In this episode, Krissy Vann sits down with Cara Fautley, Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager at the Connected Health & Fitness Summit, to discuss the key themes and conversations that will dominate the fitness industry in 2025.

Some of the topics covered include:

- The rise of longevity, preventative health, and GLP-1 as major industry focuses
- The growing importance of AI, digital transformation, and community/social wellness
- The need for more emphasis on women's health and diversity/inclusion
- The state of the boutique fitness sector and trends like hyper-personalization

Cara shares insights from the extensive research conducted by the Connected Health & Fitness team, as well as her predictions on how the industry will evolve over the next few years.

Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Introduction
2:00 - Key Industry Themes for 2025
6:00 - Research Insights and Surprises
10:00 - The GLP-1 Debate
14:00 - Hyper-Personalization and Women's Health
19:00 - The Future of Boutique Fitness
24:00 - Charitable Initiatives at the Upcoming Summit

#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews

Welcome to This Week in Fitness where we crunch the latest fitness business headlines all in under 5 minutes.

Join host Krissy Vann as we cover the top stories making waves in the fitness industry. From Peloton's impressive financial results to Life Time's investment in recovery and Saudi Arabia’s push to promote fitness on a global scale, we’ve got everything you need to stay informed.

Stories Covered:

1. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Fitness Expansion
The Saudi Sports for All Federation kicks off its inaugural SFA International Sporting Events, including the SFA Expo and Riyadh Marathon. These events promote wellness and feature cutting-edge fitness technology and competitive challenges designed to boost community engagement.

2. Life Time Expands Recovery Amenities
Life Time is enhancing its athletic country clubs by rolling out cold plunges at over 70 locations across the U.S. Learn how cold-water therapy is helping members improve their sleep, mental resilience, and overall recovery.

3. Study Highlights Barriers for Women at the Gym
A new PLOS ONE study reveals the hidden challenges women face in fitness spaces, including judgment, self-criticism, and harassment. Discover how gym operators can create more supportive environments.

4. Peloton Surpasses Expectations
Peloton exceeded projections for its second fiscal quarter of 2025, posting $673.9 million in revenue. Engagement is on the rise with new features and strong retail sales driving growth. Peloton has increased its guidance for fiscal 2025.

5. Climbing Gyms Scale Up with AI Innovation
The global climbing gym market is booming, with $7.72 billion in projected growth between 2025 and 2029. AI-powered tools like automated route-setting and personalized training programs are transforming the climbing experience for members worldwide.

0:00 - Introduction
0:23 - Saudi Arabia's Inaugural SFA International Sporting Events
1:04 - Life Time's Plans for Cold Plunge Installations
1:36 - Why Gyms Can Be Intimidating Spaces for Women
2:19 - Peloton's Strong Q2 Results and Future Outlook
3:11 - The Booming Rock Climbing Gym Market

#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews

In this episode, Krissy Vann sits down with Anton Severin, Vice President of Research at the Health and Fitness Association, to explore the latest insights on how fitness affordability can shape the future of public health and access to exercise.

Key Points:

-The research reveals that affordability is a leading barrier to fitness participation, with 61% of non-customers citing cost as a key obstacle.
-Fitness facility customers are 56% more likely to meet the WHO's recommended activity guidelines, highlighting the unique value of structured exercise environments.
-A 10% reduction in membership fees could significantly increase participation, with the potential to generate billions in health cost savings and productivity gains.
-The research findings demonstrate the importance of addressing affordability through policy support, as the industry alone cannot solve this challenge.
-The consistency of the trends across 10 countries studied underscores the global nature of the issue and the need for coordinated advocacy efforts.

Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Introduction
2:05 - Exploring Anton Severin's Fitness Affordability Research
7:25 - The Impact of Affordability on Fitness Participation
12:35 - Quantifying the Potential Impact of Price Reductions
18:01 - The Societal and Economic Benefits of Improved Fitness Affordability
26:18 - The Future of the Fitness Industry with Affordability Policies
28:42 - Upcoming Research and Industry Support