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