In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with fitness technology veteran Leon Rudge for a deep dive into three major stories shaping the industry: the Basic‑Fit/Clever‑Fit mega‑merger, the Strava vs Garmin lawsuit, and Ladder's push into integrated nutrition tracking.

Leon also shares insights from four months immersed in Southeast Asia's digital‑nomad tech hubs.

Key topics include:

• Leon's experiences inside Southeast Asia's booming digital‑nomad tech scene.

• Why the Basic‑Fit acquisition signals a new phase for European fitness.

• The real story behind the Strava vs. Garmin lawsuit.

• Why integration, not features, is the new competitive advantage.

• How Ladder is using nutrition tracking to boost retention.

• The rise of AI across fitness products and ecosystems.

• Why culture gets lost as companies scale and how to prevent it.

• Predictions for global fitness technology in 2025–2026.

👉 To learn more about Leon Rudge click here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonrudge/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

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00:00 Intro & Retreat Check‑In

01:26 Matthew's Immersive Retreat

03:05 Guest Intro: Leon Rudge

03:36 Why Leon Moved to Southeast Asia

05:24 Traditional Tech vs the New Tech Mindset

06:36 AI‑Driven Digital Nomad Culture

08:10 Story 1: Basic‑Fit Acquires Clever‑Fit

11:15 Tech Integration Challenges Ahead

13:57 Data Strategy & App Ecosystems

15:29 Story 2: Strava vs Garmin Lawsuit

17:34 Why Integrations Fail

24:32 Story 3: Ladder Adds Nutrition Tracking

26:14 Strength Apps & Measurement Challenges

32:00 Key Takeaways: Integration & Longevity

37:25 AI Boom or Bubble?

37:38 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the LIFTS Podcast, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Dr. Sean Pastuch, founder of Active Life, to challenge the industry's obsession with recovery rooms and redefine what it truly means to treat fitness as healthcare.

From debunking lazy innovation to outlining a blueprint for gyms that prioritize people over gadgets, this conversation reimagines how fitness professionals can become the front line of real health transformation. Key topics include: • Why recovery rooms are the 'lazy man's innovation.' • The economics and illusion of retention in gyms. • How trainers can evolve into healthcare professionals. • The difference between preventative and responsive fitness. • How to attract and develop high-value trainers. • When AI should, and shouldn't-- replace human judgment. • Why fitness must specialize like medicine to truly grow.

👉 To learn more about Dr. Sean Pastuch, click here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanpastuch/

👉 To get Sean's ebook "Turn Pro" for free, click here:

pro.activelifeprofessional.com/turnpro-free

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

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00:00 Intro & Tribute to Rick Caro

02:19 The Recovery Movement & Industry Data

05:00 Are Gyms Investing in the Wrong Things?

10:43 What the 'Wellness Industry' Really Includes

13:19 Retention, Training, and Investment Priorities

17:29 Who Actually Needs Recovery?

23:32 Fitness as Healthcare Explained

27:01 Why Physical Therapy Isn't Enough

30:12 Developing Great Trainers

33:03 Targeting the Right Clients

36:29 Specialization and Industry Evolution

39:08 What Belongs in a Modern Gym

41:22 The Role of AI and Technology

43:50 Key Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

In this special remote episode of the LIFTS Podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Liz Clark and Anton Severin of the Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) to unpack the 2024–2025 Global Fitness Report and explore the intersection of data, health, and the future of fitness.

Recorded across three continents, this conversation dives deep into how exercise is redefining healthcare, the evolving role of recovery and wellness, and what's next for the global industry.

Key topics discussed:

• The new definition of obesity and its massive implications for public health.
• How fitness must be recognized as preventative healthcare.
• Global fitness market growth and emerging trends.
• Why recovery and wellness are now the new anchors in gyms.
• The rise of wearables, AI, and the need for standardized fitness data.
• Bridging fitness with healthcare through credible evidence and policy.
• The future of the FIT Act and global legislative momentum.
• Recruiting and retaining qualified trainers and instructors.
• Generational shifts: from aesthetics to mental health and longevity.
• The evolving role of the Health & Fitness Association in shaping the industry.

👉 To get your copies of the Health & Fitness Associations Reports please use the links below: 2025 HFA Global Report:

https://www.healthandfitness.org/publications/the-2025-hfa-global-report/

👉 2025 Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report:

https://www.healthandfitness.org/publications/2025-fitness-industry-benchmarking-report/

👉 If you are an operator located in the US or Canadian markets, please also complete the Employee Compensation and Benefits Survey by Friday November 14, 2025:

https://www.healthandfitness.org/improve-your-club/industry-news/hfa-launches-2025-employee-compensation-benefits-survey/?utm_campaign=Weekly%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=382837849&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9q93aA7aVbdZ0ioS8OU5WV9_A7sXCVpbPaRzF0dRRZyeTNCSGemc0vmtyxDE1e0ZuL4STwnFZG8brAtM7CbczQkfsO9hVdAH2AjrSozjEQkZtw7IA

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

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0:00 – Introduction: Mo from Sydney

1:42 – Introducing Liz Clark & Anton Severin of HFA

4:27 – Obesity crisis and redefining fitness as healthcare

8:10 – The global fitness report and data insights

15:30 – Post-pandemic growth and changing consumer behavior

17:28 – Gyms as third spaces & the rise of recovery zones

26:27 – Recruiting trainers and the challenge of engagement

31:49 – Wearables, AI, and fitness data accuracy

39:04 – Turning fitness data into medical-grade insight

45:24 – From participation to impact: the next decade of fitness

46:05 – The FIT Act and global policy shifts

50:18 – Key takeaways from the report

53:49 – Upcoming HFA event & closing remarks

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Dan Uyemura, CEO and Founder of PushPress, to explore how AI and technology are reshaping the fitness industry while keeping the human touch at the core.

Key topics include:

• Why boutique gym owners remain optimistic despite economic headwinds.
• How AI tools like Gym Happy are changing client engagement.
• The balance between human-to-human connection and automation.
• Why churn and onboarding are the most important KPIs to track.
• How AI adoption differs across generations and what that means for gyms.
• The importance of trust, privacy, and protecting client data.
• Predictions on how AI will evolve in fitness over the next few years.
• Why execution matters more than optimism when running a gym.
• How community and culture will always anchor fitness experiences.

👉 Learn more about Dan, click here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuyemura/

👉 Learn more about PushPress, click here:

https://www.pushpress.com/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop 📘 View our full catalog: US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

Follow Escape Fitness on social media: 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/

00:00 Intro & Guest Welcome

00:03:40 Optimism in Boutique Fitness

00:06:20 Small Gyms Embracing AI

00:08:07 How Gym Happy Works

00:12:03 AI as a System of Action

00:16:52 Key KPIs for Gyms

00:20:19 Generational AI Adoption

00:22:15 AI Privacy & Trust

00:23:25 AI Accuracy & The Future

00:27:29 Key Takeaways from Mo & Dan

00:30:56 Closing Thoughts & Wrap Up

Join hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal for a special series of sit-down interviews recorded live at W3Fit North America.

From recovery trends to leadership lessons, these conversations uncover what's really shaping the fitness industry today.

Key highlights include:

• Jarrod Saracco on the real ROI of recovery and why most clubs still can't monetize it.
• Hillis Lake on 40 years of strength training evolution—from Nautilus to CrossFit.
• Patrick Regan on leading with authenticity and casting the right culture.
• Eric Weber on Woodway's legacy and the future of treadmill innovation.
• Kent Lehnhoff on bridging fitness and nutrition with evidence-based supplements.
• Hector Troncoso on bringing high-quality fitness to the Mexican middle class.
• How HYROX and CrossFit changed how we view athleticism.
• The future of education and recovery certifications.
• The problem of misinformation in the influencer era.

👉 Learn more about W3Fit:

https://weworkwellevents.com/w3-fit/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop 📘 View our full catalog: US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

Follow Escape Fitness on social media: 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/

0:00 – Recovery Reality with Jarrod Saracco

17:20 – The Evolution of Strength Training with Hillis Lake

30:23 – Leadership & Legacy at Life Time with Patrick Regan

39:11 – The Performance Standard with Eric Weber of Woodway

51:03 – Evidence-Based Fitness with Kent Lehnhoff of DotFit

1:02:57 – Moving Mexico Forward with Hector Troncoso

Live from W3Fit North America, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with guests Star Sage and Loryn Huff to discuss the latest fitness industry trends.

From billion-dollar wearable valuations to AI-powered recovery and celebrity-backed fitness ventures, this panel explores the future of wellness.

Key Topics:

• Oura's $11B valuation and the future of wearables.
• Closed vs. open data ecosystems in fitness tech.
• Tom Brady's AI-powered massage company and scalability concerns.
• The evolving role of recovery as an essential moat for gyms.
• Dua Lipa's investment in Pilates and Gen Z engagement.
• How premium clubs deliver longevity, not just sweat.
• Celebrity partnerships vs. real consumer impact.
• Industry identity, intentionality, and member retention strategies.

👉 Learn more about W3Fit:

https://weworkwellevents.com/w3-fit/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop 📘 View our full catalog: US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

Follow Escape Fitness on social media: 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/

00:00 Intro & Welcome

01:14 Oura's $11B Valuation – What It Means

07:37 Tom Brady & AI Massage Debate

14:37 Dua Lipa Joins Pilates Movement

18:32 Recovery as the New Fitness Moat

20:27 Intentional Member Experiences

21:57 Industry Takeaways

24:42 Ecosystems, Not Just Workouts

25:12 Closing & Thanks

Live from W3Fit North America at the Four Seasons Westlake Village, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal host a special onstage edition of the LIFTS podcast.

In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore the future of the fitness industry—from AI gyms and private equity consolidation to the booming recovery market and the resurgence of strength training.

Discussion highlights include:

• What makes live podcasts unique compared to studio episodes.
• First impressions of Fred Fitness, the AI-first gym.
• The impact of mergers, acquisitions, and private equity in fitness tech.
• How AI is reshaping software, business, and member experience.
• Why recovery is the next big differentiator for gyms.
• Programming and personalization in recovery spaces.
• Revenue and retention gains from recovery add-ons.
• Strength training, Pilates, and pickleball as the future modalities.
• The cultural rise of run clubs and community-based fitness.
• How fitness brands can innovate to stay ahead of shifting trends.

👉 Learn more about W3Fit:

https://weworkwellevents.com/w3-fit/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop 📘 View our full catalog: US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

Follow Escape Fitness on social media: 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/

0:00 Intro & Live Audience Energy

1:30 What Makes W3Fit Different

3:00 Visiting Fred Fitness: The AI Gym

7:20 Industry Consolidation & Private Equity

16:20 The Role of AI in Fitness Businesses

19:20 Recovery & Wellness Trends

27:10 DIY vs. Service-Based Recovery Models

35:00 Future Modalities: Strength, Pilates, Pickleball

39:10 Strength Training's Cultural Shift

44:30 Closing Thoughts & Tomorrow's Follow-Up Session

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. This week, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Marco Benitez—former Taekwondo champion turned biomedical engineer and now CEO of rook, a health tech company that transforms wearable data into actionable health insights. Together, they explore how wearables are reshaping the future of fitness, healthcare, and personal health.

Key topics covered include:

• Why your smartwatch might already know more about your health than your doctor.
• How Apple, Samsung, and Aura are competing in the wearable health space.
• The challenge of making sense of endless health data.
• What FDA approval for consumer wearables really means.
• How fitness coaches and gyms can use wearable data to improve client outcomes.
• The differences in HRV tracking across Apple, Whoop, and Aura.
• Wearables as a bridge between fitness and healthcare industries.
• The future of implants, rings, and continuous monitoring devices.
• Marco's vision for rook as the middleware connecting all wearable platforms.

👉 Learn more about Marco Benitez:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcobzg/

👉 Learn more about ROOK:

https://www.tryrook.io/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

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Follow Escape Fitness on social media: 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/

0:00 Intro & Guest Introduction

0:45 Do Smartwatches Know More Than Doctors?

2:44 Wearables During COVID and Data Explosion

6:55 Why Coaches Must Use Wearable Data

10:00 Apple Watch as a Public Health Tool

12:30 Accuracy vs. Data Trends

15:00 HRV Tracking Explained

18:42 How Consumers Actually Use Apple Watch

20:41 Wearables in Latin America & Global Health

23:02 Apple vs. Samsung vs. Huawei

25:40 Future of Wearables – Implants & Rings

27:31 Rook's Role in Cleaning Wearable Data

29:37 Wearables Are the Next Medical Device

31:14 Final Takeaways & Closing

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with entrepreneur and engineer Rami Alhamad, co-founder and CEO of Alma, an AI-powered nutrition companion. From his early days building PUSH, the pioneering strength-tracking wearable later acquired by WHOOP, to his mission with Alma, Rami shares insights on persistence, startup timing, decision-making, and the future of fitness technology.

Key topics covered include:

• How persistence and decision-making frameworks shaped Rami's entrepreneurial journey.
• The origins of PUSH and its role in strength-tracking innovation.
• Why timing is everything in startups.
• Rami's decision to sell PUSH to WHOOP and lessons learned.
• The pivot from hardware to AI-powered nutrition with Alma.
• Why ChatGPT is Alma's real competitor.
• Challenges in nutrition tracking and how AI is solving them.
• Insights into branding, Nike, and the importance of offline communities.
• Predictions for the future of fitness and consumer tech.

👉 Learn more about Rami Alhamad:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramialhamad/

👉 Learn more about Alma

https://www.alma.food/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

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Follow Escape Fitness on social media: 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/

0:00 Intro – Hosts and Guest Introduction

1:11 Persistence as a Founder's Superpower

3:03 Decision-Making Frameworks and Philosophy

5:57 The Origin Story of PUSH

10:00 The Future of Strength-Tracking Technology

13:48 When to Sell a Startup

18:24 Pivoting to AI and Nutrition with ALMA

22:16 Obesity, AI, and the Case for ALMA

27:47 ChatGPT vs Nutrition Apps

32:38 Voice Logging and the Future of Nutrition Tech

37:26 Patents, Innovation, and Wearable Competition

40:38 Branding, Nike, and Reaching New Generations

44:49 The Future is Offline Communities

47:02 Generational Shifts and Technology

50:57 Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts

In this special debate episode of the LIFTS Podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by guest co-host Jack Thomas (Fitness Business Asia) to moderate a high-level discussion on the impact of ClassPass for boutique fitness owners.

Industry voices Jeff Bladt (ClassPass/Playlist) and Rachel Hirsch (Wellness Growth Ventures, The 2% Club, and studio owner) share opposing perspectives on whether ClassPass is a powerful growth partner or a dangerous dependency. Discussion highlights include:

• The origin and evolution of ClassPass.
• How ClassPass transformed consumer behavior in fitness.
• Free trials, pricing power, and fairness for studios.
• Parallels with aggregators in travel, dining, and delivery.
• Revenue data showing both growth and risks for studio owners.
• Strategies to avoid over-reliance on ClassPass.
• How ClassPass affects women-led boutique studios.
• Industry-wide calls for better collaboration between aggregators and studios.

👉 Learn more about Jack Thomas:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitnessbusinessasia/

👉 Learn more about Jeff Bladt:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bladt/

👉 Learn more about Rachel Hirsch:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-hirsch-43b31265/

https://www.the2percent.club/

👉 Learn more about ClassPass:

https://classpass.com/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

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Follow Escape Fitness on social media: 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/

0:00 Intro & Hosts

4:21 Why ClassPass Matters

5:50 The Origin Story of ClassPass

10:30 Consumer Perspective with Rachel

12:46 Free Trials Debate

19:10 ClassPass as an Aggregator

23:05 Discounting & Devaluation Issues

27:40 Revenue Data Insights

33:44 Consumer Wins vs. Studio Risks

38:22 Women in Leadership Discussion

47:51 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

54:34 Closing Remarks