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 special episode recorded live at the Coach360 After Party during HFA 2026 in San Diego, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with four influential leaders from across the fitness industry for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversation on where the industry is headed.

Featuring insights from Bob Thomas, Sal Pellegrino, Pamela J. Brown (Crunch Fitness), and Marc Rodriguez, this conversation explores the shifting landscape of fitness, from emerging medical integrations and technology to generational changes in trainers, leadership, and culture.

In this episode, we cover:

• The rise of GLP-1 medications and their impact on gyms, training, and member behavior.
• The ongoing evolution of the fitness industry post-COVID and signs of renewed growth
• Why culture, community, and human connection are more important than ever.
• The generational shift in trainers and the growing communication gap.
• How AI and technology are reshaping personal training and member expectations.
• The importance of education, mentorship, and professionalism in long-term success.
• Why longevity, health, and quality of life are overtaking aesthetics as primary goals.
• The role of leadership in shaping the future of fitness organizations.

👉 To learn more about HFA, click here: https://hub.healthandfitness.org/hfa-show

👉 To learn more about our sponsor EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

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Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.

Contact us at wendy@liftspodcast.com for advertising opportunities

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00:00 Bob Thomas Introduction

06:50 GLP-1 and Fitness Industry

22:00 Sal Pellegrino Insights

37:40 Pamela Brown Culture Talk

47:00 Mark Rodriguez Training Evolution

01:01:50 Longevity Shift

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 special episode recorded live from HFA 2026 in San Diego, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with three of the most influential leaders in the global fitness industry to break down where the space is heading next.

Featuring insights from Mark S. Mastrov (24 Hour Fitness), Adam Sedlack (UFC Gyms), and Bill Davis (ABC Fitness), this episode dives into the rapid evolution of fitness business models, technology, member behavior, and the growing intersection between fitness, healthcare, and longevity.

In this episode, we cover:

• How technology and AI are reshaping the modern gym experience.
• Why the traditional membership model is evolving (and what comes next).
• The rise of recovery, longevity, and performance-driven services.
• How GLP-1s, peptides, and medical wellness are influencing gym usage.
• The growing importance of personal training as a retention driver.
• Why younger generations are entering fitness earlier and using gyms differently.
• The shift toward multi-gym memberships and "share of wallet" behavior.
• How brands like UFC Gyms are expanding into new modalities like jiu jitsu.
• The increasing role of personalization, data, and AI in fitness platforms.
• What separates top-performing gyms from the rest.

👉 To learn more about HFA, click here: https://hub.healthandfitness.org/hfa-show

👉 To learn more about our sponsor EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

======================================================

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.

Contact us at wendy@liftspodcast.com for advertising opportunities

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop

View our full catalog:

https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US)

https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)

Join the conversation at LIFTS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod

00:00 Intro: Live from HFA 2026

02:03 Mark Mastrov Interview

04:30 Technology & Industry Shift

09:21 Free Membership Model Discussion

13:16 Personal Training & Retention

18:47 Multi-Gym Membership Trends

22:03 Adam Sedlack Interview

25:24 Jiu Jitsu Growth

30:50 Global Fitness Trends

38:23 Bill Davis Interview

43:13 AI & Data in Fitness

57:56 Closing Thoughts

Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this special episode recorded live at PerformX, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore one of the most significant and rapidly evolving topics in health and fitness today: the rise of GLP-1 medications and what they mean for the fitness industry.

Joined by Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, GP, personal trainer, health coach, and one of the UK's leading educators on obesity management and lifestyle medicine, the conversation explores how these medications are reshaping the health landscape.

As GLP-1 treatments become more widely used across the US and UK, gyms are beginning to see a new type of members entering their facilities, individuals who may be starting their health journey for the first time and looking for guidance on building sustainable habits.

The discussion explores how GLP-1 medications work, the challenges around muscle loss during rapid weight reduction, and why strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle change are critical for long-term health outcomes.

The panel also examines how healthcare systems such as the NHS are approaching GLP-1 treatments, the risks of relying on medication alone, and why fitness operators may become one of the most important environments for supporting members during and after treatment.

From body composition tracking and behaviour change to collaboration between healthcare and fitness professionals, this conversation explores the growing role gyms could play in supporting sustainable health outcomes.

This episode is Part 2 of a three-part series recorded live at PerformX, exploring the ideas shaping the future of fitness.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why GLP-1 medications are transforming the weight-loss landscape
• The difference between weight loss and health gain
• Why muscle preservation matters during GLP-1 treatment
• How exercise can reduce the risk of rapid weight regain
• What gym operators can do to better support members using GLP-1s
• Why body composition matters more than the number on the scale
• The opportunity for collaboration between healthcare and fitness professionals

👉 To learn more about Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussain-al-zubaidi-402b141a7/

👉 To learn more about our sponsor EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

======================================================

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.

Contact us at wendy@liftspodcast.com for advertising opportunities

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop

View our full catalog:

https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US)

https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)

Join the conversation at LIFTS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod

0:00 Welcome to LIFTS Live at PerformX
0:46 Why GLP-1s Have Exploded in the US
3:05 The UK Obesity Challenge & GLP-1 Access
6:07 Why Exercise Matters During GLP-1 Treatment
8:45 Muscle Loss and the Opportunity for Gyms
11:01 Why the NHS Is Cautious About GLP-1
18:17 What Gym Operators Should Actually Do
33:38 Micro-dosing, Misuse & Industry Risks
42:04 The Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this special episode recorded live at PerformX, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore one of the most important shifts happening in the fitness industry today: the evolution of the gym into a health hub.

Joined by Jaclyn Hughes (Ultimate Training Solutions), Tim Gray (Health Optimisation Summit & The Biohacker), and Rez Barad (House of Fitness), the panel examines how fitness, longevity, biohacking, and preventative healthcare are beginning to converge.

As consumers return to gyms with wearables, health data, and a greater awareness of their own health, operators are being challenged to rethink the role of the fitness facility. Members are no longer just looking for workouts — they're looking for guidance on sleep, recovery, longevity, and overall health outcomes.

The discussion explores how operators can integrate health-focused services while still delivering the fundamentals that matter most: strength training, movement, recovery, and education.

The panel also dives into the growing knowledge gap between consumers and coaches, the rise of longevity-focused training, and how gyms could play a much larger role in the preventative health ecosystem.

From wearable data and biohacking trends to new membership models and health services, this conversation explores what the next generation of fitness facilities might look like — and what operators should prioritise as the industry evolves.

This episode is Part 1 of a three-part series recorded live at PerformX, exploring the ideas shaping the future of fitness.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why gyms are evolving into health hubs
• The rise of longevity, biohacking, and preventative health
• The growing knowledge gap between consumers and coaches
• Why strength training, sleep, and recovery remain foundational
• How wearable data is reshaping consumer expectations
• The opportunity for gyms to play a role in preventative healthcare
• Why operators may need to shift from tracking visits to tracking outcomes

👉 To learn more about Jaclyn Hughes, click here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynhughes/

👉 To learn more about Tim Gray and Health Optimisation Summit, click here:
https://www.healthoptimisation.com/

👉 To learn more about Rez Barad and House of Fitness, click here:
https://www.houseoffitness.co.uk/

👉 To learn more about our sponsor EGYM, click here:
https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

==================================================

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.

Contact us at wendy@liftspodcast.com for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

Shop gym equipment:
https://escapefitness.com/shop

View our full catalog:
https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US)
https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)

Join the conversation at LIFTS LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod

0:00 Welcome to LIFTS Live at PerformX
1:40 The Gym as a Health Hub: Why the Industry Is Changing
6:30 Longevity, Biohacking & the Future of Fitness
10:15 Premium vs Accessible Health Services in Gyms
15:00 Biohacking Trends and the Evidence Debate
19:45 The Knowledge Gap Between Consumers and Coaches
23:00 The Foundations: Strength, Sleep & Recovery
30:00 The Opportunity for Gym Operators
33:30 The Future of Gym Pricing & Membership Models
40:15 Final Takeaways: Education, Health & the Next Era of Fitness

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

Recorded live at Connected Health & Fitness Summit 2026, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with three industry leaders to unpack the convergence of fitness, technology, wellness, and human intelligence.

Guests include:

• David Van Daff (NASM): A 30-year fitness industry veteran representing the National Academy of Sports Medicine, discussing certification evolution, AI in training, and the expanding expectations placed on personal trainers.
  
  
• Jeff Yasuda (Feed Media Group): Co-founder of Feed FM, sharing insights on music, AI vs HI, ecosystem trends, and how human curation still powers engagement.
  
  
• Julian Barnes (BFS): Co-founder of BFS and co-chair of Connected Health & Fitness 2026, offering data-driven insights on studio growth, mindset, and the role of people in an increasingly automated world.

Key Topics include:

• How personal training evolved pre and post pandemic.
• Why AI will not replace trainers, but trainers using AI may dominate.
• The rise of ecosystem thinking in connected fitness.
• AI vs HI: why human intelligence still matters.
• The mindset separating scalable studio operators from everyone else.
• Why tech must serve frontline staff, not overwhelm them.
• The demographic challenge facing gyms and studios.
• How coaches and trainers remain the most powerful influencers in fitness.

👉 To learn more about the Connected Health & Fitness Summit, click here:

https://connectedhealthandfitness.com/events/connected-health-fitness-summit-2026

👉 To learn more about our sponsor, EGYM, click here:

https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

Don't miss a LIFTS update! Subscribe to our free Newsletter today: https://www.liftspodcast.com/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video:
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📘 View our full catalog:
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00:00 – Intro & Personal Training Evolution

05:00 – AI and the Future of Trainers

11:30 – Career Pathways in Fitness

19:41 – Jeff Yasuda on Music & Ecosystems

25:55 – AI vs HI Debate

36:52 – Julian Barnes on Growth & Mindset

45:38 – Do Not Forget the People

53:43 – Technology, Labor & The Future

Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Troy Taylor from Tonal to explore one of the most important shifts happening in fitness today: strength as the foundation of longevity.

Drawing on connected strength data from thousands of members, this conversation examines a surprising insight — in many cases, 60-year-olds are matching or outperforming 30-year-olds in relative strength gains. The difference isn't age. It's consistency, progressive overload, and measurable outcomes.

As the industry shifts from aesthetics and performance toward healthspan and preventative health, the discussion explores what truly matters as we age. From muscle mass and maximal strength to power and velocity, Troy explains why lower-body power may be one of the most important predictors of long-term resilience, fall prevention, and independence.

The episode also explores minimal effective dose training, advanced tools like eccentric overload, and the growing role of connected strength technology. For operators, this conversation challenges traditional KPIs such as check-ins and time-in-gym, making the case for tracking strength progression and real outcomes instead.

This episode moves beyond trends to examine what fitness operators, brands, and leaders should prioritise if the goal is not just participation — but measurable progress and long-term health impact.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why older members often outperform younger ones in relative strength gains
• The real driver of progress: consistency and progressive overload
• Why strength is becoming foundational for longevity
• Muscle vs strength vs power — and why power matters most as we age
• Minimal effective dose training and why 20–35 minutes works
• Why lower-body power is critical for healthspan and fall prevention
• Why operators must shift from tracking visits to tracking outcomes

👉 To learn more about Troy Taylor, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-taylor-4577bb38/

👉 To learn more about Tonal, click here: https://www.tonal.com/

👉 To download the Tonal State of Strength Report, click here: https://tonal-state-of-strength.myshopify.com/

👉 To learn more about our sponsor, EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

======================================================
Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
Contact us at wendy@liftspodcast.com for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop

View our full catalog:
https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US)
https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)

=====================================================

Join the conversation at LIFTS LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod

0:00 Why 60-Year-Olds Are Outperforming 30-Year-Olds
6:45 What Tonal's Data Reveals About Consistency
17:42 Minimal Effective Dose: Why Short Workouts Work
20:59 Muscle vs Strength vs Power (What Matters Most)
30:09 What This Means for Operators
41:39 Final Takeaways: Lower-Body Power & Longevity

Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Sean Turner, CEO of Les Mills US, to explore one of the most persistent and misunderstood challenges in fitness today: member retention.

Drawing on decades of experience as both a club operator and global brand leader, this conversation examines why retention is not a content problem, but a human one. Sean shares how confidence, belonging, and experience design play a far greater role in long-term engagement than endless workout libraries or digital platforms.

As the industry continues to invest heavily in content, technology, and on-demand solutions, the discussion focuses on why fitness cannot be built like a streaming service and what actually drives consistency and behavior change. From group training and coaching quality to structured systems that scale, this episode highlights what operators often misunderstand about motivation and why members quietly disengage.

This episode moves beyond tactics and trends to highlight what fitness operators, brands, and leaders should prioritise if the goal is not just acquisition but long-term retention and meaningful participation.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why retention is driven by confidence and belonging, not content volume
• The "confidence gap" that prevents people from fully engaging in fitness
• Why fitness isn't Netflix and why that analogy matters
• How group training and coaching create long-term adherence
• What operators misunderstand about motivation and disengagement
• Lessons from Les Mills on building systems that drive retention at scale

👉 To learn more about Sean Turner, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seandturner/
👉 To learn more about Les Mills, click here: https://www.lesmills.com/

See comments for how to access the Global Fitness Report - add link - To download a copy of the Les Mills Global Fitness Report 2026 click here: https://www.lesmills.com/clubs-and-facilities/research-insights/fitness-trends/2026-global-fitness-report-strength-and-wellness-to-drive-next-wave-of-member-growth/

👉 To learn more about our sponsor, EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR

======================================================
Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
Contact us at wendy@liftspodcast.com for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

Shop gym equipment:
https://escapefitness.com/shop

View our full catalog:
https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog (US)
https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue (UK)

======================================================

Join the conversation at LIFTS LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod

0:00 Retention, attrition, and why the problem hasn't changed
3:30 Why fitness isn't Netflix (and why content fails)
7:30 Systems, operators, and the Les Mills perspective
11:30 Sponsor: EGYM
13:00 Confidence, intimidation, and why people disengage
22:00 Group training, belonging, and behavior change
34:00 What operators misunderstand about retention
48:30 Final lessons on experience, systems, and retention at scale