All Things Fitness and Wellness

Coming off the heels of The Fitness Technology Summit, we continue the conversation that is dominating boardrooms and locker rooms alike: artificial intelligence.

If you are tired of hearing about AI, you are not alone. But as Fernando Chilvarguer, Chief Information Officer at The Bay Club Company, explains, one day AI will be so deeply woven into how we operate that we will finally stop talking about it. That day is not today.

In this episode of All Things Fitness and Wellness, host Krissy Vann explores how gym owners and operators can move from curiosity to confident adoption. Fernando breaks down the tools that are worth paying attention to, the systems that are evolving fastest, and why the fitness industry might want to take ownership of its digital future by building open source models instead of relying solely on third party tech giants.

Expect smart takes, real world applications, and a candid discussion on how to navigate the AI hype cycle with strategy and intention. In an era where technology is moving faster than most businesses can adapt, the biggest risk is ignoring the shift altogether.

Host: Krissy Vann, National TV Host, Producer, and Fitness Industry Storyteller
Podcast: All Things Fitness and Wellness
Guest: Fernando Chilvarguer, Chief Information Officer, The Bay Club Company

Key Topics:
• The AI tools fitness operators should actually care about
• Why gym owners cannot afford to sit on the sidelines
• How open source collaboration could redefine fitness technology
• The future of data ownership and member personalization
• What comes after the hype cycle

Keywords: AI in fitness, fitness business podcast, gym technology, AI tools for gym owners, artificial intelligence in health clubs, open source AI, fitness innovation, The Bay Club Company, Krissy Vann, All Things Fitness and Wellness

Welcome to This Week in Fitness. Where Krissy Vann crunches the latest fitness business headlines all in under five minutes.

Stories featured this week:

-Kevin Hart invests in AI health app Simple
-VASA Fitness strengthens leadership team
-WHOOP named to TIME’s Best Inventions list
-NASM survey reveals GLP-1 impact on fitness
-Oura expands with Ceramic Collection and Health Panels
-EGYM opens new U.S. headquarters in Denver
-The Fitness Technology Summit hits Chicago

Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.
#FitnessBusiness #KevinHart #WHOOP #VASA #Oura #EGYM #NASM #FitnessTechnologySummit #ATFW #ThisWeekInFitness

Welcome to a special edition of the ATFW Podcast: Executive Fitness Insights from Beyond Activ 2025. In this first Soundbite Session, we took the show on the road to Dallas to capture the quick takes and sharp insights that are driving today’s fitness and wellness conversations.

This episode features perspectives from:

• Adam Zeitsiff, CEO of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy
• Bryan O’Rourke, seasoned CEO and Board Director
• Chris Craytor, CEO of ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers and WELLD Health

Across these conversations, leaders weigh in on the biggest themes shaping our industry:

• The adoption of AI in fitness businesses — separating real-world applications from hype.
• Why some operators will succeed while others fail to adapt in the current cycle.
• The challenges of overvalued companies in a market still finding equilibrium.
• Shifts in consumer demand and member behavior that every operator needs to prepare for.
• The leadership mindset required to navigate uncertainty and capitalize on new opportunities.
• And of course, a playful take: if the fitness industry were a cinematic this year, what would the title be?

These fast, punchy soundbites cut straight to the point — offering both practical insights for executives and big-picture perspectives on where fitness and wellness are headed.

This is just the opening scene. Stay tuned as we roll out more ATFW Soundbite Sessions from Beyond Activ — spotlighting the leaders, innovators, and decision-makers steering the future of the industry.

Welcome to This Week in Fitness, the show where we crunch the biggest fitness business headlines in under five minutes. Host Krissy Vann delivers enterprise-level insights on the moves shaping the global fitness, wellness, and activewear industries.

Here’s what’s making news this week:

Xponential Fitness divests Lindora to Next Health
Xponential sharpens its portfolio focus, while Lindora franchisees gain expanded support under a longevity-focused operator.

Mindbody releases 2025 State of the Industry Report
Survey findings show 72% of operators are optimistic, with AI adoption fueling expansion and new revenue streams.

Frame Fitness names Dua Lipa Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
The global performer steps into leadership to help scale the reformer Pilates brand’s reach.

Russell Wilson & Ciara launch The Pack
The duo partners with Rumble co-founders to bring a combat-inspired group fitness concept to NYC.

NikeSkims launches activewear line
Nike and Skims team up with Kim Kardashian and elite athletes to push deeper into women’s activewear.

WHOOP launches Advanced Labs
The wearable integrates Quest Diagnostics testing for consumer-accessible biomarker tracking.

EoS Fitness introduces EGYM Genius
AI-driven software personalizes workout programming across EoS locations.

Pause Studio expands with Aescape
AI-powered massage tables roll out in new markets following a successful pilot.

WHOOP at the Ryder Cup
Fans will see live biometrics from players and captains integrated into NBC’s broadcast coverage.

How can fitness business owners prepare for a capital raise or expand successfully through franchising? In this episode of the All Things Fitness and Wellness (ATFW) Podcast, we dive deep with Albert Ramos — Fractional CFO at Stratego, CEO at ValiSights, and founder of Alchemize House.

Albert brings decades of financial and operational expertise, offering step-by-step fundamentals for gym owners, multi-unit operators, and fitness executives who are looking to scale. From what investors expect during due diligence, to how to structure your financials, to knowing when franchising makes sense (and when it doesn’t), this conversation delivers actionable insights for sustainable growth.

The ATFW Podcast delivers enterprise-level insights for fitness industry leaders — including C-suite executives, gym owners, and investors. Each week, we break down the biggest topics shaping the business of fitness, from capital and franchising to technology, healthcare integration, and the future of member engagement.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

-How to prepare your fitness business for a capital raise.
-What investors are really looking for in today’s market.
-Why disciplined financial planning is critical before expansion.
-The risks and opportunities of franchising your gym or studio.
-How longevity trends intersect with capital and franchising decisions.

🔗 Connect with Albert Ramos:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertramosjr/
ValiSights: https://valisights.com
Alchemize House: https://www.alchemizehouse.com

🎧 For more insights, also listen to Albert’s conversation with Rave Reid on the Valisights Podcast.

This Week in Fitness brings you the top fitness business headlines in under five minutes, keeping you informed on the latest trends shaping the industry.

This week’s stories:
-Planet Fitness – Record-breaking 3.7M teens joined the High School Summer Pass program, completing 19M workouts and highlighting Gen Z’s growing engagement with fitness.
-GymNation – Wins Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award for the third year in a row, ranking in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
-Wellhub – Corporate Wellness Report shows 89% of operators see higher retention and 73% report profitability gains from workplace partnerships.
-EGYM & Spirit Fitness – New integration connects Spirit’s 1000 Series cardio machines with EGYM’s digital ecosystem for seamless member tracking.
-Federal Action on Youth Activity – “Make Our Children Healthy Again” report proposes reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test and treating physical activity as a vital sign.
-WeWard – State of Walking Report finds no U.S. state meets the 7,000-step guideline; New York leads with 6,947 steps as the U.S. ranks second-to-last among OECD countries.
-India Fitness Market – Deloitte and HFA project the industry to more than double to $4.5B by 2030, with boutique studios growing at nearly 19% annually.
-Your Reformer – Expands internationally with Johnson Health Tech, bringing its consumer rental and commercial distribution model to Europe, the U.K., South Africa, and the UAE.
-Pvolve – Launches Sculpt 9, a women-focused amino acid supplement backed by peer-reviewed research, signaling its move into nutrition.

Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.
#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews #gym

Corporate wellness is no longer a side program—it’s a growth engine for the fitness industry. In this episode of All Things Fitness and Wellness, host Krissy Vann sits down with Reena Vokoun, founder and CEO of Passion Fit, to explore how operators can tap into this booming market.

A new Wellhub Corporate Wellness Report 2025 found that:
73% of operators report increased profitability
89% see higher member retention
83% say corporate wellness is critical to their growth strategy
Reena shares actionable insights on how fitness and wellness businesses—from enterprise health clubs to boutique studios—can leverage workplace partnerships to secure predictable revenue, maximize capacity, and future-proof expansion.

If you’re a fitness industry executive, this conversation is packed with takeaways to help you align with employer demand, strengthen your competitive edge, and drive sustainable business growth.

#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews 

Connect with Reena Vokoun:
https://passionfit.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/PassionFitLLC

In this week’s episode of This Week in Fitness, Krissy Vann breaks down the top stories shaping the fitness business world in under five minutes.

Stories featured:

• Nike Reintroduces “Just Do It”
  Launches the Why Do It? campaign aimed at Gen Z athletes, reframing greatness as a series of choices in a social media-driven era.
• Crunch Fitness 9/11 Stair Climb
  CR Fitness Holdings hosts its annual event honoring first responders, inviting members and non-members across 80+ gyms.
• Universal x Sudor Partnership
  Expanding Own Your Goals app with a creator-first model, backed by a 94% subscriber retention rate and positioned within a $480B creator economy.
• Therabody Names Josh Allen Performance Advisor
  Buffalo Bills quarterback and early investor joins as Performance Advisor, bringing his recovery routine into product development and national campaigns.
• Remembering Rick Caro
  Industry pioneer, founding leader of the Health & Fitness Association, and Hall of Fame inductee leaves a lasting impact on the modern health club sector.

Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.

The fitness industry is entering a new era where AI-driven search and SEO strategies are redefining how businesses reach and engage members. In this episode of MarketFit by ATFW, hosted by Krissy Vann, we bring together a panel of experts to discuss how enterprise-level fitness operators can adapt to AI search, Google Gemini, and evolving SEO demands.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
-Why AI search is changing the rules for SEO
-How to show up in ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and AI overview results
-Why technical SEO remains essential for digital success
-Real-world insights from a Fitness World case study

Actionable strategies enterprise fitness operators can implement now
This panel delivers the strategic insights fitness executives need to future-proof their marketing and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Empower your digital presence with Americaneagle.com. From cutting-edge web development to data-driven digital marketing, Americaneagle.com delivers measurable results that will accelerate your business forward. Get started with a Website & SEO Health Check. Contact Americaneagle.com today.

Connect with ATFW:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/all-things-fitness-and-wellness/?originalSubdomain=ca
www.atfw.ca

Connect with americaneagle.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/americaneagle-com/posts/?feedView=all
https://www.americaneagle.com

Welcome to This Week in Fitness, the show where we crunch the latest fitness business headlines in under five minutes. Hosted by Krissy Vann, national television host and Director of Content at All Things Fitness & Wellness, this weekly segment brings industry leaders and decision-makers up to speed on the stories shaping the global fitness and wellness market.

This week’s headlines:

Pvolve Expansion – The functional fitness brand adds five new studio leases and eyes 40 locations by 2025.

Gold’s Gym Brazil – A master franchise deal will bring 60 new gyms to Brazil, with the flagship set to open in 2026.

Xponential Fitness Appointment – Rachel Lee joins the Board of Directors, bringing two decades of finance and governance expertise.

Boutique Fitness Loyalty Month – LA studios unite to encourage direct bookings and reduce reliance on third-party apps.

Canyon Ranch Tucson – The resort is the only property in the Americas nominated for the first-ever MICHELIN Wellness Award.

Life Time Work Lounges – The company completes its 55th lounge, expanding workspace options within athletic clubs.

NYC Bakery Run – More than 5,000 people sign up for a pastry-fueled half marathon debuting September 21.

Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.
#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews #gymowners 

Chapters:
00:00- Intro
00:15- Pvolve Expansion
00:44- Gold’s Gym Brazil
01:05- Xponential Fitness Appointment
01:21- Boutique Fitness Loyalty Month
01:45- Canyon Ranch Tucson 
02:03- Life Time Work Lounges
02:25- NYC Bakery Run