Franchising, Funding, and Wellness Redefine the Global Fitness Market
The All Things Fitness and Wellness (ATFW) Podcast continues to be a go-to source for fitness industry news, offering insights that help operators, executives, and innovators stay ahead of the curve. In its latest lineup of episodes, ATFW explores three major themes shaping the market today: raising capital and franchising, the growth of corporate wellness, and the biggest weekly headlines in global fitness.
Raising Capital and Franchising in Fitness
The All Things Fitness and Wellness (ATFW) Podcast, hosted by Krissy Vann, has released a new episode diving into two of the biggest growth strategies in the fitness industry today: raising capital and franchising. The guest, Albert Ramos — Fractional CFO at Stratego, CEO of ValiSights, and founder of Alchemize House — brings a wealth of financial and operational expertise to the discussion.
With more than 16 years of hands-on experience in fitness operations and finance, Ramos walks through the step-by-step fundamentals that gym owners, multi-unit operators, and executives need to understand before approaching investors or considering franchising as a model. He highlights the importance of having disciplined systems in place, from unit economics and four-wall EBITDA, to customer lifetime value and acquisition cost ratios.
“Longevity may be the buzzword in fitness right now, but beneath the hype smart money is moving with discipline,” said ATFW host Krissy Vann. “Whether you’re preparing for a capital raise or exploring franchising, the fundamentals matter more than ever.”
In addition to exploring key metrics and financial structures, Ramos shares insights from his current work leading a $4M public seed raise for wellness brand Alchemize House. This real-world perspective offers listeners a rare inside look at how a growth-stage company prepares for investors, balances risk, and positions itself for expansion.
The conversation also sheds light on when franchising makes sense — and when it may not. Ramos emphasizes that systems, processes, and replicable models are just as critical as financial readiness for operators considering scaling through franchising.
The episode delivers actionable insights for fitness leaders, whether they are running a single gym or overseeing a growing network of studios. Listeners can tune in now on all major podcast platforms.
Driving Corporate Wellness Growth
Corporate wellness is no longer a side benefit—it’s a central growth driver for the fitness industry. In the latest episode of the All Things Fitness and Wellness (ATFW) Podcast, host Krissy Vann welcomes Reena Vokoun, founder and CEO of Passion Fit, to discuss how operators can tap into this booming market to boost profits, strengthen retention, and future-proof their businesses.
A new Wellhub Corporate Wellness Report 2025 underscores the opportunity: 73% of operators report increased profitability, 89% see higher member retention, and 83% say corporate wellness is critical to their long-term growth strategy. Vokoun, an award-winning entrepreneur and corporate wellness consultant, explains how gyms, studios, and digital fitness platforms can leverage workplace partnerships to secure recurring revenue streams while meeting the rising demand for employee well-being.
In the conversation, Vokoun shares insights from her own journey, including her career shift from corporate roles at Google, Yahoo, and Reebok to building her wellness company, Passion Fit. She also previews her upcoming podcast, Your Power Move by Passion Fit, dedicated to empowering professionals and companies through wellness.
The episode provides actionable strategies for fitness industry executives to align with employer demand, strengthen competitive advantage, and build sustainable growth through corporate partnerships. It is now available on all major podcast platforms.
This Week In Fitness
The All Things Fitness and Wellness (ATFW) Podcast has released its latest This Week in Fitness update, delivering the top headlines shaping the global fitness business in under five minutes. From Gen Z gym engagement to corporate wellness growth and international market shifts, the briefing helps industry leaders stay ahead of emerging trends.
Highlights from this week’s episode include:
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Planet Fitness: A record-breaking 3.7 million teens joined the High School Summer Pass program, logging over 19 million workouts and underscoring Gen Z’s rising commitment to fitness.
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GymNation: Named a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner for the third year in a row, placing among the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
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Wellhub: New Corporate Wellness Report shows 89% of operators see improved retention and 73% report profitability gains from employer partnerships.
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EGYM & Spirit Fitness: Integration now connects Spirit’s 1000 Series cardio machines with EGYM’s ecosystem for seamless member tracking.
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Federal Policy: “Make Our Children Healthy Again” report calls for reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test and treating physical activity as a vital health sign.
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WeWard: Global walking study finds no U.S. state meets the 7,000-step benchmark; New York leads with 6,947 steps, while the U.S. ranks second-to-last among OECD nations.
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India Market Growth: Deloitte and HFA project India’s fitness industry will more than double to $4.5B by 2030, with boutique studios expanding nearly 19% annually.
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Your Reformer: Expands with Johnson Health Tech into Europe, the U.K., South Africa, and the UAE.
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Pvolve: Enters supplements with the launch of Sculpt 9, a women-focused amino acid product backed by peer-reviewed research.
This Week in Fitness is part of ATFW’s ongoing mission to unite industry leaders, innovators, and operators with the insights needed to fuel sustainable growth.
Franchising, Funding, and the Future
As the fitness industry rapidly evolves, staying informed is essential for building long-term success. Through expert interviews, market analysis, and quick-hit updates, the ATFW Podcast delivers fitness news that empowers leaders to make smarter decisions and seize new opportunities. Tune in on all major podcast platforms to access the latest episodes.
