Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. This week, Matthew and Mo dive deep into the evolving landscape of fitness tech. From the exploding smart ring market and wearables like Oura, Ultrahuman, and Bond, to the rise of sleep-focused products like AGZ and Athletic Greens, we examine what's real, what's hype, and how to stay ahead. We also cover EOS Fitness's billion-dollar acquisition and what it means for the future of budget-friendly premium gyms. Don't miss this engaging breakdown of what's next in fitness, tech, and wellness. ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   0:00 – Intro & Mo’s Harvard Update 2:00 – Matthew’s BrainTap Experience 5:30 – The Smart Ring Revolution 13:15 – ECG and Glucose Monitoring in Wearables 18:30 – Sleep Supplements: Innovation or Repackaging? 24:00 – EOS Fitness’s Billion Dollar Buyout 31:00 – The Rise of Interactive Strength 36:00 – OpenAI, Johnny Ive & the Next iPhone? 40:00 – Final Takeaways

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. Today, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks, are joined by Julian Barnes, Co-founder and CEO of BFS. Julian unpacks critical trends shaping boutique fitness—like the explosive growth of Pilates studios, the impact of tariffs on equipment pricing, and the secrets behind the most profitable studios. If you're a studio owner, investor, or just passionate about the business of fitness, this is an essential listen packed with actionable insights. This LIFTS episode covers: The power of hiring a full-time manager. Studio profitability benchmarks and benchmarks. Tariffs, supply chains, and pricing strategy. The growing role of experience in member retention. Why Pilates is outperforming other modalities. To learn more about the 2024 BFS State of the Industry Report, click here: https://main.bfsnetwork.com/state-of-the-industry-report Use discount code "LIFTS" to get $50.00 off your copy of the report.  ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Welcome Back to LIFTS 02:00 Introducing Julian Barnes 03:30 The BFS Network & State of the Industry 05:10 Breaking News: Exponential Fitness & Sequel 08:45 Studio-Level Performance vs Portfolio Models 11:20 The Impact of Tariffs on Equipment Imports 16:15 Rethinking Global Manufacturing Strategies 19:40 How Operators Can Sell Outcomes, Not Features 21:00 Profitable Studios Have One Key Role… 24:00 Trainer vs. CEO: What Studio Owners Must Become 27:30 FER: Find, Enroll, Retain 30:00 Aggregators like ClassPass: Help or Hindrance? 33:00 Pilates Is Booming—Here’s Why 37:00 What Actually Works in Boutique Fitness 42:00 Raise Prices, Raise Value 45:00 Takeaways: Fundamentals Over Fads 48:30 Disney-Level Client Experience? Why It Matters 50:00 Wrap-up & How to Get the Report

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. Today, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks, are joined by Dr. Jonathan Leary, Founder and CEO of Remedy Place, to explore some of the most talked-about and most unconventional wellness trends shaping the future of health and fitness. This LIFTS episode covers: Unconventional wellness practices like mouth taping and jawline exercises. Benefits and proper approach to cold therapy. The concept behind Remedy Place, a social wellness club. Importance of human connection for health and longevity. Potential impact of AI and technology on healthcare. Advocacy for holistic health approaches combining traditional and alternative medicine. To learn more about the Remedy Place, click here: https://www.remedyplace.com/ ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at marketing@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Introduction 02:43 Dr. Jonathan Leary’s Unconventional Routines 05:43 Cold Therapy and Its Benefits 10:21 The Vision Behind Remedy Place 13:20 The Role of Human Connection in Health 25:40 The Future of Health and Technology

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.   Host Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness attended FIBO in Cologne, Germany, joined by guest co-host Grace McNamara, Partnerships Director EMEA at Elfie.   In part 2 of this episode, Matthew and Grace are joined by: Igor Krezić, Founder & CEO of Rolla. Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool. Marco Stefano Guiducci, VP International Sales at EGym. This episode covers: Redefining longevity as quality of life rather than just extended lifespan. Democratizing the term "athlete" to include everyday people of all abilities. Leveraging AI to provide personalized health and fitness recommendations. Implementing proper cold therapy protocols with individual customization. Using gamification to increase engagement in health and fitness activities. Industry responsibility in providing accessible, evidence-based education. To learn more about FIBO, click here: https://www.fibo.com ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at marketing@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Intro 03:35 Defining Longevity 06:03 The Role of Athletes and Everyday Habits 15:38 Gamification and Community 19:10 Cold Therapy and Personalisation 32:00 Education and Responsibility

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. Hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mohammed Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks attended FIBO in Cologne, Germany. (correct location?) In part 1 of this episode, Matthew and Mohammed are joined by: Gregory Gird, Marketing Manager of Octiv Grace McNamara, Partnerships Direcetor EMEA at Elfie Klaus Mueller, CEO at Wictory.ai This episode covers: Importance of data quality for effective AI implementation. Evidence-based AI development and addressing historical bias in research data. Privacy concerns, data governance, and building consumer trust. Data sovereignty and regional compliance considerations. AI's potential to accelerate personalised healthcare and fitness recommendations. Strategic partnerships to enhance AI capabilities. To learn more about FIBO, click here: https://www.fibo.com ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at marketing@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Intro 06:14 AI and Generative AI in Practical Perspectives 12:19 Challenges and Ethical Considerations in AI Implementation 24:02 Privacy, Compliance, and Consumer Trust in AI 38:09 Future Trends and Exciting AI Applications

Tim Gray, Founder & CEO of The Health Optimisation Summit, shares his transformative journey into biohacking after facing health challenges. He discusses the explosive growth of the biohacking industry, advocating for fundamental health practices over trendy supplements. Tim critiques traditional healthcare, pushing for personalized, data-driven health decisions. He also explores unconventional biohacking methods and emphasizes the pivotal role of sleep in optimizing health. By blending personal stories with practical insights, he paves the way for a more informed approach to wellness.

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. Hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks attended EHFF 2025 in Cologne, Germany. In part 2 of this episode, Matthew and Mo are joined by: Michelle Dand, Head of Fitness Product and Programming of David Lloyd. Benjamin Roth, Co-Founder and CEO of Urban Sports Club. Jim Pisani, CEO and Board Member of Life Fitness Hammer Strength. David Stalker, Ambassador for EuropeActive.   This episode covers: Evolution of branded group fitness programming at premium clubs in response to boutique competition. The rise of budget boutique fitness concepts in Europe and their rapid scaling approach. Equipment manufacturing strategy and the renewed focus on both cardio and strength equipment. Impact of global political climate and tariffs on fitness equipment production and pricing. The industry's decade-long transition from fitness-focused to health-focused approaches. The importance of offering multiple fitness modalities to meet diverse consumer preferences. To learn more about EHFF, click here: https://www.europeactive.eu/ ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at marketing@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Intro 02:36 David Lloyd’s Response to Market Trends 05:00 Challenges and Lessons from Standalone Boutiques 07:28 Budget Boutique Market and Its Impact 27:58 Life Fitness and Hammer Strength’s Evolution 41:35 Impact of Global Political Climate on Business 49:37 David Stalker’s Reflections on Industry Growth 50:55 Mentorship and Advisory Roles 52:09 Future of the Fitness Industry

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.   Hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks attended EHFF 2025 in Cologne, Germany.   In part 1 of this LIFTS episode, Matthew and Mo are joined by: Herman Rutgers, Ambassador at EuropeActive Stefan Ludwig, Partner, Leiter Sport Business Gruppe at Deloitte Deutschland Elaine Jobson, CEO and MD of Jetts Australia Conor O'Loughlin, Chief Revenue Officer of ABC Fitness Mike Escobedo, Chief Customer Officer, ABC Fitness   This episode covers: European fitness market growth and trends, highlighting mergers, acquisitions, and membership increases. Consumer behaviour shifts towards hybrid fitness, mental health awareness, and holistic wellness approaches. Deloitte's comprehensive market report revealing key performance indicators and industry insights. Impact of emerging technologies and personalization in fitness experiences. International market expansion strategies and challenges for fitness brands. Future fitness trends focusing on Gen Z and Gen Alpha expectations, technology integration, and comprehensive health solutions.   To learn more about EHFF, click here: https://www.europeactive.eu/ ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at marketing@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Intro 02:40 Consumer Behaviour and Mental Health 05:33 Deloitte's European Market Report 08:43 Key KPIs and Market Expansion 13:02 Consumer Fragmentation and Market Opportunities 19:01 Supply Side Fragmentation and Innovation 24:24 Jetts Fitness Market Strategy 31:40 Challenges and Opportunities in Franchising 35:41 Member Experience and Future Trends 39:08 ABC Fitness's International Expansion  

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.  Hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks attended PerformX 2025.  In this LIFTS episode, Matthew and Mo are joined by Richard Boyd, Director or Global Wellness Designs. This episode covers: COVID-19's impact on personal training industry. Shift in trainer authority due to increased consumer knowledge. Balancing technology and human connection in PT. AI integration in program design and PT's evolving role. Expanding PT roles and compensation models. Social media and influencers' effect on PT industry. Trend towards comprehensive wellness services in gyms. To learn more about Richard Boyd, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-boyd-44034339/ To learn more about PerformX Live, click here: https://performx-live.com/ ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at marketing@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Intro 02:55 Shift in Trainer Authority and Consumer Education 04:35 Technology and Human Connection in Personal Training 06:41 Future of Personal Training and AI Integration 07:31 Challenges and Opportunities in Personal Training Education 12:06 Compensation and Role Evolution for Personal Trainers 15:57 Impact of Social Media and Influencers on PT Industry 20:00 Adapting PT Models to Meet Consumer Needs 25:12 The Role of Empathy and Assessment in PT 30:03 GLP-1 and Its Impact on PT Industry

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. Hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks attended Connected Health & Fitness Summit event in Los Angeles.  Thank you to our sponsor, Flex (withflex.com) of these LIFTS episodes. Flex is the holistic solution for accepting HSA/FSA. They work with their partners to navigate the regulatory and compliance landscape.  In this LIFTS episode, Matthew and Mo are joined by Carl Daikeler, CEO of The Beachbody Company.   This episode covers: Beachbody's founding and early successes. Transition from VHS to digital subscriptions. Creating effective, results-driven fitness programs. Developing "Super Trainers" and 90-day program structures. Disrupting lifestyle priorities. Challenges of digital and subscription models. Adapting to changing demographics. Shift from multi-level marketing to direct-to-consumer. Engaging different generations.   To learn more about BODi, click here: https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/   To learn more about the Connected Health & Fitness Summit, click here: https://connectedhealthandfitness.com ====================================================== Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at marketing@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop View our full catalog: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US) https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)  ====================================================== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/   00:00 Intro 03:14 Evolution of Beachbody and Digital Transformation 04:56 Challenges and Lessons Learnt in the Fitness Industry 07:42 Developing Super Trainers and Program Structure 12:33 Disrupting Lifestyles and Priorities 14:56 Challenges of Going Digital Subscription Models 21: 35 Adapting to Changing Demographics and Preferences 44:36 Transitioning from Multi-Level Marketing to Direct-to-Consumer 50:26 Personal Health and Wellness Habits