This Week In Fitness: Peloton Surpasses Expectations, Life Time Adds Cold Plunges, Saudi SFA Event

Welcome to This Week in Fitness where we crunch the latest fitness business headlines all in under 5 minutes.

Join host Krissy Vann as we cover the top stories making waves in the fitness industry. From Peloton's impressive financial results to Life Time's investment in recovery and Saudi Arabia’s push to promote fitness on a global scale, we’ve got everything you need to stay informed.

Stories Covered:

1. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Fitness Expansion
The Saudi Sports for All Federation kicks off its inaugural SFA International Sporting Events, including the SFA Expo and Riyadh Marathon. These events promote wellness and feature cutting-edge fitness technology and competitive challenges designed to boost community engagement.

2. Life Time Expands Recovery Amenities
Life Time is enhancing its athletic country clubs by rolling out cold plunges at over 70 locations across the U.S. Learn how cold-water therapy is helping members improve their sleep, mental resilience, and overall recovery.

3. Study Highlights Barriers for Women at the Gym
A new PLOS ONE study reveals the hidden challenges women face in fitness spaces, including judgment, self-criticism, and harassment. Discover how gym operators can create more supportive environments.

4. Peloton Surpasses Expectations
Peloton exceeded projections for its second fiscal quarter of 2025, posting $673.9 million in revenue. Engagement is on the rise with new features and strong retail sales driving growth. Peloton has increased its guidance for fiscal 2025.

5. Climbing Gyms Scale Up with AI Innovation
The global climbing gym market is booming, with $7.72 billion in projected growth between 2025 and 2029. AI-powered tools like automated route-setting and personalized training programs are transforming the climbing experience for members worldwide.

0:00 - Introduction
0:23 - Saudi Arabia's Inaugural SFA International Sporting Events
1:04 - Life Time's Plans for Cold Plunge Installations
1:36 - Why Gyms Can Be Intimidating Spaces for Women
2:19 - Peloton's Strong Q2 Results and Future Outlook
3:11 - The Booming Rock Climbing Gym Market

#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:23 Saudi Arabia's Inaugural SFA International Sporting Events
• 1:04 Life Time's Plans for Cold Plunge Installations
• 1:36 Why Gyms Can Be Intimidating Spaces for Women
• 2:19 Peloton's Strong Q2 Results and Future Outlook
• 3:11 The Booming Rock Climbing Gym Market

Transcript

0:03

welcome to this Weekend Fitness where we crunch the latest fitness business headlines all in under 5 minutes I'm your host Chrissy Van and here's what's making news from Peloton's rebound and Lifetime's cold plunge trend to new insights on why many women feel intimidated at the gym we've got the story shaping the fitness industry this week Saudi Arabia is going all in on health and wellness with its inaugural SFA International sporting events the SFA Expo underway in Riyadh's Jax district features cutting edge fitness technology wellness activities and networking opportunities one highlight is the Primal Race an endurance and strength challenge that combines group runs and high intensity workouts the Read Marathon follows on February 8th with routes taking participants past landmarks like Boulevard City the event offers multiple race options from a full Marathon to a family friendly 4K all part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative to promote healthier lifestyles and physical activity across the nation lifetime is making waves in recovery with plans to install cold plunges at over 70 athletic country clubs by summer 2025 according to a lifetime survey 43% of respondents are interested in recovery tools like ice baths and cryotherapy at Lifetime Scottsdale Fashion Square in Arizona members are already embracing the new Cold Plunge feature director of recovery and Performance Danny King emphasizes that even brief sessions can deliver significant results improving both physical and mental well being a recent plus 1 study has revealed why gyms aren't always the empowering spaces they're meant to be for women of the 279 survey participants 72% reported receiving unsolicited comments from men and 55% said they felt most insecure about their stomachs while working out he issues include judgment self criticism and harassment women in the study shared concerns about being perceived as too muscular too thin or wearing the wrong workout clothes which heightened feelings of anxiety creating inclusive and judgment free gym spaces is crucial to retention gym operators can address these concerns with staff training and mentorship programs that help build confidence peloton second quarter results exceeded expectations with 673.9 million in revenue nearly 14 million above projections subscription services generated 420.6 million and connected fitness products brought in 253.4 million adjusted Ibata surged you 58.4 million while net debt dropped by 30% member engagement soared with over 2 million users logging 735 million minutes of strength workouts the strength plus app now has 220,000 monthly users and new personalized features like pace targets are used by nearly 60% of tread members strong bike plus sales through Costco also drove performance this quarter as a result peloton raised its fiscal 2025 guidance focusing on continued innovation and operational efficiency once a niche sport rock climbing has gone mainstream with gyms blending adventure and fitness under one roof according to Technavio the climbing gym market is projected to grow by 7.72 billion from 2025 to 2029 at a compound annual growth rate of 17.2% leading operators like Boulderbox Momentum Indoor Climbing and sender 1 Climbing are adopting AI powered tech to optimize member experiences automated route setting tailored training programs and predictive equipment maintenance are reshaping how these gyms operate indoor climbing is especially popular among younger fitness enthusiasts for its holistic approach to building strength endurance and flexibility despite rapid growth in North America and Europe expansion and regions like South America and parts of Asia Pacific is limited by high startup costs and low awareness that's it for this weekend fitness I'm your host Chrissy Van and remember stay fit stay informed and keep your fitness business in shape