Beyond the Workout: What's Next for the Fitness Industry

The fitness consumer is changing fast. Has the fitness industry changed with them? In Episode 139 of LIFTS (Latest Industry Fitness Trends & Stories), Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down for a special round table recorded live at an exclusive VIP dinner in Chicago, brought together in partnership with ABC Fitness. They’re joined by Tony Small, co-founder of Replify, Richard Earney, National Wellness Director at Midtown Athletic, and Mason Levey, co-founder of Y7 Studio, for a wide-ranging conversation about some of the biggest forces reshaping fitness right now; from AI and GLP-1s to changing consumer behaviour, demographics, social media, wellness and longevity. As younger generations increasingly seek real-world experiences and connection, the panel asks whether gyms, studios and health clubs are taking on a bigger role in people’s lives and whether fitness is becoming a new kind of social space. ABC Fitness data also points to Gen Z and Millennials joining and using facilities at higher rates. The conversation moves into the rise of the wellness consumer and GLP-1s, asking whether fitness businesses should broaden their role in health and wellness or stay focused on their core expertise. AI is another major focus. As consumer expectations become more complex, could technology handle more of the transactional side of the member journey, freeing teams to focus on the human experience? And could greater personalisation help operators move beyond simply acquiring members towards helping them build lasting fitness habits? In this episode, we explore: 💪 Why fitness is becoming more than just a workout 👥 How Gen Z and younger consumers are changing the industry 🤝 Community, connection and fitness as a “third space” 💉 GLP-1s and the changing relationship between fitness, health and wellness 🧠 Why how exercise makes people feel could matter more than how they look 🤖 How AI could transform the member experience 🎯 The move from mass marketing towards true personalisation ❤️ How technology could free teams to focus more on human connection 📈 What changing consumer expectations mean for gyms and studios 🔮 What fitness leaders need to be thinking about next The member has changed. The question is: has the fitness industry changed with them? Guests Tony Small – Co-founder, Replify -   / tonysmall   Mason Levey – Co-founder, Y7 Studio -   / masonlevey1   Richard Earney – National Wellness Director, Midtown Athletic -   / richard-earney-12458832   Find Out More Learn more about - https://abcfitness.com/ 📩 Subscribe to the https://www.liftspodcast.com/newsletter 🎧 Listen on https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... 🔗 Follow LIFTS on   / liftspod   📱 Follow LIFTS on   / lifts.podcast   #LIFTS #ABCFitness #FitnessIndustry #FitnessBusiness #FutureOfFitness #FitnessTechnology #AI #Wellness #GLP1 #MemberExperience Chapters 00:00 The Member Has Changed. Has the Fitness Industry? 03:48 Is Fitness Becoming the New Third Space? 10:32 GLP-1s, Wellness & the New Health Consumer 16:19 How AI Is Changing the Fitness Industry 24:28 Does Fitness Need to Rebrand Itself? 29:27 Can AI Help Build Better Fitness Habits? 33:32 Are Consumer Expectations Changing Faster Than Fitness?