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.     Hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks, CSO of ABC Fitness attended HFA 2025 in Las Vegas.     In this LIFTS episode, Matthew and Mo are joined by: ● Kathleen Ferguson, founder and CEO of Coach 360. ● Jarrod Saracco, President/Owner of Health Club Doctor. ● Nicole Dunn, CEO of Dunn Pellier Media, Inc. ● Debra Strougo, Fitness Founder. ● Natalia Karbasova, Founder & CEO of FitTech Club. ● Julian Barnes, Co-Founder and CEO of BFS. ● Jarron Aizen, CEO & Founder of Hapana. ● Ross Campbell, Founder & CEO at Beyond Activ. ● Jolin Ma, COO at Beyond Activ.   This episode covers: ● Challenges in emerging markets. ● Community building through industry events and gatherings. ● AI's role in fitness-enhancing efficiency but not replacing human connection. ● The value of community and diverse perspectives in the fitness industry. ● Women's strength training trends and the rise of female-focused equipment. ● Growing focus on women's health needs in fitness and media.   To learn more about HFA, click here: https://hub.healthandfitness.org/hfa-show ====================================================== 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/   0:00 Intro 1:33 Kathleen Ferguson, founder and CEO of Coach 360 9:47 Jarrod Saracco, President/Owner of Health Club Doctor 21:01 Nicole Dunn and Debra Strougo 33:11 Natalia Karbasova, Founder & CEO of FitTech Club 44:38 Intro to Athletech News cocktail party 44:50 Jolin Ma and Ross Campbell of Beyond Activ 58:51 Julian Barnes and Jarron Aizen

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, CSO of ABC Fitness attended HFA 2025 in Las Vegas.  In this LIFTS episode, Matthew and Mo are joined by Finn Hegarty, Chief Product Officer, ABC Fitness and Mike Hansen, Chief Growth Officer, SweatWorks. Taking to the floor of the show, they discuss what they have seen at this year’s event and the key messages and themes within the fitness industry today.  This episode covers: Wellness and Recovery Trends: Cold plunge to Red light therapy. Shifting from fitness to wellness. Recovery is becoming a primary fitness focus, not just exercise. AI is revolutionizing fitness through data-driven personalization. Women’s fitness equipment represents a significant market opportunity. To learn more about ABC Fitness, click here: https://abcfitness.com/ To learn more about HFA, click here: https://hub.healthandfitness.org/hfa-show ====================================================== 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 01:00 Wellness Trends Exploration 03:50 Equipment and Innovation Landscape 06:45 Technology and AI in Fitness 09:50 Measuring Member Progress 12:30 Industry Standout Moments 15:37 Closing Reflections

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 Jeff Zwiefel, Executive Director of MIORA Longevity & Performance at Life Time.   This episode covers: Longevity and healthspan focus. Consumer empowerment in health. Evolution of personal trainer roles. Lifetime's "healthy way of life" concept. MIORA: Lifetime's longevity program. Challenges in implementing longevity services. Democratizing recovery across market segments. Premium pricing for value-added services. Scaling and staffing recovery services. To learn more about Life Time, click here: https://www.lifetime.life/ 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 04:56 Consumer and Business Perspectives on Longevity 07:02 Consumer Empowerment and Personalisation 10:11 Role of Personal Trainers in Longevity 11:55 Lifetime’s Evolution and Philosophy  17:10 Lifetime’s Longevity and Performance Program 21:06 Challenges and Learnings in Longevity Programs 24:02 Democratizing Longevity and Recovery  32:22 Managing Membership Prices and Value Addition  37:51 Staffing and Scaling Recovery and Rejuvenation Services

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 Dan Summerson, Managing Director of Everlast Gyms at Frasers Group.  This episode covers: Dan's career progression to Everlast. Everlast's hybrid fitness model. Focus on younger demographics. Modern environment and social media impact. Innovation and open culture. Wearables and data integration. Boutique experience in big box settings. Leadership approach and organizational dynamics To learn more about Everlast Gyms, click here: https://www.everlastgyms.com/ 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 05:55 Transition to Everlast and Hybrid Model 08:52 Economic Model and Retail Integration 19:32 Membership and Market Segmentation 23:53 Innovation and Relevance 27:29 Wearables and Data Integration 30:37 Future Vision and Strategic Planning 33:21 Building a Boutique Experience in a Big Box Gym 36:16 Leadership and Team Dynamics

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 Gabby Reece, Podcast Host and Keynote Speaker. This episode covers:  Gabby Reece's career transition and challenges for women in the industry. Evolution of women's health and fitness awareness. Addressing needs of men vs. women in fitness. Role of technology vs. intuition in training. Developing self-awareness through practices like pool training and breathing. Gabby's holistic wellness approach (mindfulness, sunlight, nutrition, sleep). Practical tips on stress management and integrating healthy habits. 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 02:40 Pathway to Women’s Health and Fitness  05:54 Addressing the Needs of Men and Women in Fitness  09:20 The Role of Technology and Intuition in Training  16:31 Developing Intuition and Self-Awareness through Training  25:15 Holistic Approach to Wellness and Mindfulness 28:35 The Importance of Sunlight and Nutrition 30:07 Sleep Hygiene and Recovery Techniques

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In Part 2 of this LIFTS podcast, recorded live at the Connected Health & Fitness Summit event in Los Angeles, our hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks sit down with four industry disruptors.  Please welcome to this podcast: Michael Susi, Director of Global Wellness at LinkedIn. Troy Casey, the "Certified Health Nut." Sam O'Keefe, Co-Founder & CEO at Flex. Shane McCarthy, SVP Digital Product & Marketing at [solidcore]. In this episode, we delve into a wide range of topics, including: ‘The six tenets’ of wellness. Utilizing wellness to create motivation. Wellness in the corporate space. Getting back to nature. What opportunities do FSA and HSA programs present to gyms? How can consumers and gyms benefit from integrated FSA and HSA programs? The value in data-driven decisions, customer journey mapping, and integrating in-studio experiences with marketing. Building community. Challenges and threats facing operators. 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/   0:00 Intro 0:52 Michael Susi | LinkedIn 14:51 Troy Casey | the "Certified Health Nut" 34:19 Sam OKeefe | Flex 1:06:14 Shane McCarthy | [solidcore]

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 2025 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 part 1 of this podcast episode, Matthew and Mo interviewed: Eric Bormel, Director, Consumer Healthtech at Solomon Partners. Gavin Jennings, CEO at C.H.E.K Institute. Lauren Pufpaf, President and Co-founder at Feed Media Group + Jeff Yasuda, Founder and CEO. Natalie Barnes, VP of Product Management & Product Design at Zumba. In this episode, we dive into a wide range of topics, including: Shifts in the fitness tech industry, from inflated expectations to enlightenment. Challenges in the fitness industry (high failure rates, lack of personalization). Music's impact on wellness. Consumer preferences for music in fitness. Zumba's origin and evolution. Zumba's use of AI for data analysis and personalization. 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/   0:00 Intro 1:48 Eric Bormel | Solomon Partners 14:07 Gavin Jennings | C.H.E.K Institute 28:19 Lauren Pufpaf & Jeff Yasuda | Feed fm 44:39 Natalie Barnes | Zumba

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 Troy Taylor, VP of Performance Innovation at Tonal.  This LIFTS episode covers: Tonal's State of Strength Report findings. Appeal to older adults in strength training. Tonal's business strategy and market position. Potential integration with traditional gyms. Addressing common strength training challenges. Effective strength training methods. Insights from the Tonal Training Lab. To learn more about Tonal, click here: https://www.tonal.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 03:56 Troy Taylor’s Background and Tonal’s Strength Training Report 09:58 Tonal’s Business Strategy and Market Position 16:27 Active Aging and Community in Fitness 21:29 Merging Home Fitness with Brick-and-Mortar Gyms 24:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Strength Training 28:59 Effective Strength Training Strategies

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 Tori Johnston, President of goGLOW. This LIFTS episode covers: The evolution of the tanning industry. Business models in the beauty service sector. Consumer demographics and market trends in beauty services. Pricing and competitiveness in luxury personal care. Work-life balance for entrepreneurs. Eco-friendly and health-conscious approaches to beauty services. To learn more about goGLOW, click here: https://goglow.co/ ====================================================== 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/   0:00 Intro 01:13 Evolution of the Tanning Industry 03:20 Health and Skincare Considerations 05:23 Business Model and Franchise Strategy 07:03 Unit Economics and Franchise Visibility 16:38 Consumer Demographics and Market Positioning 19:12 Pricing and Market Competitiveness 22:08 Work-Life Balance and Entrepreneurship

This week on the Escape Your Limits podcast, we're bringing you a special midweek episode. We took the podcast to Fit Expo in Los Angeles, California, where we connected with industry leaders and explored cutting-edge ideas shaping the future of fitness. During our time at the show, we interviewed some of the leading experts and athletes including: Guy Cisternino Jr., 7x IFBB Pro Champ  @GuyCisternino Martins Licis, World's Strongest Man, 2019  @MartinsLicis Jon Kodak, Body Architect/Stretch Artist/Entrepreneur/Actor - Instagram @worldofkodak Billy Reilich, Competitive Bodybuilder - Instagram @billreilich Joe Ventress,  @Stillswolejv Mark Harley, Fitness Coach  @HellaMarkHarley Keone Pearson, 2x 212 Mr. Olympia  @keone_prodigy1 Lola Montez, IFBB Figure Pro 5x Olympian - Instagram @fit_lolamontez Lexi Lutz, Bikini Competitor  @lexinicolex  In this episode, we dive into a wide range of topics, including: Latest trends in equipment, training, nutrition, and social media. Training Styles – From stone lifting to joint-friendly methods, with a focus on effective equipment. Nutrition and Supplements – Diverse diets, from high-protein to vegan, plus key supplements. Social Media Influence – Fitness figures use platforms for education, engagement, and transparency. Beyond Bodybuilding – Athletes explore jujitsu, boxing, and new competition goals. Coaching & Learning – Experts, podcasts, and coaches are essential for progress. To learn more about Fit Expo, click here: https://thefitexpo.com/  ====================================================== 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 0:55 Guy Cisternino Jr., 7x IFBB Pro Champ 8:27 Martins Licis, World's Strongest Man, 2019 10:33 Billy Reilich, Competitive Bodybuilder 12:09 Joe Ventress 17:50 Jon Kodak, Body Architect/Stretch Artist/Entrepreneur/Actor 19:46 Mark Harley, Fitness Coach 29:06 Lola Montez, IFBB Figure Pro 5x Olympian 37:07 Keone Pearson, 2x 212 Mr. Olympia 40:02 Lexi Lutz, Bikini Competitor