
Future of Fitness
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 21, 2023 • 51min
Andrew Sugerman - Centr & Accessible Holistic Wellness
In this episode, Eric Malzone hosts Andrew Sugerman, the CEO of Centr, a holistic wellness platform. They explore Centr's mission to democratize wellness and make it accessible to all, encompassing fitness, nutrition, and mental health. Andrew discusses the importance of mental fitness alongside physical health and the significance of building a supportive community within the wellness journey. They touch on technology's challenges in isolating and connecting people and hint at Centr's plans for real-world, in-person experiences. Andrew also delves into the role of AI in the wellness industry and distinguishes genuine AI applications from the noise. The conversation reveals Centr's commitment to creating a holistic wellness ecosystem and invites potential partners to join their mission. The episode concludes by directing listeners to explore Centr through its website and mobile apps for comprehensive wellness journeys. LINKS: https://centr.com/ https://www.wrkout.com/

Oct 16, 2023 • 52min
Dr. Jason Wersland - Therabody Beauty and The New "F" Series
In this episode, Dr. Jason Wersland delves into the remarkable growth and evolution of TheraBody over the last 19 months. The conversation covers a spectrum of topics, from TheraBody's journey in the wellness and recovery industry to the exciting new product releases in the F series – the "Relief," the "Sense," and the "Pro Plus." Dr. Wersland shares insightful details about each product's unique features and pricing, making them accessible to a broad audience. He emphasizes the importance of biometric monitoring, meditation, and the mind-body connection in the evolving wellness landscape, underscoring how these factors have influenced TheraBody's innovation. Furthermore, the discussion touches upon the unexpected foray into the beauty industry, the growth of TheraBody's reset centers, and strategic expansion plans. Dr. Wersland's engaging insights provide a glimpse into TheraBody's mission to democratize wellness and recovery solutions and adapt to the changing needs of consumers and market dynamics, all while fostering a deeper connection with their audience through user testimonials. LINKS: https://www.wrkout.com/

Oct 11, 2023 • 56min
David Van Daff - The Many Evolutions of "Health Clubs"
In this podcast episode, Eric Malzone engages in a conversation with David Van Daff, the Director of Global Industry Development for NASM, at a fitness trade show in Los Angeles. They delve into the evolution of the fitness industry, with a particular focus on health clubs. David reflects on how health clubs have changed over the past 27 years, shifting from a traditional fitness equipment-centered approach to a more diversified landscape that includes boutique studios, budget-friendly gyms, luxury brands, and home fitness solutions. They discuss the importance of convenience, accountability, community, and social interaction in shaping consumer choices within the fitness industry. Overall, the conversation highlights how the fitness industry has adapted to cater to diverse consumer preferences and needs, emphasizing the role of community and ongoing education for fitness professionals. LINKS: CONNECT with David https://www.wrkout.com/ https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2024

Oct 6, 2023 • 53min
William Coker - Fibr - Cracking The Code of Talent Acquisition
In this episode, Eric Malzone engages in a compelling conversation with William Coker, diving into the future of the fitness industry and the groundbreaking launch of the "Fibr" app. Coker, drawing from his extensive experience in the fitness realm and military service, sheds light on the prevalent staffing challenges faced by fitness organizations. He emphasizes that the industry doesn't suffer from a lack of fitness professionals but rather grapples with recruitment and attraction issues. Coker unveils Fibr's innovative approach, offering a trifecta of solutions: streamlined staffing services, a community-building app catering to fitness professionals, and comprehensive business development support. The long-term vision of Fibr is to revolutionize the fitness industry by connecting individuals and fitness businesses, making it more accessible and adaptable to evolving career paths. Tune in to discover how Fibr is transforming the fitness landscape. LINKS: https://www.info.fibr.fit/ https://www.wrkout.com/ https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2024

Sep 30, 2023 • 54min
Garrett Marshall - Xponential & Meta Partner for Virtual REALity
In this podcast episode, Garrett Marshall discusses the rapidly evolving landscape of digital fitness and its impact on the fitness industry. He shares insights into the challenges faced by fitness operators in terms of unit-level economics and explores opportunities for integrating digital fitness into business models. Garrett also unveils an exciting partnership with Meta (formerly Facebook) to launch Xponential+ VR, a cutting-edge augmented reality fitness experience. This innovation leverages Meta's Quest 3 device, offering mixed reality capabilities and enhanced depth perception, with the goal of making VR fitness more accessible and engaging for a broader audience. Additionally, Garrett delves into the role of artificial intelligence in precision fitness and its potential to provide personalized guidance and recommendations. He emphasizes the transformative power of technology in enhancing fitness experiences and addresses the evolving landscape of the fitness industry. Links: https://www.wrkout.com/ https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2024 https://www.xponential.plus/

Sep 24, 2023 • 60min
Jack Thomas - The Fit Guide
In this podcast episode, Eric Malzone and Jack Thomas discuss the fitness industry in Asia. They reflect on past interviews, explore the impact of the pandemic on Asian fitness, and highlight trends from the Fit Summit. They introduced "The Fit Guide," an initiative evaluating fitness studios and promoting transparency. The conversation emphasizes customer feedback's importance, low-cost improvements, and personalized service. Jack reveals The Fit Guide's expansion plans, making it a concise yet informative episode about the Asian fitness scene and efforts to enhance it. Links: https://www.wrkout.com/ https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2024

Sep 18, 2023 • 50min
Bruce Smith - Hydrow & Live Outdoor Reality
Join host Eric Malzone in this engaging podcast as he sits down with Bruce Smith, the CEO and founder of Hydrow. Bruce delves into the world of creating an immersive rowing experience at home, emphasizing the importance of capturing the essence of rowing and translating it into a digital experience. Learn how Hydrow combines software and hardware to offer a unique fitness journey with "live outdoor reality" workouts that keep users motivated. Discover how the pandemic has shaped the fitness industry, the future of personalized fitness, and Hydro's commitment to delivering real value to its members. Plus, gain insights into the company's current status and its vision for making rowing a transformative fitness modality. ======================================== Links: https://www.wrkout.com/ https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2024

Sep 12, 2023 • 52min
Tom Dowd - The Future of F45
In this episode, host Eric Malzone sits down with special guest Tom Dowd to dive deep into the evolution and future prospects of F45. Tom shares his journey of getting involved with F45, initially through an investment with Mark Wahlberg, and sheds light on the challenges the company encountered along the way, including operational efficiency and profitability issues. Drawing from his extensive background, including 25 years at GNC, Tom discusses how his experiences prepared him for his pivotal role at F45. He reveals his passion for tackling challenges and revitalizing businesses. Tom unravels the reasons behind F45's decision to go public and later delist, underscoring the benefits of remaining a private company regarding flexibility and cost-effectiveness, especially in the fitness industry. The episode culminates with Tom Dowd outlining his vision for F45's future, focusing on maximizing their existing concepts, robust franchisee support, and expansion plans into markets like Asia and North America. Tune in for insights into leadership, growth, and the promising path ahead for F45. =========== Links: https://www.wrkout.com/ https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2024

Sep 6, 2023 • 50min
Mike Arce - Loud Rumor & Fundamental Principles for More Profitable Gyms
In this episode, host Eric Malzone interviews Mike Arce, CEO, and Founder of Loud Rumor, as they delve into various aspects of helping gym owners succeed in the fitness industry. Mike emphasizes the importance of focusing on profit, pricing, and marketing strategies while highlighting the distinction between business owners and entrepreneurs. He discusses Loud Rumor's purpose, the significance of profit over revenue, and marketing strategies beyond social media ads. Mike also shares insights into price manipulation as a profit booster, overcoming price increase anxiety, and the role of continuous product improvement in marketing. Mike provides valuable insights for gym owners looking to achieve financial success and innovate in the fitness industry. ================= LINKS: https://www.loudrumor.com/ https://www.wrkout.com/

Aug 31, 2023 • 46min
Mike Taylor - BeaverFit & Bespoke Training Solutions
In this episode, join us in an exhilarating conversation with special guest Mike Taylor, co-founder of BeaverFit. Prepare to be inspired as Mike delves into the captivating story of BeaverFit's rise as a pioneer in outdoor fitness solutions. From their humble beginnings as a niche rig business in the UK to becoming industry leaders in container gyms and military-grade fitness equipment, Mike unveils the remarkable journey that shaped BeaverFit's trajectory. Discover the core elements that fuel BeaverFit's triumph, including their unwavering team synergy, service-driven ethos, nimble problem-solving, and relentless pursuit of advancement. Explore their collaborations with fitness franchises, innovative military training equipment, and a holistic "human weapon system" approach to optimize performance. Join us to explore the crossroads of innovation, customization, and holistic fitness that defines BeaverFit's extraordinary contributions to the future of fitness. ====================== LINKS: https://www.wrkout.com/ https://beaverfitusa.com/