Escape Your Limits & LIFTS

It's time that we spark up some debate between fitness industry leaders! As IHRSA is when the world of fitness comes together, what better time to discover fitness trends, the future of what boutique will become over the coming years, and how other sectors of the industry will react? Our guests this week have a combined 80 years in business and entrepreneurship. The biggest question we want answered? Has the boutique fitness industry peaked? Let's find out. Video Version - YouTube David Collignon, senior VP Blink Fitness Consistency in marketing, branding, and reaching out to people who may not have felt comfortable approaching big box gyms in the past. Josh Leve, founder and CEO of Association of Fitness Studios Ways in which the industry can make fitness a lifestyle, instead of just an activity of coming in to a location and working out. Dave Wright, creator and CEO of Myzone Reasons why boutiques as a buzzword is not sustainable, but gym experience anywhere is about group training, functional training and a frictionless experience with the advancement of technology. Emma Barry, former director of group programming and group exercise at Equinox Why the fitness industry hasn't been engaging enough over the years, even to the point of taking things for granted, and how boutiques as we know them today have brought a high emotional element to their service. Steve Vlchek, co-founder of Workout Bar How important experience is in fitness boutiques – that's about activity in and out of the gym, along with how to create community within everything that an operator does. Blink Fitness With 80+ locations, with franchise opportunities and plans for plenty more, Blink's USP is to bring a feel good experience with luxury at a value price. David Collignon joined Blink in 2016 and currently serves as SVP of operations. AFS The Association of Fitness Studios aims to support industry operators in changing lives, providing resources, expertise and education for any fitness business. Coming from fitness industry royalty (including his dad, the founder of IHRSA), Josh Leve has been behind AFS from the ground up. Myzone Wearable technology company Myzone shouts about the use of tech to help people feel good about exercise. Creator and CEO, Dave Wright, launched the company in 2011 and has been pioneering gym member engagement ever since. Equinox Fitness training, PT and studios that inspire you to perform, Equinox offers unlimited group fitness, luxury amenities and exceptional services. Formerly the director of group fitness programming, Emma Barry has a wealth of insight on what makes a successful fitness experience. Workout Bar Leading the way in what they call social fitness, Workout Bar in San Diego combines a high energy fitness program, utilising the latest in wearable technology along with lighting and immersive sound. On top of that, there's more to the social scene outside the gym walls, too. Steve Vlcheck is innovating in the space as one of Workout Bar's passionate directors. Episode highlights - What effect boutique fitness has had on the industry, how these changes have been seen in other industries and which sectors lead the charge. Why experience is key and how boutique studios can tailor their service to specific niches and needs of clients who pay Why buying into high emotional elements and hyperpersonalisation is only going to get more of an appealing offering for consumers. How being able to have control and pivot is a key factor to the success of boutique fitness spaces compared to big box gyms. What created the rise of the health club and why the boutique system is / isn't sustainable over the traditional big box gym. How boutiques have been around for years, and what's different now that's causing their popularity. Why financial decisions between pay per visit and EFT can make a huge difference in the longevity of a boutique business. How, while yield per square foot is vital, it's equally important to consider the experience outside of the gym space as well as in it. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with the IHRSA boutique fitness expert panel…

George Foreman III may be the son of the two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, but it's the business lessons he's carried forward from family more than anything. Today, George feels passion for both boxing and business, with foresight and fortune of an entrepreneur. In this episode, we get a lesson in discipline and putting your ego aside. Watch the full episode on YouTube George "Monk" Foreman III says that it was always weird watching his dad on TV, but the fight game didn't get in the way of family life, as his dad gave his kids all the attention they needed and more. George's own boxing career saw him go 16-0 as a heavyweight, with 15 knockouts. Managed by his father, he spent training time learning how to grind and never give up, dragging vehicles and performing functional fitness movements such as digging and chopping wood. This not only gave George Foreman III his endurance and strength for the ring, but taught him determination and perseverance for his entrepreneurial journey, too. George Foreman III has always been driven by a passion for boxing in business, ever since his father's instruction to run the combat element of his own training space. In 2014, George opened EverybodyFights. He'd done his research. Boston was number one city in the nation for percentage of the population with a gym membership. It was also number three in terms of average price paid per membership. Looking into break even points, George's findings meant that his vision and business plan for a boxing gym made total sense. EverybodyFights has opened five new locations since 2014. New York, Boston, Kentucky, Chicago, and Philadelphia in 2019. Visit everybodyfights.com and unleash your inner fighter. Episode Highlights Learn ways to ensure that nothing or nobody can push you as hard as you're willing to push yourself. How to avoid imitation over authenticity in any entrepreneurial venture. Make your decisions based on the belief that your vision is going to work out. Give your brain the opportunity to be creative enough so you can execute your vision, regardless of your situation. Why doing your research on the competition is important before any business venture, even to the point of where George Foreman III physically ran to and toured every location in Boston to see what he was up against. The importance of real estate insight before you even think about what you'd like to do in the building itself. Hear the reasons why you're supposed to quit. Why nobody else does what's needed with an innovative venture, and what you need to get through it. The best way to market and why it's about authenticity and not just advertising to any particular cultural division, nationality, gender or age group. Make it real. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with George Foreman III…

Do you know your HIIT from your SMIT training? Fitness studios offer every niche of wellbeing. At ukactive's Sweat event, we talk to operators at the top of their game for a great understanding of what a boutique offering truly is, and what's to come. The Escape Your Limits boutique fitness expert panel: Jason Tubbs, MD of Another Space Olivia Brafman, head of business at Ministry of Sound Fitness Michelle Dand, group health and fitness manager at David Lloyd Steve Scales, director of client services at ukactive Watch the full episode on YouTube – Jason Tubbs, MD of Another Space Joined a panel at Sweat discussing whether the boutique sector has reached saturation, and what the future holds. Olivia Brafman, head of business at Ministry of Sound Fitness How to understand the journey you're being taken on in other experience-led industries, and why this works in the boutique fitness market. Michelle Dand, group health and fitness manager at David Lloyd How gyms and chains can learn from the boutique market to avoid complacency. Steve Scales, director of client services at ukactive How ukactive use Sweat and other events in driving the value of physical activity by supporting boutiques and informing decisions. Sweat is a thought leadership event connecting forward-thinking brands, startups, influencers and investors in boutique fitness. With the boutique sector rapidly growing in prominence, Sweat delivers cutting edge data insights, implementable business knowledge and will motivate and inspire. Guests, panel members, speakers and host include representatives and operators from leading fitness companies and bodies such as ukactive, Another Space, Ministry of Sound Fitness, David Lloyd, Escape Fitness and more. Episode highlights How complementary branding or processes can help a boutique space (or vice versa with a traditional gym) and why it's still important to have stand-alone brand perceptions externally. What the membership trends in boutiques are evolving to, and why the pay as you go/unlimited monthly offerings are switching between business models. Hear about the challenges of acquiring the best employees, and why boutiques are more about the performance than the personal training. How to pivot from a completely different industry into fitness and why transitions from the music industry, for example, have been so successful in boutiques. How to centre a fitness experience about the sound, and why nightclub culture is leading the way in boutique studio success. Growth strategies for the coming years and how transatlantic business can influence each other through embracing trends. How to positively introduce evolution and development to a member base that may fear change. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with boutique fitness experts from the ukactive Sweat event…

Descendant of fitness industry royalty, Josh Leve is the founder and CEO of the Association of Fitness Studios. An expert in strategic development, he helps thousands of individuals and businesses all over the world. Watch the full episode on YouTube Josh is the third generation of family members starting a fitness association, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who started the National Court Clubs Association and his father who started IHRSA. He had a background in the management side of fitness studios, scaling and improving health clubs through consulting, advertising, marketing and more. When it came to AFS, Josh embraced his entrepreneurial drive and acted on a big opportunity. The Association of Fitness Studios is made up of a team of people all over the USA. Through combined experience and input from all its members, AFS as a body has become an expert in maximising space and experience for clients. Josh Leve views everything he does with AFS from the pathway of a trainer just starting out their entrepreneurial journey, ensuring that it always has member needs at heart. AFS is the direct link between studio owners, suppliers, fitness professionals, certifying organisations, and consumers – connecting all segments of this vibrant industry. Its benchmarking reports are renowned for an accurate view of what's happening in fitness, and SUCCEED! is the association's major event dedicated to current and aspiring studio and gym operators of all disciplines. Episode highlights: How boutiques and fitness studios have evolved, with trainers, artists and performers progressing into entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Learn the pitfalls of starting your own business, what effect clients can have on the decision and what alternatives there are if entrepreneurship doesn't work out for you. How to define a boutique, and what differentiates them from any other gym set up. The importance of a high-touch, results-driven culture within the world of fitness studios. Why success is no longer about differentiation, and why it's more to do with customer service in the studio sector. The key elements of a successful experience and what locations can do to avoid doing things wrong. The differences between membership models, how to keep members coming back and how high performing studios provide the wow factor. How and why you can avoid dead spaces and lost revenue in your fitness space. Hear about the technology advances that will be driving the industry in years to come. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Josh Leve…

Brendan Cosso's temptation to smuggle drugs landed him in the most dangerous prison in South America. He rebuilt his life and dedicated it to education, events and helping people take a positive path. In this breathtakingly graphic and candid interview, we learn the value of decision-making from the CEO of the World Calisthenics Organisation. Watch the full episode on YouTube Growing up in a middle class family in California, and living a life of luxury working the VIP clubs of Hollywood, Brendan made one bad decision that saw his life come crashing down. Tempted by a lot of money and the lure of the Brazilian party scene, Brendan strapped himself up with cocaine and headed back to the US. Caught at the border, his decision landed him in the most dangerous prison in South America. Brendan rejected the idea that he would remain 'a criminal' and spent his term learning and educating himself. Improvising with whatever was available, he made a pulley system to work out on, improving his strength and movement – the system he later developed into the CrossCore, now sold worldwide. He has rebuilt his life and as CEO of the World Calisthenics Organisation, he dedicates it to education, events and creating opportunities in fitness for people who don't have careers. After being introduced to Calisthenics through a friend, Brendan saw the entertainment potential and created a competition in the park – making up the rules and pulling together make-shift equipment. Instantly popular with onlookers and contestants, Brendan sought sponsorship and quickly grew the contest to become Battle of the Bars – the global competition known on the streets today. Along with Kenneth Gallarzo, Brendan Cosso founded the World Calisthenics Organization (WCO) with the overarching intention of bringing the calisthenics and street workout movement to the forefront of the mainstream fitness industry. The WCO was the first organisation to hold a calisthenics competition on such a large and professional scale, reaching nearly 37,000 onlookers at the LA Fit Expo January 2013. Combing elements of street workout, parkour, gymnastics, free running and tricking, Battle of the Bars has become an intricate part of the growing community. Through WCO, Brendan is creating opportunities in fitness for people who don't have careers and is championing the recognition of calisthenics as a sport. See www.worldcalisthenics.org for more details. Episode highlights : How even in the darkest of places, you can find the strength to turn your life around – with self-reflection, acceptance, hard work and good decisions. Understanding that it isn't until you forgive yourself for what you've done that it allows you to move forward to forgive others for what they did to you. The importance of mental strength and dealing with difficult experiences in enabling you to be good and make a difference from today on. How by accepting whatever help your connections offer, you can help yourself to change your life. The importance of not worrying what others think, focusing on your goal and never giving up on what you think is achievable. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Brendan Cosso…

Brendan Cosso's temptation to smuggle drugs landed him in the most dangerous prison in South America. He rebuilt his life and dedicated it to education, events and helping people take a positive path. In this breathtakingly graphic and candid interview, we learn the value of decision-making from the CEO of the World Calisthenics Organisation. Watch the full episode on YouTube Growing up in a middle class family in California, and living a life of luxury working the VIP clubs of Hollywood, Brendan made one bad decision that saw his life come crashing down. Tempted by a lot of money and the lure of the Brazilian party scene, Brendan strapped himself up with cocaine and headed back to the US. Caught at the border, his decision landed him in the most dangerous prison in South America. Brendan rejected the idea that he would remain 'a criminal' and spent his term learning and educating himself. Improvising with whatever was available, he made a pulley system to work out on, improving his strength and movement – the system he later developed into the CrossCore, now sold worldwide. He has rebuilt his life and as CEO of the World Calisthenics Organisation, he dedicates it to education, events and creating opportunities in fitness for people who don't have careers. After being introduced to Calisthenics through a friend, Brendan saw the entertainment potential and created a competition in the park – making up the rules and pulling together make-shift equipment. Instantly popular with onlookers and contestants, Brendan sought sponsorship and quickly grew the contest to become Battle of the Bars – the global competition known on the streets today. Along with Kenneth Gallarzo, Brendan Cosso founded the World Calisthenics Organization (WCO) with the overarching intention of bringing the calisthenics and street workout movement to the forefront of the mainstream fitness industry. The WCO was the first organisation to hold a calisthenics competition on such a large and professional scale, reaching nearly 37,000 onlookers at the LA Fit Expo January 2013. Combing elements of street workout, parkour, gymnastics, free running and tricking, Battle of the Bars has become an intricate part of the growing community. Through WCO, Brendan is creating opportunities in fitness for people who don't have careers and is championing the recognition of calisthenics as a sport. Seewww.worldcalisthenics.orgfor more details. Episode highlights : How devastating and life-changing results can occur when you're influenced by the wrong crowd and attracted by an easy route to the lifestyle you want. The importance of taking responsibility for what you've done and making the right decision to protect your future and those you love. The reality of what it means to break the law and just how dangerous that can be. How sometimes the most terrifying thing isn't the horror of what you have to deal with in front of you but the possibilities of what you might have to do to protect yourself in the future. The realization that if you make a bad decision you can give other people the power to decide your fate. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Brendan Cosso…

Sam Bakhtiar escaped the bombs of Saddam Hussein to become a serial entrepreneur in the USA, providing for his children and helping thousands of people achieve their fitness goals. In this honest and emotional interview, we can all learn a lot from the founder of The Camp Transformation Center and One Percent Nutrition. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/MvEnYLsA82Y Born in Iran, Sam lived there until he was 11 years old. He grew up in conflict, hearing bombs and sirens throughout attacks by the Saddam Hussein regime. To avoid Sam being recruited for the military, his family left for the USA via France as refugees of war, with bag of luggage and $500 to their name. It was a culture shock. In America, Sam's passion for fitness developed from a little room full of bodybuilders, with an atmosphere of chalk, rusty weights and sweat. Working out improved his confidence and gave him a sense of belonging. It didn't take long for Sam to start finding new ways of improving other people's lives, as he had his own. Sam Bakhtiar started his first business through a passion for body transformation. Camp Transformation Center is a franchise business dedicated to changing thousands of people's lives, empowering communities through health and fitness. It's also home of the free six-week weight loss challenge, and has 100+ locations with group training to inspire no-gimmick transformations. One Percent Nutrition offers supplements for people who accept no compromise. With science-based ingredients and high standards, Sam Bakhtiar surrounds the business with the values of faith, family, fitness and finance to bring out the best in everything he does. Episode Highlights - How the evolution of a business can flourish into an entirely new entrepreneurial journey bringing more success than you can ever imagine. The importance of mentorship and how other people's experience can benefit whatever you do. Never work in an insular environment. This is the ultimate story of overcoming adversity, both in a war torn upbringing and dealing with credit mistakes and financial struggles. Why negative self-thought will do nothing for progress, and how to overcome stress. How to scale and 10x a fitness business from a small PT set up to further success. The importance of understanding when you're not equipped to provide a particular service, and how you can better suit a customer by referring them to another partner or offering. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Sam Bakhtiar…

David Stalker pioneered change in the country's not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector, bringing a fresh face to its thousands of members. Today, he's joined the Myzone team as CEO of EMEA, passionate about saving communities with fitness technology, experience and understanding. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/kMG-_n7f6D0 Born and brought up in Kenya, David Stalker has been in the UK since 1988, after falling in love. He joined the fitness industry on a YMCA fitness instructor course and started out as a PT before transitioning to eventually become an award-winning fitness manager. David's continued success saw him rise through the ranks of the UK fitness industry in successful chains on both sides of the corporate and local authority fences. As CEO of ukactive, he led the fight against the nation's obesity epidemic, while pioneering change from the Fitness Industry Association through its rebrand. Even after his time at ukactive, David's enthusiasm to get more people, more active, more often is at his the heart of everything he does. He's passionate about sharing his core values about wellbeing with the Myzone team and beyond. Myzone is an innovative wearable heart rate based system that uses wireless and cloud technology to accurately and conveniently monitor physical activity. It is successful due to its accuracy at 99.4%. This is the tool for anyone who wants an accurate, gamified and motivating wearable. Myzone monitors heart rate, calories and time exercising that convert into Myzone Effort Points (MEPs), with a focus on rewarding effort rather than fitness. Episode Highlights: Differences between fitness business in the corporate world and local authorities, and how the challenges of each can change. How the fitness industry overall has changed and what all the advances have left behind. The ways in which a new generation shifts how the industry needs to react, what benefits it provides and how customer education affects business. Why boutiques may be perfect for bigger cities and continue to grow, but how their growth into smaller cities may not be as successful. How we can learn from past mistakes in order to benefit the health of the nation. The effect of the pharmaceutical companies and other companies on why fitness isn't more available to nations when it comes to accessibility. How businesses based around junk food and sugar have changed their models to parallel healthier options with their own products. How best of breed insights have been implemented in fitness equipment, and how the standards of training and facilities has improved dramatically through industry communication. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with David Stalker…

As founder director at The Gym Group, John Treharne is on the brink of one million members since starting it in 2007. He knows how to build innovative and inclusive initiatives that work for the people, and this episode will help you improve and develop any business. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/1s-Bfsuo0Rk John is no stranger to the demands of fitness and working out, as he used to play squash for England. In business, his ability to meet and exceed the needs of members and his team has seen him win awards and continue a career of triumph after triumph. He's floated a company on the stock market twice and explains how learning to run a business properly and managing private equity investors is key to success, sometimes even over a passion for the market itself. John knows the customer well, and has implemented his knowledge in both improving the experience of gym goers and staff alike over decades. To start with, John borrowed money against his house to open his first concept. His growth success level reached 22 clubs at around one a year, whereas now that figure has risen to 20 per year. Today, The Gym is the largest low-cost gym operator in London, and has recently opened a new location in Monument with other locations all over the UK. It's owned predominantly by large city institutions that have a long-term view on investment. Put simply, John is all about the people. The Gym is the only business in the sector with a Gold Investors in People award, and continues its understanding and inclusive approach to fitness around the UK. Episode highlights : Learn how the equipment found in gyms and the behavior of gym-goers have both changed over the past decades, and how The Gym has evolved with these changes. How staying open all of the time expands your customer base into a whole new market such as shift workers. The difference between investment set-ups and how funding decisions ultimately affect the longevity of your business. How to break down barriers to fitness, such as the fear that you need to be fit before you even go through the doors to become a member. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with John Treharne …

From workouts and training advice to supplements and meal plans, Jim Stoppani's goal is to provide the most complete system of fitness information – all backed by science – that delivers life-changing results. Passionate and professional, with an exhaustive level of knowledge, his self-imposed responsibility to educate, drives Jim to continue growing what he's created and sharing it with as many people as possible. Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/8hSboI6xZew Jim Stoppani grew up in the shadow of a very fit family – his dad was a professional boxer and his cousin was a US Olympic weightlifter. He'd always aspired to have strength. As well as being into bodybuilding, Jim was active playing baseball, racing motorcross and involved in other sports. He decided to study sports medicine and soon saw the transition between an industry concentration on cardio to the rise of weights and resistance training through new research and studies. From here, Jim took more of an interest in exercise physiology, gaining a PhD and undertaking research of his own for the betterment of the fitness industry. He'd always loved to write and had a passion for fitness magazines. It only took one phone call before one publication offered Jim a job, so he left academia. Following his graduation and time at Yale University School of Medicine, Jim served as senior science editor for Muscle & Fitness, FLEX and Muscle & Fitness Hers magazines for over a decade. Even before his work became a business proposition, Jim was an early adopter of the internet, leading the way before fitness magazines in hosting workout information and video content online. He wanted to share his knowledge with as many people as possible. His JYM supplement line launched in 2013, providing the trusted nutrition he needed for his own performance and offering transparency about ingredients and propriety blends for his customers. Jim has authored and co-authored multiple books, as well as working as personal nutrition and health consultant for celebrities such as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson,LL Cool J, Dr. Dre and Mario Lopez. Today, Jim not only continues to educate and inform, but he also films his own workouts and gives them away for free on his website as "Train with Jim" sessions. Episode Highlights - Revolutionary, science-led insight into exercise. This episode will make you question everything you know about fitness. Why a lot of medical professionals can't speak professionally about supplements, and why many fear them. Why the understanding of weight training and muscle growth is such a new field from a scientific perspective. How strength training is critical as you get older and lose muscle tissue, and how this form of exercise can benefit older adults. The difference in benefit between education through published studies or anecdotal evidence, and why official papers don't always provide real results. Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Jim Stoppani…