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American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine published a new Position Stand on resistance training recommendations for healthy adults. It synthesizes findings from 137 systematic reviews representing 30,000 participants. The most meaningful gains came when participants moved from having no resistance training to pursuing any form of resistance training. Programs should be individualized according to personal goals, enjoyment, and safety to maximize long-term adherence. For strength gains, the recommendation is to lift 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) for two to three sets per exercise; for hypertrophy, lift 10 sets per muscle group; and for power, lift 30%-70% 1RM with quick movements.
National Academy of Sports Medicine
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) named Arnold Schwarzenegger the recipient of the 2026 Don Wildman Commitment to Excellence Award, named after the founder of Bally Total Fitness. Schwarzenegger, a seven-time Mr. Olympia and five-time Mr. Universe, transformed bodybuilding and has brought health resources to millions through his work with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and After-School All-Stars. He supports the global fitness community through the Arnold Sports Festival and his Pump Club Platform. “Arnold continues to inspire generations to stay strong, active, and capable at every age,” says Mehul Patel, CEO of NASM.
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
The sporting goods industry reached a new milestone in 2025, as wholesale sales totaled $130 billion, according to the 2026 Manufacturers’ Sales by Category Report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). Since 2020, wholesale sales have grown 34.7%. Institutional fitness equipment saw broad-based growth, reflecting continued investment in gyms, health clubs, and commercial facilities. Pickleball remained the fastest-growing category, with wholesale sales climbing 22% year-over-year. “We’re seeing sustained, participation-driven growth, even as companies navigate a more complex economic environment shaped by trade and tariff pressures,” says Alex Kerman, senior director and head of research at SFIA.
EQUIPMENT
Echelon Fitness
Echelon Fitness recently partnered with Primal to develop premium strength equipment for homes, commercial gyms, training facilities, and performance centers across the United States. The collaboration combines Echelon’s advanced technology platform and connected fitness ecosystem with Primal’s innovative strength equipment. “Partnering with Primal for the US market expands Echelon into premium strength environments,” says Lou Lentine, founder and CEO of Echelon Fitness. Primal equipment will be sold alongside Echelon’s connected cardio, recovery, and digital training solutions. Adds Steven Rinaldi, CEO of Primal, “Echelon’s innovation in connected fitness and Primal’s expertise in strength training equipment create a powerful opportunity.”
EGYM
Playlist, the parent company of Mindbody, Booker, and ClassPass, has merged with EGYM, with the combined enterprise valued at $7.5 billion. Playlist now includes 40,000 Mindbody businesses, 88,000 venues listed on ClassPass, 20,000 EGYM Wellpass employer partners, 33,000 EGYM fitness locations, and millions of active users across 30 countries. The combined company has more than 3,000 employees globally. “We are uniquely positioned to grow the industry by building a bridge between fitness, wellness, and healthcare,” says Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, co-founder of Playlist and CEO of EGYM. “Together, we are establishing the first truly global wellness technology operating system.”
Eleiko
The Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar has earned the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 in the Product discipline, within the Sports/Outdoor category. Chosen by an international jury of 129 independent design experts, it was among 10,000 submissions from 68 countries. The bar’s precision-engineered Eleiko Steel shaft delivers a balance of strength and controlled flex required for Olympic lifting. The Optimal Rotation System provides smooth, responsive sleeve spin at any load, while sharp 1.2 competition knurling delivers uncompromising grip security. Gold-colored details signify its competition-certified status, as it is used at World Championships and the Olympic Games.
iFIT, Inc.
iFIT Inc. has appointed Marc Washington as president and chief financial officer. With more than two decades of experience across the health, wellness, and fitness sectors, Washington has a history of building household brands. Among his previous roles: founder and CEO of Supergut, president and COO of Beachbody, CEO of Irwin Naturals, and CFO of The Wonderful Company. He has scaled businesses ranging from venture-backed startups to multibillion-dollar enterprises. "Marc brings a rare blend of financial discipline and an understanding of how to bridge the gap between operational excellence and consumer-centric growth,” says Kevin Duffy, CEO of iFIT.
Life Fitness
At FIBO 2026, Life Fitness/Hammer Strength previewed Atmos, a new specialized cardio series for hospitality and multi-unit housing environments. The line includes a space-efficient treadmill, elliptical, upright bike, and recumbent bike with intuitive console options that adapt to different workout needs. Each machine features straightforward operation and long-term reliability to enhance the experience of guests and residents. “With Atmos, we focused on what matters most in these settings: essential cardio performance that fits the space, holds up over time, and supports connected experiences,” says Dan Wille, chief product officer of Life Fitness/Hammer Strength
Matrix Fitness
Matrix Fitness has renewed its partnership with the International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) for a second year. The company supports premium brands worldwide with connected equipment, flexible facility solutions, and product lines such as the ONYX Collection, which has been widely adopted across luxury hospitality environments. Its new Personalized Adaptive Coaching Experience introduces AI-driven capabilities to support more personalized workouts. “As luxury hospitality is placing greater emphasis on wellness, hotels are looking for partners who understand how fitness spaces contribute to the overall property experience,” says Rachel Lenzner-Haynes, hospitality business development manager, Americas, at Matrix.
Precor
European operator Holmes Place recently selected Precor to support its premium health club operations across Portugal. Precor will replace cardio equipment across 12 Holmes Place clubs, installing Precor’s 800 Line with P94 and P84 consoles for an integrated, consistent experience across locations. “At Holmes Place, we are committed to investing in innovation to ensure our members benefit from the best training environment,” says Sofia Sousa, CEO of Holmes Place Portugal. “We selected Precor for its quality, reliability, and ability to fully integrate with EGYM, along with features such as PrecorCast and best-in-class cardio products.”
Spirit Fitness
Spirit Fitness has launched its first commercial connected strength product. The i-Strength system uses electronically adaptive resistance to provide four distinct training methods—Pure, Eccentric, Isokinetic, and Elastic modes. This way, users can supplement traditional hypertrophy training with a focus on power, explosiveness, and muscular endurance. By following on-screen prompts, they can take a built-in strength test and get an automated assessment of their maximum strength levels, along with specific resistance settings tailored to their goals. The new platform aims to bridge the gap between advanced athletic training and a standard commercial gym environment through a seamless, data-driven experience.
Technogym
Technogym has partnered with Google Cloud to integrate Google’s latest generative AI technologies into the Technogym AI ecosystem. This enables the Technogym AI Coach to deliver personalized training experiences that automatically adapt to an exerciser’s progress and needs. The Technogym AI Assistant will streamline workflows and boost efficiency by automating operational tasks and offering deeper insights into user behaviors. “Our collaboration with Google Cloud and the integration of Gemini AI models allow us to deliver an even more personalized and engaging wellness experience for end-users and our partner operators,” says Nerio Alessandri, founder and CEO of Technogym.
Wattbike
The new Wattbike AtomX commercial smart bike integrates HealthSpan VO2 max testing and tailored ergo-mode workouts via the Wattbike Performance Touchscreen 2 (PTS2) to deliver a more connected and measurable training experience for operators and users. The next-generation touchscreen display includes fitness assessments such as 6-Second Peak Power, 30-Second Test, and FTP, which let users benchmark their performance and track their progress. With Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, the Performance Touchscreen can be connected to phones and tablets to unlock hundreds of workouts via the Wattbike Hub app or linked to other apps so riders can train their way.
RECOVERY/WELLNESS
Wellhub
Following the partnership between Wellhub and Urban Sports Club in 2025, Urban Sports Club co-founders Benjamin Roth and Moritz Kreppel are taking key roles within the global organization. Roth will lead the partnership team at Wellhub for the expanded European region. Kreppel will remain as co-founder and CEO at Urban Sports Club to further evolve it into a global, consumer-oriented lifestyle brand. The combined platform serves 50,000 corporate clients, connects over five million employee subscribers, and works with a network of more than 100,000 fitness and wellness providers globally, including 30,000 gyms, studios, and wellness operators across Europe.
TECHNOLOGY/PROGRAMMING
Daxko
Fast Company named Daxko to its list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026. Daxko has accelerated its investment in AI and automation, embedding workflows across its platform to help operators reduce manual work and deliver more personalized member experiences. Gyms can use AI-powered engagement tools that identify at-risk members and automations that streamline sales, marketing, and operations to run their businesses with greater precision. Plus, with the recent launch of Elevate Wellness, operators can now integrate physician-guided metabolic health programs—including GLP-1 weight management and hormone therapy—through licensed telemedicine partners without taking on clinical complexity.
Les Mills
AI-powered fitness platform Zing Coach has added Les Mills’ group training programs directly into its experience. Now Zing Coach users can train with a variety of Les Mills group workouts alongside Zing Coach’s adaptive AI personalization. The integration combines the motivation and structure of group training with individualized strength and conditioning plans that adjust to each person’s goals, energy levels, recovery, and available time. “Our goal is to keep people engaged and training regularly,” says Marina Nola, chief digital distribution officer at Les Mills. “Members get the motivation of human-led workouts and the flexibility of AI.”
Myzone
Myzone has launched Switch 2.0, which gives users the flexibility to wear their monitor on their chest, arm, or wrist to adapt to different workouts and environments. It also features upgrades to enhance comfort, visibility, and everyday usability. Among them: a redesigned breathable wrist strap for greater comfort, a larger LED display that delivers clearer real-time feedback, and extended battery life to help users stay engaged and motivated to move. “Switch 2.0 represents everything a modern wearable should be: versatile, intuitive, motivating, and built to give people clear feedback on their effort,” says Jay Worthy, CEO of Myzone.
Perkville
Software provider Hapana has created a new integration with Perkville so gym and studio operators can conveniently run member loyalty and referral programs and boost engagement and retention. Perkville makes it simple to incentivize check-ins, purchases, and appointments; celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones; offer rewards from their business or Perkville partners; and create and manage member referral programs. Club and studio operators can customize how points are earned, rewards are structured, and campaigns are managed. “This integration gives operators a referral program and lets them reward the core behaviors that drive retention,” says Sunil Saha, CEO of Perkville.
Zing Coach
Zing Coach has partnered with New York Sports Club (NYSC) to launch MYCO, the club’s AI fitness coach, powered by Zing Coach’s proprietary technology. Research shows that members who complete at least four personal training sessions stay, on average, 2.5 times longer, but access to coaching remains limited by cost. Rather than replacing human coaching, MYCO, powered by Zing Coach, reinforces it with ongoing structure, guidance, and accountability. This hybrid model allows NYSC to scale personalized support across its member base without increasing operational complexity. Zing Coach reports retention rates more than 30% above typical fitness app benchmarks.
Health & Fitness Business is a publication of
Health & Fitness Business (HFB) is the leading health and fitness industry publication. Published monthly by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and distributed free to the industry, HFB offers analysis of the opportunities, challenges, issues, and news that impact the industry.
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