For the past three years, the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter has been your trusted source for insights, innovation, and inspiration in our ever-evolving industry. Throughout that time, we’ve listened to your feedback, talked with top industry leaders, and analyzed the challenges facing fitness professionals and health clubs today.

One thing has become crystal clear throughout this time: the way trainers access education, particularly within health clubs, needs to change.

Since our beginnings in 1982, the landscape of fitness has transformed dramatically. Yet education has not kept pace: fitness professionals still struggle to access modern, high-quality, diverse, and affordable education that truly moves their careers forward. 

One-dimensional education has left professionals without the diversity of skills required to serve today’s members. Sheer quantity has been mistaken for more value when, in reality, impact comes from curated, credible, and intentionally designed learning.

That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce Inspire360 Club—a game-changing education hub designed to give fitness professionals who work in health clubs access to an industry-defining world-class ecosystem of learning.

We’ve quietly been rolling out Inspire360 Club behind the scenes, and the results have been incredible. Trainers are re-engaging, and education has never been more accessible or exciting.

The impact has been undeniable, and the industry’s powerhouses are rallying behind it.

ACE, TRX, EXOS, Eleiko, Certified Functional Strength Coach (Mike Boyle), Oxygen Advantage, Gray Institute, ProNatal, Human Motion Associates, Jim LaValle, Mental Wellbeing Association, and many others are coming together to provide CEC courses, specialty certifications, and exclusive club discounts to Inspire360 Club users.

Inspire360 Club changes the game by offering:

• AI Assisted Learning: Learn smarter with Inspire360 AI–your built-in learning companion. As you take a course, AI is right there to answer your questions and deepen your understanding without you ever leaving the page.
• A Microlearning Approach: Traditional long-form courses often go unfinished. Our microlearning model breaks education into powerful, bite-sized lessons that fit into real schedules, helping trainers actually complete courses, master skills faster, and retain what they learn.
• CECs from All Major Agencies: Get unlimited CECs from all major agencies with courses spanning over 50 categories, including personal training, functional training, corrective exercise, program design, nutrition, equipment training, and group fitness.
• Specialty Certifications: Advance your career with specialty certifications designed to deepen your expertise and expand your impact with clients. Certifications including breathwork and oxygen optimization, stretching, stress resilience, and myofascial movement, and many more, help you stand out while delivering more effective, well-rounded coaching.

Inspire360 Club empowers fitness professionals to learn what they want, how they want—anytime, anywhere. It's the best of fitness education under one powerful platform; pairing elite-level content with the latest in micro-learning and AI-assisted technology.

Momentum is building—and clubs that move first are already seeing the impact.

If you're curious how other clubs are leveling up staff education, reach out to Ravi at ravi@inspire360.com to say hello, share what you’re working on, or schedule a first look at the Inspire360 Club platform. We would love to chat with you.

Together, we can reshape the way fitness professionals learn, grow, and thrive in this new era.

Let’s uplevel the industry together. #GameChanged

Keep Inspiring,

Kathie & Peter Davis

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Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

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Hybrid cardio is having a moment.

Think: HYROX, DEKA, and strength-meets-endurance circuits with mixed equipment and modalities. Participation in HYROX events jumped 118% last year across 34 cities, and the hybrid fitness trend overall is projected to grow more than 200% in the coming year.

Here's what we can take away from this: clients are craving variety. They want measurable progress, and they want workouts that feel dynamic — both athletic and efficient — not just endless cardio or static lifting, but a combination.

Why Hybrid Cardio Is Taking Off

The format itself isn't new, but the packaging is.

Formats like HYROX and DEKA have turned traditional “functional fitness circuits” into full-fledged sporting events.

The appeal seems to lie in a mix of measurable progress, community, and workouts that feel athletic — the sweet spot for goal-oriented individuals who want tangible benchmarks of success. HYROX alone projects 650,000 athletes competing globally in 2025, with over 2,300 new training clubs joining its HYROX 365 program (a 260% YOY increase!). Meanwhile, hybrid-style workouts in general have grown 41% among gym-goers, and HYROX-related content views have surged 654%. This isn’t a niche trend; it’s a cultural shift in how people approach fitness.

But who exactly is driving this shift? Though we’ve recently spoken about the Gen Z and Baby Boomer segments, this trend is strongly millennial.

These clients are young professionals in their 30s who’ve moved past aesthetics-only training: they crave structure, efficiency, community… and to a degree, some kind of external marker of success. About 65% of participants are over 30, with nearly 40% women (impressive for a strength-heavy format). Hybrid training speaks to this group’s priorities: workouts that feel purposeful, trackable, and social. It’s performance you can measure — and post.

Smart Programming for Hybrid Training

The beauty of hybrid formats is also their biggest challenge: they look effortless but demand careful sequencing. You’re combining two stressors — strength and endurance — that tax different energy systems and recovery pathways. For most clients, the goal isn’t to train like a competitive HYROX athlete, but to adapt that framework safely for general fitness.

A few programming principles to keep in mind:

• Start with intent. Decide whether the session prioritizes strength or conditioning — that choice dictates load, order, and pacing.

• Alternate modalities. Pair a strength-based effort (like sled pushes, carries, or squats) with a cardiovascular effort (like running, rowing, or SkiErg). The goal: balance intensity without frying the nervous system. The concept in action: Carbonne in Paris combines a breathless 15 minutes of kettlebell, 15 minutes of barbell work, and 15 minutes of Megaformer Pilates with breaks built in between blocks.

• Control intensity and volume. Avoid stacking max-effort lifts with all-out sprints; moderate intensity wins for longevity and consistency.

• Track, don’t guess. Use split times, heart rate zones, or RPE to show progress and prevent overtraining. The concept in action: many hybrid studios, like Barry’s, Orangetheory, or Engine Room, display live heart-rate data to help clients stay within target zones instead of redlining every interval.

• Build recovery into the session. Finish with mobility, low-intensity aerobic “flush” work, or breathing drills. Hybrid training should feel athletic, not annihilating.

Balancing Strength and Cardio Recovery

Hybrid training only works if recovery keeps up. You’re asking the body to perform across multiple energy systems, which means stress management — not just exertion — is a crucial part of the programming. Without enough recovery, clients lose strength, endurance, and consistency in one fell swoop.

Here’s how to avoid that:

• Separate high-intensity sessions. Encourage clients to leave at least 24 to 48 hours between maximal cardio and heavy lifting days — you can consider programming your calendar accordingly to prevent this whenever possible. When that’s not possible, however, pair lower-body strength with upper-body conditioning, or vice versa.
• Program active recovery. Encourage low-intensity days, complete with walking, mobility, or easy cycling, to improve circulation and reduce soreness.
• Watch the data. Track resting heart rate, HRV, or even subjective energy levels to identify early fatigue before performance dips.
• Prioritize sleep and fueling. This is where your coaching comes in beyond the walls of your club: clients need direction on healthy habits outside the gym. And in particular, these hybrid athletes burn through glycogen faster; recovery nutrition and quality sleep are non-negotiable, and tantamount to continued success.
• Coach pacing, not punishment. Many clients equate effort with value. Remind them: sustainable intensity builds capacity; overdoing it just cuts the next session short.

Ultimately, recovery is the bridge between strength and conditioning — it’s what turns exertion into adaptation. Teaching clients to honor that rhythm is what keeps them performing (and showing up) long term.

Key Takeaways

To synthesize all of this…‍

1. Hybrid cardio is redefining what “training” means.

It’s not just a mash-up of strength and conditioning; it’s a cultural shift toward purposeful performance. Clients, especially millennials, want workouts that feel athletic, structured, and measurable.

2. Consistency and structure are the new currency.

HYROX and DEKA succeed because they offer predictable, standardized formats. People trust what they can measure and replicate. For coaches, this highlights the value of consistent programming and clear progress tracking.

3. Longevity matters more than intensity.

Hybrid training only works when recovery, pacing, and smart sequencing are prioritized. The goal isn’t to crush every session but to build capacity over time: this is the difference between sustainable athleticism and burnout or injury.

Hybrid cardio isn’t a passing phase — it’s a reflection of what modern clients want from training: variety, purpose, and progress they can measure. The formats may look competitive, but the real win is consistency — in programming, recovery, and results. For coaches, the opportunity is clear: blend the best of strength and conditioning, and you’ll meet this moment in fitness right where it’s headed.

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Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

1. The Fit Expo, January 10-11, 2026, Los Angeles, California
2. Connected Health & Fitness Summit, February 18-20, 2026, Los Angeles, California
3. Perform X - Live, February 25-26, 2026, Birmingham, UK
4. DC MANIA®, February 26-March 1, 2026, Herndon, VA
5. IWF China Fitness Convention, March 13-15, 2026, Shanghai, China

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Upcoming Workshops in November & December:

• 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
• 20+ workshops from Spinning®
• 20+ workshops from TRX®
• 11 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
• 9 workshops from Exos
• 7 workshops from ART
• 3 workshops from U-Jam Fitness
• 2 workshops from Gray Institute
• 2 workshops from Power Plate

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Industry News:

• Don’t forget about cardio, Dr. Peter Attia urges Americans on ‘60 Minutes’.
• TRX and BlazePod announce a global partnership to advance functional and cognitive training.
• Les Mills launches Bodypump Heavy.
• New Lifesum survey finds that GLP-1s reduce cravings for ultra-processed foods — but nutrition remains key.
• Spain’s Slow launches a 10-person longevity retreat in Mallorcawith WHOOP-enabled recovery tracking and cryotherapy.

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Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

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A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

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Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

It’s not just food, music, architecture, language, and style of dress… movement looks different depending on where you are in the world. And that’s one of the most dynamic and interesting parts of our industry.

We’re taking a moment to go on a little around-the-world fitness tour, looking at some global, cultural trends to inspire what we’re doing on our own turf. From dance-fueled workouts in Brazil to social walking clubs in Japan, from Scandinavia’s love of cold-water immersion to the UK’s booming competitive fitness events, cultures across hemispheres bring their own traditions and innovations to the way people stay active.

Ahead, you’ll find fresh inspiration for how we can be designing programs, connecting with communities, and keeping fitness fun and inclusive. Ready to travel? Here’s your global inspiration for local programming.

United Kingdom: Competition is King

The UK’s most recent trend? A little good old fashioned competition. Competitive fitness events, such as Hyrox, Spartan, and DEKA are booming.

Take Hyrox, for example: globally, participation jumped from 175,000 (in the 2023 to 2024 season) to 650,000 (2024 to 2025) worldwide. That’s nearly a 300% YOY increase! But if we zoom into the UK stats, it’s even more staggering. Growth exploded from 7,400 athletes to 97,000 last season, with events consistently selling out, marking a 1,211% increase over two years.

Gyms are taking note. Chains like The Gym Group are integrating Hyrox-style training, attracting Gen Z members who want to integrate this cross section of fitness, social competition, and mental health.

Takeaway for gyms: event-style programming can boost memberships, create community, and add a fresh layer of motivation that keeps members engaged.

Japan: Group Walking Clubs

Japan has a rich history of social walking, and today organized walking groups remain a cornerstone of Japan’s community health culture, especially among older adults (perhaps this is part of what makes Okinawa one of the world’s five Blue Zones).

This type of exercise is seen as a social ritual as much as a fitness activity, combining light movement with connection and accountability.

Local governments often sponsor or support these clubs as part of public health initiatives.

Takeaway for gyms: walking clubs (indoor treadmills or outdoor groups) can extend beyond seniors. Appeal to clients of all ages who want approachable, low-impact, and social ways to move. Read more about incorporating walking in your trainer toolkit here.

Brazil, Nigeria, & Philippines → Dance-Based Fitness

From samba to Zumba, the southern hemisphere is leading the dance-fitness trend.

In Brazil, dance-inspired fitness classes are wildly popular nationwide, blending cardio, rhythm, and cultural pride. Heading west to the Philippines, you’ll find Zumba is a national phenomenon; in 2023, a Guinness World Record Zumba class in Pili drew over 14,000 participants. These classes and events are often organized through community centers, schools, and even church groups.

Afrobeat and Afro-dance cardio are also surging in Nigeria, drawing big crowds both in-person and online, with instructors gaining traction across Lagos and Abuja. These formats often appear at wellness festivals and community events, making them as much about connection as exercise.

Though the expressions differ across cultures, the shared heartbeat is clear: dance is an expressive, joy-driven, and accessible entry point into fitness.

Takeaway for gyms: This one’s easy! Leaning into dance formats — Zumba, Latin dance, Afro-dance, K-pop dance — to create fun, inclusive programming with global appeal.

Scandinavia: Cold Temperatures

Cold immersion and outdoor endurance (in cold temperatures) are northern trends that have impacted the global wellness market.

Playing with hot and cold — in therapeutic fashion — is nothing new to this demographic; cold-water swimming and sauna contrast therapy are embedded in Nordic culture. And outdoor movement such as skiing, hiking, and cycling — all typically taking place in frigid temps — reinforces the Scandinavian model of fitness as lifestyle, not just gym time.

Specifically in Norway, this endurance is improving VO2 max, which has been a regionally specific trend. Norway’s VO2 max interval protocol (used by Olympic athletes) has become a benchmark in endurance training research.

Takeaway for gyms: Recovery spaces, contrast therapy, and evidence-based endurance programming are increasingly relevant — and can set facilities apart in a competitive market. Read our newsletter from last month for more tips on this topic.

Colombia: (Car-Free) Outdoor Workouts

Ciclovía (car-free fitness streets) have been sweeping the nation of Colombia. Every Sunday, Bogotá closes about 75 miles of roads, drawing over one million participants to get out and move. This is similar to a movement in France, called Paris Respire (Paris breathes) in which main roads, including the iconic Champs-Élysées, close to cars in order to let people walk, bike, and move freely.

Benefits include inclusivity, mental well-being, and stronger community ties, especially in areas with limited green space (MDPI, ResearchGate).

Cost–benefit analysis shows Ciclovías are extremely efficient public health programs.

Takeaway for gyms: There may be an opportunity to partner with cities on outdoor activations, host pop-up workouts, or extend the gym experience into community spaces. We have some tips on getting your clients outside, here.

South Africa: Mixed Format

At the very bottom of the African continent, fitness studios are mixing formats. Think: boxing + HIIT, yoga + strength. And yes, dance + cardio fusions are popular. In fact, TikTok dance challenges and Afro-dance classes (in mixed format) are fueling a very youth-driven, dance-oriented fitness culture.

Takeaway for gyms: Hybrid classes keep programming fresh and adaptable, while Afro-dance and other culturally resonant formats can attract younger members and build strong community appeal.

Bringing It Home

While these trends may look different on the surface, the throughline is clear: movement is most powerful when it’s cultural, social, and joyful. Whether it’s dance, walking, outdoor immersion, or competitive events, each format offers a reminder that fitness doesn’t have to be confined to four walls — and that clubs and trainers can borrow inspiration from anywhere in the world. The opportunity lies in translating these global practices into local programs that spark connection, build community, and keep people coming back.

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Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

1. ICAA Conference and Expo, October 13-15, 2025, Anaheim, California

1. Mental Health America Conference, October 16-17, 2025, Washington, D.C.
2. Athletic Business Show, November 5-8, 2025, San Diego, California
3. Boston Mania®, November 14-16, 2025, Danvers, Massachusetts

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Upcoming Workshops in October & November:

1. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
2. 20+ workshops from Spinning®
3. 20+ workshops from TRX®
4. 13 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
5. 13 workshops from Exos
6. 10 workshops from ART
7. 3 workshops from Gray Institute
8. 1 workshop from Eleiko
9. 1 workshop from Power Plate

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Industry News:

• 43% of millennials are using paid time off just to catch up on sleep.
• Life Time Foundation empowers schools to serve healthier meals with Green Onion online tool.
• EoS Fitness becomes the first large gym operator in the US to launch EGYM Genius AI.
• New LA studio combines Pilates, yoga & trampoline-based fitness.
• SuppCo testing finds half of products bought anonymously on Amazon contained little to no NAD+.

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Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

—------------------------------------------------

A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

‍

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

“Move your body and eat well” will always be sound health advice — and it has been since the dawn of coaching and fitness. From Hippocrates prescribing exercise in 500BC, to renaissance era recommendations like The Castle of Health (1537) calling for balanced nutrition and exercise, these seem to be the two unchanging pillars in a world that’s rapidly changing before our eyes.

But the way we enhance, complement, and keep things interesting and engaging? That’s where we get to have fun. A key example of this is the recent call for holistic wellness alongside more “traditional” or standard offerings. Treadmills, dumbbells, and yoga classes are great — but you can enhance the member experience and their health results with this competitive differentiation.

Let’s talk about these modalities — from sound baths to ice baths — and how to bring them into your club to address this shift in member expectations.

Integrating Alternative Modalities in a “Traditional” Health Club

Your traditional model is probably fantastic (and working just fine!) — so why make changes?

Put simply: today’s members are looking for more. This smart-for-business adaptation helps your club evolve with the times, stay “cutting edge,” keep members engaged and attracted, and can ultimately improve their overall health.

You don’t need to overcomplicate anything or chase trends; just align with what members are already signaling they want, like infrared therapies, breathwork, and a 360 approach to mind-body wellness.

Modalities to Explore

Let’s take a closer look at a few of the top holistic wellness practices, and what they can do for your clients (with the science to back it up).

Sound Baths

When it comes to mental health, sound bath practices are supported by peer-reviewed research: a 2016 study found that singing bowl sound meditation significantly reduced tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood among participants, while increasing feelings of well-being. This can be seen in both EEG activity and HRV.

Cold Plunges

Cold water immersion is one of the most studied recovery methods, helping to alleviate muscle soreness, reduce fatigue, and decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.

Infrared Therapy

More recent research is indicating that regular use of infrared sauna — after training sessions — could enhance neuromuscular performance and reduce muscle soreness.

Breathwork Coaching

It might sound silly to say “we don’t know how to breathe,” but often we’re not breathing in a way that can regulate our nervous system. Helping clients do some slow, paced breathing has been shown to enhance relaxation, improve emotional regulation, and support stress management through measurable effects on the nervous system.

Cost-Effective Rollout & Member Engagement Tips

Buying new equipment (or even building a cold plunge pool) can sound intimidating and expensive — but there are ways to make this work.

Start Small: Pilot Programs

Before investing in big-ticket equipment or renovating your gym, test the demand (and your formatting) with low-cost or temporary setups. For instance, when it comes to cold plunge offerings, clubs can start with portable tubs and bagged ice instead of custom-built pools. For sound baths, trial one-off sessions led by a local practitioner to gauge member response.

Partner with Practitioners

Bring in specialists rather than building in-house from day one. A specialized practitioner can run sound bath sessions without requiring your club to hire or train full-time staff. Similarly, infrared or breathwork sessions can be offered through collaborations with wellness coaches or recovery service partners.

Repurpose Existing Space

Don’t worry, you don’t need to hire an architect for a full-blown remodel; you might have some underutilized space already! Even a small room or studio space can host sound baths or breathwork workshops during slower time slots. Recovery rooms, converted treatment areas, office spaces, or segments of a locker room could potentially accommodate one or two infrared sauna units, keeping the footprint (and cost) minimal.

Tiered Pricing / Add-On Memberships

You can cover the additional expenses by positioning these offerings as “premium” add-ons. This way, you can test ROI without overhauling your entire membership structure. Cold plunges, infrared, or guided breathwork sessions could be bundled into a recovery package or add-on tier. This allows early adopters to cover costs while you measure the uptake before scaling.

Low-Cost Intro Workshops Before Investing Fully

Workshops could be a clever entry point: breath coaching or group sound baths can be introduced as special events at a low cost. If attendance and feedback are strong, you’ll have real data to justify building out more permanent offerings.

Communication is Key

If members don’t understand what these offerings are — and what they actually do — you’ll never see adoption. When it comes to marketing and communication, ensure staff can confidently explain how each modality supports recovery, stress management, or performance. Share member testimonials and success stories when you can (few things are as impactful as real results), and present these offerings as core to recovery and mental wellness, not optional extras or fluff.

Real Examples: How It’s Working in Our Community

We spoke with Bianca Sengos, CEO and Founder of Rainbow Sounds, to get an inside look at how these types of modalities are being integrated into clubs, and communicated to members.

Speaking to sound baths specifically: “Just as strength training builds the body to be stronger, sound baths work to restore the body and mind,” says Sengos. It all helps to reduce tension, while improving focus and mental health over time, she adds. “[Sound baths] complement fitness by balancing high-intensity workouts with deep relaxation, improving sleep, and boosting overall recovery.”

As for communicating that to members and staff? Sengos suggests the following: “Adding sound baths as a service gives members a complete performance cycle: train hard, then recover deeper for faster gains and resilience.” The key, Sengos points out, is that this story isn’t new; recovery sessions aren’t reinventing the wheel. The difference is the introduction of a new method.

For members who are confused about the verbiage or concept, you can borrow from Sengos’ description — one that’s working for Rainbow Sounds:

“In a sound bath, you simply lie back and let the sound waves do the work. Physically, you may feel your body loosen, heart rate slow, and muscles deeply relax. You may stop feeling your body completely. Mentally, many people report a quieting of racing thoughts — a shift from ‘Busy Beta Brain’ to ‘Relaxed Alpha Brain’ or even Theta — and a sense of mental clarity for hours after a session. Emotionally, it can bring feelings of calm, release, or even joy, as your body starts to make serotonin and other happy hormones.”

Bringing it Full Circle

Not only are these offerings beneficial to the overall wellbeing of your clientele, but they’re helping your business stay current, fresh, and innovative — positioning you and your club as an authoritative and trustworthy expert source. As Sengos told us, recovery now extends beyond the muscles… Does your programming do the same?

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Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

1. European Congress Powered by Health & Fitness, October 2-4, 2025, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2. Midwest Mania®, October 3-5, 2025, Chicago, Illinois
3. ICAA Conference and Expo, October 13-15, 2025, Anaheim, California
4. Mental Health America Conference, October 16-17, 2025, Washington, D.C.
5. Athletic Business Show, November 5-8, 2025, San Diego, California
6. Boston Mania®, November 14-16, 2025, Danvers, Massachusetts

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Upcoming Workshops in September & October:

1. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
2. 20+ workshops from Spinning®
3. 20+ workshops from TRX®
4. 18 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
5. 13 workshops from Exos
6. 7 workshops from Gray Institute
7. 3 workshops from CFSC
8. 2 workshops from Eleiko
9. 2 workshops from Nordic Flow Academy
10. 2 workshops from Power Plate
11. 1 workshop from Athleticum
12. 1 workshop from U-Jam Fitness

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Industry News:

• Gallup data shows a well-being lag in North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Hyperice announced the next generation of contrast therapy innovation, Hyperice X 2 Knee and Hyperice X 2 Shoulder.
• LES MILLS YOGA launches to help clubs win booming wellness category.
• Consumers are spending more on fitness & wellness than ever before.
• A new AI-powered personal health coach is coming to Fitbit.
• ACSM and NCSF partner to expand educational access for exercise professionals.

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Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

—------------------------------------------------

A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

‍

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

If you’ve had a Brat summer, have uttered the words “delulu is the solulu,” listen to Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, spend more time on TikTok than any other social media platform, and can quote Shrek off hand… you either are Gen Z, have a Gen Z child, or are very tuned into Gen Z culture.

Why does this matter?

They’re a rapidly increasing demographic, accounting for 30% of gym-goers last year. For reference, Gen Zers are approximately 13 to 28 years old. They are an incredibly committed demographic, with about half of them exercising several times a week. Alongside millennials, they spend more on fitness than previous generations — spending habits that are projected to survive the forecasted recession.

In short, this age bracket (people born between 1997 and 2012) should probably be a focus for your business. So let’s get to know them a little better and understand what they want and need from their clubs, trainers, and wellness routine.

Fitness as Self Expression

This is a particularly playful, lighthearted generation; similar to millennials, they value variety, play, and creativity. This is especially important to keep in mind when it comes to programming: the types of classes offered, and their cadence through the week.

Gen Z club members and clients aren’t just breaking a sweat as part of a regimented routine; these individuals want to feel something and experience something unique. Fitness is an outlet, the same way other types of hobbies can be an outlet — but this one comes with science-backed health benefits. They might gravitate toward a themed dance class one day and a meditative mobility flow the next.

Consider: Diverse, flexible class formats, building space for expression (like beginner-friendly dance and Zumba options, movement labs, or even something like journaling post-sweat); encouraging coaches to emphasize personality, not just their performance capabilities.

Neurodivergence & Mental Health

While Millennials broke the taboo around mental health, Gen Z normalized the concept of neurodivergence — the natural variations in how people's brains work (like ADHD, autism, or sensory sensitivities), which can affect how they think, feel, and process the world. For context, an estimated 10% to 20% of people worldwide are considered neurodivergent.

This shows up in how they search for and choose where (and how) they work out. Think: quiet versus loud spaces, clearly structured classes and programming versus fluid formats, grounding approaches versus energizing movement. It genuinely varies from person to person, but in general, the neurodivergent Gen Z population could be searching for environments in which they can self-regulate and not feel overstimulated.

Consider: Educating yourself and your staff on all aspects of neurodivergence, and what the neurodivergent experience can feel like (though statistically, it’s likely some of your staff already knows what this is like on a personal level!).

Additionally, you could create “sensory-friendly” spaces with calm lighting, clear signage, and quiet zones. Mental-health-conscious scheduling could include things like wind-down classes (either a complete standalone class, or something like a 10-minute cool-down session), the aforementioned post-workout journaling sessions, meditation classes, and movement formats designed to regulate the nervous system, like slow flow yoga or breath-led mobility.

The more this generation feels supported and safe, the more likely they are to return and commit to a long-term wellness journey in your club.

Body-Positive Messaging

The “bikini ready” and “beach body” narratives of the past are no longer useful or effective. Gen Z (and millennials, for that matter) not only disdain this type of communication, but it’s also not what they’re looking for when it comes to fitness. They want to feel stronger, more capable, and emotionally rooted… not smaller or thinner. Thanksgiving day “turkey burn” messaging, “summer body,” and anything else that infers the shape of the body needs to be changed, not only doesn’t land here, but it genuinely alienates this population.

Instead, the focus should be on building strength, boosting energy, and improving and regulating mood for the long term, using inclusive language and representation.

Consider: shifting marketing copy, signage, and coach cues to highlight internal metrics: better sleep, improved mood, emotional release. When it comes to visual marketing, try showcasing all body types — not just lean, muscular ones. Remember: all bodies belong in the gym.

Gen Z Doesn’t Want to Be Sold To

This generation grew up in a heavily saturated stream of marketing, surrounded by influencers, and they’re digitally fluent enough to know when something is a sales pitch; as such, they appreciate authenticity above all else, and respect value-led marketing over pushy sales funnels.

What does this mean? Gen Z craves brands that feel human, aligned, and real. They’re more likely to trust a friend’s testimonial or a coach’s personal story than a polished promo ad. This should be excellent news for your club. Showing what you authentically bring to the table is what’s most appealing to this demographic.

If your coaches are relatable as much as they are aspirational, and your community feels safe and inclusive… you’re in. They’ll care less that a famous actor or actress is your client, and be more impressed by a story of a “normal” client’s mental health improving after joining.

Consider: leading with values — both in actions and messaging. Empower your coaches to share their real journeys. Focus on building community-first spaces, with offerings like post-class meetups, mental health awareness days, or zero-pressure intro sessions/classes.

New Generation, New Approach

In sum, the things that worked for Baby Boomers and Gen X, even older Millennials, won’t have the same impact on the new generation.

They’re not here to grind, get in and get out, get ripped, and shed pounds. They don’t see exercise as remedial or prescriptive, but rather something that adds value to their life. They’re coming through your doors hoping to regulate their nervous systems and mental health, create connections and community, and find ways to express themselves and move joyfully.

If you can find a way to incorporate inclusive messaging, understand how their minds work, provide supportive resources and dynamic programming, and have authentic, relatable coaches, you’re going to win. You’ll gain members, build loyalty, and set a precedent.

How are you catering to your younger clients? We’d love to hear from you.

—-------------------------------

Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

1. canfitpro, August 13-16, 2025, Toronto, Canada
2. Perform Better 3-Day Functional Training Summit, August 14-16, 2025, Providence, Rhode Island
3. Annual Wellness Summit, August 18-21, 2025, Austin, Texas
4. AMTA 2025 National Convention, August 21-23, 2025, Dallas, Texas
5. SCW Dallas MANIA®, August 22-24, 2025, Dallas, Texas
6. European Congress Powered by Health & Fitness, October 2-4, 2025, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
7. Midwest Mania®, October 3-5, 2025, Chicago, Illinois

—------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Workshops in August & September:

1. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
2. 20+ workshops from TRX®
3. 13 workshops from Spinning®
4. 9 workshops from Exos
5. 9 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
6. 6 workshops from CFSC
7. 4 workshops from Gray Institute
8. 2 workshops from Athleticum
9. 1 workshop from Power Plate

—------------------------------------------------

Industry News:

• The US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) controversial “click-to-cancel” rule.
• Les Mills report finds that certain members (MVPs) are worth more to gyms.
• Amanda Cass is named president & COO of American Council on Exercise.
• Life Time is piloting an athletic-style reformer Pilates modality called CTR (“Core Tone Reform”), featuring music-driven, higher-intensity exercises.
• Walk faster, live longer: How just 15 minutes a day can boost lifespan.
• A new report shows that these U.S. states rank the highest for life expectancy.

—------------------------------------------------

Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

—------------------------------------------------

A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

‍

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

Even though it seems like ages ago, the pandemic was a pivotal time for our industry and we’re still feeling a ripple effect half a decade later. Despite the obvious challenges, there have been some significant silver linings to come out of a very trying time, specifically when it comes to health, wellness, and fitness.

We saw a renewed interest in working out and getting healthy. Research has suggested that health and wellness interest increased during COVID; Gen Z and Millennial populations in particular started to focus more intently on their fitness routine. We also saw a surge in digital fitness adaptations — an option that continues to be popular.

And, of course, we were introduced to hybrid formats that allowed us to stay afloat during the ebbs and flows of lockdown restrictions. What started as a pandemic-centered workaround turned into something that continues to thrive in a post-COVID world.

From live-streamed bootcamps to on-demand yoga libraries, hybrid programming is now often expected by consumers. No matter what type of club or business you run, the message from clients is loud and clear: they want to choose how, when, and where they show up.

So what does that mean for your business?

Let’s break it down.

Hybrid Is the New Standard

While some aspects of the pandemic have come and gone, in other ways, we’ve adapted to new standards, new routines, and new habits. But what was born from necessity in 2020 has become a business advantage in 2025.

And for many clients who’ve gotten used to a new type of routine, hybrid fitness formatting is now a non-negotiable.

Consider this: your clients are juggling work, travel (and, perhaps, work travel), childcare, the stresses of daily life, and constantly changing schedules.

How does a workout routine fit into what can sometimes feel like chaos? Three main ingredients: accessibility, autonomy, and options. Hybrid programming delivers exactly that.

You can probably envision a name or face when you consider these archetypes:

• The ultra-busy member who loves being a part of the community, but can’t always make it to class.
• The early riser who wants a 6AM strength session, but your club opens at 7AM.
• Your favorite client who moved to a new city, but still wants to train with you.

If you’re concerned about diluting your brand or weakening engagement through partly digital formatting, consider it the link that keeps members connected, even when they can’t make it in person. From this point of view, hybrid formatting actually deepens your connection with these members. At a minimum, you maintain the connection where it could’ve otherwise been lost.

Different members of your community have different needs — your programming should be able to match and deliver. Not only does hybrid formatting help maintain the connection between your club and your clients, but it helps them stay consistent, too.

What a Great Hybrid Program Looks Like

You don’t need a cutting-edge, custom-designed app or home gym system to create a powerful at-home or digital offering. But, there are ways you can step it up from the “Instagram and Zoom link” starter pack. Here are some suggestions for efficient, effective hybrid programming, no matter your budget:

1. Live-streamed classes

One of the easiest access points for hybrid formatting is offering a live-streamed class. You’re already doing the work — why not broadcast it? Through this medium, you can try to replicate the studio experience virtually, using Zoom, YouTube Live, or even private Instagram Lives for quick classes. Tip: record these sessions and save them for future use, especially if you want to build a content library.

2. On-demand libraries

Taking a page out of the Peloton playbook, consider curating a growing repertoire of workouts clients can access anytime. This can be as simple (and inexpensive) as a private YouTube playlist, or as polished and professionally-produced as a branded app or LMS site.

3. Hybrid membership offerings

Blend the in-person and virtual experiences through different membership tiers. In addition to an in-person only membership, you could add a “digital only” as well as a combo membership. This way, your community can choose the rhythm that suits them, and (if your terms allow for it) switch easily when their life circumstances shift. Allowing members to switch from in-person one month to digital the following month could be the key to retention, particularly in the summer vacation months.

4. Integrated tech

We’ve talked at length about the power of wearables, and this is a prime example of how to integrate them into your business model (we have a complete guide on how to ethically add wearable technology and client data into your programming here). When it comes to hybrid programming and virtual offerings, you can sync wearable data, offer workout tracking, or create challenges using tools like Trainerize, MyZone, or your own branded app. The more connected the experience, the more clients stick around.

5. Personal touches

We can’t underscore enough how much personal communication and connection matters. While virtual programming can feel cold and detached — especially in this AI era — your human “touch” goes an extra mile in this circumstance. You can add value for your clients through community forums, live Q&As, personalized voice notes, and custom check-ins. Don’t let the digitized, remote experience of your club lose the warmth of your in-gym experience.

How to Start (or Optimize) Your Programming

If you’re new to hybrid or want to tighten up what you already offer, start by auditing your offering. What are you working with now? Do a quick inventory check: what content, tech, or systems are already in place that could be repurposed, adapted, or better utilized?

Don’t bite off more than you can chew in the first phase — give yourself (and your members) time to adjust and figure out what works. You could begin with one live-streamed class per week and a handful of solid on-demand videos, and see what the response is like. Gather feedback, check in and ask your community what they like and want more of. The more data you have, the better decisions you can make. Don’t overcomplicate things. Make it easy to sign up, log in, and stay engaged. Confusion = cancellation.

Finally, keep your branding consistent — your digital presence, brand, and experience should mirror the energy and experience each client gets in person. This cohesion not only builds trust, but allows your clientele to feel like they aren’t neglected or losing out on the days, weeks, or months they can’t make it into your physical space.

Hybrid Format: Good for Clients, Good for Business

Hybrid programming has the potential to be a powerful growth driver and retention tool for your business. You can maintain connections with clients who have less consistent schedules (hello, retention!), and reach beyond your zip code and expand into new cities around the world, building your community even further.

Consider that this can also boost recurring revenue with subscriptions, digital add-ons, and tiered memberships that could give you more predictable income. And with certain tools (like recording live streamed videos of classes that are already happening), you can maximize your time and resources.

Final Thoughts

This approach to programming is one of the few good things we gained from a particularly difficult era. Whether your clients are in your studio, on your app, or tuning in from another time zone, we can make sure they feel seen, supported, and empowered.

As fitness professionals, we’re in the business of helping people show up consistently. This hybrid offering delivers the flexibility they need to do so. And in return, it might just help your business thrive.

—-------------------------------

Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

1. The Fit Expo, August 2-3, 2025, Anaheim, California
2. canfitpro, August 13-16, 2025, Toronto, Canada
3. Perform Better 3-Day Functional Training Summit, August 14-16, 2025, Providence, Rhode Island
4. Annual Wellness Summit, August 18-21, 2025, Austin, Texas
5. SCW Dallas MANIA®, August 22-24, 2025, Dallas, Texas
6. AMTA 2025 National Convention, August 21-23, 2025, Dallas, Texas

—------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Workshops in July & August:

1. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
2. 20+ workshops from Spinning®
3. 20+ workshops from TRX®
4. 5 workshops from Exos
5. 4 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
6. 4 workshops from U-Jam Fitness
7. 2 workshops from CFSC
8. 2 workshops from Gray Institute
9. 2 workshops from Nordic Flow Academy
10. 2 workshops from Power Plate
11. 1 workshop from Eleiko
12. 1 workshop from Strive Life

—------------------------------------------------

Industry News:

• Five-year study of 1.3M Withings users found sleep loss greatly affects cardiometabolic disease outcomes.
• CrossFit partners with Levels for metabolic nutrition coaching.
• Life Time opens eighth California club at historic Arden Hills property in Sacramento.
• Apple announced a fitness experience with AI Workout Buddy.
• Insights on Gen Z & Millennials from Deloitte’s latest research.

—------------------------------------------------

Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

—------------------------------------------------

A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

‍

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of online education and e-commerce, innovation is key to staying ahead of the curve. Inspire360, a leading Learning Management System (LMS), has recently made waves by seamlessly integrating Shopify into its product suite. This integration promises combining the power of e-learning and e-commerce in one cohesive platform. In this blog post, we'll delve into the details of this integration and explore the benefits it offers to both course creators and their students.

A Perfect Pairing: Inspire360 and Shopify

Inspire360, previously known for its robust e-learning capabilities, has now expanded its horizons by integrating the Shopify API. This integration represents a significant leap forward in simplifying the process of selling and delivering courses and educational content online. Let's take a closer look at what this integration means for users.

Seamless Course Sales: The integration allows Shopify and Inspire360 to work together and make purchasing and taking courses easy and cohesive. Now, educators can sell their courses, certifications, and other educational materials directly to their target audience through Shopify. Once students purchase the education on Shopify, they are immediately given access to the content on the Inspire360 platform.

Customization: Course creators can now tailor their storefronts to match their branding and style preferences seamlessly. This cohesive branding across the learning and e-commerce sides enhances the overall user experience and builds trust with customers.

Payment Flexibility: With Shopify integration, educators can accept a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and even cryptocurrencies, providing students with flexible payment options.

Automated Processes: The integration allows for automation of various tasks, including enrollment and access control. For example, when a student purchases a course, they can instantly gain access to the content, reducing administrative burdens.

Conclusion

Inspire360's integration with Shopify marks a pivotal moment in the e-learning and e-commerce industries. By uniting the strengths of both platforms, educators and businesses can leverage a unified ecosystem that streamlines operations, enhances the user experience, and ultimately drives growth.

If you're interested in learning more about how Inspire360 can help your company, click here.

To see all of the Inspire360 integrations, click here.

Summer often brings fresh energy—and fresh faces—into your club. Year over year, studios and gyms see a bump in attendance as the warmer months arrive, only for that tide to ebb once back-to-school season starts.

So, how can you ride this seasonal wave and keep it going for the rest of the year? Let’s talk about some proven retention tactics to transform one-time visitors into long-term members, and how you can build deeper member engagement through smart programming, community connection, and compelling incentives. Read on for your summer retention toolkit.

Onboard with Intention

Make the first impression count. It may seem obvious, but during the high season, first impressions can translate to long-term retention. With the inbound wave of visitors, trial members and even locals with more flexible schedules, these drop-in folks often come in with less context and lower commitment.

Your goal is to turn a spontaneous visit into a consistent routine — one that keeps them coming back by making them feel seen, supported, and invited to stay. Ensure your onboarding is as polished as possible and that you’re meeting them with clarity, support, and warmth.

Streamline check-ins, offer welcome emails with next steps, and train (or retrain) your staff to give standout first impressions. Greet guests by name when possible, and consider offering facility tours with a friendly walk-through of the space, acknowledging if it’s their first visit to help ease any nerves.

Staff should be able to spot newcomers quickly, initiate warm conversations, and guide them toward clear next steps—whether it’s booking another class, exploring a referral offer, or checking out your app. Staff could ask: “Want help picking another class this week?” or “There’s a great beginner class tomorrow — should I reserve you a spot?”

Behind the scenes, make sure instructors are looped in so they can offer extra encouragement, and keep internal notes to personalize future visits. These small touches create a seamless, welcoming experience that encourages return.

Don’t overlook digital touchpoints during onboarding, either. Welcome emails (using their name) and personalized follow-ups (like “We loved having you in class—ready to book your next one?”) help reinforce connection and guide new members toward consistent engagement. A well-timed message can be the nudge they need to come back.

Launch a Summer Challenge to Build Habits

Short-term wins can become habits that last. What does this look like seasonally? Summer challenges. These dynamic and interactive competitions can be a great way to spark community engagement on their own, but can also serve as a retention-driving tool.

Design your challenge to reflect the rhythm of a realistic long-term routine (like two to three classes per week), and make sure it includes a strong finish: a goal-setting session, membership offer, or onboarding into a longer-term program. When participants see progress (already a reward in and of itself) and are guided into what comes next, they’re far more likely to stick around after the challenge ends.

Consider the following:

1. 4- to 6-week challenge formats to keep members engaged and consistent
2. Small rewards or tiered prizes to boost motivation
3. Social media posts or leaderboards to showcase progress and foster community

Lastly, start teasing the next challenge to give your members a reason to stay engaged beyond the season. Leaning into the psychology of anticipation, we know that anticipation increases commitment. When people look forward to something, they’re more likely to stick around to experience it.

Host Events That Anchor Belonging

Social connection is the magic ingredient—the glue—that creates connection beyond class and holds members in place.

Seasonal events aren’t just lighthearted fun, and they’re certainly not just a marketing gimmick; these can be powerful retention tools when used intentionally. Instead of one-off gatherings, consider creating a recurring series like monthly member socials, outdoor classes followed by walks or themed mini-workshops.

These consistent touchpoints help members build real relationships, feel part of something bigger, and associate your studio with a sense of belonging. The stronger the social bonds, the more likely members are to stay for the long haul.

Some ideas to get your wheels turning:

1. Get outside. Plan outdoor classes, wellness picnics, rooftop flows, sunrise yoga, or post-class socials.
2. Buddy up. Center events on the social aspect and encourage members to bring a friend; these plus-one events are great lead generators with zero pressure.
3. Sip and sweat. Pair classes with a summertime refreshment hour: walks while sipping iced coffee, smoothie meetups, or mocktail time.
   1. Perform Better! 3-Day Functional Training Summit, June 12-14, 2025, Rosemont, Illinois
   2. The Fit Expo, August 2-3, 2025, Anaheim, California
   3. canfitpro, August 13-16, 2025, Toronto, Canada
   4. Annual Wellness Summit, August 18-21, 2025, Austin, Texas
   5. SCW Dallas MANIA®, August 22-24, 2025, Dallas, Texas
   
   
   1. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
   2. 20+ workshops from Spinning®
   3. 20+ workshops from TRX®
   4. 8 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
   5. 6 workshops from Exos
   6. 5 workshops from CFSC
   7. 1 workshop from Eleiko
   8. 1 workshop from Gray Institute
   9. 1 workshop from Power Plate
   10. 1 workshop from Strive Life
   
   
   • TRX and Nobull are bringing a summer training series to Brooklyn this summer.
   • The McKinsey "Future of Wellness" Survey finds that wellness is more important to consumers than ever and that "younger consumers are redefining the landscape."
   • Former Xponential Fitness founder and CEO, Anthony Geisler, launches new franchise group, Sequel Brands.
   • FAD clears first blood test used in diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease.
   • Lumati and PNOĒ are collaborating to "pioneer the future of longevity" with advanced diagnostics and results-driven treatments.
   • Bay Club acquires 425 Fitness, a trio of fitness centers in Seattle.

Don’t forget — these also make for great content opportunities for social media channels, which can further drum up interest and buzz around your community beyond the gym walls. Capture photos and videos, tag members, and allow them to share organically with their communities.

Leverage Referral Programs

This busy, buzzing season is an ideal opportunity to start a referral program or energize your existing one.

Encourage members to invite friends by offering time-sensitive perks like discounted classes, free add-ons, or studio merch. Consider partnering with local businesses (smoothie and juice bars, nearby restaurants, athletic gear vendors) to create even better perks and prizes.

Make sharing seamless with referral links, app-based invites, or ready-to-send messages. When new members arrive through someone they trust, they’re more likely to stay — and your existing members feel more engaged by helping grow a community they care about. For an extra boost, recognize top referrers with small rewards or public shoutouts to keep the momentum going.

Maximize the Surge

The summer months provide us with a window of opportunity to create a connection that lasts through the rest of the year — and beyond. Using these tools and with the right systems in place, casual drop-ins and tepid trial members can become your most loyal community advocates.

Through your focus on intentional, thorough onboarding, habit-building challenges, connection-driven events, and easy-to-share referral programs, you can turn summer momentum into enduring, powerful growth for your business — and your community. Your future retention starts now. Are you ready?

—------------------------------------------------

Industry Happenings:

Catch Us at the ATN Summit in NYC!

We’re excited to share that our VP of Partnerships, Ravi Sharma, will be attending the prestigious ATN Summit in New York City. This year’s event features an incredible lineup, including renowned biohacker Gary Brecka as the keynote speaker. Big kudos to Edward Hertzman, CEO of Athletech News, for curating such a powerhouse gathering of fitness, wellness, and tech leaders.

If you’re planning to attend, don’t miss the chance to connect—drop Ravi a line at ravi@inspire360.com.

—------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Events:

—------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Workshops in May & June:

—------------------------------------------------

Industry News:

—------------------------------------------------

Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

—------------------------------------------------

A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

Every little bit helps.

Little by little.

A little goes a long way.

Small but mighty.

Good things come in small packages.

Drop by drop, the water pot is filled.

‍

Have you guessed today’s topic yet?

Let’s talk about microdosing… not that kind of microdosing, but rather the power behind small bits of action, and the cumulative effect of fitness “snacking,” or mini workouts.

Can a little really go a long way when it comes to exercise? Let’s break down the science—and success—of short bursts of movement throughout the day, as opposed to one long session.

Legitimate Health Benefits

You don’t need 60 minutes in a bootcamp class or 45 minutes on the treadmill doing sprint intervals to achieve basic health goals. Minimal, high-intensity movements can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and cognitive performance.

In terms of a longer life, research from the University of Sydney found that VILPA (Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity) — i.e., just living a more active life—can save lives.

The research shows that just three or four daily bursts of vigorous activity lasting about one minute each—such as brisk stair climbing or chasing after a bus—can reduce the risk of premature death by up to 40%, and cardiovascular death by up to 49%. You read that correctly. Cut your risk of death in half (almost) with four total minutes of vigorous exercise. Suddenly, speeding up the stairs in a metro station is looking more appealing.

Scaling up a bit, a Harvard Health study reported that accumulating several short bouts (about two minutes each) of vigorous activity throughout the day might be especially beneficial, with participants who engaged in 15 minutes of vigorous activity per week experiencing an 18% lower risk of death during the study period.

Let’s look at something a bit more structured, like a mini workout. Engaging in short bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) like, 10 minutes or less, is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hypertension. Specifically, individuals in the highest tertile of short MVPA spurts were 31% less likely to develop hypertension over five years compared to those in the lowest tertile. Similar health benefits were found with 12-minute workouts.

Comparable Benefits to Longer Workouts

You might be thinking, sure there are benefits, but is this just as effective as a ‘normal’ workout routine?

Studies indicate that the cumulative effect of short, frequent activity bouts can match or even surpass the benefits of longer sessions, especially concerning cardiovascular health and mortality risk. Additionally, short, intense bouts of exercise have been shown to improve brain functions such as attention, memory, and multitasking abilities, similar to longer workouts.

Lower Barrier to Entry, Potential for More Consistency

A four-minute bout of movement is, for many individuals, much less intimidating than an hour of CrossFit or 50 minutes of hot Pilates. This is especially true for beginners, older demographics, and those without any kind of athletic history.

This approach can also be a really practical one for those with time constraints, as short bursts of activity, such as brisk walking, stair climbing, or quick bodyweight exercises, can be built into a daily routine more easily.

Because of the aforementioned lower barrier-to-entry, there’s a higher potential for more consistency. And the regularity in these “mini” activities is crucial; it’s the cumulative effect that contributes to long-term health benefits.

Ways Clubs Can Fit Microdosing Fitness Into Training

So now we have the science and the benefits, but how do we translate “run up a flight of stairs for a minute” into something gyms and studios can actually work with? How can clubs take this science and put it into action?

Here are some creative, low-lift ways to microdose fitness in your facility and help members embrace the power of small, but consistent movement.

“Movement Snack” Stations:

Designate spaces around the gym — or even outside in good weather — where members can drop in for quick, guided mini circuits. Think: squats, step-ups, walking lunges, wall sits, planks, or band work. Keep the signage clear, visual, and approachable so it feels like an open invitation, not a test.

Micro-Workout Challenges:

Gamify it. Host recurring challenges that ask members to complete a certain number of short workouts each week — e.g., “5 Movement Snacks in 5 Days.” Track progress via an app, whiteboard, or stickers, and offer shoutouts, badges, or small prizes. It builds community, consistency, and motivation.

Pop-Up Classes:

Add surprise 10 to 15-minute classes into the schedule throughout the day or in between longer sessions. These can be quick core finishers, stretch breaks, mobility flows, or mini HIIT blasts. Keep them accessible — no equipment needed, all levels welcome — and rotate the theme each week to keep it fresh.

Incorporate Into Personal Training:

Encourage trainers to help clients build “movement snacking” into their daily routines. This could be a series of go-to bodyweight circuits, stair sprints, or activation drills they can do at home or on breaks at work. For beginners or time-crunched clients, it’s an empowering way to stay on track between sessions.

Member Education:

Reframe how members think about fitness. Use signage, social media, newsletters, or short talks to share stats, stories, and simple ways to sneak in movement. A poster that says “1 Minute of Squats = Health Win” can go a long way toward making fitness feel attainable and rewarding.

Virtual Micro-Workout Videos:

Build a digital library of 5–10 minute workouts that members can access via your app or website. Include a mix of formats — cardio bursts, strength snacks, mobility flows, breathwork — and tag them by mood, energy level, or setting (e.g., “Apartment-Friendly” or “Pre-Meeting Power-Up”).

Desk or Office Movement Programs:

Partner with local businesses or offer corporate wellness packages that include quick, desk-based movement options. Think: seated stretches, posture resets, or energizing chair workouts. These “microbreaks” can boost productivity, reduce tension, and extend your brand’s reach beyond the club walls.

Warm-Up and Cool-Down Add-Ons:

Encourage members to tack on a 5-minute strength, mobility, or recovery flow before or after their regular workouts. These “bookends” not only reinforce habit-building but can reduce injury risk and improve performance, all without adding major time to their day.

The Micro Movement Method

John Sinclair, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist & Applied Health and Human Performance Specialist, is well-versed in the benefits of micro-dosing fitness. He says, "The power of microdosing movement lies in its dual impact, delivering a remarkable 'bang for your buck' in health benefits. Firstly, it significantly increases your overall daily activity, unlocking a cascade of positive health outcomes, from improved mood and energy to better cardiovascular health. Secondly, and critically, it actively interrupts the prolonged periods of sedentary behavior that have become a silent epidemic, and as such combating the myriad of negative health consequences associated with excessive sitting."

Sinclair co-founded the initiative Seven Movements and has made the transformative micro-dosing prescription, "The Micro Movement Method," universally available.

Bringing It All Together

Integrating this style of fitness “microdosing” into your club’s programming isn’t just a wellness trend — it’s a strategic move to meet members where they are.

By lowering the time and energy threshold, you can help make fitness feel more accessible, sustainable, and an integral part of someone’s lifestyle, no matter what season of life they’re in.

Whether someone is intimidated by long workouts, crunched for time, a new parent, traveling frequently, or simply looking to stay active throughout the day, micro-workouts can offer a flexible, science-backed solution.

Most importantly, this approach empowers members to see movement not as an all-or-nothing event, but as an ongoing opportunity. A one-minute stair sprint, a five-minute core blast, a lunchtime walk — it all adds up.

Small steps. Big payoff.

Are you ready to help your members move more, stress less, and thrive in every minute?

—-------------------------------

Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

‍

1. Miami Fit Expo, May 24, 2025, Miami, Florida
2. Beyond Activ World, June 4-5, 2025, Raffles City, Singapore
3. Perform Better! 3-Day Functional Training Summit, June 12-14, 2025, Rosemont, Illinois
4. The Fit Expo, August 2-3, 2025, Anaheim, California
5. canfitpro, August 13-16, 2025, Toronto, Canada
6. Annual Wellness Summit, August 18-21, 2025, Austin, Texas

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Workshops in May & June:

1. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
2. 20+ workshops from Spinning®
3. 20+ workshops from TRX®
4. 8 workshops from Exos
5. 7 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
6. 3 workshops from CFSC
7. 3 workshops from Gray Institute
8. 2 workshops from Eleiko
9. 2 workshops from Power Plate
10. 1 workshop from Strive Life

—------------------------------------------------

Industry News:

• Crunch will host a nationwide fundraising event in support of Augie's Quest to cure ALS.
• The Green Bay Packers are opening a members-only fitness club.
• Whoop unveils new devices with breakthrough longevity features.
• Pepsi is removing food dyes from its products.
• WeightWatchers files for Chapter 11.
• Fitness industry leaders went to Washington in support of the PHIT Act.
• Nike launched its first-ever strength studio in Austin, Texas.

—----------------------------------------------------

Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

—----------------------------------------------------

A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

‍

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

You may have noticed that one of the recurring themes in our newsletters for the past year — regardless of topic — is the concept of making health, wellness, and fitness less complicated. The idea of going “back to basics” and lowering the barrier to entry.

Today’s topic is no different.

Let’s get into something we all know how to do from the time we’re little. It’s free. It’s intuitive. It’s accessible. It’s one of the most natural forms of movement for the human body, but most Americans aren’t doing it nearly enough.

We’re talking, of course, about walking.

Our physiology is wired for a life of movement, but modern living has all but erased it. Walking fewer than 5,000 steps a day is considered sedentary — but that’s where millions of Americans land.

A number of factors have contributed to the lack of walking in the US, particularly the urban and suburban infrastructure as well as safety. But there’s good news yet… we’re getting better.

One of the few good things to come from the pandemic five years ago was the break from sedentary office jobs and an uptick in walking habits. Walking, in general, has increased in popularity since that time.

It’s even seeing a boom amongst the younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, who have revitalized walking groups, transforming an activity traditionally associated with older demographics.

Walking is often underestimated or overlooked — but it's one of the most accessible, effective, and underrated tools in a fitness routine, as well as a trainer’s arsenal. Whether your clients are seasoned athletes, senior superstars, or just getting started, walking can support their goals in powerful ways.

The Benefits of Walking

Physical Health

Walking improves cardiovascular fitness, supports joint mobility, aids in weight management, and strengthens muscles — especially in the lower body and core when done with proper form. Brisk walking, like running, is also associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Mental Health

“Go outside and take a walk. Get some fresh air.” How often have you heard this? There’s a reason: There is significant scientific merit behind walking for mental health. It’s a major stress reliever and mood booster.

​Recent research published just months ago in JAMA indicates that individuals who walk at least 7,000 steps per day experience a 31% lower risk of developing depression compared to those taking fewer steps. Another study showed that walking in nature led to decreased activity in brain regions associated with rumination.

Daily walks can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance cognitive function, and even support creativity. Walking outdoors, in particular, has been linked to reduced depressive symptoms and better mental well-being.

Accessibility & Inclusivity

Walking is almost universally accessible. It’s low-impact, requires no special equipment, and can be adapted to nearly any fitness level — making it an ideal entry point or recovery tool. The CDC highlights walking as a safe, effective physical activity suitable for people of all ages and abilities, helping close the activity gap for populations with limited access to structured fitness programs.

How Trainers Can Incorporate Walking

Start and End Strong

Use walking as a dynamic warm-up or a restorative cool-down. It’s a simple, effective way to gradually raise or lower heart rate, support joint mobility, and mentally ease clients into (or out of) a session.

Low-Impact, High-Value Cardio

For clients with joint concerns, recovering from injury, or new to regular movement, walking offers a joint-friendly alternative to more intense cardio. It’s also ideal for active recovery days.

Build Better Habits Together

Encourage daily walking goals — whether it’s 6,000 steps, a 15-minute walk, or laps around the block. Walking helps create consistency, improves NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis), and reinforces the idea that movement doesn’t have to be complicated.

Turn It Into a Workout

Walking doesn’t have to mean “just a stroll.” Trainers can level it up with the following:

• Interval walking, alternating pace or incline
• Incline or hill walking, either on a treadmill or outdoors
• Weighted vest or ruck walking for added resistance
• Nordic walking for full-body engagement

Mindful & Social Walking

Suggest mindful walking for stress relief and mental clarity — especially in green spaces. Or spearhead group walks among your members, which are gaining momentum (see: the viral rise of “hot girl walks” and neighborhood walking clubs). Walking can build community, not just fitness.

Coaching Strategies for Walking

Coach Posture & Gait

One of the most crucial ways you can support your communities as they head out on their walking journey is to coach them on proper walking mechanics.

​Proper walking posture is essential for maximizing the benefits of walking and preventing discomfort or injury. As a trainer, guiding your clients on correct walking mechanics can significantly enhance their overall experience and health outcomes.

Key cues to coach:

• Tall spine with head aligned over shoulders
• Engaged core to support the low back
• Relaxed shoulders to avoid tension
• Natural arm swing for balance and momentum

Why it matters: Poor posture while walking can contribute to neck, back, and shoulder pain, and even trigger sciatica and headaches.

Track Progress

Use metrics like steps, distance, pace, or duration. Encourage clients to use fitness trackers or apps to build momentum.

Make It Fun

Help clients stay engaged with playlists, podcasts, audiobooks, or scenic routes. A little variety goes a long way.

Walking Programs to Explore

For clients who want guided walking workouts, we recommend:

• Walk at Home by Leslie Sansone – A well-loved indoor walking program with workouts ranging from 1 to 5 miles.
• Kathy Smith’s 30-Minute Indoor Walk – A great low-impact option that’s easy to follow from home.

Bottom Line

Walking is more than just a warm-up or fallback — it’s a foundational movement pattern that supports health, consistency, and connection. With the right strategy, it can become one of the most effective tools in your training approach and a cornerstone for your fitness communities and members.

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Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

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1. Florida Mania, May 1-4, 2025, Orlando, Florida
2. Sibec, May 12-15, 2025, Orlando, Florida
3. Miami Fit Expo, May 24, 2025, Miami, Florida
4. Beyond Activ World, June 4-5, 2025, Raffles City, Singapore
5. Perform Better! 3-Day Functional Training Summit, June 12-14, 2025, Rosemont, Illinois
6. The Fit Expo, August 2-3, 2025, Anaheim, California
7. canfitpro, August 13-16, 2025, Toronto, Canada
8. Annual Wellness Summit, August 18-21, 2025, Austin, Texas

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Upcoming Workshops in April & May:

1. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
2. 20+ workshops from Spinning®
3. 20+ workshops from TRX®
4. 12 workshops from Exos
5. 6 workshops from CFSC
6. 4 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
7. 2 workshops from Gray Institute
8. 2 workshops from Nordic Flow Academy
9. 1 workshop from Eleiko
10. 1 workshop from Power Plate

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Industry News:

• ClassPass announces the best workout studios & instructors of 2024.
• Hyrox & Centr launch a high-performance turf designed to deliver optimal conditions for sled pushes and pulls.
• Wellhub and Urban Sports Club join forces to meet demand for corporate wellbeing benefits in Europe.
• ABC Fitness and MyFitnessPal announces a partnership to integrate holistic health tracking for gym members and coaching clients.
• Barre3 acquires Studio Barre.
• Headspace announces partnership with the U.S. Navy.

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Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

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A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

‍

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.

In the realm of online learning, user experience plays a pivotal role in keeping learners engaged and ensuring the effectiveness of educational platforms. To further elevate the learning experience for its users, Inspire360, a leading learning management platform, has recently integrated Crazy Egg, a powerful analytics and optimization tool. This integration has brought valuable insights and enhanced usability to Inspire360's already impressive suite of features. In this blog post, we will explore how the integration of Crazy Egg has revolutionized Inspire360 and improved the overall learning journey for students and instructors alike.

Improved Usability through Heatmaps:

One of the key benefits of integrating Crazy Egg into Inspire360 is the utilization of heatmaps. Heatmaps provide a visual representation of user behavior, highlighting the areas of a webpage that attract the most attention or engagement. By incorporating Crazy Egg's heatmap feature, Inspire360 gains valuable insights into how learners interact with their platform. This information empowers the platform's administrators and instructors to make data-driven decisions regarding user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) enhancements. By identifying the hotspots on each page, they can optimize content placement, calls-to-action, and navigation, resulting in a more intuitive and streamlined learning environment.

Optimizing User Interface with A/B Testing:

Another notable feature provided by Crazy Egg is A/B testing. This functionality allows Inspire360 to test different variations of its user interface, such as different layouts, color schemes, or button placements, among other elements. By creating multiple versions of a webpage and directing a portion of users to each variant, A/B testing enables Inspire360 to measure and compare user engagement, conversions, and overall satisfaction. This data-driven approach helps the platform's development team refine their designs, ensuring that every aspect of the interface is carefully tailored to meet user preferences and needs.

Insightful Data-driven Decision Making:

The integration of Crazy Egg into Inspire360 goes beyond heatmaps and A/B testing. The analytics provided by Crazy Egg enable administrators and instructors to gain a deeper understanding of learner behavior. They can track user clicks, scrolling patterns, and other interaction metrics, allowing them to identify pain points and areas of improvement within the platform. Armed with this valuable data, they can fine-tune course content, personalize learning pathways, and optimize the overall educational experience. By leveraging these insights, Inspire360 is better equipped to provide learners with a dynamic and engaging platform that caters to their individual needs.

The integration of Crazy Egg into Inspire360's learning management platform has revolutionized the user experience for both students and instructors. The utilization of heatmaps, A/B testing, and insightful analytics has empowered the platform's stakeholders to make data-driven decisions, resulting in a more intuitive and personalized learning journey. As Inspire360 continues to evolve and enhance its offerings, the integration of Crazy Egg sets a new standard for educational platforms, where user experience is at the forefront. By leveraging the power of analytics and optimization, Inspire360 is creating an engaging and effective learning environment that nurtures growth and success for all learners.

If you're interested in learning more about how Inspire360 can help your company, click here.

To see all of the Inspire360 integrations, click here.

Apple Watch. Oura. WHOOP. Garmin. Fitbit. Polar. The concept isn’t new — we’ve been using wearable technology for a couple of decades now. But only a few gyms and health clubs have fully tapped into all the ways we can integrate wearables in our health clubs and studios.

Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearables not only provide valuable data to better serve clients, but can serve as a powerful link between the individual and their membership or training experience.

So how can fitness professionals leverage these tools to optimize coaching and enhance client results? Let’s get into it.

A Brief Wearable Fitness Tech Overview

The most common devices used in fitness coaching include the aforementioned wearables, which track a number of metrics:

• Activity & Performance: Steps, heart rate, calories burned, VO2 max, HRV.
• Recovery & Readiness: Sleep quality, stress levels, resting heart rate, oxygen saturation.
• Advanced Metrics: ECG, skin temperature, hydration tracking (this one is emerging tech).

Through app connectivity, an individual can look at specific metrics and (sometimes) get synthesized insights. But this doesn’t necessarily translate to something meaningful and actionable for the user. We’ll get to that!

Fitness Wearables and the Trainer-Client Engagement

We dug into the concept of setting resolutions (goals!) — and the power of specificity when it comes to achieving them — in our December edition.

Through this lens, we can see how quantification can be that specificity… the magic ingredient if you will. Quantified data can drive individuals, encourage progress, and more accurately measure targeted goals. These health metrics, like resting HR, sleep quality, and steps, are easy for a user to see and visualize — and decide on specific benchmarks to work toward.

As trainers, we can help clients with personalized goal setting using their real-time data to set realistic and adaptive fitness goals… goals that they can actually achieve and see progress with along the way. Using start points and checkpoints, you can adjust training programs based on metrics like HRV and recovery scores, for example.

Seeing real-time success is a powerful motivator that can strengthen a client’s commitment to their workout program — and their trainer. Especially when that trainer tailors the program to this hyperpersonal data. And it’s a beautiful way to “see” progress that would otherwise be invisible, especially for clients who aren’t trying to bulk up or lose weight.

Additionally, as a fitness professional, you’ll be able to synthesize data and derive insights in a way the average user won’t see on their own — and you can weave in additional insights from knowing clients on a more personal level. In this way, your expertise is an essential part of the puzzle. A client might have a batch of numbers, but what does it truly mean when it comes to the complete picture of their health?

There’s also a strong emotional association between the client’s personal success and the person who helped them get there. By helping clients see tangible progress through measurable data, the data itself can serve as a client-trainer link that strengthens the relationship.

Creating Data-Optimized Workouts

When it comes to using data as part of a group fitness program, Orangetheory is a pioneer. Orangetheory uses heart rate monitors to track participants’ real-time effort during workouts, displaying metrics like heart rate zones, calories burned, and splat points (earned by spending time in the "orange" and "red" zones). This data-driven approach helps clients optimize intensity, measure progress, and stay motivated through gamified elements like leaderboards and performance summaries.

Similarly, F45 uses its “F45 LionHeart” system, a heart rate monitor that tracks real-time effort, heart rate zones, and calories burned during workouts. Data is displayed on screens in the studio, helping participants optimize intensity and compete against themselves or others. Post-workout, clients receive summaries via the F45 app, similar to Orangetheory’s model.

Life Time also uses AI to integrate with client data. Partnering with Microsoft, Life Time introduced L.AI.C, an AI-driven companion within their member app. This feature provides personalized class suggestions, assists with reservations, and offers tailored workout programs based on individual preferences and data from connected devices.

Consider these concepts for data-optimized workouts for personal training:

• Designing a program based on current health data and a specific goal, like a higher sleep score, higher VO2 max, etc.
• Using data in real-time to control the workout, like using HR zones for targeted cardio training.
• Adjusting the program in progress based on data updates. i.e., adapting workouts based on fatigue or recovery levels.

Gamification Wins

We can take a page out of Duolingo’s book to see how successful gamification of anything can be — from language learning to exercising. Badges, streaks, challenges, social sharing, and friendly competition are all tools that fuel even the least competitive among us.

For gamification to work, rewards should feel meaningful, and data should be easy to track. Fitness professionals can integrate challenges through fitness apps, gym software, or social media groups. The goal is to turn fitness into an interactive, rewarding experience — keeping clients engaged, accountable, and excited about progress.

Here’s what this could look like:

• Individual Challenges – Clients have personal objectives (like 10K daily steps for a week), with a prize for completing the challenge.
• Workout Streak Rewards – Keeping any streak alive — whether it’s the aforementioned step challenge or completing 10 daily workouts in a row — can unlock rewards such as a free personal training session or class, scaling up as the streak continues. Personal tracker data can be used to confirm the streak.
• Community Leaderboards – For more competitive clients who are comfortable with sharing some of their data, leaderboards can be encouraging and fun. Burned calories, minutes of exercise, number of steps, and daily streaks. There are a ton of options here.
• Team Challenges – Teamwork can also be highly motivating due to its inherent social nature; small groups can compete to collectively reach certain milestones with their data, whether that’s a percent of progress, a quantity of something completed, or another metric that combines data for a point system.
• Bingo Style Challenge – For an interactive and dynamic approach, consider “Bingo,” where clients can check off specific tasks like “Improve X metric by X” or “Get X hours of sleep X times,” with prizes for completed cards.

Best Practices for Integrating Wearable Tech in Coaching

As we venture into this intimate territory with our client’s health data, it’s important to ensure each member understands the implications of data collection and usage. Clearly explain what data is being collected (weight, heart rate, steps, sleep, calories, etc.) and how it will be used. Ensure clients understand who has access to their data — whether it’s just the coach or if it’s shared with third parties (e.g., app providers, health platforms).

Prioritizing transparency, consent, and responsible data handling are all essential to maintaining client trust. Always obtain explicit consent before tracking or analyzing a client’s wearable data, and reinforce that clients own their data and can choose how much they share. Remember, this is opt-in participation for data-driven coaching; not all clients want their biometric data monitored.

Use secure platforms that comply with HIPAA (in the U.S.) or GDPR (in Europe) if your club is storing health-related data. Avoid storing sensitive data on personal devices or unsecured platforms.

And finally, be mindful that too much tracking can create unnecessary stress or anxiety for some clients. Encourage a balanced approach—wearables should enhance coaching, not create pressure or feelings of judgment. This is where the human part of coaching is so crucial: understanding the nuances of your clients and their needs. Plus, your qualitative coaching insights alongside data are what will keep workouts enjoyable, sustainable, and meaningful.

How Will You Use Personal Fitness Data?

Wearable tech presents an incredible opportunity to enhance coaching, optimize workouts, design new types of workouts, and strengthen client engagement — but its success depends on thoughtful integration.

By using data to personalize training, gamify fitness, and track progress responsibly, trainers can create more effective and enjoyable experiences. Whether it’s implementing small challenges, leveraging AI-driven insights, or simply using recovery metrics to tailor programs, the key is to use data as a tool — not a crutch — to support and empower clients on their fitness journeys.

Now, it’s your turn. Whether it’s testing a simple challenge, introducing a leaderboard, or using recovery data to fine-tune workouts — pick one way to incorporate wearables this month and see how your clients respond. The future of coaching is here — let’s make it work for you.

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Industry Happenings:

Upcoming Events:

1. California Mania®, March 20-23, 2025, Burlingame, California
2. IWF China Fitness Convention, March 5-7, 2025, Shanghai, China
3. FitnessFest Conference & Expo, April 3-6, 2025, Phoenix, Arizona
4. FIBO, April 10-13, 2025, Cologne, Germany
5. Sibec Americas, May 12-15, 2025, Orlando, Florida
6. Miami Fit Expo, May 24, 2025, Miami, Florida
7. Beyond Activ World, June 4-5, 2025, Raffles City, Singapore

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Upcoming Workshops in March & April:

1. 20+ workshops from Oxygen Advantage
2. 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
3. 20+ workshops from Spinning®
4. 20+ workshops from TRX®
5. 10 workshops from Exos
6. 7 workshops from CFSC
7. 3 workshops from Gray Institute
8. 2 workshops from Athleticum
9. 2 workshops from Eleiko
10. 2 workshops from U-Jam Fitness
11. 1 workshop from Power Plate
12. 1 workshop from SoulBody Fitness
13. 1 workshop from Strive Life Fitness

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Industry News:

• Apple launched the Apple Health Study, which aims to further understand how technology can play a role in improving physical health, mental health, and overall wellbeing.
• Eleiko has been awarded a five-year U.S. Navy education contract.
• Aescape announced their U.S. expansion with Equinox and secured $83M in funding.
• Lululemon is working with 78-year-old fitness influencer Joan MacDonald for their new campaign.
• UFC GYM announced that it will be opening 45 locations worldwide in 2025.
• International Luxury Hotel Association partnered with Matrix Fitness to elevate wellness in luxury hospitality.

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Thanks for Reading!

This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.

—----------------------------------------------------

A Note from Peter & Kathie

The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.

‍

Keep Inspiring,

Peter & Kathie Davis

‍

Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.