It’s included in every fitness certification exam prep: mitochondria, and for good reason.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays a vital role in cellular energy production, and its stability is crucial for overall cell function. However, disruptions in the balance between mtDNA transcription and replication can lead to various diseases and contribute to the aging process.

A new study led by researchers in Japan has uncovered the role of mitochondrial transcription elongation factor (TEFM) in regulating this balance, offering potential insights for therapeutic advancements. For fitness professionals, understanding mitochondrial function at a deeper level can inform training strategies aimed at optimizing energy production, recovery and overall cellular health.

Published in Communications Biology on February 8, the researchers findings provide a deeper understanding of how mtDNA transcription and replication processes interact, which could have significant implications for health and disease management.

The Importance of mtDNA Regulation

Mitochondria serve as the powerhouse of the cell, generating energy through oxidative phosphorylation, a process that relies on the proper functioning of mtDNA. Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA is more vulnerable to mutations and instability, making its maintenance a critical area of study. Previous research has indicated that an imbalance in mtDNA transcription and replication can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, a hallmark of numerous diseases and aging-related decline.

To investigate how TEFM influences mtDNA maintenance, the research team utilized genome editing techniques to create human cell cultures with TEFM knocked out. The study revealed that TEFM deficiency led to a significant reduction in mtDNA copy number, a decline in 7S DNA levels, and impaired strand-asynchronous replication intermediates — key indicators of mtDNA replication efficiency.

These findings suggest that TEFM plays a crucial role in regulating mtDNA replication, particularly at the heavy-strand origin of replication.

Interestingly, the absence of TEFM also triggered an increase in transcription initiation from the light-strand promoter, as evidenced by elevated levels of mitochondrial transfer RNA (tRNA Pro). However, despite this surge in transcription, the replication intermediates remained significantly reduced, indicating that TEFM is essential for maintaining the balance between these two processes.

Another significant discovery from the study was TEFM’s interaction with DNA polymerase γ (POLG), the primary enzyme responsible for mtDNA replication. This interaction suggests that TEFM not only facilitates transcription elongation but also has a direct impact on replication processes. Understanding this relationship could be key to future therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating mtDNA-related disorders, such as mitochondrial myopathies, Leigh syndrome, MELAS syndrome, and Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy.

Implications and Future Research

The study’s findings mark a significant advancement in mitochondrial biology, but many questions remain unanswered. Future research will aim to pinpoint the exact locations of TEFM and POLG interactions on mtDNA and further clarify their role in the overall replication mechanism.

“Our study addresses a fundamental question in mitochondrial gene expression regulation,” said Dr. Takehiro Yasukawa, associate professor at Juntendo University. “By deepening our understanding of TEFM’s role in maintaining transcription-replication balance, we hope to pave the way for new treatments targeting mtDNA-related diseases.”

Given the increasing interest in mitochondrial health within the fitness and wellness industries, this research could have long-term implications for strategies aimed at improving cellular function, longevity and disease prevention. As the scientific community continues to uncover the complexities of mtDNA regulation, the fitness and health sectors may soon benefit from these breakthroughs in ways that extend beyond traditional medical applications.

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Life Time has opened its 14th luxury athletic country club in Illinois — the first of 2025 — and its second location to feature the Miora Performance and Longevity Clinic, where Life Time members can access personalized health guidance, personal trainers, recovery and longevity therapies and weight loss medications.

The news follows another strong quarter, where Life Time reported an 18.7% increase in revenue to $663.3 million for Q4 2024 and an 18.2% increase to $2.62 billion for the full year.

The 60,000-square-foot Life Time destination is located in the downtown Evanston area and features three indoor pickleball courts, Life Time’s signature recovery zone with Dynamic Stretch, hydromassage beds, cryotherapy beds and Normatec devices, personal and group training programs, five dedicated studios for 90+ weekly group classes, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a Kids Academy, a LifeCafe smoothie and coffee bar and a dedicated Life Time Work Club Lounge space.

“Life Time Evanston is the first of many planned 2025 openings and also marks the expansion of our Miora performance and longevity clinic beyond Minnesota, allowing even more people to experience the multidimensional approach we’re taking to address all aspects of health and wellness,” said Parham Javaheri, Life Time executive vice president, president club operations and chief of property development officer. “We’re excited to extend our unparalleled Life Time experience to Evanston in a prime location that will serve this community and bring renewed energy to the downtown area.”

Former Life Time chief operating officer and president Jeff Zwiefel told Athletech News late last year that the Miora concept was created to democratize access to health-optimization services.  

“The consumer, now more than ever, is interested in optimal health; they’re interested in looking good, feeling great, and living longer, better,” Zwiefel said. “And there wasn’t a viable, trusted solution on a national basis (that was) out there. … We felt like we could be a tremendous one-stop-shop solution for our customers.”

Miora members start with a blood test that measures more than 90 biomarkers, providing data that guides a personalized blend of longevity, weight loss and performance protocols. The first Miora launched in Life Time’s flagship Target Center club in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a pilot program.

“We’re now at the stage where we are planning to roll out hub-and-spoke destinations across the other 180-plus lifetime locations,” Zwiefel confirmed. “We’re going to continue to thoughtfully roll Miora out in a very pragmatic and impactful way, but making sure that we continue to maintain the right quality as we scale – and consistency.”

While Miora is poised to be a hit with Life Time members, the athletic country club operator is also breaking new ground with its free LT Digital app, which CEO Bahram Akradi says has attracted more than 1.7 million non-member subscribers, all without any marketing efforts. The number is expected to reach three to four million by the end of the year, he told investors last week.

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Biograph, the San Francisco Bay Area’s preventive health and diagnostic clinic co-founded by Dr. Peter Attia, is preparing to open a second location in New York City this quarter.

The preventative health and longevity concept currently offers two membership levels: Core, $7,500, which provides a “point-in-time” assessment of health, and Black, a $15,000 option offering more comprehensive health insights via 30+ assessments and ongoing expert guidance. Depending on the selected level, members will have their risk assessed across several categories including cancer, metabolic, cardiac, neurological and quality of life.

“Diagnostics are foundational to evaluating and implementing an effective health strategy informed by a systems-based approach, as well as comprehensive analyses that consider each data point within the context of an individual’s entire health picture,” Attia said. “Biograph’s evaluation is best in class, which is why I recommend my patients start here.”

According to Biograph, since the launch of its first clinic, more than 15% of members have reported discovering urgent or life-altering health insights. To that point, co-founder John Hering noted that Biograph was inspired by the cancer diagnosis of one of his best friends.

“Biograph was founded on the belief that with the proper application of advanced medical technology and early detection, we can save lives,” Hering explained. “There is no greater investment we can make in the future, as individuals or humanity, than in our health. With an approach rooted in scientific evidence, Biograph is poised to be an integral catalyst helping to redefine what it means to live a better and longer life.”

The clinic touts a concierge setting supported by a team of medical experts, including Dr. Michael Doney, who is credited with refining Biograph’s assessment protocol and serves as executive medical director. Once an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Doney has pivoted to precision longevity care and research.

“Recognizing the variability in quality among health tests, scans, and assessments, I was drawn to Biograph’s mission,” Doney said. “We are committed to providing the most in-depth analysis of a broad range of health factors, enabling members to not only extend their lifespan but, more importantly, to optimize their healthspan and overall quality of life.”

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The hospitality industry is undergoing a fundamental shift as longevity and wellness take center stage in consumer preferences. From biohacking and personalized health programs to recovery-focused fitness amenities and medical-grade wellness treatments, hotels and resorts are expanding their offerings to meet the growing demand for longevity-focused experiences.

Several key factors are fueling this transformation. First, the global wellness economy was valued at $5.6 trillion in 2022, with wellness tourism projected to reach $1 trillion by the end of this year. Travelers today are prioritizing proactive health measures, pushing hotels beyond traditional spa services to incorporate longevity-driven experiences, including IV therapy, full-body diagnostics and performance recovery tools.

At the same time, the aging global population is reshaping travel habits. In the United States alone, the percentage of individuals aged 65 and older has doubled from 8% in 1950 to 16.9% in 2020. Consumers over 50 — collectively known as the Longevity Economy – contributed $45 trillion to the global GDP in 2020, highlighting their significant spending power.

Further, this travel is not limited to seniors. Younger generations are increasingly integrating trends such as biohacking, cryotherapy and hyper-personalized nutrition into their lifestyles and seeking it on the road.

All told, this presents an enormous opportunity for hospitality brands to cater to a new era of travelers. Recognizing this shift, FIBO is launching its first-ever Longevity and Hospitality Summit as part of its annual conference in April.

Athletech News spoke with Judith Cartwright, a leading expert in this space and a key speaker at the summit, to explore how hotels and resorts can successfully integrate longevity into their offerings.

The Need for a Strategic Approach

“Longevity is not just a trend, it is here to stay, and hoteliers and developers need to have a strategic plan for how this gets incorporated,” says Cartwright.

This integration, she explains, needs to go beyond guest services and begin internally. 

“This starts with the hardware of a hotel and continues throughout the offering — not only for the guests but also for employees, creating awareness and solutions for their day-to-day workplace environment.”

Despite growing demand, many hotels and resorts still struggle with the positioning of wellness and fitness services.

“The challenge hotels and resorts across all star ratings have is that often their gyms, spas and wellness facilities are not seen as profit centers,” Cartwright explains. “They are treated as amenities rather than business units, leading to missed opportunities. Additionally, often the head of wellness and fitness is brought in just weeks before opening, rather than being involved from the start to help shape offerings.”

Another major issue is outdated brand standards.

“For example, the standard of a 60-square-meter gym for every 100 hotel rooms is simply not sufficient anymore,” she says. “Again, getting the right experts involved early in the architectural design phase allows hotels to create facilities that set them apart from competitors.”

Moving Beyond the Spa Model

Cartwright emphasizes that hotels must move past traditional concepts and recognize how wellness has evolved.

“The biggest hurdle is understanding that wellness has transformed beyond spas and fitness centers. Cost versus profitability is a major factor, but developing a concept that integrates wellness fundamentally throughout design, operations, marketing, customer service and the guest experience is the necessary approach. It’s about storytelling and ‘story-doing’ and educating the team beyond the wellness department before guests even arrive.”

She notes that there are significant opportunities in making this shift. “Industry leaders can move beyond the traditional spa model and incorporate a 360-degree approach. Understanding the customer base, identifying what guests are looking for and building financial models around those needs is key.”

The end goal is to meet consumer expectations for a longer, healthier life —  even when traveling.

“Sleep and nutrition are two of the most overlooked aspects of hotel wellness,” Cartwright says. “Hotels invest in pillow menus and room scents, yet guests still deal with bright alarm clocks, blinking fire detectors, and poorly designed blackout curtains. And children’s menus? They’re still full of pizza, pasta and chicken nuggets instead of balanced, nutritious options.”

The Opportunity for Hospitality Brands

Hotels and resorts have a major opportunity to develop and offer meaningful longevity-focused services.

“The investment can be made at any scale,” Cartwright explains. “It depends on your customer base. Don’t create something just because it’s trendy —  understand what your guests are looking for and develop from there. Thorough benchmarking and gap analysis are crucial.”

According to Cartwright, several brands are already excelling in this space. “Equinox, SIRO, Lanserhof, Chenot, Clinique La Prairie and SHA Wellness Clinic are all approaching longevity in different ways, but they share a common focus: providing guests with meaningful, transformative experiences that go beyond standard hospitality.”

As longevity continues to shape the future of travel, hotels and resorts must position themselves at the forefront of this movement. It’s no longer just about offering a luxurious stay —  it’s about providing a transformative experience that enhances health, well-being and longevity.

For those looking to stay ahead of this movement, FIBO’s Longevity and Hospitality Summit will bring together thought leaders, industry pioneers and hospitality executives to explore the opportunities ahead. With expert insights, innovative solutions and actionable strategies, this event is set to redefine the future of wellness-driven hospitality.

Learn more about the summit and register today.

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New research published this month in Nature Medicine suggests that a range of environmental factors have a greater influence than genetics when it comes to aging well and premature mortality.

Led by researchers from Oxford Population Health, the study analyzed data from nearly 500,000 individuals in the U.K. Biobank to examine the impact of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on aging, age-related diseases and premature death.

“We mapped all of the environmental exposures (the “exposome”) influencing mortality and biological aging, and then compared the influence of the exposome vs. genetics in explaining aging and disease,” Dr. M. Austin Argentieri, lead author of the study at Oxford Population Health and Research Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, explained in a LinkedIn post. “While genetics certainly play a role, our study highlights that modifiable environmental factors explain far more of the variation in premature mortality than genes do.”

Argentieri then dove into the study’s key findings, such as that the exposome explains nearly 10x more variation in mortality risk than genetic predisposition and that smoking, socioeconomic factors, living conditions, physical activity, sleep, early life factors and psychological well-being were “among the strongest associations with mortality risk and biological aging.”

Of the 25 independent environmental factors identified, smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity and living conditions had the most significant impact on mortality and biological aging. Smoking was linked to 21 diseases, while socioeconomic factors—such as household income, homeownership, and employment status—were associated with 19 diseases. Physical activity, meanwhile, was connected to 17 diseases.

The study also found that cancers like breast and prostate (as well as dementia) are more genetically driven, while heart, lung and liver diseases are more environmentally driven. 

Argentieri also noted that the association of early life factors—such as childhood body weight at ten years old and maternal smoking around birth—with mortality and biological aging measured 30-80 years later was “striking.”

Encouragingly, 23 of the factors identified are modifiable, according to the findings.

“This work underscores the urgent need for public health interventions that address the exposome—we show that tackling modifiable exposures and environmental risks could be one of our most powerful levers for longevity and healthspan,” Argentieri added.

And in an ever-changing environment, Professor Cornelia van Duijn, St. Cross Professor of Epidemiology at Oxford Population Health and senior author of the paper, says it’s critical that researchers continue to use all resources available to understand the impact of the environment over time.

“There are a lot of questions still to be answered related to diet, lifestyle and exposure to new pathogens (such as bird flu and COVID-19) and chemicals (think of pesticides and plastics), and the impact of environmental and genetic factors in different populations,” van Duijn said.

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Technogym founder and CEO Nerio Alessandri has unveiled a new chapter for the wellness industry with the launch of Healthness, a vision of preventative medicine that enhances physical performance in the short term and ensures healthy longevity in the long term.

The premium fitness equipment company announced at the 25th Wellness Congress, an event that included 2,000 individuals from 100 countries.

The ability to predict disease before it occurs and intervene with prescriptive programs powered by data and AI is at the core of Healthness, which draws from the extensive data Technogym has amassed over several decades through its ecosystem. Healthness will be available via Technogym Checkup, an assessment station that creates precision training programs, as well as its AI-based Biostrength and Biocardio products.

As noted in a narrated video clip from Technogym, “Science shows that lifestyle impacts up to 80% of health, while genetics only account for 20%. Preventing disease will be the greatest revolution of our time, from treating the sick to treating the healthy to prevent them from getting sick later. In 40 years of innovation, from biomechanics to digital technology to AI, Technogym has created a unique AI-driven ecosystem to prescribe precision training with a personalized pathology and lifestyle. Today, Technogym is a life science company ready for a bold step forward.”

The premium wellness company has grown to serve 25 million users and says its latest data-driven initiative not only helps users quickly improve their health and lifespan but also provides an opportunity for medical professionals, personal trainers, and organizations in fitness, sports, hospitality, and corporate sectors to enhance their offerings with a highly personalized approach.

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Pause, a fast-growing wellness and recovery franchise, has partnered with Lifeforce, a longevity medicine program, to launch an integrated longevity-wellness offering. The program leverages blood biomarker results to recommend Pause treatments such as cryotherapy, infrared therapy, contrast therapy, LED light therapy and IV drips.

The collaboration launches at six California locations this month before rolling out nationwide to more than 100 Pause studios by the end of 2026.

“Every year, people spend more and more on taking control of their health, and they’re getting tired of a “spray and pray” approach to that investment,” Lifeforce CEO Dugal Bain-Kim. “As their longevity partner, we’re giving them the insights and the expertise to get the biggest bang for their buck. We looked at lots of players in the recovery space and it was clear that Pause is the gold standard in terms of delivering a premium experience but doing that with a commitment to offering science-backed modalities that actually work.”

Starting this year, members will also be able to have their regular blood draws at Pause studios and receive perks.

“By combining transformational mind/body wellness experiences with Lifeforce’s cutting-edge longevity medicine capabilities, we have created an incredible value proposition for the consumer,” Pause CEO John Klein said. “This is the first partnership of its kind that combines best-in-class longevity telemedicine services with cutting-edge recovery services offered at our studios as a one-stop solution to optimize our members’ health and well-being in a convenient and accessible fashion.”

The concept of prescriptive wellness is taking several forms as longevity is one of 2025’s hottest trends. In addition to Pause, longevity startup Hundred Health, which has been in stealth mode, is gearing up to launch next month. There is also a crossover into wellness tourism, as seen with Canyon Ranch’s new longevity retreat in Tucson and even residential real estate, where motivational speaker Tony Robbins lays the groundwork for The Estate, a high-end hospitality residential ecosystem centered on AI, preventative medicine and longevity. Global hotelier Sam Nazarian, musician Marc Anthony and international strategist Richard Attias are also part of the project.

Last month, athlete-focused healthcare platform Eternal, founded by Alex Mather, The Athletic co-founder and former Strava product lead, secured $13.25 million in a seed round for upcoming clinics in San Francisco and New York City. Slated to open this spring, Eternal clinics will offer bloodwork, Dexa scans and performance testing.

In a post on Medium, early-stage venture capital firm Courtside Ventures, which invested in Eternal’s round, outlined its reasons for backing the longevity concept—emphasizing that it’s less about living forever and more about living well.

“It’s become clear to us at Courtside that while preventative health is the future, functioning health that lets consumers do what they love longer is what is most important,” the team wrote. “In a recent Consumer Survey that asked whether people would rather live 25% healthier or 25% longer, a clear majority across every generation indicated they’d rather live healthier. Within sports, athletes spend thousands of hours in their first couple decades of life dedicated to their craft in hopes of competing at a high level. While nothing (yet) can truly turn back the clock, we believe that athletes can and should be able to enjoy and compete in sport into their marginal decades as a way to truly live fully fulfilled lives.”

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SkySlope founder and entrepreneur Tyler Smith is officially pivoting from the real estate management software industry to the wellness and longevity space with Hundred Health, a startup that has been in stealth mode.

Smith is certainly no stranger to the sector, having invested in several longevity and wellness companies, including Function Health, Nucleus Genomics, Devoted Health and TruMe Labs. But behind the scenes, he has been quietly crafting a comprehensive health and longevity platform that promises to be a game-changer: accessible, hyper-personalized and affordable.

While details remain limited ahead of Hundred Health‘s full rollout in March, the startup reflects Smith’s firsthand health experience and his relentless pursuit of data and in improving inefficient systems.

Smith believes the company’s name reflects a “digestible number” for people striving toward better health—perhaps even surpassing 100—a stark contrast to biohacker Bryan Johnson’s ‘Don’t Die’ mantra. Securing the ‘Hundred’ trademark wasn’t easy—Smith says he flew across the world to get it.

As Skyslope’s chief, Smith was immersed in documents, numbers and financials, yet he still prioritized exercise and healthy eating. After scaling the company and selling a majority stake to Fidelity, he remained as CEO and board chair—until a wake-up call set him on a new path.

“At the time, Fidelity had a lot of interesting incentives for their executives,” Smith explains. “I was turning 39, and my wife and I were having our first child a little bit later in life. I began thinking about life a little differently, like, how old is my child when they’re driving? And how old is my daughter going to be when she’s graduating? I wanted to get into health and wanted to get in the best shape of my life.”

Smith then took a biological age test, somewhat confident that his active lifestyle and ideal weight would have proven beneficial in his results, but the test revealed he was biologically 47 years old, eight years older than his chronological age. 

The results caught him off guard—he felt good and thought he looked healthy. But as many entrepreneurs are, Smith is a high-achiever—and saw the results as a challenge. 

The type of person I am—when I see an opportunity to do something, I go full-on, 110%. So I hired some of the best longevity specialists and celebrity doctors, put them around me, and said, ‘What can I do?’ And we ran full diagnostics—from blood biomarkers to different wearables, to genetics, to full-body MRIs. I mean, I went through every single thing,” he says.

After a year—and thousands of dollars invested in his health—Smith says he reversed his biological age to the 30–31 range and felt like a whole new person. His transformation soon inspired others who wanted to turn back the clock and also feel at the top of their game.

The problem was the cost barrier.

Still, Smith recognized the value of having a deep understanding of the body, and with Hundred Health, he’s aiming to make those insights not only accessible but also easy to understand.

“I had more data on my businesses, I have more data, arguably, on my car than I do in my old body,” he says. “That was kind of like a big wake-up call. So that’s what we’re bringing together. We want to bring bio-data, wearables and integrations with a lot of comprehensive blood panels as well as genes, and we’re really tailoring something really unique to that individual at scale. The best part about it is like we’re doing this at a really affordable price, less than $1.50 a day.”

From what Smith could disclose, Hundred Health will include a form of testing and then generate tailored protocols for each individual, spanning pillars like nutrition, diet, lifestyle, exercise and more. The experience will live on both mobile and the web and will feature additional add-ons that will likely be shared in March ahead of Hundred Health’s official launch, he added.

“What we’ve built against some of the best out there is really eye-opening to what you could do when you have a lot of data on a person and what you’re able to really give them, and then make it wildly digestible, “he says. “And I think we’ve solved that.”.

As a successful entrepreneur, Smith believes the timing couldn’t be better. As the fitness and wellness industry is witnessing, there’s strong demand and energy from both consumers and investors for more accessible and personalized solutions, especially as frustrations mount towards traditional healthcare. Additionally, many are overwhelmed by information overload.

“I think COVID really changed people’s perception,” Smith suggests. “If you go [back] to the early COVID days, it was, ‘I have to do vaccines. I have to do what I’m told to do,’ to—fast forward to the wildest time right now—when you see what’s happening with the election and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and this huge movement of people [feeling], ‘I want to know what is going on with my body. I don’t want someone to tell me.’ And I think you’re seeing this across the board.”

The startup says its cohort consists of individuals in the 30–50 age range—those who want to understand what’s happening in their bodies on a personal level while also receiving support to achieve their “GHOAT,” as Smith puts it.

“People think of ‘GOAT’ like LeBron James or Serena Williams. To us, GOAT is G, H, O, A, T: Greatest Health of All Time,” Smith says.

Based on Hundred Health’s preliminary assessment, interested consumers are showing a 60% female and 40% male split. Smith says female members can expect a level of specialization tailored to their needs.

There’s also a corporate wellness play in development for Hundred Health, which Smith alluded to.

“We have a direct consumer play that’s quite compelling…and then you can imagine something like this at the price point that we’re at – it’s really attractive for businesses,” he says. “As you know, healthy employees are happy employees and healthy and happy employees are more productive.”

Due to the size of its waitlist, Smith says Hundred Health’s first cohort will launch toward the end of March, with new consumers gradually added each month.

“We’ve got a lot of people who I know this would serve,” he says. “And we’ve brought a price point that I think is going to be transformative for people.”

As for embarking on an entirely new direction in his career, Smith is keeping ties at Skyslope as executive chair, CEO, and his enthusiasm is apparent for the upcoming transition.

“I’m massive on change and transition. I think any entrepreneur, you’re changing all the time, whether that’s competitors, team members, employees, culture – you’re constantly changing,” Smith says. “I love change. Our bodies change daily; some of us just don’t know it, right? I’ve been very inspired again. It’s a mission-driven business for me and the team as well. We’ve got a really cool team, and everyone’s hungry. We are tenacious and we really want to help folks achieve their ‘GHOAT’, and we’re going to really push hard to make sure that’s achievable.”

The post Hundred Health, a Stealth Longevity Startup, Gears for Launch appeared first on Athletech News.

Healthspan and longevity membership program Preamble — a Medicine 3.0 care model founded by Dr. Jesse Greer, a former Green Beret, Special Forces physician and flight surgeon — has partnered with The Village Health Clubs and Spas to launch a four-month personal vitality program featuring customized fitness and nutrition plans.

Dubbed ‘The Village Vitality Program Powered by Preamble,’ members can undergo comprehensive baseline testing covering metabolic function, body composition, strength, inflammation, cholesterol, hormones and more and a customized lifestyle program designed by a team of experts. Weekly personal training sessions are also part of the program at The Village, as well as monthly nutrition consultations, check-ins with a personal performance coach, monthly body composition scans featuring InBody and educational modules on health and wellness. 

The program is offered at all four of The Village Health Clubs and Spas locations in Arizona and requires an investment of $4,150. However, the program is eligible for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for the $2,000 medical portion. The addition of Premable ties in nicely with The Village’s existing offerings, which include group fitness, personal training, pickleball, tennis, basketball, golf, fencing, racquetball, squash, a spa and salon.

“The Scottsdale community is full of individuals dedicated to achieving a healthier, longer life,” Dr. Greer said. “Preamble supports this goal with a health approach centered on longevity-focused medicine that emphasizes preventative care, performance optimization and comprehensive health analysis rather than solely focusing on treatment. We’re thrilled to collaborate with The Village, a cornerstone of health and wellness in the community, to bring this innovative program to their fitness-forward clientele.”

After the four-month program, members undergo final testing and receive personalized recommendations to support their long-term health.

A New Approach

Preamble’s vision for health and wellness comes amid growing interest in longevity, frequent dissatisfaction with traditional healthcare and its barriers and the overwhelming flood of information.

“My time as a Special Forces physician, both in the field and back home, shaped my approach to healthcare,” Dr. Greer told Athletech News last fall. “I learned that early detection and proactive intervention are as vital in medicine as they are in combat, preventing problems before they become life-threatening. After working in traditional medical settings, I saw how reactive American healthcare often left patients vulnerable, addressing issues only after they’d advanced too far. This realization fueled my passion for a preventive model that prioritizes long-term wellness.”

Making Preamble accessible in terms of pricing was fundamental, Dr. Greer adds.

“The approach we’ve developed is incredibly effective, but traditionally, it’s been out of reach for most people,” he said. “The technology to deliver personalized, high-quality care is here now and only getting better. By designing flexible, scalable programs, we can finally bring these transformative health strategies to a broader audience. If we want to see a healthier nation, this type of care needs to be available to everyone who truly wants it. It’s not just about offering elite care; it’s about democratizing wellness so that anyone committed to improving their health has the opportunity to do so.”

He also sees a shift in the approach to long-term health.

“More and more people are waking up to the reality that the overall health of the U.S. population is on a decline, and the answers aren’t found in a pill or quick fix,” he said. “They’re realizing that staying healthy requires a proactive approach—one that focuses on preventing problems before they start.”

Yet even with the wealth of health data now available—such as full-body MRIs, direct-to-consumer blood tests, and continuous glucose monitors—guidance remains key, Dr. Greer says.

“Most people need help making sense of it all and turning that information into practical, real-life actions that improve their health,” he said. “Add to that a cultural shift where the media is buzzing with talk about longevity and wellness. This is helping people visualize the healthy, vibrant life they want to live for decades to come. It’s no longer just about avoiding sickness—it’s about being the best version of yourself for the long haul.”

Preamble Looks Ahead

Preamble offers a hybrid mode that pairs remote care and in-person interactions and will establish Preamble clinics in cities across the U.S. over the next few years, which will serve as hubs for advanced testing, such as Dexa scans and VO2 max testing. The centers will build on Preamble’s first in-person clinic, which opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2023.

“These regional centers will also play a crucial role in supporting local physicians and lifestyle partners, such as performance coaches,” Dr. Greer says. “Ultimately, our goal is to create a network of regional hubs that bring advanced, personalized care to communities nationwide, supporting a healthier future for everyone.”

Three plans are currently offered:

A Preamble Physical+, $1,999, is eligible for HSA/FSA payment and includes a baseline health assessment with biomarker blood testing, resting metabolic and strength testing and an In-Body scan. The results are compiled in a Health Intelligence Report and there is a 45-minute review with a Preamble physician assistant. There is also a 60-minute strategy session with a Preamble MD to go over a personalized lifestyle action plan.

A Preamble Pro membership plan, $6,500 and also eligible for HSA/FSA payment, is designed for those who need additional guidance and advanced treatment protocols and includes quarterly re-evaluations, access to prescription services, monthly accountability check-ins and in-clinic advanced metabolic and exercise testing with unlimited standard lab work and In-Body scans.

Medicine 3.0, $399, for those who want to ensure they are on the right track and includes core metrics and a fitness assessment, with a 90-minute session that reviews exercise and resting rates, VO2 max, custom heart rate training zones and optimal fat-burning zone. A personalized report is then reviewed with a Preamble performance coach.

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The growing interest in longevity, combined with the failures of the current American healthcare system, has created space for gyms and wellness facilities to meet the needs of disenchanted patients (70% of whom believe the healthcare system fails to meet their needs in at least one way, according to Harris Poll data) and wellness seekers looking to live life to the fullest. 

Barriers to healthcare — such as insufficient insurance coverage, staffing shortages and long waits for appointments — have thrust fitness facilities into the spotlight as an accessible solution to preventative health and wellness. 

With innovations like longevity-centered memberships, high-tech health tools, the embracing of recovery zones in high-value, low-priced gyms and smart gym equipment that delivers a customized and movement-based prescription, the fitness industry is quickly transforming into a viable and valuable supplement to traditional healthcare. 

Here is what some of those at the forefront of fitness are doing in the name of health and longevity.

Longevity-Centered Memberships & Programming

Unsurprisingly, luxury lifestyle and fitness brand Equinox is among the leaders in the growing longevity space, as seen with its new Optimize by Equinox program, a membership program that integrates biomarker testing from Function Health with a personalized health regimen. Each Optimize member is assigned a dedicated team of health and wellness experts covering fitness, nutrition, sleep and massage.

The celeb-loved Equinox has made no secret of its intentions to tap into the health landscape, even adding a Health Advisory Board of top medical and wellness experts and academics to inform its programming for 2024 and beyond.

“We really are a way of living brand more than we are a fitness brand,” Klim said, noting Equinox’s four pillars — movement, nutrition, regeneration and community,” said Julia Klim, vice president of strategic partnerships and business development at Equinox, “We’re innovating to getting closer to healthcare and doing more personalization.”

Fitness SF, a group of eight health clubs in the Bay Area, is also breaking ground in longevity memberships. The fitness operator is working with health tech startup InsideTracker to roll out biomarker testing as part of a “reimagined membership” that includes a one-time DNA analysis (for baseline measurement purposes) and biannual blood biomarker testing to track progress. The results are intended to guide Fitness SF’s training services, hyper-personalizing the experience for its members.

“Our dedication to an emerging future is shown through our commitment to personalized diagnostics that produce significant results,” Fitness SF president Zsolt Jackovics said.

24 Hour Fitness is taking a different approach, launching new fitness formats in partnership with SH1FT Fitness —Modus Move and Modus Mobility—that are focused on recovery training and longevity. 

Both programs offer members a “prehab” approach to stability and neuromuscular activation (Move) and active recovery and range of motion (Mobility), delivered within a small group setting.

“These classes have been meticulously designed around the latest scientific research to deliver real change to our members,” said Mike Heim, head of programming and education for 24 Hour Fitness. “Longevity training or ‘fitness for life,’ is an area that is far too underserved in group exercise – but it’s incredibly important to us at 24 Hour Fitness. Having both of these programs helps our members get the sort of fitness benefits they can enjoy today and for the rest of their lives.”

Body Scanning & Personalized Health Tech

Australian tech company Evolt exists at a pivotal time when consumers are desiring a true “behind the scenes” look at their health and weight loss medication promises to be a transformative measure. 

Evolt uses advanced body scanning technology to deliver a comprehensive view of an individual’s body composition, with the ability to distinguish between muscle and fat. The brand delivers that data on an app so users can track progress.

“The Evolt 360 bridges the gap between health aspirations and tangible results, transforming data into actionable strategies that enhance long-term engagement and success in wellness,” Evolt co-founder and CEO Ed Zouroudis said of the model, adding that it’s ideal for gyms looking to increase membership numbers.

Evolt also offers individualized macronutrient profiles so members can understand the protein, carbs and fat they require on a daily basis — particularly important for those using GLP-1 medications. 

Seca TRU, also committed to giving consumers a clear picture of their health, offers a full-body test with its Body Composition Solution, a system that analyzes health and wellness using key metrics while boosting engagement for gyms and fitness facilities and sparking motivation for members.

The Seca TRU Body Composition Solution takes into account a user’s age, gender and ethnicity while assessing muscle mass, fat mass, energy expenditure and recovery levels.

“Traditional metrics like weight do not fully capture the internal changes occurring in their bodies,” Seca executive vice president of Sales and Marketing Duane Jones explained. “The TRU Body Composition Solution provides a more comprehensive view by setting baselines, which then allows gym goers to establish goals that more accurately reflect their overall health status.”

InBody, a pioneer in medical body scanning with machines found at countless facilities, including Dr. Frank Lipman’s well-known clinic in New York City and Fitness SF gyms, has made its state-of-the-art body composition devices available to wellness facilities of all sizes with a leasing program.

Not only does the leasing program help fitness and wellness-related businesses attract and retain members with the latest devices, it also helps users receive comprehensive insights into their muscle and fat distribution, hydration, cellular health, water retention levels and more.

“This program makes technological obsolescence itself obsolete,” said InBody’s vice president of sales Daniel Park. “Instead of buying a product that will eventually go out of date, you pay for a service that includes ongoing maintenance and get new upgrades as needed.”

In yet another endeavor to empower consumers with rich health insights, BellSant turns a smartphone into a personal health advisor, with users undergoing blood, physical and mental tests every three to six months. The digital wellness platform also tracks biological age while providing feedback on exercise, nutrition and daily habits.

“The tools most people are using today are very piecemeal, a wearable device trying to tell you it can score your health based on an optical sensor on your wrist, a CGM telling you glucose spikes should be your obsession, or a supplement telling you that they’ve solved the root cause of aging,” BellSant co-founder and head of product Rick Bowman said. “We create a deeper way to track health regularly.” 

“We avoided day-to-day recovery scores to focus on your long-term health and wellbeing,” Bowman added. “By measuring your actual body and your functional capabilities, we give you a true sense over time of how your body and mind are evolving and how you can prioritize where you intervene.”

HVLP Gyms Embrace Recovery 

High-value, low-price (HVLP) fitness operators may be budget-friendly, but they sure aren’t skimping on recovery and relaxation offerings for their members. 

Crunch Fitness is not only rapidly growing its footprint but is also steadily focused on recovery, with plans to build upon its “Relax & Recovery” offerings. The “No Judgments” fitness franchise currently offers HydroMassage, saunas and steam rooms at select locations. 

“We believe recovery is emerging as a noteworthy trend as more consumers begin to understand its importance for health and longevity – from reducing the risk of injury to enhancing performance and promoting overall well-being,” Crunch president Chequan Lewis said. “For many fitness enthusiasts, recovery will become a fundamental component of their fitness regimen.”

Planet Fitness, the current leader in the HVLP space with almost 20 million members, is also enhancing its recovery offerings. Currently, the PF Black Card membership includes recovery amenities like access to massage chairs and HydroMassage loungers from WellnessSpace Brands. Additionally, some Planet Fitness locations also offer CryoLounge+ chairs and RelaxSpace Wellness Pods, also from WellnessSpace Brands, to help members recover and relax before or after a workout. 

Chuze Fitness is also keen on recovery, offering its members access to HydroMassage, infrared and traditional saunas, CryoLounge chairs and RelaxSpace Wellness Pods at select locations. 

The recovery focus has spilled over into Chuze Fitness classes, with the fitness operator taking note that consumers have become interested in modalities that promote mental well-being in a post-COVID setting.

“We’ve also put additional emphasis into connecting mental well-being and physical exercise by leaning into enhancing our mind/body class options such as infrared heated yoga and Pilates,” Chuze Fitness co-founder and CEO Cory Brightwell said. 

EoS Fitness is undergoing a multi-million dollar reinvestment in its gyms this year, seemingly sparing no expense on recovery offerings. Some new facilities boast “The Tank,” a place for EoS premium membership holders to enjoy recovery products such as Hypervolt Percussion Massagers and Normatec Compression Boots from Hyperice, and the Evolt 360 body composition scanner. At select locations, some EoS Fitness gyms offer assisted stretch services.

“When we say we are the (high-value, low-price) gym, we are speaking to our culture of constant innovation and drive to bring our members the most value for the investment they are making in themselves when they come to EoS Fitness,” EoS Fitness chief operating officer Richard Idgar said.

Smart Equipment Gets Personal 

Personalized health insights are also being realized through innovative smart equipment found in leading gyms and fitness facilities, with EGYM and Technogym leading the charge with technology that appeals to a wide range of users and keeps them engaged with their gym provider.

EGYM’s new BioAge system gives users a measurable approach to the state of their fitness and wellness, accounting for strength, cardio, flexibility and metabolism. It offers users immediate and valuable feedback, determining their BioAge and informing users of areas in need of improvement.

The system keeps users engaged by its ability to detect progress faster than a scale, ensuring fitness enthusiasts remain motivated.

“Unfortunately in our industry, usually it’s all about what a member sees on the scale,” said Dana Milkie, EGYM’s General Manager for North America. “It can be a little demotivating, particularly in the first three or four weeks when you’re starting to exercise, trying to change your body, and you don’t see anything on the scale. From a BioAge perspective, you begin to see changes very quickly as whatever biological age you started at begins to go down.”

Technogym’s new AI-based assessment station, Technogym Checkup, captures a user’s true state by scanning their body composition and analyzing their strength, balance, mobility and cognitive abilities and provides a “Wellness Age” that is more valuable than a biological age. Users then receive a personalized prescription of training protocols that evolve with the assistance of artificial intelligence. As users make progress with Technogym’s results-driven technology, they will discover their Wellness Age decreases.

“Our AI-based assessment station … represents the access point to the ecosystem in order to measure physical and cognitive parameters and to a fully personalized program for every single individual that evolves over time thanks to AI,” said Nerio Alessandri, Technogym founder and CEO.

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Springbok Analytics, developers of an FDA-cleared AI tech platform that generates automated muscle health assessments from MRI scans, has closed an oversubscribed $5M Series A funding round. 

The startup is tackling three key areas with its technology, delivering the ultimate trifecta and highlighting the investor enthusiasm surrounding life sciences, elite sports and longevity.

Springbok currently offers three rapid MRI muscle health scan options—lower extremity, core, and full body—with total imaging times ranging from 10 to 35 minutes. After the scan, images are processed by Springbok’s AI-based software and reviewed for quality. A personalized report is then created, featuring 3D muscle visualizations and data, including an analysis of tendons, bones, scar tissue and edema—typically available within 1-2 business days. Springbok recommends an annual scan alongside a traditional physical check-up to provide actionable insights to better manage muscle health, provided there are no underlying conditions, such as an injury.

Elite athletes, on the other hand, may undergo 3-4 scans a year or more, depending on whether they are rehabbing from an injury or recovering post-surgery. Additionally, the insights can help trainers and coaches optimize performance and recovery.

Transition Equity Partners, LLC (TEP), which led the seed round for the muscle health analytics company, once again served as the lead investor. Additional participants in the Series A included the National Basketball Association, Cartan Capital, Boston Global and other strategic investors.

Pat Eilers, managing partner and founder of TEP, emphasized that Springbok’s recent FDA clearance marks a significant achievement, underscoring the value of its technology and “opens up exciting commercial opportunities in healthcare, including visibility to reimbursement.” He added that this advancement holds potential benefits for athletes of all levels, as well as the broader health and wellness of the general public. 

The funding will support Springbok Analytics’ reach and continued innovation, co-founder and chief scientific officer Silvia Blemker said.

“I’m incredibly proud of our progress and excited about the opportunities ahead to advance muscle research, improve patient outcomes and empower human performance,” Blemker added.

Another focus area for Springbok will be clinical trials and research.

“This investment positions Springbok to become the global leader in precision muscle health analytics,” Springbok Analytics CEO and co-founder Scott Magargee said. “We are committed to pioneering advancements that redefine muscle health and enhance human performance.”

Springbok’s funding comes as the importance of strength training becomes a focal point of consumers, considering its numerous health benefits and reduction in cancer-related deaths. It also represents a changing tide in how consumers can approach health and wellness by prioritizing prevention and circumvent the traditional healthcare landscape with supplemental testing. Neko Health, a health tech startup co-founded by Spotify founder Daniel Ek, just secured $260 million for its non-invasive body scan system as it gears up for a U.S. launch. As of now, Neko Health has a waitlist north of 100,000 individuals for its scans, representing the massive interest in new health technology.

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Urban Poling Inc. has announced that its Urban and Activator® poles are now eligible for reimbursement through Health Spending Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). This approval provides people with a new option to support their health and mobility goals using pre-tax dollars.

The Activator® Poles are designed to improve balance, mobility and joint health. They can be useful for those managing pain, recovering from injuries, or seeking low-impact exercise options. Their patented design helps distribute the force of walking more evenly across the body, reducing strain on lower-body joints.

“Walking with poles engages up to 90% of muscles by involving the arms, shoulders, back, and core—compared to 50% to 70% with regular walking,” said Andrea Christoforou, a physical therapist at the Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Outpatient Center Cambridge, in a Harvard Health article. “Using poles can also encourage longer strides and improve gait, which may help reduce the risk of falls.”

Research indicates that walking with poles can burn more calories than walking alone, with increases ranging from 20% to 46% depending on walking speed. A study conducted by the Canadian Heart Institute also found that pole walking can improve functional capacity more effectively than other moderate to vigorous exercises.

The poles are designed to promote core activation, improve posture, and provide stability. These features make them a practical tool for a wide range of users, including older adults or individuals with mobility challenges.

Personal trainers and group fitness instructors can incorporate Urban and Activator® Poles into their programming to offer clients a versatile and effective way to improve strength, endurance and balance. The poles are particularly useful in rehabilitation settings or for clients seeking low-impact exercise options. Trainers can use them for outdoor walking sessions, mobility drills and core-strengthening exercises, providing an accessible way to diversify workout routines while addressing individual fitness needs.

The HSA and FSA eligibility of the poles makes them more financially accessible for individuals looking to incorporate them into their exercise routines. The reimbursement option may also encourage more people to explore walking with poles as a way to support their health.

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IM8, a new health and wellness supplement company co-founded by David Beckham, won’t be counting on its affiliation with the former soccer star to sell pills and powders – at least, that’s not the only marketing tactic the brand will use. 

Co-founded by Beckham and Danny Yeung, the CEO of health science company Prenetics, IM8 officially launched in November. The company sells two products: Daily Ultimate Essentials, a supplement powder that acts as a multivitamin, probiotic and more all wrapped into one, and Daily Ultimate Longevity, an anti-aging pill. 

As it looks to take over the crowded supplement space, IM8 is leaning into science-backed wellness, seeking to position itself as the most effective – and safe – supplement product on the market. 

At a launch event held Tuesday in New York City, Beckham and other IM8 stakeholders touted the fact that IM8 has been Certified for Sport by NSF, a not-for-profit organization that tests supplements for harmful substances. They also pointed to the brand’s scientific advisory board, a group of six doctors, researchers and scientists who’ve informed IM8 on product design.

“This wouldn’t work if it was a celebrity brand, because people see through that,” Beckham said during the event. “It’s all about the product.”

The Only Daily Supplement You’ll Need?

IM8’s flagship product, Daily Ultimate Essentials, is priced at $79 for a monthly subscription and $99 for a one-time purchase of 30 servings. The product contains vitamins and minerals, probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics, along with ingredients designed to support an array of positive health outcomes like energy, cognitive function, gut health and hydration. 

According to IM8, Daily Ultimate Essentials replaces the need for 16 daily supplements and provides 92 ingredients in total. 

Speaking during the launch event, IM8 scientific advisory board members touted the brand’s use of clinical research, quality ingredients and cutting-edge science as reasons consumers should believe IM8’s pitch that it offers a safe, effective daily supplement. 

“It feels so good knowing that we’re creating this supplement that’s safe, a supplement that we know doesn’t have heavy metals, microplastics (and) aflatoxins,” said Dr. Dawn Mussallem,  an integrative oncologist at Mayo Clinic and a member of IM8’s advisory board. “That’s something no one talks about: the safety, the purity, the consistency and the dosing.”

IM8’s biggest competitor figures to be AG1, a popular supplement brand that also sells a daily all-in-one powder. 

Compared to AG1, IM8 skews more science-heavy in its marketing approach. IM8’s website features numerous testimonials from doctors, scientists and nutritionists, along with a healthy dose of Beckham. The former Manchester United star features prominently in the brand’s social media feed and is all over IM8’s website, starring in videos where he states his belief in the brand and one where he shares a recipe for a healthy smoothie containing IM8. 

Beckham’s Supplement Pitch

On Tuesday, Beckham said part of the reason he wanted to create IM8 was to give people an all-in-one option for supplementation, citing his own struggles with having to take too many products for optimal health. 

“I’ve been taking supplements for many years, and I walk into the store and I’m confused,” he said. “I don’t know what to buy; there are so many products out there..”

IM8’s all-in-one formula is designed to eliminate that problem for consumers by combining a multivitamin, probiotic, hydration supplement and more into one product. It’s also designed to eliminate the other major complaint people tend to have with supplements: do they actually work? 

“I want to bring something into this world where I had that instant feeling – and I’m not saying the next morning I’m going to feel great – but I want to feel a difference, and I want to feel a difference in a week, or I want to feel different in a month,” Beckham said.

Beckham is confident IM8 will hit that mark for consumers around the world, citing his own experience so far taking the supplement. 

“I’ve been taking it for the last six months …. and I know what my improvements have been,” he said. “I physically feel it. My focus is better; my energy is better; I feel fresher; I’m sleeping better; my gut is great, all of those things.”

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At the heart of the current discussion around longevity is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme found in every cell of the human body. Its role in cellular energy production, DNA repair, and overall cellular health has made many doctors buzz around its role in extending one’s lifespan. Dr. Andrew Shao, Senior VP of Global Regulatory & Scientific Affairs at ChromaDex, and Rob Fried, CEO of ChromaDex, spoke to Athletech News about why NAD+ is popular in the longevity field today.

“Interest in NAD+ stemmed from early research demonstrating that boosting its levels could extend lifespan in mice,” Dr. Shao told ATN. “In the past decade, efforts have focused on translating these findings to humans, sparking rising awareness that longevity is only valuable if accompanied by good health.”

NAD+ levels naturally decline with age and are further reduced by stressors such as a high-fat diet, emotional or physical strain, alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, and prolonged UV exposure.

“NAD+ is critical for cellular energy production and DNA repair,” Dr. Shao emphasized. “Research suggests that depleted NAD+ levels can impair these processes, leaving cells vulnerable to damage from everyday stressors like sun exposure.”

NAD+ levels similarly drop by up to 80% when people face immune challenges. Traditionally, NAD+ is associated with intravenous therapies, but recently, oral supplements have become more popular. Tru Niagen’s oral supplement features nicotinamide riboside (NR).

 “NR is the most efficient NAD+ precursor because it crosses the cell wall directly and converts into NAD+ in two steps,” Dr. Shao noted. Unlike NAD+ and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which require breakdown before entering cells, some studies and scientists claim NR offers an immediate boost to NAD+ levels.

“I was inspired by the groundbreaking discovery of NR as the most efficient and superior NAD+ precursor,” Rob Fried, CEO of ChromaDex, told ATN. “When we launched Tru Niagen in 2017, it quickly became the majority of ChromaDex’s business and established us as the global authority on NAD+ research.”

ChromaDex also expands into intravenous hydration with pharmaceutical-grade Niagen IV and injections.

“NAD+ IVs have gained popularity among celebrities, athletes, and longevity experts but often come with unpleasant experiences,” Fried explained. “Our Niagen IV is faster, provides superior tolerability, and elevates NAD+ levels more quickly and effectively. We believe this will transform the NAD+ landscape.”

For Fried, longevity is about more than just adding years to life. “Perhaps we need to reframe the conversation to focus on healthspan—the time we live in good health,” he suggested. “It’s about having the energy and vitality to fully enjoy life, not just extend it.”

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Dr. Frank Lipman of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City was clear about the importance of foundational habits for increased longevity during the 2025 ATN CEO Summit.

“You can’t get away from the basics,” said Lipman. “You can try all the peptides, supplements, and tech in the world, but if you’re not sleeping well, eating right, and managing stress, it’s not going to help you live a healthier, longer life.” You could take all the supplements in the world, but if you’re eating poorly and not sleeping, you’re not going to age well.”

Lipman shared his journey with brain health, driven by his genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s. “I’m obsessed with brain optimization,” he admitted. “It’s not just about preventing cognitive decline; it’s about keeping your mind sharp and focused as you age.”

He highlighted the role of mitochondrial function in cognitive health. “Cognitive decline is tied to mitochondrial dysfunction,” Lipman explained. “Optimizing your mitochondria—through temperature extremes, exercise, and targeted supplements—can make a huge difference.”

Among his go-to strategies were ketones, nootropics, and supplements like methylene blue. “Every morning, I start with black coffee and ketones,” he said. “It’s a simple routine, but it’s incredibly effective for brain health.”

It’s no secret that stress undermines health. “We live in an age of overstimulation and low-grade anxiety,” Dr. Lipman noted. While meditation remains a gold standard, he acknowledged that it’s not feasible for everyone.

“There are other tools available now,” he said, listing vagus nerve stimulators, magnesium, and newer supplements like THP from magnolia leaf. “You don’t have to spend $10,000 on a chair like Shiftwave that sends pressure waves through your body to relax—although it works. There are simpler options like vagus nerve stimulators, which cost a few hundred dollars.”

The Dangers of Chronic Stress

Lipman also emphasized the importance of addressing stress for longevity: “Low-grade stress affects our DNA and accelerates aging. This is an area most people overlook, but it’s crucial to manage for overall health.”

When asked about high-tech interventions, Lipman offered a wish list that included a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, a sauna and a cold plunge. He also expressed enthusiasm for GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly used for weight loss but increasingly explored for their longevity benefits.

“I use low-dose GLP-1s not for weight loss, but for anti-aging,” he said. “They’re neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory. When used responsibly, they’re magical.”

Lipman also addressed the disparities in women’s healthcare, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. “Women get shafted in medicine,” he said bluntly. “Hormone optimization is critical, but it’s often ignored or dismissed by doctors.”

He advocated for responsible hormone replacement therapy, starting with progesterone and testosterone. “Testosterone isn’t just a male hormone. Women love their testosterone, and it makes a huge difference in quality of life.”

At the end of the session, Lipman cautioned against the proliferation of unproven health products. “There’s a lot of snake oil out there,” he warned, citing IV NAD as an example. “It’s expensive, and the benefits are short-lived. Focus on interventions with proven, lasting effects.”

Be on the lookout for more information on the ATN Innovation Summit, a can’t-miss two-day event to be held on June 17th and 18th in New York City featuring the biggest names, brands, and ideas across fitness, health, and wellness.

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Novos, the longevity-focused biotech company, was founded by Chris Mirabile, whose passion for longevity came from a brain tumor diagnosis during his teenage years.

“Though I’d always been interested in nutrition and fitness, that experience shifted my perspective and encouraged me to view health through a longevity-driven mindset,” Mirabile told Athletech News. The Novos founder developed a new approach to health that led to him slowing his biological pace of aging by 37%, which he said was verified by multiple third-party tests.

“I’ve chronicled this journey on my blog, SlowMyAge.com, sharing my experiments with lifestyle strategies aimed at avoiding disease and slowing aging,” Mirabile explained. “Over time, the blog became a resource for others exploring their own longevity paths.”

This experience laid the groundwork for Novos, which offers supplements like Core, Vital, and Boost, as well as the blood-based Novos Age test. Last year, the company also released Novos Life, a free mobile app that features an AI-based biological age test.

“Most biological age tests are either prohibitively expensive or inaccessible to the average person,” Mirabile noted. “We wanted to change that by offering a free, highly accurate, survey-based biological age test built on AI-driven Enabl Age technology.” Developed by Professor Su-In Lee at the University of Washington and overseen by longevity expert Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, the test incorporates aging mechanisms that can be missed by other models.

“While it’s not as precise as our blood-based Novos Age test, which uses the DunedinPACE clock, Novos Life’s biological age test offers a valuable entry point for engaging with longevity science without financial barriers,” he added.

The app offers more than just biological age testing. “We designed Novos Life to be a comprehensive longevity companion,” Mirabile explained. Users can access personalized longevity profiles, lifestyle scores, community rankings, and daily actionable recommendations. The app also features a longevity-trained AI chat capable of answering a wide range of health and wellness questions.

“Most of the interventions Novos Life suggests are free and accessible,” Mirabile said. “In an industry dominated by expensive gadgets and treatments, it was important for us to provide a resource that encourages actionable, evidence-based longevity practices without added financial pressure.”

To increase longevity, while Mirabile prioritizes nutrition, fitness, and sleep, he also emphasizes lesser-known factors such as stress relief, strong social connections, and community engagement.

“Recent studies show that up to 90% of our health outcomes are determined by lifestyle and environment,” Mirabile noted. “This means that anyone—regardless of genetics or financial circumstances—can take meaningful steps to improve their healthspan.”

Mirabile’s goal with Novos Life is to simplify longevity science and make it attainable for all. “I want people to know they don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts to see results,” he shared. “Most of my own core habits are simple and replicable, and I hope to inspire others to adopt similar practices.”

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Livv Cardiff is gearing up to open a new members-only facility and full-service spa this month in San Diego, California, amid growing interest in wellness, longevity and anti-aging practices.

The concept, founded in 2016 by Dr. Jason Phan, features an expert medical team that creates personalized, biomarker testing-informed treatment plans.

“At Livv, we strive to empower individuals to unlock their full potential by blending naturopathic healing with the latest advancements in anti-aging medicine,” Livv Natural founder Dr. Jason Phan said. “Our new Cardiff location is designed to be more than just a wellness center—it’s a sanctuary for members to recharge, connect with like-minded individuals, and focus on their overall well-being.”

The practice – set to open on January 23 – offers several membership tiers, with treatments such as cold plunges, infrared sauna, therapeutic massages, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, NAD+ infusions, stem cell therapy and peptides and medical aesthetics such as HydraFacials, Botox and laser therapies.

While Livv traditionally has a referral network where a pledge is required from a current member, the facility and full-service spa is waiving it for founding members. Each membership also goes towards the Livv to Give Initiative, which funds free membership at the center’s public clinic for those facing financial difficulties.

Longevity clinics appear to be a promising space, as Next Health plans to open 150 clinics by 2027 and Humanaut Health opened a clinic in Austin, Texas ahead of a nationwide expansion that includes selling franchises.

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Orangetheory’s annual eight-week Transformation Challenge returns on January 13, encouraging members to improve their health through body fat reduction and muscle gain rather than solely weight loss.

The fitness franchisor’s 2024 challenge drew over 142,000 participants and is known for its results-driven approach, which starts and ends with two professional InBody scans and sees participants committing to a minimum of three workouts per week for six of the eight weeks. According to Orangetheory, participants typically achieve an average 8.6% reduction in body fat and a 2.6% increase in muscle mass.

Brittany Leboeuf, PhD and research scientist at Orangetheory Fitness, explained that the 2025 challenge is designed to help members prioritize healthy body composition and longevity while meeting their unique goals.

“A healthy body composition is a key marker of a high-functioning metabolism, which is proven to reduce the risk of chronic disease and supports a longer, more vibrant life – our guiding purpose at Orangetheory,” Leboeuf said.

Challenge participants will also receive weekly wellness tips and access to webinars hosted by Stronger U Nutrition. Registration costs $35 (in addition to regular class fees) and will remain open through January 26 via the Orangetheory app or at in-studio locations.

As an added incentive, the heart rate-based group training brand is offering new members a $50 discount on their first month when they join as a Premier member during January.

“The Transformation Challenge is about inspiring people to take that first step and then celebrating the incredible results – no matter where they’re starting from,” Orangetheory’s director of fitness design Rachel Vaziralli said. “Through our science-backed programming, OTconnect technology, and expert coaching, we help people form essential, healthy habits that last well beyond eight weeks, helping them be functionally stronger and live life with more energy.”

Orangetheory merged with former Anytime Fitness parent Self Esteem Brands last year, marking 2024’s most notable deal in the fitness industry. Now situated under Purpose Brands, the group is led by former TopGolf CEO Tom Leverton.

The popular group fitness franchise is also expanding in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia as it embarks on a new brand strategy highlighting inclusivity.

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Pvolve enters 2025 as one of the fitness industry’s standout brands, with a booming franchise pipeline, a high-profile collaboration with Jennifer Aniston and a thriving online streaming business. 

In 2024 alone, Pvolve signed franchise agreements to open studios in cities including Boston, Atlanta and San Francisco as demand grows for the brand’s signature “Pvolve Method,” which features low-impact, functional fitness movements that combine elements of weight training, mobility work and cardio. 

Pvolve president Julie Cartwright sat down with Athletech News to discuss the fitness trends poised to dominate in 2025, Pvolve’s partnership with Jennifer Aniston and the brand’s franchise expansion plans.

2025 Trends: Strength Training, Longevity Lead the Way

Cartwright pointed to the rise of strength training and a growing interest in longevity as two trends that will define 2025. Strength training and longevity are “tightly connected,” Pvolve’s president says, noting the proliferation of research pointing to the benefits of building muscle for living a longer, healthier life. 

“I really do think it’s education in the marketplace,” Cartwright says of why fitness enthusiasts have embraced strength training and longevity. “Post-COVID, we’re all taking a more active role in our own self-care, in living better, longer. There’s (more) messaging about the importance of muscle mass and what it does for your longevity and health span.”

Women and older people – two groups that have traditionally been left out of the resistance training conversation– are increasingly engaging in strength training, whether that’s at their local big-box gym or in boutique fitness studios. 

“Our most popular class type with our 40-plus members is Progressive Weight Training, where we combine flexibility and mobility movements with lifting progressively heavy weights,” Cartwright notes.

Show Me the Science

Science-backed fitness programming might be another trend set to take hold in 2025.  As strength training and longevity take center stage, Cartwright expects to see fitness brands place a bigger emphasis on explaining the science behind why their workouts are effective for building muscle and improving health outcomes.

Last year, Pvolve collaborated with the University of Exeter to release a study showing that the Pvolve Method can improve strength, balance and flexibility for women between the ages of 40 and 60. Pvolve is involved in other studies, and the brand maintains an active Clinical Advisory Board of certified experts, including doctors.

“I think you’re going to see more (brands) running clinical studies,” Cartwright believes. “Consumers need to have proof behind what they’re hearing, because there’s a growing intelligence around the BS in the marketplace. We want to know there’s real facts behind the claims we’re hearing.”

The Jennifer Aniston Effect

Pvolve was already on a healthy growth trajectory in the early days of 2023, but the brand got a major boost when it partnered with Jennifer Aniston in the summer of that year. The former “Friends” star had been secretly streaming Pvolve’s online workouts before approaching the brand to discuss a formal partnership. 

Since then, Aniston has advised on Pvolve’s strategy, starred in ad campaigns and collaborated on an equipment launch and workout collection.

“Jen doesn’t join companies that she doesn’t firmly believe in – or consume in her daily life,” Cartwright says. “Jen works out with us three times a week, and has since she joined. Before that, she was streaming with us for a year straight. She actually asked to join the company; we didn’t ask her to join.”

Aniston’s impact on a young brand like Pvolve is hard to overstate – soon after she joined the brand, Pvolve reported a 650% increase in branded search. 

“We needed that because we were a new-to-market modality,” Cartwright says. “She’s really helped to amplify and add credibility to what we were saying.”

Franchise Expansion Plans

Pvolve initially rose to prominence thanks to its online workouts, and while streaming is still a key focus for the brand, it’s also set its sights on brick-and-mortar expansion. Pvolve began franchising in early 2023, and since then, it’s sold franchise licenses in major cities across the country. The functional fitness brand currently has 18 open studios with another 60-plus locations awarded. 

Cartwright believes Pvolve occupies a unique space in the industry thanks to its proprietary workout Method and science-backed approach to functional fitness. 

“This is a white space that is fitting in very nicely with where the fitness industry is, and where it’s headed,” she says of Pvolve’s place in the market. “There are a lot of Pilates, Barre and cycling options, but right now, we’re standing alone in terms of what we’re offering.”

Pvolve will continue to pursue expansion in the year ahead, focusing on signing franchise agreements and opening new studios throughout North America.

“We’re going to be focused in 2025 on growing in Canada in addition to the United States,” Cartwright shares. “We really believe in (the Canadian) market. We’ve got huge pent-up demand there.”

That said, Cartwright doesn’t have her sights set on a specific number of locations. Instead, Pvolve will prioritize responsible growth and strong unit economics.

“We’re continuing to stay focused on the profitability of our early-stage franchisees rather than a number that we need to get to,” she says.

The post Pvolve President Talks 2025 Fitness Trends, Franchise Growth appeared first on Athletech News.

The global wellness market is projected to grow to nearly $9 trillion in 2028 as consumers embrace new ways of living, moving and being.  

This is good news for the fitness industry, which is enjoying increased foot traffic at gyms and strong member engagement numbers, although getting more Americans involved in fitness remains a vexing problem.

The rise of longevity services, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and holistic wellness presents massive opportunities for fitness brands, but also exposes the industry to increased competition from new entrants. Meanwhile, the popularity of strength training is reshaping the way gyms look across the globe, while the rise of AI begins to transform the way fitness brands do business.

To get you ready for a new year, Athletech News breaks down the top fitness and wellness trends to watch in 2025:

• 

  Longevity & Recovery Become Big Business

  The longevity movement took off in 2024 as medical professionals, influencers and everyday wellness enthusiasts alike became enthralled with the idea that scientific breakthroughs and lifestyle choices can help people live better, for longer. 

  Amid this backdrop, longevity and recovery services are steadily making their way inside gyms, health clubs and studios. High-end brands like Life Time and Equinox now offer their members access to services including weight-loss support, biomarker blood testing and personalized health plans (for an extra fee), pushing us closer to a reality where the gym replaces – or at least competes with – the doctor’s office. 

  On the more modest end of the pricing spectrum, high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym chains including Crunch Fitness, Chuze Fitness, EōS Fitness and others are adding recovery modalities like infrared saunas, along with “recovery rooms” stocked with massage guns, massage chairs and more. With premium memberships at HVLP gyms available for $40/month or less, it’s becoming easier than ever to get a holistic wellness experience at your local big box. 

  The rise of longevity isn’t relegated to gyms and studios, either. Wellness and longevity centers are popping up across the United States, offering everything from GLP-1s to cryotherapy to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Restore Hyper Wellness is the leader with over 200 locations, but emerging brands like Next Health, Serotonin Centers, Lindora and Humanaut Health are projecting growth in the years ahead.

  Direct-to-consumer longevity is big business, too. According to a survey conducted by YouGov, 45% of Americans say they’re taking supplements to fight the aging process. Timeline, a maker of supplements with an active ingredient designed to slow aging at the cellular level, raised $66 million in funding in early 2024. 

  Those bullish on the science of longevity believe the movement is just starting to gain a critical mass in America. 

  “Today, when I talk to people about slowing down aging, nine out of 10 are telling me, “I shouldn’t be doing it,’” Anar Isman, the CEO of longevity startup AgelessRx, told ATN. “I envision a world in five to 10 years where that’s going to completely flip on its head, where nine out of 10 people are going to be saying, ‘You don’t want to slow down aging? What’s wrong with you?’”

• 

  Fitness Wearables Evolve Into Healthcare Companions

  Fitness wearables are more popular than ever – nearly half of all consumers surveyed by McKinsey reported having purchased a fitness wearable at some point in time. Wearables have also come a long way from the days of simply tracking steps and calories burned from workouts. 

  As tech advances, wearable makers are envisioning a future where your smartwatch, smart ring or other tracking device becomes your personal health companion.

  Smart ring giant Oura acquired metabolic health company Veri earlier this year and has partnered with Dexcom, makers of the first FDA-cleared over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) device. Oura and Dexcom are working to create an ecosystem where users can understand how their glucose levels interact with metrics like activity, sleep and stress. Oura is also highly active in women’s health, adding features like Cycle Insights and Pregnancy Insights, along with perimenopause features. 

  “Wearable tech is for anyone who wants to better understand the state of their health and live more optimally, for longer,” Oura CEO Tom Hale has said. 

  Garmin is also working to make its smartwatches part of the future of healthcare, something the brand has termed “smartwatch-enabled digital health.” Thanks to Garmin Health, Garmin wearables have been part of more than 1,000 research studies in areas including sleep, well-being, rehabilitation, physical activity, and disease management. 

  Not to be outdone, Apple has also signaled its ambitions to play a bigger role in healthcare in the years ahead, with Apple Watches at the forefront. 

  “It’s clear to me that if you zoom out way into the future, and you look back and ask what Apple’s biggest contribution was, it will be in the health area,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told “Wired” in December. 

• 

  Strength Training Is Here To Stay. Pilates Might Be, Too

  We named strength training as one of our trends to watch in 2024, and the modality has only increased in popularity since then. Appreciated for its anti-aging, functional and metabolism-boosting benefits, strength training is everywhere, from gyms to TikTok. Even Peloton has embraced the modality, releasing a dedicated strength training app in hopes of bringing more fitness fans into its ranks.

  Big-box gyms across the country are racing to add strength training equipment like Olympic lifting platforms and other free weights to their fitness floors while ditching cardio equipment. Some gyms are even rethinking their group exercise offerings to account for the rise of strength – Vasa Fitness will introduce Studio LFT, a group-based strength training class featuring power racks, benches and plyometric boxes, in early 2025.

  Strength training isn’t just lifting heavy weights, though. Pilates’ surge in popularity over the past few years is thanks in no small part to a rise in awareness around the benefits of strength training. Functional fitness concepts like Pvolve have also become highly popular since the pandemic, buoyed by women embracing strength training in larger numbers than ever before.

  Pvolve president Julie Cartwright believes strength training is here to stay since people are becoming more aware of the science-backed benefits of adding muscle, especially for longevity.

  “I really do think it’s education in the marketplace,” Cartwright told ATN when asked about strength training’s rise and staying power. “Post-COVID, we’re all taking a more active role in our own self-care, in living better, longer. There’s (more) messaging about the importance of muscle mass and what it does for your longevity and health span.”

• 

  Will AI Impact Fitness Experiences?

  AI is changing the world, but will it actually change the way we work out?

  Much has been made in fitness industry circles about the promises (and potential nightmares) of artificial intelligence, but if you ask most gym-goers, the way they participate in fitness probably hasn’t changed too much since before the emergence of ChatGPT.

  “I think much of the AI application in the gym space has been somewhat overhyped,” Matt Wright, the vice president of growth and development at gym chain Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness, has told ATN.

  Can the fitness industry make AI a bigger part of the in-gym experience? Should it?

  Future is using AI to democratize access to virtual personal training, Lumin fitness has big expansion plans as the world’s first AI-powered boutique fitness studio and at-home fitness brands like Tempo and Tonal are using AI to make strength training effective and easy for newbies and fitness buffs alike.

  But as we head into 2025, those brands remain the exceptions rather than the norm. Despite this, some insiders believe it’s just a matter of time before the gym is transformed by AI and other tech.

  “I think in the next 5, 10, years in the U.S., you’re going to see transformative changes within gyms, where technology and AI – and personalization of training programs – is going to take place,” Marc Magliacano, a managing partner at private equity firm L Catterton, said during ATN’s DISRUPT 2024 video series earlier this year.

  If Magliacano’s AI prediction comes to pass, it could spell bad news for real-life personal trainers.

  “Unfortunately, I believe that personal training from a human perspective will be under review, frankly, just to say it nicely,” he said.

• 

  Investors Are Bullish on Fitness Again

  The fitness and wellness industry has rebounded quite nicely from the pandemic, and investors are taking notice.

  2024 was marked by high-profile deals including L Catterton’s acquisition of Solidcore and the firm’s investment into fitness tech brand EGYM, as well as the mega merger between Anytime Fitness parent company Self Esteem Brands and Orangetheory Fitness.

  Meanwhile, private equity groups continue to pour money into large franchisee groups, enabling sophisticated operators to create large portfolios of franchised gym brands in systems including Crunch Fitness, Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness.

  Consolidation is also happening at the corporate level as larger fitness brands buy up smaller ones. Barre3, a barre fitness franchise brand with around 200 locations nationwide, has acquired competitors including The Barre Code and Barre Centric, while gym giant LA Fitness acquired XSport Fitness earlier this year.

  Experts have told ATN they expect to see more big-time investments in fitness brands in 2025 as people embrace health and wellness – and as the industry moves further away from the carnage of the pandemic.

  “2025 is going to be a huge year for fitness” in terms of deal-making, Jeremy Hirsch, head of franchise and multi-unit services at Houlihan Lokey, predicts. “You’re going to have a lot of investors spending a lot of time on this category.”

  Listen to the ATN audio overview of this article:

The post The Fitness & Wellness Trends To Watch in 2025 appeared first on Athletech News.