladder at what was once known as The Boxing Club. By 2014, Sharoshkin had become the owner and rebranded The Boxing Club to The BXNG Club, telling The San Diego Tribune in 2022 that he has ambitions to grow the brand nationally. 

The BXNG Club says it’s pursuing aggressive expansion that includes locating spaces with existing infrastructure, negotiating creative leases with landlords impacted by COVID-19 and sourcing under-market-value real estate deals. 

A limited number of equity investments are available to accredited investors, with a minimum investment of $50,000. All-access memberships are included for investors, including discounts on personal training and branded apparel.

The post BXNG Club Seeks $2M for LA Expansion, More appeared first on Athletech News.

Amped Fitness is arriving in the Lone Star State, set to open its first Texas location, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, later this year. The DFW area continues to see a fitness and health boom, with Amped Fitness joining the likes of Lumin Fitness, City Cave Float & Wellness Center and Perspire Sauna.

The upcoming 38,000-square-foot Amped Fitness gym at 110 W. Campbell Road in Richardson, Texas, will be Amped’s 25th corporate-owned location, offering a contract-free experience that includes 24/7 access, cardio and strength equipment, instructor-led and virtual group classes, a women’s-only Babe Cave and a Functional Freedom Zone. A recovery space will also be available, with tanning, saunas and HydroMassage beds. 

Hailing from Florida, Amped Fitness, a chain of high-value, low-price (HVLP) clubs, prides itself on providing members with positive vibes underneath its blue mood lighting and special areas designed with fitness content creators in mind. And, unlike many other wallet-friendly fitness memberships, Amped offers childcare for children ages 1-12 — a benefit included in its VIP membership options in select clubs.

The brand recently opened its first Sapphire location in Fort Lauderdale, one of five in the southern region of Florida that is part of its corporate expansion. Sapphire spots take exclusivity a step further with luxury-style amenities, strict enforcement of an 18-and-over age policy and equipment from Core, Amped, Prime, Total Gym and Booty Builder. Amped Fitness also acquired three former YouFit gyms in Florida, rebranding them to its signature “anti-gym culture” look and feel.

As Amped Fitness continues to scale, the fitness club has named its first franchise partners, Matt and Kyana Carrico, who will expand Amped in the Indianapolis area this year. 

The low-cost, high-value fitness franchise will soon offer discounted founder’s rates and a free limited edition founder’s t-shirt during an upcoming two-day-only cyber sale, according to its Instagram page. Amped Fitness locations offer memberships starting at $9.99/month with a capped $26.99 VIP tier.

HVLP gyms have made their mark, especially among fitness consumers battling increasing costs at every turn, notably Gen Z and Millennials. Planet Fitness has seen strong growth among younger fitness enthusiasts, in part due to its High School Summer Pass program.  

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BODi, formerly known as Beachbody, the OG of subscription health and fitness systems, expects positive cash flow in Q1 — the first time since 2020 — following a “transformational” 2023. The company just released its financial earnings, reporting a total revenue of $119.0 million in Q4 of 2024, compared to $148 million in the prior year period. Total revenue for the full year 2023 was $527.1 million, compared to $692.2 million in the prior year.

Despite the seemingly lackluster financial results, BODi’s executive team tells Athletech News they’re bullish on the company’s future, driven by a focus on improving cash flow and leaning into digital fitness and holistic wellness content, including an embrace of GLP-1s.

The company known for its high-energy fitness coaches such as Autumn Calabrese, Shaun T, Tony Horton and Shakeology protein shakes, underwent a major rebrand from Beachbody to BODi last year, adopting a more holistic approach to health and wellness. The move also included a major declaration from Carl Daikeler, the company’s co-founder and CEO: “Beachbody is dead.”

In place of the old and tired diet and fitness industry playbook, Daikeler explained his vision for the future — one in which a positive mindset was woven into the health and fitness experience, combatting what he called a “permanent dissatisfaction” that many consumers experience.

It’s not a quick fix, especially in a highly competitive industry, but BODi is encouraged by early results, including high search traffic volume following its makeover. Reflecting on 2023’s earnings, Daikeler says BODi’s self-described “turnaround plan” has been successful so far, with the company lowering its breakeven point and enhancing its liquidity.

“In 2024, our objective is fostering more profitable revenue streams and sustainable free cash flows, with a renewed focus on reshaping our nutrition business,” Daikeler said. “Our accomplishments in 2023 set the foundation for continued execution of our turnaround in 2024. We expect to have positive cash flow from operating activities and free cash flow in the first quarter.”

BODi has also offloaded its Van Nuys, California, production facility for $6.2 million, using the net proceeds to make a partial prepayment on its $5.5 million term loan.

BODi’s Financial Overhaul

Mark Goldston, executive chairman of BODi’s board of directors, partnered with Daikeler last year to guide the company’s transformation, drive profitability and unlock growth opportunities. He also serves as chairman and CEO of The Goldston Group and is a general partner of Athletic Propulsion Labs, a high-end performance athletic footwear company — lending his expertise to revitalize and reposition BODi back on its fitness throne.

“Since the start of the program, we are on track to achieve over $200 million in fixed costs and CapEx savings in 2024 over 2021, and introduced a more efficient sales and marketing model that aims to deliver a 1,000 (basis points) bps improvement in 2024,” Goldston tells Athletech News. “This dramatically lowers the revenue breakeven for the company. By building operating leverage into the P&L, our dramatically lower cost base has the potential to generate strong incremental profitability when we return to revenue growth.”

Last year, the company also introduced a new “Growth Game Plan” that rewards high-performing network sales partners within its subscription health and fitness system.

King of Fitness Content

Touting its extensive digital fitness library of 134-plus programs with widely-known titles such as P90X, Insanity, 21-Day Fix and Lift More, BODi is leaning into its content offering, having refined its appeal.

“We think of BODi as being the ‘Netflix’ of the digital fitness industry, and we are doing a much better job of leveraging that library,” Goldston said. “That includes creating our first-ever free BODi Previews tool that features over 120 individual workouts and allowing even more consumers to enter into our community.”

Goldston also shared that BODi is expanding its retail and direct marketing business to bring the benefits of its fitness content and nutritional products to a broader audience.

“Our BODi digital fitness app was recently named the #1 workout app last year by CNN Underscored, so we’re being recognized for the impact we’re making for modern fitness consumers,” Goldston said.

Embracing Wellness & Weight Loss Drugs

Unafraid of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, BODi instead sees a significant opportunity. 

“With over 145 million American adults categorized as overweight and more than 75 million of those people considered clinically obese, the TAM for BODi is massive,” Goldston predicts, adding that many people who are considerably overweight may experience difficulty starting an exercise program and are self-conscious about going to a gym. 

“The GLP-1 drug movement is designed to address the 145 million people who are overweight, especially the clinically obese, and we strongly believe that those drugs will unlock a major TAM opportunity for BODi largely because a large group of people will lose enough weight to safely and comfortably consider starting an exercise program in the privacy of their own home,” he continued.

Goldston also referenced the need for GLP-1 users to maintain a healthy eating regimen, which he sees as a major “boon for BODI” in terms of its meal plans and nutritional supplement offerings. 

As for BODi’s fitness content, Goldston pointed out that the platform’s fitness programs can help offset the loss of muscle mass. 

“The GLP-1 drugs have been known to have an adverse effect on lean muscle mass, and therefore, the use of programs like those contained in the BODi library will help reduce the risk of losing lean muscle mass and help people maintain and gain strength while getting their weight under control and improving their overall level of fitness,” he said.

While BODi forges ahead, fortified by its vast digital fitness content and nutritional supplements, Goldston also sees the subscription health and fitness system taking center stage to meet an even bigger trend.

“I believe that the industry has truly embraced a more holistic approach to fitness,” he said. “While there is no easy fix to maintaining a healthy life, there are benefits to a balanced approach. Consumers continue to look for guidance and that is a fundamental core principle of our approach at BODi. At BODi, it’s that balanced approach that makes us unique.”

This article has been updated.

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