Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

In this engaging conversation, Mohammed Iqbal, the Founder and CEO of Sweatworks, shares his vision for the fitness industry transformed by AI. He discusses how AI can personalize workouts and enhance gym management. Iqbal emphasizes the necessity for fitness businesses to embrace technology to stay relevant. He dives into the importance of data collection, the evolution of AI applications, and how personalized AI trainers could revolutionize the way people approach fitness. Get ready for a fascinating look into the future of health and wellness!

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Sophie Lawler, one of the most recognized CEO’s in the fitness industry whose name is synonymous with the recent success of multisite brand, Total Fitness. Sophie joined Total Fitness as CEO in 2018 after gaining the bulk of her fitness management experience at multisite middle market operator, Fitness First. Having successfully steered Total Fitness through the pandemic, the brand is financially strong, turning a significant profit for the first time since 2015. With a £6.5 million load recently awarded by OakNorth Bank to invest facility improvements, the brand is going from strength to strength. During her time as CEO, Sophie has built the brand on the belief that ‘everyone is better when they’re fitter’ whilst developing and implementing a leadership culture that flows through all levels of the business. In this episode, Sophie talks about: · Addressing the training needs of women. · The ‘secret’ formula on which Total Fitness was originally built. · Steering the company through COVID and driving the business forwards. · Creating a successful business through cultural leadership. · The role of technology. · The impact of social media on gym behaviors.  ====================================================== Subscribe to our 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 catalogue: https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  ====================================================== 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/  

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Jarrod Saracco, an industry veteran who at the age of 17 gained his first accreditation as a PT and by 18, had established himself as the youngest medical exercise specialist in the United States, specializing in pre and post rehab. In 2020, Jarrod became COO of World Gym International, responsible for the commercial and operational success of 225 facilities across 15 countries. Whilst in this role he continued to grow his full-service Health Club Doctor consultancy brand. Today, Jarrod’s work takes him all over the world, working directly with club operators to maximize profits and accelerate business growth, as well as sharing his experience and insights via keynote speeches at international conferences and trade shows. Today, Jarrod Saracco talks about: ● A controversial fitness industry news story hitting the headlines ● The importance of having tough conversations in order to drive change  ● Both the generational and cultural shift taking place within fitness  ● The positive, and negative role media can play in ‘PR-ing’ the industry  ● The fear of voicing an opinion in case of criticism  ● The power of gym culture ● The power our industry has to impact change This is a thought-provoking conversation and we'd love your thoughts on it. To learn more about Jarrod Saracco, click here: https://www.healthclubdoctor.com/   #escapefitness #escapeyourlimits #jarrodsaracco #fitnessindustry #media #socialmedia #gymculture #strengthtraining #femalefitness   

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is one of the fitness industry’s most recognizable and influential contributors, David Stalker. As CEO of Myzone EMEA, president of EuropeActive and with a seat on the council for the World Active Forum, there are very few individuals serving the industry with a deeper understanding and experience of the global fitness market. Formerly, CEO of UKactive and Chairman of CIMSPA (The Chartered Institute For The Management of Sport and Physical Activity), Stalker has played an instrumental role in the growth and development of the UK fitness industry, laying the foundations of an industry that is now contributing a record high £5 billion to the UK economic and employing a workforce of more than 600,000 people. Known for his outspoken willingness to challenge the norm and push the boundaries of what is possible, Stalker joined us at the 2023 Escape Growth Summit to share his views on: · The need for the industry to transition its mind set from fitness provider to health delivery partner. · The power of ‘community.' · Evidencing success through data. · People of determination. · Top criteria for choosing a gym. · The power of engagement (through tracking and gamification).   Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when its published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop    ======================================================   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/escape-fitness  

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, we debate the shifting trends of gym design with industry experts Candace Pettit from Advantage Sport & Fitness, Edgars Bercis from G-Fitness, Gina Kerstye from AKI Fitness in Dubai, Yaw Mograbi from Watertree in Ghana and Mohammed Shammaa and Osama Aoun from Delta Fitness in Saudi Arabia. Discussing what each expert is noticing across their individual markets, and placing predictions for future trends of note, this podcast highlights: Increased fitness consultancy at the architectural design stage. The shift from traditional cardio to free weights and functional. The rise of the corporate gym for workforce wellbeing.  Why trainers are essential to promoting community.  An increase in women training in gym spaces. The fitness boom taking Dubai by storm.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when its published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness 

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Oliver Patrick, a leading lifestyle management expert and physiologist who is reengineering traditional health screening models into a contemporary lifestyle medicine approach.  Patrick has spent years developing and delivering advanced health assessments, firstly for Nuffield Hospitals where he led the largest team of applied physiologists, wellbeing advisors and nutritionists in the UK and later for Viavi, a Harley Street based company he co-founded in 2009.  Patrick also co-founded the first lifestyle medicine gym, runs a corporate wellbeing consultancy service and owns a unique education platform, designed for the fitness sector, that drives practical coaching skills in all aspects of lifestyle. In today’s podcast, recorded at the 2023 Escape Fitness Growth Summit, Patrick explores: The limitations of traditional health screening models. The benefits of a lifestyle medicine approach to wellbeing. Defining the term ‘lifestyle’. The product marketplace driving the treatment of dysfunctional symptoms. The commercial benefits of gyms supporting people across their whole wellbeing journey. A new approach to corporate wellbeing. Subscribe to our channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when its published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness  Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop  

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, our guest is Roy Simonson. Whilst he may not be a household name, there are few gym-users who would not have seen or trained on equipment he designed or inspired. Roy revolutionalized the fitness industry with his game-changing strength equipment innovations. Firstly, when in his early twenties, Roy sold his company, Eagle Fitness, to CYBEX, where as Head of Product Development, he introduced its highly acclaimed VR and VR2 lines and launched more than 100 new strength and cardio products. Fast forward to 1999 and his cable-based weight stack machines, designed by his own company Ground Zero Designs, later renamed Freemotion Fitness, made it possible to train in multiple planes. This effectively launched the concept and application of ‘functional training’ to the masses. Since then, Roy has gone on to design for other major equipment brand including Resolute and Eleiko. Alongside has professional success, Roy has enjoyed 30 years of competitive single speed track cycling, racing on a bike he designed himself. Roy has very little interest in self-promotion which is why you won’t find him on social media.   Today, Roy Simonson talks about: ·       How strength training products designed for CYBEX ended Nautilus’ market dominance. ·       Creating machines that drive health, mobility, activity and fitness. ·       The inspiration behind Hammer Strength. ·       The launch of CYBEX’s best-selling VR & VR2 lines. ·       The lack of good education in the industry. ·       Snowboarding and how it inspired the design of Freemotion’s cable machines. ·       Trends and predictions.   S    Subscribe to our channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness    

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, our guest is David Mariani, a Strength & Conditioning Coach for ATG (Athletic Truth Group), who has trained thousands of people around the world, with his main purpose to help get them pain-free.    David currently trains athletes in the NBA, NFL and MLB as well as pro’s around the world. He’s worked with individuals from age 6 up to 86, as well as working with many Doctors, Physical Therapists, Trainers and Coaches by training and educating them in ATG methodologies. Today, David Mariani talks about:  The benefits of training backwards. The importance of leaning into discomfort. The emotional and psychological toll of injuries. Best practice for training specific muscle groups.  Dealing with top athletes where mistakes are costly.  Rebuilding the ability to pain free.  To learn more about David Mariani, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mariani-1b4847bb/ Subscribe to our channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when its published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness 

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, our guest is David Minton, Founder of The Leisure Database Company, leading specialists in the leisure sector, offering key market intelligence and analysis across the fitness industry.  The annual State of the UK Fitness Industry Report that The Leisure Database Company creates, audits the fitness space to provide an insightful overview of the ‘state of play’ and help businesses and individuals gather valuable intelligence needed to make key decisions. Now nicknamed the ‘Daddy of Data’, Minton is recognised as one of the most insightful experts in the fitness space, a sought-after speaker who uses his expert industry knowledge to help businesses make key decisions and gain competitive advantage. Today, David Minton shares insights from this year’s report including:  Why the industry is worth more than ever before. The importance of personalistaion. The boom of the luxury sector. The impact of Covid, inflation and energy prices. The need to collaborate and communicate in order to change. Why the industry undervalues what it provides. To learn more about David Minton, click here: https://www.leisuredb.com/david-minton    Subscribe to our channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when its published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness  Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/escape-fitness   

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, our guest is Billy Blanks, Inventor of Tae Bo, a martial arts-focused fitness programme that became one of the most successful home workout programmes in history.  Now taught worldwide, many Hollywood stars have utilised Tae Bo techniques at the Billy Blanks studio and Billy himself has starred in a number of films and TV shows, becoming a celebrity in his own right. Since then, Billy has become a keen businessman, extending his fitness offering, nurturing industry partnerships and in May this year, Billy hit the road again for a Tae Bo tour of America.  Today, Billy Blanks shares all about: What it takes to be a rockstar trainer  Tae Bo as a lifestyle, not a trend Why you should never use choreography Creating community with your team and members  Why having dyslexia made him live in fear when he was younger How to put on your daily power Winning the hearts and minds of your clients  To learn more about Billy Blanks, click here: https://www.instagram.com/billyblanksofficial1/?hl=en  Subscribe to our channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when its published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness  Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rIYVodUk6C8   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/escape-fitness