Bill McBride

Co-Founder & President, Active Wellness

Bill McBride’s expertise in sales strategy, brand loyalty and persistent focus on growth metrics significantly contributed to Active Wellness’ growth in employee and client retention, revenue per square foot and membership growth this year.

McBride was instrumental in launching what the brand claims to be the first-ever branded medical wellness center chain as well as a branded longevity studio. Under McBride, Active Wellness is committed to meeting the ongoing demand for wellness and more for years to come.

“While the pandemic delivered unprecedented times of uncertainty, Bill’s leadership not only led Active Wellness, its employees and partners, back to growth and profitability in the last year, but has also had a profound impact on the industry as a whole,” says Kari Bedgood, Chief Marketing Officer of Active Wellness. “Bill’s exceptional leadership, combined with his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, make him a true power player in the industry.”

Travis LaBazzo

CEO, Amped Fitness

Travis LaBazzo’s leadership at Amped Fitness emphasizes rapid growth and innovation in the high-value, low-price (HVLP) fitness space. 

LaBazzo has led Amped Fitness to expand without private equity backing, matching the growth pace of major brands. His commitment to immersive design and ambiance has shifted how HVLP brands approach their builds, introducing the Experience Design Low Price (EDLP) model.

“Our greatest strength is our ability to grow from within,” LaBazzo says. “We have invested in the youth to run our organization for now and the future.”

Amped Fitness continues to thrive under LaBazzo’s leadership, with over 10-plus clubs opened or signed in the last 12 months, and a strong focus on creating empowering spaces like the Babe Cave for women.

Sadie Lincoln

Co-Founder & CEO, Barre3

Sadie Lincoln was there in 2008, launching Barre3 when Barre was as niche a workout modality as you could find. Now, she’s helped grow it into one of the more popular forms of group exercise along with her brand which now features 190 studios across the United States, Canada and the Philippines. It also includes an online-workout platform with subscribers in over 100 countries.

“Barre3 has never followed fitness trends,” Lincoln says. “Instead, we listen closely to our core client needs and how we can continue our mission: to teach clients to be balanced in body and empowered from within.”

More recently, Barre3 expanded its workout portfolio to include new strength, cardio, and mindfulness classes to meet new consumer needs. Lincoln won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Mountain West Award, serving as a testament to her approach and success.

Matthew Stevens

President & CEO, Bay Club

Stevens oversees Bay Club’s growing collection of resort-inspired properties within the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and Pacific Northwest markets. Each contains an assortment of fitness centers, athletic clubs, sports resorts, swim & tennis facilities, golf & country clubs and/or hotel-resorts. Stevens further oversees the community’s 135,000 members and a professional team of over 4,000 associates.

Stevens’ brand is progressive with generous membership options for members and vacation qualifications for staff. It also created Sports & Active Lifestyle Alliance, a pilot program bringing leaders from sports, outdoor recreation, and active lifestyle together to help improve the credibility amongst private and public markets in fitness.

“Bay Club is taking responsibility to lead from the front,” Stevens says. “We accept the challenge to be one of the Power Players within this amazing industry we call home.”

Kyle Watson

Chief Marketing Officer, Celsius Holdings

Kyle Watson has helped Celsius establish itself as a premium lifestyle energy drink through numerous marketing campaigns and partnerships with celebrities, influencers, athletes and sporting leagues — even becoming the official energy drink of Major League Soccer through the 2026 season.

“I’ve led my team to innovate and show up everywhere our consumers are by transcending Celsius to go beyond the fitness channel and expand into consumption across all usage occasions and channels,” Watson says. “Whether working out, connecting with friends, in the office or studying for an exam, at any moment throughout the day, there is a Celsius product that fits the moment.”

The brand reports that Celsius is the number one energy drink on Amazon and Instacart. Aided significantly by Watson, it also surpassed $1 billion in sales last year, achieving a year-over-year increase of 102%.

Andrew Sugerman

CEO, Centr

Under Andrew Sugerman’s stewardship, Centr has cemented itself as more than just a celebrity-founded fitness and wellness app, but one of the biggest brands in the industry.

Over the past 12 months, Centr has released home gym equipment through a national partnership with Walmart and struck a deal with Hyrox that made Centr the official equipment provider of the hit global fitness competition

“The vision was to establish Centr as a highly trusted lifestyle brand in the wellness category where we bring together the latest research, content, digital tools (and) physical products, all to help users, our audience and consumers on their wellness journey,” Sugerman says.

On the digital side, Sugerman has helped Centr expand its offerings to include more holistic wellness content, in line with industry trends. Centr has grown its app membership numbers over the past 12 months, the brand reports.

Cory Brightwell

CEO, Chuze Fitness

With Cory Brightwell at the helm, Chuze Fitness brings unmatched hospitality to the fitness sector. The low-price, high-value (HVLP) gym chain accomplishes this with unique amenities like its access-controlled Team Training room that remains open during non-class hours and its exclusive Lift Lab which gives members a quieter, more private space to get a lift in.

“Our mission revolves around fostering healthier communities through human connection and kindness,” Brightwell says. “We aspire to achieve this by embodying the ethos of being the friendliest, cleanest, and most cherished fitness company globally. I take great pride in affirming that we have upheld our mission since the inception of Chuze.”

Brightwell practices what he preaches, making regular visits to locations and assisting with club-level tasks like cleaning and customer service. This distinctive approach has proved fruitful: Chuze Fitness opened six new locations over the past year while also acquiring 21 existing gyms, an impressive feat for a gym brand that doesn’t sell franchises.

Tony Scrimale

CEO, CR Fitness Holdings

Tony Scrimale leads CR Fitness, Crunch Fitness’ largest franchise group, which surpassed the 500,000 membership milestone this year alone.

“When I became CEO in 2022, we had 32 locations and currently have 63 open locations with 12 in presales and 24 additional signed leases in the coming years,” Scrimale says. “This rapid growth solidifies our position as industry leaders leveraging digital platforms for growth and engagement.”

CR Fitness sought to open 10-12 new locations in 2023. Under Scrimale’s leadership, the group surpassed that, launching 17.

This impressive expansion comes at no extra cost to CR Fitness’ workplace culture. Scrimale prioritizes fostering a comfortable work environment, recently introducing a pay management incentive program that offers a $1,000 bonus to managers who take vacations to rejuvenate.

Jim Rowley, Molly Long & Laura Altieri

CEO, Crunch Fitness

Chief Experience Officer, Crunch Fitness

VP of Sales, Crunch Fitness

Jim Rowley’s leadership at Crunch Fitness has led to unprecedented growth. Under his guidance, Crunch was named the number one fitness franchise in the 2024 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 ranking, boasting 2.5 million members and over 450 gyms worldwide.

“In embracing our current times and consumer demand for hybrid fitness, we proudly launched Crunch+ in February 2023,” Rowley says. This digital platform offers hundreds of on-demand and live-streamed workouts, based on Crunch’s popular in-gym classes, enhancing the member experience.

Will Bartholomew

Founder & CEO, D1 Training

Under Will Bartholomew, D1 Training expanded from its home base in Tennessee to reach 100 locations this past year. The fitness franchise is becoming a household name for making top-tier, athletic-style training available to anyone with a wide variety of classes led by expert coaches.

“How many gyms can you name that serve both young kids and pro athletes?,” Bartholomew says. “We’re breaking barriers. The vision has always been to give everyone a Division I training experience. It doesn’t matter the skill level, whether a member is age 7 or 57, if they are a recovering pro athlete or someone who has never stepped foot in a gym.”

The approach is working so far: D1 Training boasts a 6.5% year-over-year same-store growth rate systemwide. Positioned to serve the fitness, health and wellness, youth sports, and family entertainment industries, the brand has no plans to slow down.

David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans

Founder & CEO, GoodLife Fitness

David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans may have founded GoodLife Fitness back in 1979 and turned it into the largest gym company in Canada with around 500 clubs, but he isn’t resting on his laurels.

In addition to GoodLife’s family of fitness brands, Patchell-Evans owns CityFitness, the largest fitness club chain in New Zealand, and is a partner in Oxygen Yoga & Fitness and GYMVMT in Canada, and Revo Fitness in Australia. He continues to grow all those brands, with much of that growth coming recently. Oxygen, for example, has added more than 50 franchise locations in the last year alone.

An industry giant and recent inductee into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, Patchell-Evans continues to spearhead innovation in Canada’s fitness industry, including investing in the workplace wellbeing of his staffers at GoodLife Fitness.

“Our team members tell us that some of the most impactful things we do to support their physical and mental fitness and wellbeing are some of the seemingly smaller items,” Patchell-Evans says. “Ensuring that we are offering an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels welcome and safe is of paramount importance.”

Lou Lentine

CEO, Echelon Fitness

As the CEO of Echelon Fitness, Lou Lentine has driven the company’s mission to become a global fitness leader, inspiring healthy living through advanced technology and dynamic entertainment. Echelon provides high-quality, affordable exercise equipment, including bikes, treadmills, rowers, fitness mirrors, stair climbers, ellipticals, and strength equipment, all connected to an integrated digital experience and a worldwide community.

“Echelon is committed to developing innovative products and delivering unparalleled experiences to our community. Our goal is to make fitness accessible, engaging, and effective for everyone,” says Lentine.

Under Lentine’s leadership, Echelon has expanded its content from pure fitness into health and wellness, partnering with Advent Health to bring total wellness to the forefront. The successful “Pink Up The Pace” campaign and the launch of Echelon U exemplify this commitment, raising significant funds for breast cancer research and providing members with authoritative wellness education.

Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer

Co-founder & CEO, EGYM

Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer’s leadership at EGYM has transformed the company into a major player in fitness technology and corporate health, focusing on shifting healthcare from repair to prevention.

“In 2017, we acquired ‘qualitrain,’ a corporate fitness aggregator. We rebranded it as EGYM Wellpass, creating the premier corporate health network with over 11,500 facilities in Germany, Austria, and France,” says Roesch-Schlanderer. This network offers 2.5 million employees access to training at favorable rates.

Under Roesch-Schlanderer’s guidance, EGYM secured $225 million from Affinity Partners to expand EGYM Wellpass, marking a significant strategic pivot toward corporate fitness.
Over the past year, EGYM has continued to innovate, launching Gameday, an interactive workout designed to foster long-term motivation, and EGYM Genius, software that leverages data for personalized training plans.

Focused on corporate wellness, EGYM aims to internationalize Wellpass, expanding its global impact.

Julia Klim

VP/Head of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation, Equinox

Since joining Equinox in 2019, Julia Klim has helped the luxury high-performance brand push the boundaries of what we know today as wellness.

In an effort to create hyper-personalized experiences, she helped launch Equinox’s digital venture and created a data-connected ecosystem, driving more meaningful engagement and affinity for the brand across Equinox’s community reach of over 2 million.

Reporting directly to the Chairman, Klim is building Equinox’s strategic partnerships arm, defining new pathways to growth via technology, creating new frontiers within healthspan and lifespan and reimagining wellness’s role in fashion and culture.

Earlier this year, Equinox partnered with Function Health to give its members access to the latest in longevity technology.

“This partnership represents a new era in personalized, performance-driven health, integrating the highest standards in personal training with cutting-edge research and data across nutrition and regeneration,” Klim says.

Ed Zouroudis

CEO, Evolt

As the CEO of Evolt, Ed Zouroudis has led the company to international recognition, expanding to 43 countries and completing over 5 million body scans. Under Zouroudis’ leadership, strategic partnerships with industry giants like EGYM and ABC Trainerize have enhanced user experience and accessibility, marking significant milestones in Evolt’s expansion efforts.

Zouroudis also spearheaded the launch of the revitalized Evolt Active App and Evolt Education platform, empowering users and business owners alike.

“Our mission at Evolt is to leverage technology to improve global health and wellness,” says Zouroudis. “By continuously innovating and forming strategic partnerships, we’ve made significant strides in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s dedication to providing actionable insights and tools that empower users to make positive, sustainable changes to their body composition and overall health.”

Looking ahead, Evolt aims to deploy AI and machine learning to offer individualized health and fitness solutions.

Amanda Carlson-Phillips

Chief Performance Innovation Officer, Exos

A pioneer and veteran of the fitness and wellness industry for over 20 years, Amanda Carlson-Phillips leads the Exos Performance Innovation team and provides cutting-edge solutions for clients day in and day out.

Carlson-Phillips was instrumental in introducing the idea of fully integrating mindset, nutrition, movement and recovery into Exos’ approach to athletic coaching and training, making the company one of the first to look at athlete performance holistically.

Carlson-Phillips also helped integrate a four-day workweek to better equip employees with the physical, mental, and emotional capacity to meet the demands of modern work. Even with that shift, Exos’ sales pipeline grew 211% year over year from July to December, a testament to the less-is-more approach.

Tom Dowd

CEO, F45 Training

Tom Dowd leads one of the industry’s most popular global boutique fitness brands in F45 Training, having helped re-organize the brand over the past year to quickly drive positive results.

Dowd expanded on F45’s offerings to bring a more holistic approach to health and wellness by launching Pilates-focused brands FS8 and Vaura while adding infrared sauna, cold plunge and compression therapy options.

“When you work as hard as we have been this past year, you expect results and we have exceeded even my expectations with average unit volume growth,” Dowd says. “Positive brand sentiment/reputation has grown by 88% in the past year.”

“Our lead volume has grown 37% at the same point in time from 2023 to 2024,” he adds.

Dowd is also proud to foster a close working relationship with franchisees, F45 coaches and other employees to establish a strong culture and comfortable work environment amid the brand’s rapid growth.

Sam Cole

Co-Founder & CEO, FitXR

As the leader of FitXR, Sam Cole has driven the mission to make fitness accessible and enjoyable for everyone. By utilizing technology to address the inactivity epidemic, Cole is shaping the future of fitness by bringing movement to countless people who were completely sedentary before working out in virtual reality (VR).

This year, Cole propelled FitXR’s Movement for Movement forward through numerous studio launches, including the platform’s first branded studio partnership with Zumba, and Slam, the first bespoke workout built to maximize mixed reality’s pass-through capabilities.

“FitXR was founded on the belief that fitness should be fun, inclusive, and accessible to all. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with VR and mixed reality to help people form healthy habits and enjoy moving their bodies,” says Cole.

Through these initiatives, Cole has significantly expanded FitXR’s user base, making a lasting impact on the fitness industry.

Dean Kelly

CEO, Gainful

Under Dean Kelly’s leadership, Gainful has stood out in a competitive category through innovation and personalization. Expanding from a successful DTC business to an omni-channel presence, Gainful initially introduced customizable protein at Target, simplifying the supplements aisle for Americans and will continue further retail expansion in the coming months. The brand also offers free access to registered dietitians, ensuring everyone can achieve their best health.

In 2023, Gainful was recognized with multiple awards, including the Nutrition Business Journal’s Leadership and Growth Award. Kelly’s focus on meaningful partnerships, such as with Future and Hyrox, further solidified Gainful’s place in the performance ecosystem.

“We’ve removed barriers to personalized nutrition,” says Kelly.

Gainful’s data-driven approach, with over 4 million quiz takers, informs product launches and retail decisions, driving growth and profitability. The brand continues to innovate with new products like Daily Performance Greens, emphasizing transparency and quality.

Christian Toetzke

Founder & CEO, Hyrox

Christian Toetzke helped revolutionize the fitness landscape by identifying a niche for mass-participation fitness races and launching a brand capable of hosting them. Since its first race in 2018, Hyrox has grown to over 60 cities and around 200,000 annual race participants — an impressive feat for a group-based exercise brand that had to fight through the pandemic.

This year, Hyrox held its first race in New York City, which welcomed over 5,000 participants and became the brand’s best-attended event ever in the United States. Strategic partnerships with affiliate gyms and renowned brands like Centr, F45, and GoodLife Fitness have recently furthered Hyrox’s reach, making it a leader in promoting fitness and wellness globally.

Achieving consistent year-over-year growth already, Hyrox expects to grow from 220,000 athletes in the 2023-2024 season to potentially 500,000 athletes with around 80 events. Under Toetzke, Hyrox was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies and one of Athletech News’ 23 Most Innovative Fitness & Wellness Companies of 2023.

Jim Huether, Anthony Katz, Gilad Jacobs

CEO, Hyperice

Founder, Hyperice

Chief Innovation Officer, Hyperice

Under Jim Huether’s leadership, recovery tech company Hyperice has established itself as one of the go-to brands among top athletes and everyday consumers alike.

Founded in 2011, the company enjoyed its strongest-ever quarter in 2023 following the launches of the Hyperice X Shoulder, a contrast therapy strap that switches from hot to cold, and a heated head attachment for its signature Hypervolt percussion massage guns.

Mark Phillips

Chief Marketing Officer, iFIT

As the Chief Marketing Officer of iFIT, Mark Phillips oversees the brand’s entire portfolio of award-winning products including iFIT, NordicTrack, ProForm and Freemotion.

Earlier this year, he propelled the launch of iFIT’s AI Coach beta program, making iFIT one of the first fitness brands to launch an AI supplement to its roster of live trainers, while helping lead the iFIT’s latest brand campaigns, “World of Intelligent Fitness” and “Incredible Machines.”

Also this year, iFit renewed its sponsorships for both the London and Boston Marathons, as well as its partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Phillips also established iFIT as a leading example for workplace welfare, supporting iFIT’s corporate well-being initiatives which include employee fitness challenges and annual sports tournaments.

Andrew Wyant

CEO, International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)

Andrew Wyant’s leadership at ISSA has been pivotal in driving interest in personal training careers. Through strategic marketing, ISSA has emphasized the importance of personal trainers in the community.

“In our journey within the realm of personal training certification, ISSA has played a pivotal role in sparking interest in individuals aspiring to become personal trainers,” says Wyant.

His media outreach has cultivated widespread recognition of personal training’s value.

ISSA continues to expand, having certified over half a million individuals. The organization has received accolades like being named a Best Place to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal and making Inc. Magazine’s 2023 Inc. 5000 list. With a workforce growth from 24 to 320 employees, ISSA is advancing a holistic approach to health and wellness, positively impacting countless lives.

*Note: Andrew Wyant now serves as ISSA’s chief growth officer and sits on the organization’s board of directors. Wyant served as ISSA’s CEO until April 2024, making him eligible for this list.

Jon Bier

Founder & CEO, Jack Taylor PR

If any sort of good press takes place in the fitness and wellness space, there’s a decent chance Jon Bier is behind it. As CEO of Jack Taylor PR, one of the industry’s premier communications agencies, Bier has helped build brands like Plunge, Hyperice and Momentous, to name just a few, while also bringing the industry closer together with the agency’s first-ever Wellness Showcase in Manhattan last fall.

“The wellness industry is experiencing a golden era, catalyzed by the pandemic which prompted a widespread reevaluation of life priorities,” Bier says. “People are waking up and the movement is growing with no signs of slowing down. Wellness is teaching people how to live their best life and with each day that road is getting smoother. What a time to be alive.”

Jack Taylor is also proud to report a year of growth and that client retention within the agency is increasing with every month. With Bier at the helm, the brand fosters a comfortable work environment, embracing a hybrid work schedule, distributing monthly wellness and fitness stipends, offices filled with sunlight, time off for parents and more.

Brynn Scarborough

President & CEO, JK Products & Services

Brynn Scarborough has invested in the fitness and wellness spaces for over a decade, predicting trends and supporting major franchise systems in growing revenue-generating amenities.

“By launching our Wellness Equipment Portfolio, we’ve broken into new verticals like wellness, spa, and hospitality,” says Scarborough. This portfolio offers autonomous, touchless services through massage, red light, and sauna.

Scarborough developed an executive leadership team to drive growth and actively invests in diversified leadership by sponsoring and mentoring women in fitness and wellness.

JK Products & Services helps operators retain memberships and increase value by offering experiential autonomous wellness services. The autonomous wellness/recovery circuit provides high-impact services without the need for technicians or trainers.

In 2023, JK increased wellness equipment sales by 60%, implemented five new national accounts, and repositioned itself as a leading provider of wellness and recovery services.

Ty Menzies

CEO, Lift Brands & Snap Fitness

Recognizing the need to adapt Snap Fitness’ offerings after the COVID-19 pandemic, Ty Menzies launched the ‘For the Feeling’ initiative, emphasizing the intrinsic benefits of exercise as part of a total rebrand. He also spearheaded the development of the Snap App, revolutionizing engagement with fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness.

“We saw an opportunity to reposition Snap Fitness entirely, focusing on exercise from the perspective of how it makes you feel, not just how it makes you look,” Menzies says of the rebrand. “This included not just a change of logo and color scheme, but a change of our go-to-market strategy, our communication to the end consumer, and a change in our tagline.”

Following these initiatives, Snap Fitness opened franchises in Saudi Arabia and Singapore in 2021, plus 18 new clubs in Asia-Pacific and 10 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Under Menzies’ leadership, Snap Fitness saw a 16% increase in club memberships and opened 32 new gyms in the past year.

Colleen Lewis

CEO, Lindora & LWI

Throughout her career, Colleen Lewis has been known for pushing the boundaries of performance and innovation while leading with heart and integrity. At Lindora, she transformed a rapidly diminishing business into a profitable and innovative leader in health and wellness within less than 12 months.

Colleen implemented a strategic plan focusing on services, talent, brand, and operations, launching new offerings like GLP-1 medications and IV hydration. These initiatives not only improved financial performance but also established Lindora as a top innovator.

“We strive to impact lives for the better through a holistic approach to metabolic health,” says Lewis.

Under her leadership, Lindora evolved from weight loss to metabolic health, addressing a global health crisis. Her commitment to integrity and innovation has positioned Lindora as a leader in this space, now poised for nationwide expansion after being acquired by Xponential Fitness in 2023.

Note: Colleen Lewis served as CEO of Linodra in 2023, making her eligible for this list.

Brandon Cullen

Co-Founder & Chief Concept Officer, MADabolic

Brandon Cullen’s leadership at MADabolic emphasizes innovation and efficiency, transforming the functional training space. Cullen has forged a key partnership with BeaverFit, leading to the creation of the BeaverFit Bay Unit. This custom training solution maximizes functional training space, enhances aesthetics, and significantly reduces real estate costs for MADabolic locations.

“One thing I can guarantee about MADabolic is that we will always prioritize what works over what’s trendy,” Cullen says. “We will only adapt to trends that are backed by science and align with our mission and culture.”

MADabolic continues to expand under Cullen’s leadership, with 80-plus franchise locations signed or in development and a focus on delivering high-quality training experiences.

Fritz Lanman

CEO, Mindbody & ClassPass

Under Fritz Lanman’s watch, the Mindbody Marketplace has grown to 2.4 million active consumers — the largest global pool of wellness shoppers, according to the brand. Lanman emphasizes a full-company belief in prioritizing well-being, both for clients and for staff with a welcoming and flexible work environment featuring significant health-related benefits.

Today, Lanman is most proud of the ground Mindbody has made incorporating AI and machine learning features into its software offerings as messenger AI and Clients-at-Risk, both of which help grant users a more reliable, stable and fast platform that brings in revenue.

“We’re always focused on raising the bar for ourselves and the software improvements are just the beginning of what we have in store for our valued customers,” Lanman says. “As we move into 2024, we’ll continue to prioritize investments in staffing, improved training and systems, and new AI tools that will further solidify us as an innovative leader in the space.”

Jeff Byers

Co-Founder & CEO, Momentous

Jeff Byers’ journey from the gridiron to the helm of Momentous has instilled a profound understanding of the critical link between nutrition, performance and overall well-being in the health and wellness space.

Under Byers’ leadership, Momentous just became the official supplements and sports nutrition partner of CrossFit and The CrossFit Games. Byers continues to lead Momentous as it democratizes high performance and empowers athletes of all levels with reliable and trustworthy products.

Byers views Momentous as an “anti-supplement supplement company,” saying the brand wants to rely on science and medical experts rather than gimmicks and empty promises.

“If we really want to create a different company, let’s not do it how it’s always been done. Let’s use the external resources – experts and practitioners – and build products around them,” Byers says.

This past year, Momentous generated $40 million in revenue, representing a 301% increase year-over-year. Earlier this year, Momentous received a $32 million investment from Humble Growth as it looks to expand its performance-based approach to supplements.

Dave Long, Dave Mortensen, Chuck Runyon

Interim Co-CEO, Purpose Brands; Co-Founder & CEO, Orangetheory Fitness

Board member, Purpose Brands; Co-Founder, Self Esteem Brands

Interim Co-CEO, Purpose Brands; Co-Founder & CEO, Self Esteem Brands

As the CEO and co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness, Dave Long has revolutionized the fitness industry with a science-backed, heart rate-based group workout designed for longevity and vibrancy. Since its 2010 launch, Orangetheory has expanded to over 1,500 studios worldwide.

Amy Neary

Founder & CEO, Prime IV Hydration & Wellness

Under Amy Neary’s leadership, Prime IV Hydration & Wellness launched 58 new franchises in the last 12 months, totaling 125 open locations as of June 2024.

The brand also reports that 145 additional locations are currently in development, making the wellness clinic a major brand to watch over the next few years. It was also named #1 in the IV Therapy Category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.

“This growth represents our resilience and commitment to revolutionizing wellness,” Neary says. “Our expansion signifies our dedication to delivering accessible, holistic health solutions and making a tangible impact in our communities.”

A highly respected mind in the industry, Neary spoke last year at the International Franchise Association (IFA) Conference where she addressed leading franchisors and executives, shared Prime IV’s rapid growth story and the unique strategies driving her brand’s success.

Julie Cartwright

President, Pvolve

As President of Pvolve, Julie Cartwright has helped transform the fitness industry by championing innovative, low-impact functional movement and resistance training exercises. Under her leadership, Pvolve developed a full omnichannel solution, offering in-person and digital memberships along with patented resistance equipment.

“In 2023, we attracted and partnered with Jennifer Aniston and awarded over 47 franchise locations, marking significant milestones,” Cartwright says.

Pvolve’s method focuses on longevity and healthy aging, offering flexibility for members to work out according to their preferences.

Cartwright’s initiatives have led to a 650% increase in branded searches and a 125% increase in franchise inquiries. With a focus on clinical research and advocacy, Pvolve continues to revolutionize women’s fitness, addressing the gender gap and shaping the future of fitness.

Alex Glasscock

Co-Founder & CEO, The Ranch

Alex Glasscock, along with his wife Sue, established The Ranch in September 2010, creating the first health and wellness program, The Ranch Malibu (California). Guided by his passion for balanced living through outdoor activities and nature appreciation, Alex has grown The Ranch into a renowned fitness and wellness retreat.

“Inspired by our shared vision for holistic health, we founded The Ranch to provide a unique, weeklong fitness and wellness retreat in Malibu,” says Glasscock.

Under his leadership, The Ranch expanded to the East Coast with The Ranch Hudson Valley, opening in April.

The Ranch offers a results-oriented experience with an active daily schedule and intimate group setting, fostering meaningful human connections. With over 90% annual occupancy rates and a return rate approaching 50%, The Ranch has supported thousands in achieving lasting health improvements.

Steve Welch

Co-Founder & CEO, Restore Hyper Wellness

Steve Welch heads the largest health and wellness retail therapy provider with over 230 locations nationwide. In the past 12 months alone, he helped Restore Hyper Wellness open over 40 new studios, complete over 3 million services and launch a state-of-the-art, 50-state-compliant point-of-sale system.

Welch also helped his brand establish a weight management program that combines prescription therapeutics, blood diagnostics and nurse practitioner coaching to impact clients. It already boasts over 750 participating members.

“Everyone is focused on Restore maintaining its market-leading scale in the retail wellness industry,” Welch says of himself and his team. “We want to be product-led and built on the personalized wellness approach created by the weight management program. We will introduce new peptides and medications that attack specific needs such as athletic health, longevity and sexual health.”

“Coupling this with the existing therapies we have in our locations will keep Restore the leader in preventative wellness for years to come,” he adds.

Anne Mahlum

Founder, Solidcore

As the founder of Solidcore and Back on My Feet and now an angel investor and start-up advisor, Anne Mahlum is among the brightest minds in the fitness industry.

Mahlum developed Pilates-inspired boutique fitness brand Solidcore in 2013 and in just 11 years, it now does more than $150 million in annual revenue with a corporate EBITDA of more than $50 million. Anne sold her shares to private equity in April 2023 for close to $90 million right before opening the company’s 100th location.

“I’m proud to say my entire career has been about making people’s lives healthier and happier,” Mahlum says. “From Back on My Feet to Solidcore to now investing in fitness and wellness start-ups as well as advising founders in the space to grow their brands and concepts, I’m thrilled to be a player in this space.”

Mahlum has so far invested in promising fitness and wellness startups including Ice Barrel, The Athletic Clubs, PrideFit, OxeFit and Apothékary, setting the stage for a new generation of fitness and wellness brands to thrive in the years ahead.

Bryan Myers

President & CEO, Solidcore

Bryan Myers helped grow the innovative, Pilates-inspired fitness concept Solidcore to over 100 locations across the United States, with potentially many more to come. Already a boutique fitness powerhouse, the brand reports its membership has nearly doubled over the past year under Myers’ watch as CEO.

“In the future, Solidcore wants to expand accessibility for a broader audience making the workout available to more cities, regions and countries in the coming years,” Myers says.

Over the past 12 months, Solidcore launched a new batch of membership perks called Core Collective and began collaborating with the University of Virginia in a first-of-its-kind partnership between a fitness brand and a business school.

Myers is also a respected and sought-after mind within the fitness industry, being a guest speaker at IHRSA 2024, winning the EY Mid-Atlantic Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Growth Award as part of the Washington Business Journal’s 2023 CEO of the Year celebration.

Nerio Alessandri

Founder & President, Technogym

Under Nerio Alessandri, Technogym has revolutionized the fitness industry for 40 years, advancing from just equipment to software, digital media, and AI. This year, Technogym was appointed as the Official Supplier for the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking its ninth time at the Games.

The “Let’s Move for a Better World” campaign exemplifies Technogym’s mission to involve more people in exercise. Through the Technogym Ecosystem, participants can track their exercise and donate it to a good cause. Over 100,000 people participated in 1,600 clubs across 130 countries.

“The Paris 2024 Olympics provide a great opportunity to promote the values of sport and regular exercise while innovating based on feedback from the world’s best athletes,” Alessandri says.

Technogym also prioritizes employee wellness through its Technogym Village, offering comprehensive wellness programs. The company’s ESG policy underscores its commitment to people’s wellness, sustainable products, and community health.

Dr. Jason Wersland, John Solomon

Founder & Chief Wellness Officer, Therabody

Chief Marketing Officer, Therabody

Dr. Jason Wersland founded Therabody to improve lives through tech solutions for pain and stress. In 2008, he invented Theragun to alleviate his own chronic pain from a freeway accident, taking eight years and five prototypes to perfect it.

“As a chiropractor committed to evidence-based practices, I have always believed Therabody should be guided by the latest advancements in research,” says Dr. Wersland.

Todd Durkin

Founder & CEO, Todd Durkin Enterprises & Impact-X Performance

Todd Durkin is an internationally recognized strength and conditioning coach as well as an acclaimed motivational speaker, author and gym owner. He recently graduated a 44-person class of informed and effective life coaches via his Todd Durkin Impact Life-Coaching Certification program.

Durkin also just launched Impact-X Performance, a program that combines faith, fitness, recovery and life coaching.

“As the founder and CEO of Impact-X Performance, I’m excited to take 25-plus years of industry experience into one new, cutting-edge health, fitness, mindset and wellness facility that will undoubtedly be a beacon of light in hundreds of towns and cities nationwide,” Durkin says.

Durkin also hosted the Todd Durkin Impact Summit at IDEA World this past July, which featured 12-plus leaders from the health, fitness and wellness industry presenting cutting-edge topics. He plans to release his fifth book, “True Strength,” soon.

Tracy Anderson

Founder & CEO, The Tracy Anderson Method

Tracy Anderson created The Tracy Anderson Method over 25 years ago to help people achieve physical connection and balance. Her innovative approach has transformed millions in over 53 countries with scientific research and content development.

“I sought to create bold solutions to achieve physical connection and balance, and to help people see the results they deserved,” Anderson says.

In 2023, Anderson launched HeartStone, a new offering within her methodology. HeartStone includes weighted energy trainers and an app featuring workouts and meditations. This new addition aims to enhance physical strength and embrace vulnerability.

Anderson’s commitment to innovation and research continues to revolutionize the fitness industry. Her campaign “Oh My Bod” encourages people to focus on how they feel in their movement, celebrating the marvel of their bodies.

Jack Daly

CEO, TRX Training

As CEO of TRX training, Jack Daly has arguably become the face of suspension training.

Over the last 12 months, Daly worked tirelessly to get TRX back on the upswing after its 2022 bankruptcy with initiatives such as installing a new leadership team, acquiring YBell, relocating the company’s headquarters and hosting over 1,000 attendees in Athens, Greece, for the largest-ever TRX summit and largest-ever suspension training class.

In doing so, Daly has helped elevate TRX – and suspension training – to new heights.

“While suspension training once enjoyed its status as a novelty in the fitness industry, we now acknowledge its enduring position as a cornerstone of fitness regimens,” Daly says. “As a remarkably adaptable tool, we have continuously refined our messaging to meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers, particularly emphasizing longevity, mental health and value.”

Mindi Bridges

Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, VASA Fitness

Mindi Bridges oversees marketing, public relations, fitness product, club design, retail, member services, club communications and business memberships for one of the industry’s fastest-growing high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym chains in VASA Fitness.

This year, Bridges helped launch the brand’s “live better” campaign, reminding the public that working out helps anyone live a healthier, happier, stronger and more confident life while delivering affordable options to achieve it.

“She’s a highly creative, innovative, thoughtful, driven, approachable and resourceful leader who is the best problem solver I know,” VASA CEO Rich Nelsen says of Bridges.

Bridges has also helped launch Studio Flow, a mind and body yoga experience to meet the subsequent demand for holistic wellness amid the pandemic. Through strategic planning and innovative marketing strategies, she has helped VASA achieve 15% revenue growth year over year as well as a 20% increase in profitability.

Cesar Carvalho

Co-Founder & CEO, Wellhub

Cesar Carvalho has steadily grown Wellhub into a corporate wellness giant since founding the brand in 2012 in Brazil.

In 2023, the platform raised $85 million in a Series F round at a valuation of $2.4 billion. Over the past 12 months, Wellhub has grown its customer base by 80% to more than 15,000 corporate customers and 2.7 million employee subscribers.

In recognition of the increasingly intertwined nature of fitness and wellness, the company rebranded from Gympass to Wellhub in early 2024, signaling a more holistic approach to workplace wellbeing.

“The shift to Wellhub reflects that we’re pursuing a much bigger market – not just fitness, but delivering a corporate wellness platform that connects employees to the best partners across all the verticals of wellness – fitness, mindfulness, therapy, nutrition and sleep,” Carvalho says.

Paul Lunter

Founder & CEO, WellnessSpace Brands

As Founder and CEO of WellnessSpace Brands (formerly HydroMassage) Paul Lunter is the driving force for innovation and an influential figure in the fitness industry, having successfully advocated for the inclusion of wellness and recovery services in health clubs over the last 15-plus years.

“In much the same regard that strength and cardio areas are standard parts of club design, we strongly believe that wellness spaces should be a part of every new health club,” Lunter says. “We see the industry moving even more strongly in this direction, with more innovation and wellness services available to members in the future.”

WellnessSpace Brands has partnered with many of the largest and most successful global fitness operators including Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Life Time, GoodLife Fitness, LA Fitness and more.

Lunter and the brand are noted trailblazers within the industry, having recently been invited to sit on an exclusive CEO roundtable in Florida and continuing to advise some of the largest clubs in North America on optimizing their wellness space layouts.

Will Ahmed, Jaime Waydo

Founder & CEO, Whoop

Chief Technology Officer, Whoop

Will Ahmed founded Whoop in 2012, but the fitness wearable brand has arguably been at its most innovative over the last year. 

Under Ahmed’s leadership as CEO, Whoop has launched new features including Whoop Coach, an AI-powered health and wellness assistant, a Stress Monitor feature and breathwork protocols in partnership with Dr. Andrew Huberman, and Strength Trainer, making Whoop the first and only fitness wearable to measure how strength training impacts the body.

Ieuan Owen

Chief Revenue Officer, Fitness & Wellbeing, Xplor Technologies

As chief revenue officer, Ieuan Owen leads a team of over 200 employees serving more than 12 million members at over 13,000 fitness locations across four continents for Xplor Technologies.

This year alone, Owen was instrumental in the acquisition of Membr, making it the brand’s new Xplor Gym solution. He also helped grow boutique fitness software solution Xplor Mariana Tek internationally and assisted with the launch of a new member app for Xplor Recreation.

Owen has led Xplor Mariana Tek to 59% revenue growth year over year, with Membr by Xplor seeing 41% revenue growth and Xplor Recreation experiencing 32% growth.

Sarah Luna

President, Xponential Fitness

Leading the world’s largest fitness and wellness franchisor in Xponential Fitness, few people in the industry have a greater reach than Sarah Luna. It got even larger this past year when Xponential acquired Lindora, a provider of medically guided weight management programs and wellness solutions.

“My vision for Xponential and collectively as a team means predicting the future needs of our consumers, which means we see fitness as part of a broader view of health and wellness,” Luna says. “I am always thinking 10 steps ahead to ensure our ability as a team across our brands to remain nimble and adapt so we remain the leader in our space.”

Multiple Xponential brands reached notable milestones in the past year. Club Pilates opened its 1,000th location, YogaSix became the largest franchised boutique yoga brand with over 200 studios and Body Fit Training (BFT) surpassed 300 studios globally.

Alberto Perlman

Co-Founder & CEO, Zumba

Alberto Perlman has a reputation for being one of the fitness and wellness industry’s most innovative executives. Over the past 12 months, he’s done that reputation much justice. In addition to updating Zumba’s instructor apps, which include the choreography and music app ZIN Play and the class promotion app Class Buzz, Zumba launched a direct-to-consumer app that lets users search for in-person classes at local gyms and also practice virtual Zumba sessions from their smartphones.

The iconic dance fitness brand also unleashed a vibrant marketing campaign, “Zumba Responsibly,” a PSA-style ad promoting Zumba as a healthy addiction. The campaign has earned award nominations alongside brands like Hulu. Zumba also updated the Zumba Class Locator to include enhanced instructor pages with social media feeds to drive even more new members into fitness facilities that offer Zumba classes.

“When we say Zumba is inclusive, it is not just a marketing buzzword, it is truly the reality of our community,” Perlman says, adding that he’s proud of the new app’s ability to give more people the chance to partake in the power of Zumba, whether as class attendees or instructors.

“I am so proud that we have a new class on our app, celebrating Yulissa Arescurenaga, an instructor of 12 years who also has Down Syndrome,” Perlman says. “To our knowledge, she will be the first instructor with Down Syndrome to ever lead a fitness class on an app – and we hope the first of many.”