Escape Your Limits & LIFTS podcast

LIFTS Episode 117 - Mark Mastrov, UFC Gyms & ABC Fitness on the Future of the Industry | LIVE at HFA 2026

0:00
58:20
Rewind 15 seconds
Fast Forward 15 seconds

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this special episode recorded live from HFA 2026 in San Diego, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with three of the most influential leaders in the global fitness industry to break down where the space is heading next.

Featuring insights from Mark S. Mastrov (24 Hour Fitness), Adam Sedlack (UFC Gyms), and Bill Davis (ABC Fitness), this episode dives into the rapid evolution of fitness business models, technology, member behavior, and the growing intersection between fitness, healthcare, and longevity.

In this episode, we cover:

  • How technology and AI are reshaping the modern gym experience.
  • Why the traditional membership model is evolving (and what comes next).
  • The rise of recovery, longevity, and performance-driven services.
  • How GLP-1s, peptides, and medical wellness are influencing gym usage.
  • The growing importance of personal training as a retention driver.
  • Why younger generations are entering fitness earlier and using gyms differently.
  • The shift toward multi-gym memberships and "share of wallet" behavior.
  • How brands like UFC Gyms are expanding into new modalities like jiu jitsu.
  • The increasing role of personalization, data, and AI in fitness platforms.
  • What separates top-performing gyms from the rest.

👉 To learn more about HFA, click here: https://hub.healthandfitness.org/hfa-show

👉 To learn more about our sponsor EGYM, click here: https://bit.ly/3JzsosR 

======================================================

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.

Contact us at [email protected] for advertising opportunities

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video when it's published: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness 

Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop 

View our full catalog:

https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog  (US)

https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue  (UK)

Join the conversation at LIFTS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftspod 

 

00:00 Intro: Live from HFA 2026

02:03 Mark Mastrov Interview

04:30 Technology & Industry Shift

09:21 Free Membership Model Discussion

13:16 Personal Training & Retention

18:47 Multi-Gym Membership Trends

22:03 Adam Sedlack Interview

25:24 Jiu Jitsu Growth

30:50 Global Fitness Trends

38:23 Bill Davis Interview

43:13 AI & Data in Fitness

57:56 Closing Thoughts

More episodes from "Escape Your Limits & LIFTS"