Escape Your Limits

On this week's episode of LIFTS, Matthew Januszek, CEO of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks speak with Bruce Smith, Founder of Hydrow, the leading connected rower that brings the on-water experience of rowing straight to your home. They discuss Hydrow's recent developments, including the acquisition of a digital resistance training company aimed at transforming strength training. Bruce shares his vision of combining rowing, strength and other modalities into a single connected fitness platform.  He also offers his perspective on Peloton's challenges and potential paths forward under new leadership. They explore topics like motivation, incentives, and how technology can be leveraged to improve long-term user adherence. They also consider trends in the industry, such as the growing emphasis on whole health and wellness. Topics discussed include: ●       Hydrow's acquisition of a digital resistance company and plans to integrate strength training. ●       Peloton's leadership chang

On this week’s episode of LIFTS. Escape Fitness CEO, Matthew Januszek and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks sit down one on one to discuss their thoughts on the changing landscape of the health and fitness industry. They explore opportunities for partnering brands with the LIFTS podcast and examine challenges faced by companies like Stages. Matthew and Mo also dive into trends in wellness offerings, industry consolidation, and how brands can better serve evolving consumer needs. Tune in to hear their insights on navigating change and pursuing new opportunities for progress in this dynamic sector. Topics discussed include: ●       Partnering brands with the LIFTS podcast. ●       New product launch of Escape Fitness' GLUTE BOX. ●       Challenges faced by indoor cycling brand Stages during the pandemic. ●       Trends in wellness offerings like recovery spaces and personalized programs. Industry consolidation and how gyms and suppliers can differentiate their services. =======================

On this LIFTS podcast Escape Fitness CEO, Matthew Januszek and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks sit down with one of the industry’s most experienced strategic leaders, 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Mid-Atlantic and President & CEO for [solidcore], Mr. Bryan Myers. In this podcast, we discuss our thoughts on the industry post-FIBO, as well as recent headlines making waves within the industry including the launch of HYROX365, findings from The Global Wellness Economy report, and the mental and emotional factors associated with weight and body image. Topics discussed include:    The growth of FIBO as an international fitness trade show. ●       The success of HYROX and the launch of HYROX365. ●       Findings of The Global Wellness Economy report. ●       The controversial advice from ‘fat activist’ Virginia Sole-Smith. ●       The mental and emotional factors associated with weight. ●       The challenges of parenting healthy lifestyles in modern society. =============================

On this LIFTS podcast Escape Fitness CEO, Matthew Januszek sits down with one of the industry’s most forward thinking and straight talking physiologists and wellbeing consultants. In this episode, our guest shares his thoughts on a need to redefine ‘fitness’ and ‘wellness’ and  move away from a focus on selling processes in favor of outcomes. He also discusses this take on the introduction of GLP-1s and shares the three health markers be believes to be the best predictors of longevity. Join us in welcoming Oliver Patrick to LIFTS. Topics discussed include: ●       The need to redefine the language we use to describe the ‘fitness’ industry. ●       The value in selling outcomes rather than process. ●       Importance of benchmarking and tracking health and performance improvement. ●       Three key measures of health: VO2 Max, Skeletal Mass and Mobility. ●       Integrating fitness and healthcare, with a focus on GLP-1 and its impact on muscle mass and             health. Lobbying and its impact on

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S, recorded live at EuropeActive Health and Fitness Forum in Cologne. Here, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks are joined by some of the industry’s most respected and successful influencers, insight experts and investors to talk about the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories shaping the future of the sector. On this episode, our hosts dive into the detail with: Karsten Hollasch, Global Private Equity Leader Financial Advisory, Herman Rutgers Ambassador,  EuropeActive, Ian Mullane, Founder and CEO, Keepme.ai, Utku Toprakseven, Chief Product Officer, 4Global, Eric Falardeau, Partner, Montreal Global Leader, McKinsey’s Fitness & Wellness Group and Jop Gerritsen, Partner, Amsterdam  Topics discussed include: ●       Fitness trends at home, outdoors and in-club. ●       The impact of VAT reduction on market penetration. ●       Digital tools, wearables and the potential in the Europe

In this week’s episode of LIFTS – your a bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories - hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by  Lisa Kuecker, serial entrepreneur, public speaker and founder of international boutique fitness consultancy sensation, Studio Grow.    In this LIFTS podcast, topics include: ●       GLP-1s move into mainstream via COSTCO prescriptions. ●       The positive effect of exercise for those taking GLP-1s. ●       Merger of Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands (Anytime Fitness). ●       Fitness franchises and expansion strategies. ●       Technogym’s impressive financial 2023 performance. ●       The huge commercial opportunity presented by the sale of used equipment. ●       Shift from hardware to service – The next play for fitness kit provider. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a

After a few weeks of broadcasting inspiring interviews with the movers and shakers at international events, welcome back to our regular L.I.F.T.S, a bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up debate.   In this week’s episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks, are joined by Andrew Kolman, Vice President of Global Product Development, Matrix Fitness at Johnson Health Tech. Conversation focuses on three news-busting stories: the merging of two brand titans - Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands, the acquisition of Bowflex by Johnson Health Tech and the raising of $1.8 Billion by Equinox.  In this LIFTS podcast topics include: ●       The potential impact of a merger between Orangetheory and Self Esteem Brands. ●       The challenges and opportunities of merging two hugely successful brands. ●       Leveraging fitness brands for cross-promotion and personalized experiences. ●      

With guests today located across all different time zones, welcome back to a truly international episode of L.I.F.T.S, a bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up debate.   In this week’s episode, ahead of FIBO and the European Health Futures Forum (EHFF), hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of SweatWorks, are joined by Jennifer Halsall-de Wit, a member of EuropeActive’s Inclusion Advisory Board, and Beau de Leeuw, a transgender advocate. Through their work, both of our guests’ pioneer diversity, equity and inclusion research in the European fitness sector in order to empower everybody to achieve their full potential by uncovering hidden barriers, biases and systemic hurdles obstructing progress.  In this LIFTS, we discuss some topics that are really sparking debate including: ●       Planet Fitness revoking a woman’s membership after she photographed a transgender member in the locker room. ●    

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, we are joined by John Jaquish, a doctor of biomechanical engineering on a mission to educate the world as to why traditional weightlifting is a waste of time. Driven by an obsessive interest in bone health stemming from his mothers’ osteoporosis diagnosis, invented the X3® – a device that improves bone strength, whilst limiting the risk of injury, through the application of variable (adaptive) resistance. Dr. Jaquish is absolutely committed to advancing oesteogenic load research and travels the world speaking about its implications. A number of his articles have been printed in medical journals and he has also written and published a couple of books: ‘Oesteogenic Loading’ and ‘Weight Lifting is a Waste of Time – And So Is Cardio. There’s A Better Way To Have The Body You Want’. Whilst Dr. Jaquish is a disruptor and very happy to question the effectiveness of traditional weight training techniques, his findings are also supported by several independent

Welcome to our exclusive podcast, recorded live at IHRSA 2024, in LA. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness is joined by Ian O’Dwyer, Co-Founder of Feel SOMA and Richard Boyd, Director of Global Wellness Designs, to discuss all things recovery and taking a more complete approach to improving lives worldwide in the Wellness, Health & Fitness Industry. Topics discussed in this episode, include: ●       Structuring the concept of recovery within fitness. ●       Stress, inflammation and fluid flow and recovery. ●       How eustress can actually build resilience. ●       Debating cold therapy and cryotherapy. ●       Importance of movement and mobility. ●       Fascial mobility and how to train fascia in different directions. ●       Integrating recovery into fitness spaces. ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it’s published: https://www.youtube.c

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. In this episode, recorded live at IHRSA, the USA’s largest fitness industry trade show, hosts  Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by two incredibly inspirational individuals whose vision, ambition and leadership is pioneering the evolution of the fitness sector.  Please join us in welcoming Anthony Geisler, Founder and CEO, Xponential Fitness and Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, Founder and CEO, EGYM to today’s very special IHRSA inspired LIFTS episode.  Topics discussed include: ·        The growth of Xponential Fitness. ·        Fitness and wellness trends and the rise of the boutique market. ·        Taking a macro rather than micro view of trends. ·        Xponential's Lindora acquisition. ·        Scaling business through acquisition and franchising. ·        The birth and growth of EGYM. ·        EGYM Genius –AI powered training. ·        The power of Interoperability. ·       

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. This episode is part of a series of recordings live from the EMEA’s biggest Health, Fitness, Wellness and Sports Festival, Beyond Activ. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by industry heavyweight, Chris Clawson, recently appointed Chief Commercial Officer at EGYM and former Life Fitness CEO, to discuss the status of the fitness industry as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the future of fitness.  Topics discussed in this LIFTS episode, include: ·        Looking at the fitness industry with a fresh set of eyes. ·        The challenge of inbreeding within the fitness industry. ·        Different market phases; laggards, leaders and drivers. ·        The reasons why Peloton was so successful. ·        From content creation to capturing, captivating and keeping the customer. ·        Fitness Industry growth in the Middle East. ·        AI-powered fitn

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. This episode is the second part of a two-part podcast series recorded live at the EMEA’s biggest Health, Fitness, Wellness and Sports Festival, Beyond Activ, Feb 20-22, 2024. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, dive into the opportunities that exist for operators, suppliers, investors and developers keen to establish a presence in the UAE. Our hosts are joined by an eclectic mix of international industry disruptors, all finding their way and successfully developing businesses in the KSA and wider UAE region.  Please welcome to this podcast, Adnan Alkhalaf , Leejam; Lindsay Madden-Nadeau, Red Sea Global;  Herman Rutgers, EuropeActive;  Dr. Dimitri Koutsoubakis, & Gareth Jones, Wellfit; David Stalker, Group CEO MyZone and Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi, Physique 57. Topics discussed in this LIFTS episode, include: ·        The impact of Beyond Activ in the KSA. ·        Prevalent K

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S. This episode is part-one of a two-part podcast series recorded live at the EMEA’s biggest Health, Fitness, Wellness and Sports Festival, Beyond Activ, Feb 20-22, 2024. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, talk to fitness and wellness operators experiencing huge success in the Kingdom of Saud Arabia (KSA) and take a deep dive into the reasons why, right now, the KSA is providing the perfect environment for culturally aligned fitness and wellness businesses to thrive. On this episode our hosts are joined by: Abdul Mohsin, Brand Ambassador, Delta Fitness Abbas Almas, Senior Director of Marketing, Sales and Business Development, Kun Sports Ross Stewart Campbell, Founder and CEO, Beyond Activ Shadan Alsagri, Deputy COO, Leejam Sports Emlyn Brown, Global Senior Vice President, Accor Jason Tubbs, CEO, Fitness First Middle East Nathan Clute, CSO, Armah Sports Company  In this episode, topics d

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S, this is part one of two podcasts live from the Connected Health and Fitness Summit in Los Angeles, interviewing some high caliber guests to debate the interesting topics, trends and conversations hitting the fitness industry headlines.  In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by Evelyn Webster, CEO of  SoulCycle, Calley Means, Co-Founder of TrueMed, Dean Kelly, CEO of Gainful, Mark Watterson, CEO of iFIT and Emma Forrest, Consumer Portfolio Director at Kisaco Research. In this episode, topics discussed include:         Why SoulCycle stepped back from ties with social issues.         The ‘sick care' system;  incentivizing sickness to subsidize recurring revenue.         The healthcare budget scandal as large outlay goes to pharmaceutical products.         The rise of chronic health care conditions and the metabolic health crisis.         The triangle mix of co

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, your bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate.   This week L.I.F.T.S comes live from the Connected Health and Fitness Summit in LA. Hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by Joe Vennare, Co-Founder of Fit Insider, the premier source of news and analysis shaping the fitness industry. In this episode, live from the show, they debate about: ·       ● Challenges facing brick-and-mortar gyms in low utilization, data analysis, and engaging customers beyond workouts. ·       ● Nike expanding into wellness festivals and experiences to directly connect with consumers. ·       ● Samsung launching a smart ring, are they falling behind in innovation. ·       ● Potential for market saturation in fitness industry at 25% penetration. ·       ● Rapid rise of GLP-1 prescriptions and impact on fitness industry. ● Concerns about excessive data overload

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, your bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate. This week’s episode discusses the latest launches, acquisitions, collaborations and expansions, as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by Jack Thomas, Co-Founder of The Fit Guide, host of the Fitness Business Asia podcast and Founder of Base Bangkok. In this episode, they debate about: ● Fitness growth and opportunities in the Middle East. ● Planet Fitness launches PF Media Network; an omnichannel advertising strategy. ● New connected, AI digital studio experience from Lumen Fitness. ● STRONG Pilates ramps up global strategy with 50 studios planned for Japan. ● The expansion of ROWFORMER, a concept2 rower built into a Reformer Pilates bed. ● WaterRower acquires CITYROW in connected fitness consolidation. ● How Adidas and Bumble have united to disarm gym intimidation. ======================

For this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits Podcast, we headed over to Fit Expo, Los Angeles to check out the latest innovations and get involved in the conversations shaping the future of the global fitness industry. During our time at the show we interviewed some of the leading experts, influencers and disruptors including Michael Myers and D’Juan Woods founders of Ultimate Athlete Bootcamp (UAB),Stan Morisseau weight loss specialist and founder of IMBULKY, celebrity trainer, Ramona Braganza and global dance and health coach Andrew ‘Dance Fever’ Jones  In this episode we explore a diverse array of topics including: The importance of self-belief, mental toughness and resilience Building a 1 million following on Tik Tok The distracting impact of multi-tasking  The power of sleep and the role of technology in wellness tracking The power of Self Actualization ====================================================== Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss

Welcome back to L.I.F.T.S, your bite-size dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and stories hitting the headlines and stirring up some debate.   This week’s episode discusses data from the industries latest research reports, The 2023 IHRSA Global Report and The 2023 U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report, as hosts Matthew Januszek, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness and Mo Iqbal, Founder & CEO of Sweatworks, are joined by Pamela Kufahl, Senior Director of Communications with IHRSA, and Melissa Rodriguez, Market Research Advisor for IHRSA. By digging into the data of these reports, the team get into discussions about: IHRSA’s three pillars; education, advocacy and research. Market size and consumer behavior. In-person and digital member touchpoints.  Training trends; Pilates, strength and treadmills.  Intersection of fitness and healthcare. The holistic approach; recovery, mental health and longevity.  Fitness evolution and advocacy efforts. Click-to-cancel regulations. ===============

On this week’s episode of the Escape Your Limits podcast, we are joined Paul Byrne, an innovative leader whose focus on progression and innovation has been instrumental in shaping the fitness industry as we know it. Today, Paul is a Partner at Harrison Co, a consumer-focused investment bank helping clients make the right strategic business decisions to capitalize on the rapidly changing consumer economy. Recently the company released a report exploring ‘The Impact and Opportunities of GLP-1s for the Fitness and Wellness Industry’.  In this podcast we dive into the detail, drawing on Paul’s extensive firsthand industry experience to understand how fitness operators can optimize the introduction of these new ‘miracle’ weight loss drugs. Paul is perfectly placed to comment, thanks to his extensive experience of driving innovation and growth in the fitness industry. Over the course twenty years, Paul transformed Precor from a ‘one trick pony’ into a multi-product world renowned fitness company over the course of