Future of Fitness

Eric Malzone
  • 5.0 (62)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We are putting a shoulder into the fitness industry and pushing it forward into the modern digital age. Eric Malzone, a 14-year industry veteran, entrepreneur, advisor, and coach, interviews the brightest movers and shakers in the fitness and health industries. Interviewing some of the industry's top executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, topics will vary covering cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship, hot industry trends, and so much more. If you're in or around the industry, this is how you keep your edge sharp.

  1. 2D AGO

    Rick Mayo - No Pressure, Just Strategy: Why Alloy Took a PE Partner After 30 Years

    After 30+ years of bootstrapping Alloy Franchise to over 135 locations, founder Rick Mayo finally decided to bring in a private equity partner—but not for the reasons you might think. In this candid conversation with Eric Malzone, Rick opens up about why he chose Capital Spring, how he avoided the "gunslinging" PE horror stories, and why pulling some chips off the table actually gave him more clarity, not less. He breaks down the deceptively simple model behind Alloy's 91% retention rate, explains why saying "no" to flashy trends (GLP-1s, saunas, meal delivery) has been the secret to scaling, and reveals how he thinks about integrating adjacent services without muddying the core business. If you're a franchise operator, founder considering outside capital, or just someone who wants to know what actually works after three decades in the trenches, this one's for you. Key Takeaways: 🏋️ The Simple Model Wins – One coach, six clients, 130–150 members per location. 91% retention. Average unit volume ~$387k. Complexity is the enemy of scale. 🤝 Why Partner With PE After 30 Years? – Not because they had to. Because they wanted resources, strategic finance, and a partner who'd already scaled 100+ brands—without losing control. 🧠 Founder-Friendly PE Exists – Capital Spring is slow, steady, and voted most founder-friendly. They don't want your job. They want to help you keep it. 🚫 The Power of Saying No – No GLP-1 integration. No saunas. No meal delivery. Yet. Rick explains why chasing every "squirrel" dilutes a simple, working model. 🚲 The Bicycle Wheel Strategy – Alloy is the hub (trusted strength training). Everything else—blood work, peptides, recovery—are spokes. Let the hub stay strong; integrate spokes centrally, not at each gym. 🧩 Franchisees Don't Need More Complexity – Most franchisees are learning to run their first business. Adding supplements, meal plans, and hormone therapy to their plate fails. Better to run those plays centrally and rev-share. 🎯 The 800-Goal Isn't Arbitrary – 800 awarded = ~500 open. That's 100 new licenses/year. Runway is 1,500–2,000 total. They're pacing exactly where they want to be. 👴 The Avatar Sells Itself – Most franchise buyers are 40–60 years old... the same age as Alloy's ideal client. They "get" the model because they wish it existed in their own town. ❤️ Rick's Favorite Phase? The Single Gym – Before scaling, before franchising, just training clients, cracking jokes, and going home. "It didn't even feel like a job." 🔍 What He Needs Now – Adjacent partners for the "spokes" (recovery, HRV, concierge blood work, peptides). Reach out via alloyfranchise.com. OUR SPONSORS: 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en 🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int

    52 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Doug Gremmen - From 600 to 1.8 Million Participants: Inside Hyrox's Rocket Ship Growth

    Eric Malzone sits down live with Doug Gremmen, Chief Growth Officer at HYROX, at the Connected Health and Fitness Summit in Beverly Hills. They dive into how HYROX went from just 600 finishers back in 2018 to a projected 1.8 million in 2026 — basically a rocket ship in the fitness world. Doug shares how they built the brand from the ground up by knocking on gym doors, the massive role community and user-generated content played, and why the super consistent race format makes it so easy to scale everywhere from LA to China and beyond. They talk gym affiliates (now at 14,000 worldwide), what the $130/month program actually gives gym owners, how HYROX is turning regular members into loyal athletes who stick around, and why big players like F45, Orange Theory, and even big box gyms are all jumping on board. Plus, they touch on US expansion, revenue streams, the challenges of growing crazy fast, and HYROX's long-term dream of hitting the Olympics. If you own a gym, train for races, or just want to understand where fitness is headed, this one's loaded with real talk and actionable insight. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro and chatting at the Connected Health and Fitness Summit 2:10 – The insane growth numbers: 600 finishers in 2018 → 1.8 million projected in 2026 5:45 – Building from the ground up and creating a full fitness ecosystem 9:30 – Community power and billions of Instagram impressions from athletes 13:20 – Why a fixed, repeatable race format is a game-changer for scaling globally 18:15 – Turning gym members into athletes who actually stay longer 22:40 – Breaking down the gym affiliate program: $130/month and what you really get 28:50 – The Performance Hub, programming tools, and how any gym can make it work 35:10 – Early traction in CrossFit boxes, then boutiques, now big enterprise gyms 41:25 – Revenue levers and running a massive turnkey event business 47:00 – Why CrossFit, Spartan, and others feel more like partners than competitors 53:40 – Olympic dreams and the goal to touch 100 million lives 58:15 – Growth challenges, quality control, and staying scalable in 112 countries 1:03:30 – Final thoughts and how to get involved with HYROX Key Takeaways: 🔥 HYROX's crazy growth trajectory and what's coming in 2026 🌍 How one consistent format is powering expansion into China, India, Brazil, and beyond 🏋️ The insane power of athlete-generated content and word-of-mouth 💰 Real details on the $130/month gym affiliate model and its value 🏟 How HYROX helps gyms keep members longer and turn them into dedicated athletes 🤝 Why competing brands like F45 and Orange Theory are happy partners 📈 Smart revenue plays and the business side of running global fitness events 🏅 Long-term vision: Olympic aspirations and becoming a massive participation sport 🛠 Low barriers for gyms plus flexible tools that actually fit different gym types 🚀 Creating "goosebump moments" that keep athletes coming back and bringing friends

    48 min

  3. APR 6

    Karl Sanft - COVID, Bankruptcy, and Back: The 24 Hour Fitness Turnaround

    In this conversation, 24 Hour Fitness CEO Karl Sanft opens up about steering the iconic brand through a once‑in‑a‑generation pandemic, bankruptcy, and a full operational turnaround—only to welcome back founder Mark Mastrov as executive chair. Karl shares why shifting from an "access" to a "usage" model during COVID became a defining moment, how private equity sharpened his leadership edge, and why doubling down on the middle‑market (great strength floors at a $30–$50 price point) is the winning strategy. He also reveals their three‑phase capital plan: remodel 50 clubs a year, leverage the platform for M&A, then build new clubs. If you care about fitness industry trends, post‑bankruptcy turnarounds, or how AI is changing gym operations, this episode is packed with real‑world lessons from a 30‑year member turned CEO. Key Takeaways 💪 Pandemic Pivot – Moving from an "access" to a "usage" model with outdoor tents kept members engaged and signaled the brand was fighting to survive. 🔄 Founder Reconnection – Karl reached out to Mark Mastrov early on; their relationship grew naturally, and now Mark's return has created a "seismic wave" of energy and talent. 🏢 Remodel First, Then Grow – Phase 1: renovate 50 clubs/year. Phase 2: leverage the platform with M&A. Phase 3: build new clubs (12‑18 month pipeline). 📊 Middle‑Market Wins – 24 Hour Fitness owns the $30‑$50/month sweet spot, competing on strength floors and amenities, not luxury cafes or rock‑bottom pricing. 🧠 Private Equity Education – PE taught Karl speed, precision, and data discipline: "What took a year in public takes three months in PE; what took three months takes a week." 🤖 Smart AI Use – Use ChatGPT for rough drafts, but always personalize. Karl warns against sloppy, identical outreach that "makes it stop." 👥 Human Interaction Still Matters – Gyms remain one of the few places you can't outsource the workout. Karl's rule: "Email if it's interesting, text if you want me, call if you need me." OUR SPONSORS: 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en 🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int

    50 min

  4. APR 1

    Jim LaValle - Peptides, GLP-1s, and the Product Problem: What Longevity Brands Are Missing

    In this episode, Eric Malzone hangs out with Jim LaValle—a legend in metabolic health who's been deep in this world for over 40 years—for a real conversation about GLP-1s, peptides, and what it actually takes to build a healthier, longer life. Jim gets honest about why these drugs can be a game-changer but also why so many people use them wrong, the sketchy side of the "research only" peptide market, and which peptides he's actually excited about for gut health, hormones, and fixing your sleep. They also talk about why the fitness industry hasn't quite cracked the longevity code yet, and how the whole landscape is shifting thanks to consumer demand, post-COVID wake-up calls, and even AI. It's a no-BS chat that'll make you rethink quick fixes and appreciate the basics again. Key Takeaways 🧬 GLP-1s are a powerful tool, but treat them like a lifeline, not a free pass—if you ignore protein, training, and the basics, you'll just lose muscle and gain it all back. 💉 Dosing matters way more than most people realize. Slow and steady (a couple pounds a week) beats maxing out and getting stuck on the highest dose. ⚠️ The "research only" peptide world is the Wild West—impurities, wrong doses, and sketchy syringes are real risks. If you're injecting it, you want the safety stuff to be legit. 🌙 Peptides go way beyond weight loss: epitalon for circadian rhythm, kisspeptin for hormones, KPV and larazotide for gut healing—Jim's got a whole toolkit for different jobs. 📈 Why now? COVID scared people straight, and when their regular doctors didn't have answers, they went looking—and found peptides, biohacking, and a whole new way to take control. 🏋️ For all the cool new tech, exercise, sleep, and solid nutrition are still the foundation. Gyms give you the structure and community that no peptide can replace. OUR SPONSORS: 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en  🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int

    58 min

  5. MAR 26

    Sarah Luna - Pilates 3.0: How Pilates Addiction Plans to Scale to 1,000 Units by 2030

    In this episode of The Future of Fitness, host Eric Malzone sits down with Sarah Luna, CEO of Pilates Addiction, to explore the brand's rapid rise and what she calls "Pilates 3.0." With a background as a professional dancer, certified Pilates instructor, and franchise owner, Sarah brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and business acumen to the forefront. She breaks down how Pilates Addiction combines the best of traditional studio Pilates and modern high-intensity reformer workouts into a 50-minute, full-body experience designed for maximum efficiency. From the patented gold "Oram" machine to a member-centric business model built for franchisee success, Sarah shares insights on scaling the brand to 200 locations in 2026, the importance of multi-unit operators, and what it takes to win in today's boutique fitness landscape. Key Takeaways 🧘‍♀️ Pilates 3.0 Explained – A hybrid approach blending traditional Pilates principles with high-intensity, full-body efficiency using a patented machine that combines four apparatuses into one. 🏢 Franchise Growth – Over 240 licenses sold with plans to open 200 locations in 2026, targeting multi-unit operators with strong business backgrounds. 💰 Lean & Profitable Model – Studios require just 1,500–1,700 sq. ft. and break even with a few hundred members, making it an accessible investment for qualified franchisees. 🎓 Educator Academy – A proprietary 30- to 45-day certification program that trains new instructors, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for scaling locations. 🎯 Target Demographic – Primarily women aged 25–45, with growing interest from men and an intentional studio design (gold machines, dark lighting) to broaden appeal. 📈 CEO Strategy for Scale – Focus on hiring leaders with scaled experience, using technology for real-time financial planning, and helping franchisees fund multiple units from the start. 🌍 International Ambitions – Aiming for 1,000 locations by 2030 with expansion into Canada, Asia-Pacific, and other global markets. OUR SPONSORS: 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en  🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int

    42 min

  6. MAR 21

    Juliet Starrett & Alex Alimanestianu - Quarterly Reports: $7.5 Billion Merger, a Surprise IPO, and Executive Shuffles

    In this episode, Eric Malzone, Juliet Starrett, and Alex find themselves at the intersection of a shifting fitness economy, dissecting a massive Q1 2026 that has left the industry bifurcated between high-end luxury and high-volume value . The team breaks down the "K-shaped" recovery where premium powerhouses like Lifetime are flex-pricing their way to record margins while mid-market players and franchise models like Xponential Fitness face mounting regulatory and internal pressure . From the blockbuster $7.5 billion Mindbody-EGYM merger to Strava's surprise IPO filing, this deep dive explores whether the future of fitness lies in high-tech hardware, social networks, or the growing convergence of medicine and movement . Episode Highlights 📈 The K-Shaped Gym Economy: Why Lifetime is winning on "yield per head" ($3,531 average revenue per member) while Planet Fitness continues to battle for the price-sensitive consumer . 🤝 The $7.5B Merger: A "head-scratcher" look at the Playlist (Mindbody/ClassPass) and EGYM deal and what it means for the future of connected gym hardware ⌚ Garmin's Dominance: How the fitness segment is crushing its competitors with 33% growth, effectively eating the lunch of Fitbit and Google 🚲 Peloton's Profitability Pivot: The narrowing losses and declining employee count as the brand tries to transition from a "melting ice cube" into a sustainable wellness entity 🔔 Strava Goes Public: Insights into the confidential S-1 filing and whether Wall Street will value the 180-million-member platform as a social network or a fitness tool 🤸 Peak Pilates?: Discussion on Xponential Fitness's legal exposure and whether the boutique modality market has finally reached a saturation point 🏋️ CrossFit's Crossroads: Following the departure of CEO Don Faul, the team discusses the difficulty of monetizing the "beautiful chaos" of the affiliate model . 🏥 Medical Convergence: The emerging trend of bringing HSA/FSA dollars and clinical services directly under the gym roof .

    1h 33m

  7. MAR 16

    John Ford - EGYM's Bet: The Untrained Market Is Where the Real Health Impact Is

    In this episode, we sit down with John Ford, Chief Product Officer at eGym, to explore the massive shift currently happening at the intersection of fitness and healthcare. From his early days founding Virtual Active and licensing cinematic workout content to industry giants like Peloton, to his current role leading product strategy at a global fitness unicorn, John offers a masterclass in behavioral science and hardware integration. We dive deep into the launch of Genius AI, discussing how it removes the "intimidation barrier" for gym beginners and provides the objective data—like one-rep max and body composition—necessary to prove fitness outcomes to the medical community. Whether you're interested in the impact of GLP-1 medications on strength training or how AI is actually driving more personal training sales, this conversation provides a roadmap for the future of longevity and health prevention in the club environment. Episode Takeaways 🚀 The Evolution of Fitness Tech: John traces his 20-year journey from filming "Virtual Active" trails with a 40lb steady cam to leading the eGym C-suite. 🤖 Genius AI & Precision Prescription: How eGym's new AI engine uses real-time hardware data to automate personalized workouts in 30 seconds, replacing the manual 15-minute trainer process. 🏥 Bridging the Healthcare Gap: Discussing the multi-million dollar clinical trials eGym is conducting to prove the efficacy of strength training for chronic conditions and longevity. 💪 The Beginner Solution: Why "integrated hardware-software" is the key to activating the 80% of the population who are intimidated by traditional weight rooms. 💉 The GLP-1 Opportunity: Exploring how the rise of weight-loss medications is creating a massive new demand for supervised, accessible strength training to preserve muscle mass 📈 AI as a Sales Tool: Data shows that AI-driven onboarding actually increases personal training (PT) sales by building member confidence and providing trainers with better "bites at the apple." ⚽ The Dark Side of Youth Sports: A candid look at the "over-optimization" and "pay-to-play" culture in modern club sports and its impact on lifelong fitness 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en  🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int

    46 min

  8. MAR 12

    Mike Ranfone & Dr. Marko Lujic - The Gym of the Future Will Change the Future of Healthcare: RTS's Integration Model

    What happens when a lifelong friendship meets a shared frustration with broken systems? Mike Ranfone and Dr. Marko Lujic did something most people only talk about — they actually built the gym-medical hybrid model that the health and fitness industry has been circling around for years. In this episode, Dr. Lujic opens up about the moment he realized he wasn't practicing healthcare — he was practicing sick care — and how that wake-up call led him and Mike to launch RTS Health in Hampton, Connecticut. Together, they walk us through their full client experience: from DEXA scans and comprehensive biomarker labs to concierge medicine, personalized training, and registered dietitian support — all under one roof for around $1,000/month. They also get real about why collaboration beats territorialism, why most people are "majoring in the minors" when it comes to longevity, and what it actually takes to build a business model at the intersection of fitness and functional medicine. If you've ever felt like the fitness and medical worlds should be talking to each other but aren't — this episode is for you. Episode Takeaways: 🤝 Lifelong friendships can become your greatest business asset — Mike and Dr. Lujic's 35-year friendship gave them the trust and communication that most business partnerships take years to build (and some never do) 🏥 Sick care vs. healthcare — Dr. Lujic's pivot away from hospital medicine came from recognizing he was only treating disease after the fact, not preventing it in the first place 📊 Data drives everything at RTS — DEXA scans, comprehensive biomarker labs, VO2 max testing, resting metabolic rate assessments, and brain scans create a full picture no 12-minute PCP visit ever could 💊 Stop majoring in the minors — Before anyone gets peptides or hormone optimization, they need to earn it by nailing the fundamentals: sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management 🔗 The siloed fitness-medical model is broken — When your trainer and your doctor never talk, nobody wins; true health outcomes require a closed feedback loop between all providers 💰 ~$1,000/month for a full health team — Labs, DEXA, hormone replacement, supplementation, personal training, nutrition coaching, and concierge medical access — all included 🧠 Proactive health means managing the gray zone — The space between "feeling fine" and "something's broken" is where chronic disease starts, and it's where RTS does their best work 🌍 The vision is bigger than one gym — Mike and Dr. Lujic want to consult, affiliate, and educate other practitioners to scale this model nationally, not protect their turf 🚫 They're not trying to sell you on your own health — If you're not invested in yourself, they're not the right fit — and they'll tell you that upfront Checkout our sponsors ✨ 🔗 Perfect Gym: https://www.perfectgym.com/en 🔗 eGym: https://egym.com/int

    51 min
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5
out of 5
62 Ratings

About

We are putting a shoulder into the fitness industry and pushing it forward into the modern digital age. Eric Malzone, a 14-year industry veteran, entrepreneur, advisor, and coach, interviews the brightest movers and shakers in the fitness and health industries. Interviewing some of the industry's top executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, topics will vary covering cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship, hot industry trends, and so much more. If you're in or around the industry, this is how you keep your edge sharp.

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Malzone
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    542
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Future of Fitness

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