This Week in Fitness: Apple Goes F1, World Gym Enters Brazil, WeightWatchers Cuts GLP-1 Costs

This Week in Fitness, hosted by Krissy Vann, delivers the top headlines shaping the fitness business landscape in under 5 minutes. Here’s what’s making news:

🔹 WeightWatchers & Novo Nordisk – Expanded GLP-1 access with discounted Wegovy and real-world outcome tracking.
🔹 Syntis Bio – Raises $33M to bring an oral alternative to injectables into the obesity treatment market.
🔹 Apple Fitness+ – Rolls out F1®-inspired HIIT, Strength, and Treadmill workouts to boost engagement.
🔹 Barry’s – Leadership transition sets the stage for a global expansion strategy across key markets.
🔹 World Gym – Signs master franchise agreement to open 50 new locations across Brazil.
🔹 GymNation – Launches an air-conditioned HIIT experience to beat Dubai’s extreme heat.
🔹 PHIT Act Provision Dropped – Senate excludes HSA fitness spending in final version of reconciliation bill.

Stay fit, stay informed, and keep your fitness business in shape.

#fitnessbusiness #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:16 WeightWatchers & Novo Nordisk
• 1:02 Syntis Bio Raises $33M
• 1:34 Apple Fitness+ – Rolls out F1® Inspired Workouts
• 2:14 Barry’s Leadership Transition
• 2:48 World Gym Signs Master Franchise Agreement
• 3:21 GymNation Launches Coolest Class
• 3:59 PHIT Act Provision Dropped

Transcript

0:06

welcome to This Week in fitness by ATF W 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 we start with an important development in the medical weight loss space Weight Watchers has expanded its partnership with Nova Nordisk to make the FDA approved GLP1 drug Wegovy more accessible starting July 1st eligible Weight Watchers clinic members can get the medication for two 99 through the Nova Care Pharmacy program a 200 dollar discount for cash pay users the offer includes direct delivery real time inventory tracking and bundled pricing both companies are also launching real world research to evaluate clinical outcomes when Wegovy is combined with behavioral support as GLP ones become more integrated into consumer health the implications for fitness operators are growing especially as more members arrive with medical tools in hand and long term goals in mind on a related front a needle free option may be entering the mix Sintas Bio has raised 33 million in Series a funding plus up to 5 million from the NIH to advance an oral treatment platform for obesity the company's lead program SINT 1 0 1 uses a temporary polymer coating in the small intestine to regulate nutrient absorption and improve drug uptake with injectables dominating headlines oral alternatives could reshape how weight loss medications are delivered and how fitness businesses support members navigating medical intervention from medication to motivation Apple Fitness Plus is tapping into Formula 1 fandom this summer with a new series of 20 minute workouts inspired by F1 the movie the hit strength and treadmill sessions aim to simulate the speed agility and grit of pit crews and drivers each workout is set to the film's official soundtrack and LED by fitness plus trainers geared up in racing inspired apparel it's another example of how media crossover is being used to drive fitness engagement at scale while boutique and brick and mortar operators may not have the same licensing muscle the strategy is worth noting story driven content continues to blur the lines between entertainment and exercise in studio news berries is entering a new leadership phase co CEO Joey Gonzales is transitioning to executive chairman while JJ Gant takes over as sole CEO the company plans to more than double its global footprint over the next four years with upcoming locations in Greece Switzerland Kuwait and key US markets including Charleston and Salt Lake City Gant says consistency in the Red Room experience will remain a top priority with 8 million visits logged in 2024 the brand is scaling with intention while staying anchored in its high intensity identity berries isn't the only brand looking abroad World Gym has signed a master franchise agreement with Flag Holding Ltda aiming to open 50 new locations across Brazil in the next five years CEO Flavia Almeida who already operates 17 clubs reports high interest from prospective franchisees if the plan is executed as expected Brazil would become the brand's third largest market globally behind Taiwan and Australia solidifying World Gym's strategy of partnering with experienced regional operators to fuel growth in Dubai Gym Nation is turning the climate into a competitive advantage with summer temps soaring above 40 degrees Celsius the brand has launched the coolest class in Dubai a high intensity session held in an air chilled environment the format includes treadmill sprints with fans ice packed vests and post class ice baths the concept taps into a growing appetite for novelty with the company noting a 23% year over year increase in search interest for cool gyms and unique fitness classes attendance is now ballot based due to demand and the approach offers a real world case study in how environmental challenges can fuel brand innovation and finally a legislative setback the Senate has removed a provision from its reconciliation Bill that would have allowed Americans to use health savings account funds for physical activity expenses based on the fit act the measure would have permitted up to $500 per year$1,000 for families to go toward gym memberships youth sports and other fitness services advocates including the health and Fitness Association called the removal a missed opportunity to support preventative care and reduce long term healthcare costs while the provision is off the table for now industry leaders are pushing for its return in future legislation that's a wrap on This Week in fitness by ATF W I'm your host Chrissy Van and remember stay fit stay informed and keep your fitness business in shape