Opinion

Lululemon’s Pivot to Peloton: A Deep Dive

Recently lululemon athletica and Peloton announced a new five-year strategic partnership, signifying Lululemon's Pivot to Peloton as the exclusive digital fitness content provider starting in November 2023. However, the stunning announcement is that lululemon is discontinuing selling Mirror, a connected at-home interactive device providing access to live and on-demand classes ...

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Silofit: Pioneering On-Demand Micro-Gyms and the Lessons Learned

Recently, I read a LinkedIn post by Wilfred Valenta the co-founder and former CEO of Silofit announcing that the company was shutting down its business and closing its 18 micro-gyms in Canada and the US. Silofit launched its first on-demand 54 square metre (580 square feet) fitness space in Montreal ...

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Ray Algar: Fitness Industry Analyst on Emerging Trends, Challenges, and the Future of the Health Club Business

Introduction What follows is a summary of a podcast between Ray Algar and Matthew Januszek. In today's dynamic and rapidly evolving business landscape, understanding the competitive environment and adapting to changing consumer preferences are essential for success. In this insightful discussion with fitness industry expert Ray Algar, we explore the importance of ...

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Peloton rides into post-pandemic challenges

It has been a challenging few months for the Peloton connected home exercise business. The Peloton strategic intent In 2012, the founding team (shown below) set out to bring talent in technology, hardware and production together to accomplish an ambitious goal: "bring the community and excitement of boutique fitness into the home."   The ...

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Exploring how a young person begins their fitness career in London

Recently I have become more engaged with how young people in the UK are pursuing a career in the physical activity economy. I have been learning more about the different gym instructor and personal training qualification pathways and then that critical first job offer, once suitably qualified. How young and newly qualified ...

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Promoting physical activity is a life-saving mission

Before the pandemic, I attended a longevity conference and knew only a few people there. I introduced myself to a man who managed a large endowment fund. When I told him that I advised organisations that exist to provide and promote physical activity, he rolled his eyes and suggested that ...

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Press comment for The Evening Standard

We were contacted by The Evening Standard who were writing an article on the measures UK gyms will be implementing to provide reassurance to their members, staff and the wider community when permission is given to reopen. Our written response is below: "Given that there is no existing playbook for operating through a pandemic, there ...

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Letter to the Editor of Club Business International magazine

As the boundaries of the health club industry are re-drawn, so it becomes necessary for all its diverse range of stakeholders to pause and reflect on how it will continue to create meaningful value. Recently, I attended the IHRSA European Congress which each year takes part in a different city. This ...

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Gold’s Gym comment for Dallas Business Journal

Recently I was contacted by the Dallas Business Journal who were working on a Gold's Gym article. These were my observations of the Gold's brand: What are Gold’s Gym’s strengths in the U.S. and international fitness industries? Ray Algar: You have to admire its longevity given the reaching of its recent 50-year ...

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Independent clubs need laser focus to compete with low-cost gyms

IHRSA contacted me recently to provide some comments on Flourish, the event I created for independent health and fitness clubs. What follows is an excerpt from the interview as part of their Europe Insight series: The United States and the United Kingdom have a lot in common, from our shared language to our shared ...

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