LIFTS - Latest Industry Fitness Trends & Stories

Red light therapy is booming, but does it really deliver the benefits being promised? From recovery and performance to anti-ageing and longevity, the technology is gaining momentum across the fitness and wellness industries. But with so many devices on the market, how can consumers and operators separate science from marketing hype? In this special episode of LIFTS, recorded at LightStim's headquarters in California, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Steve Marchese, Founder & CEO of LightStim, and Paige Blower, VP of Strategic Accounts, to explore the technology, science and commercial opportunities behind red light therapy. Steve shares the personal story that inspired LightStim's full-body therapy bed and explains why he believes factors such as wavelengths, light penetration, temperature and device design are critical to effectiveness. The conversation also explores the potential benefits for recovery, performance and wellbeing, alongside the growing demand for red light treatments in gyms, spas and wellness facilities. Paige discusses how fitness operators are introducing recovery memberships, with some charging an additional $30-$50 per month, and why anti-ageing treatments are attracting a broader audience, including men. In this episode: Does red light therapy really work, and what should you look for? The science behind wavelengths, light penetration and cellular energy. How LightStim developed its full-body red light therapy bed. The potential role of red light therapy in recovery and performance. Why recovery memberships are becoming a commercial opportunity for gyms. The growing popularity of anti-ageing treatments. How to distinguish credible technology from marketing hype. Whether you're a fitness operator considering recovery services or simply curious about the science behind red light therapy, this episode offers valuable perspectives on a rapidly growing wellness category.   ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 – How recovery memberships are changing gym revenue  01:00 – Inside LightStim: 26 years of red light innovation  04:50 – The family story behind the full-body therapy bed  12:16 – Does red light therapy really work? The importance of light penetration  13:58 – Sponsored by EGYM  15:45 – How to tell the difference between effective devices and hype  25:40 – The science of recovery, cellular energy and performance  34:13 – Sponsored by Fitness On Demand  38:07 – The business opportunity: recovery memberships, anti-ageing and gym revenue   WATCH THE FULL EPISODE - https://youtu.be/QVp1BHcl1sc CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Steve Marchese | Founder & CEO, LightStim - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-marchese-04168472/ Paige Blower | VP of Strategic Accounts, LightStim - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigekcostello/ LightStim - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightstim/ or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightstim/ THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY EGYM – Intelligent strength equipment, AI-powered training and corporate wellness solutions.  https://egym.com  Fitness On Demand – Connected fitness, recovery and wellness experiences that help organisations engage their members. https://www.fitnessondemand247.com  iFIT – Immersive, personalised fitness experiences through connected equipment and expert-led training. https://https://www.ifit.com/en-gb Subscribe to LIFTS for the latest insights, trends and conversations shaping the future of the global fitness industry.

Amazon knows what its customers browse, click and buy. But how much do gyms really know about their members once they've checked in? The fitness industry is sitting on enormous amounts of data, yet many operators still struggle to understand how members use their facilities, interact with equipment and engage with services. In this episode of LIFTS (Latest Industry Fitness Trends & Stories), hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Al Noshirvani, founder of the Fitness Technology Summit, to discuss how AI, connected technology and smarter use of data could transform the fitness industry. Fresh from the latest Fitness Technology Summit, Al shares his insights into the future of gym management software, the opportunities and limitations of AI, and why fitness operators need to rethink how they collect and use member information. In this episode, we discuss: Why gyms are falling behind Big Tech when it comes to understanding customer behaviour. AI and legacy gym software: Could emerging technology disrupt established platforms? Smarter member insights: How cameras, wearables and connected equipment could help operators understand what happens beyond check-in. The commercial opportunity for AI: Why back-office automation could improve efficiency and profitability. The value of existing data: How decades of information could give established fitness technology companies a competitive advantage. The future of fitness technology: Key insights and developments from the Fitness Technology Summit. The takeaway? The opportunity for fitness operators isn't simply to collect more data. It's to turn the information they already have into actionable insights that improve the member experience, support better decisions and drive business performance. CONNECT WITH AL NOSHIRVANI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alnoshirvani Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alnosh11/ THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Fitness on Demand – Helping fitness operators create connected digital experiences that increase engagement and strengthen retention. https://www.fitnessondemand247.com/ EGYM – Delivering smart fitness technology and connected training solutions to support better member experiences. https://egym.com/ STAY CONNECTED WITH LIFTS Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.liftspodcast.com/newsletter Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifts.podcast/ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/escape-your-limits-lifts/id1321349827/ LIFTS – Latest Industry Fitness Trends & Stories. Bringing you conversations with the leaders and innovators shaping the future of fitness.

Recovery is booming. From cold plunges and infrared saunas to AI-powered robotic massage, gyms are investing heavily in wellness and recovery technology. But are these investments delivering real returns, or is the fitness industry caught in an expensive amenities arms race? In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal explore the growing business of recovery, questioning whether operators truly understand what their members value, how frequently recovery facilities are used and how to measure their impact on retention, revenue and profitability. The conversation then heads to New York for the Aescape CEO Forum, where they're joined by Frank Britt, CEO of Aescape, to discuss the future of intelligent recovery, AI and robotics, and the launch of the new Tom Brady Protocol. Key topics include: The recovery arms race and the challenge of measuring ROI. Why personalised recovery programmes could be more valuable than simply adding equipment. How AI and robotics are transforming the recovery experience. The development of Aescape's Tom Brady Protocol. Why recovery could eventually occupy 20–25% of gym floor space. The opportunities for operators to improve member experiences, retention and revenue. As recovery becomes an increasingly important part of the fitness industry, the question isn't just what technology to invest in, but how to turn that investment into measurable value. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yXGtUA0E86Q Connect with Frank Britt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fbritt/ Follow Aescape: https://www.instagram.com/aescape/ About LIFTS LIFTS – Latest Industry Fitness Trends & Stories is hosted by Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal, bringing you conversations with the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the global fitness industry. FOLLOW LIFTS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifts.podcast/ Newsletter: https://www.liftspodcast.com/newsletter EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – The Recovery Opportunity 04:49 – The Recovery Arms Race 08:16 – Programming & ROI 19:30 – Tom Brady's Recovery Protocol 25:09 – The Future of Smart Gyms 29:09 – Live at the Aescape CEO Forum 41:10 – AI, Robotics & Recovery

Four decades of fitness industry evolution. From iconic equipment brands and strength training to digital fitness, Peloton and the rise of wellness – where has the industry been, and where is it heading next? In this special episode of LIFTS – Latest Industry Fitness Trends & Stories, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are live from Peloton HQ in Hudson Yards, New York, joined by John Murray and John Marcotte of Advantage Sport & Fitness. Founded in 1985, Advantage has spent more than 40 years navigating the changing fitness landscape. John and John reflect on the evolution of commercial fitness equipment, the rise and fall of major manufacturers, and why specialist brands are making a comeback. The conversation also explores how Peloton and digital coaching are transforming the fitness experience, why operators should embrace technology to improve member engagement, and how the growing demand for wellness and recovery is creating new opportunities. John Murray also shares the leadership lessons he learned as a wrestling coach, explaining why building the right team and culture has been fundamental to Advantage's long-term success. Key topics include: 40 years of fitness industry innovation and changing consumer demands The return of specialist fitness equipment brands Peloton, digital coaching and member retention Leadership, recruitment and building successful teams The growth of wellness, recovery and new fitness experiences The future of fitness equipment distribution What will shape the next decade of fitness? Listen now for insights from two industry veterans who have witnessed the industry's transformation first-hand. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS John Marcotte LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-marcotte-59634ba/ John Murray | Advantage Sport & Fitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advantage-sport-&-fitness/people/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advantagesportandfitness/ Peloton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onepeloton/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peloton-interactive- FOLLOW LIFTS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifts.podcast/ Newsletter: https://www.liftspodcast.com/newsletter Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Live from Peloton HQ 00:58 – 40 Years of Fitness: How It All Began 04:12 – The Evolution of Fitness Equipment & Brands 07:47 – Changing Consumer Trends & Digital Fitness 10:15 – Peloton, Digital Coaching & Member Retention 12:38 – Building Winning Teams & Business Culture 16:52 – The Future of Fitness Equipment Distribution 20:18 – The Rise of Wellness & Recovery 23:04 – The Power of Peloton's Instructors  

Is the fitness industry overlooking one of its biggest opportunities — women? For decades, much of the fitness and wellness industry has been shaped by male-led businesses, product development and research. But as women's health, strength training, longevity and wearable technology gain momentum, is the industry doing enough to understand what women actually need? In this episode of LIFTS – Latest Industry Fitness Trends & Stories, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Suzaan Sauerman, a consumer behaviour and women's health advocate, to explore the gap between what women need and what the health and wellness industry currently delivers. Suzaan argues that women's health doesn't just have a funding problem it has a commercial visibility problem. From products that fail to reach consumers to gym environments that overlook opportunities for education, support and personalised experiences, she challenges fitness operators and brands to rethink their approach. The conversation also explores the growing role of wearable technology, including Oura, WHOOP, Apple Watch and continuous glucose monitors. Suzaan explains why she believes every woman should have a wearable, while questioning whether the industry is doing enough to turn the vast amount of health data being collected into meaningful, actionable guidance. In this episode, we explore: Why women's health remains a significant untapped commercial opportunity. How male-led product development has influenced the fitness and wellness industry. Why gyms could do more to support women through strength training, recovery, menopause and hormone health. The importance of education, accessibility and consumer-focused communication. Why Suzaan believes wearable technology could help close gaps in women's health data. The limitations of readiness scores and the need for more personalised health insights. How greater female representation could influence the next generation of fitness products and services. Are fitness businesses genuinely designing around women's needs, or simply adapting products and services that were never built with women in mind? A thought-provoking conversation about the future of women's health, wearable technology and the commercial opportunities for fitness operators willing to rethink how they serve their members. Connect with Suzaan Sauerman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzaan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzaansauerman/ Episode Sponsors EGYM – Connected fitness technology and smart strength training solutions helping operators deliver personalised, data-driven exercise experiences. https://egym.com/ Fitness On Demand – Digital fitness and wellness solutions helping operators engage members and expand their services. https://www.fitnessondemand247.com/ Follow LIFTS Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.liftspodcast.com/newsletter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifts.podcast/ Interested in sponsoring LIFTS? Contact Wendy de Knoop at [email protected] Chapters  00:00 – Introduction: Is Fitness Getting Women's Health Wrong? 03:30 – Women's Health Has a Commercial Visibility Problem 09:48 – Why Gyms Need to Rethink How They Serve Women 16:21 – Women's Health, Education & the Gym Opportunity 23:41 – Should Every Woman Have a Wearable? 25:25 – Sponsor: EGYM 29:31 – Wearable Data: What's the "So What"?