

Future of Fitness
Eric Malzone
We are putting a shoulder into the fitness industry and pushing it forward into the modern digital age. Eric Malzone, a 14-year industry veteran, entrepreneur, advisor, and coach, interviews the brightest movers and shakers in the fitness and health industries. Interviewing some of the industry's top executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, topics will vary covering cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship, hot industry trends, and so much more. If you're in or around the industry, this is how you keep your edge sharp.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 46min
Michael Ramsey - The Black Sheep of Pilates: How Strong Pilates is Breaking All the Rules
In this conversation, Michael Ramsey, co-founder of Strong Pilates, shares his journey from personal trainer to entrepreneur in the boutique fitness space. He discusses the unique offerings of Strong Pilates, which combines strength training with traditional Pilates and cardio, creating a comprehensive workout experience. Michael highlights the importance of member satisfaction, the franchise model's success, and the brand's rapid expansion. He also addresses industry challenges, the need for innovation, and the significance of building brand equity in a competitive market. https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/

Jul 24, 2025 • 51min
Amber Martinez - Scaling Culture: The 21% Profit Strategy Most Fitness Brands Miss
In this conversation, Amber Martinez shares her extensive journey in the fitness industry, emphasizing the critical role of people in business success. She discusses her evolution from a front desk employee to a leader in various capacities, highlighting the importance of culture, operations, and sales integration. Amber provides insights on scaling culture, measuring the impact of people and culture, and establishing standards for accountability. She also addresses the challenges of navigating personality assessments in hiring and the necessity of selling the importance of culture to business leaders. Finally, Amber discusses the implications of AI on company culture and the importance of networking and collaboration in the industry. https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/ https://egym.com/int

Jul 21, 2025 • 13min
Power Moves: Tim Green - TeamUp's Custom Branded Apps and AI-Powered Lead Management
In this special episode of Power Moves, host Eric interviews Tim Green to discuss the latest updates and offerings from Team Up, a leading gym management software. The conversation highlights two major new products: a custom branded app for gyms and enhanced lead management tools. The custom app allows gym owners to create personalized applications with two-way messaging and other customizable features. The upgraded lead management system incorporates AI to streamline operations and improve customer engagement. They also touch on future developments, including resource management tools to help gyms optimize their space for additional revenue streams. Tim provides insights into the resilient gym industry and emphasizes the transformational potential of AI for small business owners.

Jul 19, 2025 • 47min
Julie Cartwright - 300% Digital Growth and 22 Studios: Pvolve's Omni-Channel Strategy
In this episode, Eric Malzone sits down with Julie Cartwright, President of Pvolve, to dive into the brand’s rapid growth and evolution. Julie shares how Pvolve is redefining fitness through its unique combination of functional movement and resistance-based training. They discuss the company’s expanding franchise footprint, the surge in digital subscriptions, and how the brand stays focused on serving a specific audience. From leadership challenges to the power of community, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at Pvolve’s innovative business model and commitment to a holistic fitness experience. https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/ https://egym.com/int

Jul 14, 2025 • 39min
Mike Goscinski - 27 Words That Could Change Everything: The PHIT Act's Legislative Journey
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Goscinski from the Health and Fitness Association to explore the dynamic shifts in the fitness industry. Discover how the 2025 consumer report highlights a significant increase in fitness facility visits, with 96 million Americans contributing $59.6 billion to the US economy. Mike shares insights into the growing engagement of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who now represent 30.8% of fitness members, viewing fitness as an essential part of their lifestyle rather than a luxury. We delve into the diverse options available for physical activity, which are driving increased participation across all demographics. Mike discusses the association's policy advocacy efforts, including the PHIT Act, which aims to redefine fitness as preventive health. Learn about the exciting opportunities on the horizon, such as the upcoming European Congress in Amsterdam, where global advocacy and industry collaboration will take center stage. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how the Health and Fitness Association is shaping the future of fitness and what it means for you. https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/ https://egym.com/int

Jul 9, 2025 • 45min
Lise Kuecker - The State of Boutique: M&A Activity, Pilates Trends, and Opening Strategies
In this episode of the Future of Fitness podcast, Lise Kuecker, CEO and founder of Studio Grow, discusses the evolving landscape of boutique fitness. The conversation covers a wide array of topics, including innovation in the fitness space, the professionalization of boutique fitness, the impact of major acquisitions, and the promising growth of Pilates. Lise also highlights the importance of strategic openings for long-term success and touches on the trend of smaller markets offering more profitable opportunities. Tune in for insights into the future of fitness, industry rebranding, and much more. LINKS- https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/

Jun 29, 2025 • 47min
Justin Santamaria - Scaling the Human Touch: AI The Future of Fitness Coaching
In this episode, Justin Santamaria discusses the evolution and impact of remote fitness coaching. Starting with his background at Apple and Airbnb, Justin shares how his past experiences in developing cutting-edge communications technology helped shape the foundation of a new approach to personal training. The conversation highlights the integration of human coaching with advanced AI tools, emphasizing the importance of human connection and personalized guidance in fitness. With insights into the potential of AI to revolutionize coaching, Justin explains how technology can scale personal training and make high-quality coaching more accessible. The discussion also explores the implications of AI on various industries, the balance between AI and human elements, and the future possibilities in the fitness domain. LINKS- https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/

Jun 24, 2025 • 42min
Emre Ozgur - Safe Sweat: The Anti-Group Fitness Model Built to Scale
In this episode, Emre Ozgur, CEO and co-founder of Safe Sweat, joins the discussion on the Future of Fitness to introduce his innovative concept of private fitness suites. Based in Vancouver, Safe Sweat offers personalized workout experiences featuring private rooms, customizable environments, and advanced fitness equipment—without the pressure of typical group classes. Emre shares his journey from athlete and fitness operator to entrepreneur, as he builds a new fitness model designed to attract a broader demographic. He also explains the strategic decision to franchise Safe Sweat due to high demand, highlighting the model’s advantages: lower operating costs and an emphasis on mental and physical well-being over conventional fitness metrics. Emre offers insights into the scalability of this approach and its potential to reshape the fitness industry. LINKS- https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/

Jun 19, 2025 • 55min
Anthony Vennare - The Future of Fitt Insider
In this conversation, Eric Malzone and Anthony discuss the recent rebranding of Fitt Insider, exploring its evolution from a newsletter to a comprehensive holding company. They delve into the importance of community, mental health, and the challenges facing the fitness industry, including the need for investment and authentic connections. Anthony shares his vision for the future of Fitt Insider, emphasizing the importance of holistic health and the role of media in shaping the industry. The discussion highlights the need for fresh ideas and new voices in fitness, as well as the potential for innovative gym models that foster community and support mental health. LINKS >> https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/ https://egym.com/int

Jun 14, 2025 • 1h 2min
Panel Discussion - AI in Fitness: Separating Signal from Noise with Industry Leaders
In this episode, Eric Malzone moderates a powerhouse panel on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the fitness industry. Featuring insights from Taylor Nakamura (Fit19), Spencer Honeyman (Vi), and Florian Sauter (EGYM), this discussion dives deep into real-world AI applications, from retention strategies to personalized training and operational efficiency. Whether you're a multi-location gym operator or a solo fitness entrepreneur, you'll walk away with actionable AI insights to help you drive member retention, increase revenue, and improve your core offerings. 🔑 Key Takeaways: 🤖 AI Beyond the Buzzwords: Understand the distinction between generative AI, predictive analytics, and machine learning—and how each is driving innovation in fitness. 📊 Data-Driven Retention: Learn how top operators are using third-party behavior data and AI to predict churn, prioritize outreach, and boost member retention. 💼 AI for Everyone: Discover how AI is leveling the playing field—empowering even small clubs with tools once exclusive to enterprise-level fitness brands. 🧠 Precision Targeting: See how companies like Vi leverage data to personalize marketing and PT upsells based on real-world consumer behavior. 🧼 Operational Gains: Hear how AI helps manage online reviews and identify service trends to enhance local club operations. 🏋️ Product-Centric Innovation: Explore EGYM’s data-rich approach to improving member outcomes directly on the gym floor through AI-assisted onboarding and assessments. 💡 Getting Started with AI: Advice for fitness operators feeling overwhelmed—how to identify high-impact areas (like retention) and test small-scale implementations before scaling. LINKS >> https://goteamup.com/ https://podcastcollective.io/ https://egym.com/int