Fitness + Technology

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Bob Esquerre to the show. Bob is both nationally & internationally recognized as a business planner, a leading educator, and personal trainer. As the CEO & Senior Consultant of the Esquerre Fitness Group International, Bob is an active participant in lecture circuits as a sought after speaker in the areas of fitness, health & wellness program design, development and implementation, and personal training. Today, Bob joins Bryan to share his perspective on wellness trends, technology integration, and overall challenges in the industry space.  One Powerful Quote: 18:08: “The biggest asset for us is the customer.”  4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:37: Bryan asks Bob what he is witnessing as trends in the marketplace.  6:05: Bob talks about staffing as it relates to health and wellness.  11:46: Bryan inquires with Bob about the primary challenges with staffing.  13:23: Bob articulates on the

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Pablo Viñaspre to the show. Pablo has worked in the sport and wellness industry for over two decades and is the CEO of FitnessKPI, one of the leading business intelligence providers for sports and fitness facilities in Spain. Today, Bryan and Pablo have an engaging conversation on his business and his observations around effective automated intelligence.   One Powerful Quote: 21:22: “Be brave if you want to innovate, if you want to leave an impact around you. Be brave and go for the ideas that you have because you’re going to enjoy that if you follow your heart.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:31: Bryan opens the show by asking Pablo about the tech startup scene in Spain.  6:00: Pablo shares his observations about technology adoption in the space.  10:41: Pablo tells the story of creating FitnessKPI and the why behind it.  15:39: Bryan inquires with Pablo on barriers for businesses not adopting e

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke hosts a webinar with Robert Louw. Robert is the Chief Growth Officer for Wexer, a digital fitness market provider of world-class exercise accessible to more people by harnessing the power of technology, while simultaneously ensuring traditional facilities remain at the very heart of the fitness experience. Together, they answer the complex question of how to optimize customer service strategies in the rapidly evolving landscape of 2023 and beyond. In addition, they shed light on preserving and enhancing brand value through innovative and meaningful content creation. If you’re interested in learning more about FIT Summit 2023, please visit: https://thefitsummit.com/events/global/ One Powerful Quote: 46:43: “I think a lot of operators underestimate the brand that they have.”  4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:24: Bryan opens the show by talking about Rob’s work background.  3:40: Bryan & Rob talk about the

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke hosts a webinar with Ian Houghton on AI & user experience. Ian Houghton is a Senior Product Manager for Mitsubishi and Shosabi, an AI-onboarding system that provides gyms the opportunity to enhance the member onboarding experience. Today, Bryan and Ian discuss AI as an emerging technology to further enhance user experience in the fitness industry space. To learn more about FIBO, please visit: https://www.fibo.com/ To learn more about the Europe Health & Fitness Forum, please visit: https://www.europeactive.eu/event/EHFF One Powerful Quote: 5:47: “User experience is the emotion that is evoked as a result of every aspect of a member or user’s interaction with a product or company that contributes to overall perceptions and satisfactions.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:12: Bryan opens the show by introducing Ian and his background.  5:26: Bryan gives an overview on user experience and how businesses

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke records his presentation live from IHRSA 2023 in San Diego. He covers why the next decade will be even more significant and where the future lies with six key themes vital to the industry. To learn more about FIBO, please visit: https://www.fibo.com/ To learn more about the Europe Health & Active Forum, please visit: https://www.europeactive.eu/event/EHFF One Powerful Quote: 44:34: “As we see the future, we act. As we act, so we become.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:56: Bryan opens his presentation by covering six key themes with their respective challenges.   6:02: Bryan talks about these dynamics including demographic shifts, globalism, sustainability, cooperation, and institutional distrust.  12:22: Bryan articulates the cycle of technology creating new solutions and problems for how people are thinking and reassessing their lives.  17:00: Bryan explains the term “prosumer” and emerging new model

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, Bryan O’Rourke hosts a webinar with Ian Houghton and Chris Stevenson. Ian Houghton is a Senior Product Manager for Mitsubishi and Shosabi, an AI-onboarding system that provides gyms the opportunity to enhance the member onboarding experience. Chris Stevenson is the Founder of The Empower Group, a consulting firm that supports health clubs, studios, and fitness professionals to achieve success and accomplish their goals through speaking, workshops, and customized services. Today, the three discuss AI as an emerging technology in the fitness industry space and its practical applications for the future.  To learn more about IHRSA 2023, please visit: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2023-convention To learn more about the Europe Health & Active Forum, please visit: https://www.europeactive.eu/event/EHFF One Powerful Quote: 11:17: “Mindset, user experience, economics, and execution engines are the real four pillars of competitive capability.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ ti

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Lisa Kuecker to the show. Lisa is the Founder of Studio Grow, a client service firm that helps boutique studios in their every day operational challenges. Today, Lisa joins Bryan to share her background with Studio Grow as well as her insights and experience in the industry space.  If you’re interested in learning more about IHRSA 2023, please visit: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2023-convention If you’re interested in attending Boutique Fitness Celebration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boutique-fitness-celebration-tickets-557789010947 If you’re interested in learning more about the Europe Health & Fitness Forum, please visit: https://www.europeactive.eu/event/EHFF One Powerful Quote: 32:24: “None of us know everything.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:31: Bryan opens the show by introducing Lisa and talking about their shared background.  9:26: Bryan asks Lisa how she got in

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Hugo Braam to the show. Hugo is the Founder of VirtuaGym, a leading tech company providing innovative fitness software for gyms, personal trainers, and corporate health services. First launched in 2008, Virtuagym has grown into an all-in-one solution for client coaching, membership management, billing, scheduling, access control and more. It’s integrated mobile fitness apps offer solutions for exercise and nutrition guidance, progress tracking, and online coaching. Today, Hugo joins Bryan in a conversation about the nexus of VirtuaGym and their thoughts on healthcare, fitness, and technology. If you’re interested in learning more about IHRSA 2023, please visit: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2023-convention If you’re interested in learning more about FITC’s survey report, please visit:                                                                                                                                                  https:/

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Alex Peacock to the show. Alex is the Founder of LeisureLabs, a full service digital transformation and software development agency focused on providing custom digital experiences for the fitness and leisure industry. LeisureLabs works with a wide range of platforms to allow clients to focus their development on true innovation and differentiated experiences for their brand. Alex was previously CEO of Netpulse, CCO at Sweatworks, and has over two decades of experience in building and scaling companies across the fitness technology space. Today, Alex joins Bryan in an insightful and pragmatic conversation on the future of technology and how to consider different aspects of it for commercial fitness business.  If you’re interested in learning more about IHRSA 2023, please visit: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2023-convention If you’re interested in learning more about the Europe Health & Fitness Forum, please visit: https://www.europ

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Pieter Schuitermaker to the show. Bryan invited Pieter to be a guest on the podcast after meeting him at Virtuagym’s FitNation Event in Amsterdam. Today, Pieter joins Bryan to share his story and thoughts on the industry space as an inspiration to all who live with a disability.  If you’re interested in learning more about IHRSA 2023, please visit: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2023-convention One Powerful Quote: 18:57: “Go train for yourself and not for other people.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:17: Bryan opens the show by asking Pieter how they met and his interest in the fitness space.  11:44: Pieter talks about opening his own business.  14:08: Bryan inquires with Pieter about the particular challenges people with disabilities have going to fitness centers.  16:06: Pieter highlights the technology he is using in his business.  18:30: Pieter shares his pearls of wisdom to the listeners. 

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Mo Iqbal to the show. Mo is the Founder of Sweatworks, a creative technology agency that helps brands create health and fitness technology products to be more accessible to users. Today, Bryan interviews Mo on this subject including blockchain, metaverse, and other pragmatic tech applications.  If you’re interested in learning more about IHRSA 2023, please visit: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2023-convention One Powerful Quote: 32:13: “Pick the things that are meaningful to you, and as the leader pick a direction, and go. You will gain a lot more respect from that.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:13: Bryan opens the show by asking Mo about his background. 8:17: Bryan inquires with Mo about how he thinks people’s view of technology has evolved.  10:39: Bryan and Mo talk about why people migrate to the latest technology.  13:44: Bryan asks Mo about his views on upgrading legacy technology appli

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Bogdan Predusca to the show. Bogdan is the CEO & Co-Founder of Hyperhuman, an AI-powered video production and delivery platform made for the health & fitness industry. Hyperhuman allows companies all over the world to produce and offer smart, on-demand content that boosts customer retention and drives positive, health outcomes. Today, Bryan joins Bogdan in a conversation on some of his insights about content production and his strategy to helping your business.  If you’re interested in attending FIBO 2023, please visit: https://www.fibo.com/de-de.html  If you’re interested in attending IHRSA 2023, please visit: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2023-convention  If you’re interested in applying for our innovation awards, please visit: http://www.fittechcouncil.org/fitc-innovation-award-2022 One Powerful Quote: 16:08: “But the why and what should be what do I want to achieve for my customers. What are the health outcomes that I want

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Jason Stowell to the show. Jason is the Senior Director of Business Development at JCC of Greater Buffalo.  Jason has sold over 19,000 fitness agreements over his career making him one of the highest producers in the industry today. With over twenty-six years of experience, Jason now provides professional development, strategic planning, talent management, and expert level sales training throughout the fitness industry. You may also recognize him as the host of the Fitness Business Podcast as well as his "Empowered Sales System" program for fitness professionals. Today, Jason joins Bryan on a conversation on the dynamics of pricing, competition, and technology and how to craft a winning, fitness business strategy.  If you’re interested in applying for our innovation awards, please visit: http://www.fittechcouncil.org/fitc-innovation-award-2022 One Powerful Quote: "The relationships we create should be transformative, not simply trans

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Will Dahlgren to the show. Will is a senior key accountant at InBody, a leader in body composition analysis with innovative technology and devices. Their products are trusted by top research facilities, fitness centers, hospitals, and health centers around the world because of their accuracy, reproducibility, and ease-of-use. Today, Will joins Bryan in a conversation on onboarding, the importance of body composition versus weight loss, and how brands can improve the membership experience. If you are interested in joining FITC, please visit: http://www.fittechcouncil.org/membership-sign-up#join One Powerful Quote: 33:41: “You don’t know what you don’t know." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:35: Bryan opens the show by asking Will to share what InBody does for a member.  6:21: Bryan and Will talk about integrating technology and why this is relevant to the member journey. 10:30: Bryan and Will d

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Ernst De Neef. Ernst is the Co-Founder & CEO of Funxtion, an Amsterdam-based B2B SaaS digital fitness content platform company that empowers gym operators around the world with the ability to personalize and distribute digital fitness experiences to their members at scale. Today, Ernst joins Bryan in a conversation on Funxtion’s operation and his insights on how to help businesses optimize their offerings.  If you are interested in applying for our 2022 Innovation Award, please visit: http://www.fittechcouncil.org/fitc-innovation-award-2022 One Powerful Quote: 10:23: “Problems cannot be solved on the same level of awareness that created them.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:13: Bryan opens the show by inquiring with Ernst on his theory behind leading fitness technology innovation in the Netherlands.  6:59: Bryan asks Ernst to share why he started Funxtion.  12:25: Bryan and Ernst talk ab

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Steve Maisonet to the show. Steve is the Co-Founder & CEO of MoFit, a fitness tracking and community engagement app that helps gyms and fitness clubs engage, motivate, and ultimately retain their members longer. MoFit provides an engaging, fitness tracking experience that is unique to each gym brand and helps build stronger gym communities. Today, Steve joins Bryan to share his insights for startups as well as discussing other key trends in gamification, personalization, and engagement.  Learn more about Club Industry’s Executive Summit: https://www.clubindustryshow.com Learn more about FitNation 2022 Edition: https://fitnation.co One Powerful Quote: 16:42: “You have to always stay in tune with your members. Understand their current motivations and tap into both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation drivers to keep them coming to sustain their motivation, and this is just an ongoing process that you have to do with your members.” 4-

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes George Liu to the show. George is the Founder & CEO of Gym Pillars, a performance based agency that uses a pay-per-performance model to help small gyms scale profitably. As an avid listener to the podcast, George joins Bryan to share his story and the lessons he’s learned in marketing and helping gym owners scale to profitability. Learn more about FitNation 2022 Edition: https://fitnation.co Learn more about Club Industry's Executive Summit: https://www.clubindustryshow.com  One Powerful Quote: 10:51: “What I learned in the process as far as best practice was that often times marketing and sales is really just being human and caring about the other person that you are connecting with.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:21: Bryan opens the show by asking George about his background.  6:31: George shares about starting his firm, Gym Pillars. 10:43: Bryan inquires with George what he learned f

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes Amie Boring, Director of Marketing Technology at 24 Hour Fitness, Michael Rucker, Chief Digital Officer at Active Wellness, and Jarron Aizen, CEO & Founder of Hapana, to the show. The panel joins Bryan in a conversation on the details of integration platforms as a service and the implications for why they matter to club operators.  To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here: https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 19:13: “I think one of the burdens of the fitness industry is there is an aversion to variable cost.” 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:13: Bryan opens the show by introducing the panel.  5:29: Bryan asks the panel how they are using integration technology in their respective roles. 11:09: Bryan asks the panel how operators can piece together their data platforms as a single source. 14:16: Bryan inquires with the panel about the

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes back Shay Amir, Founder & CEO of Spivi. Spivi is an interactive fitness tracking and streaming platform made for gyms to track performance and motivate members both in-studio and at-home. Spivi’s performance tracking, gamification, and visuals help keep engagement and motivation at the forefront of every workout delivered. Today, Shay joins Bryan in a conversation on gamification, the metaverse, and other buzzwords in advance to Bryan’s upcoming talk.  To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here:  https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 29:39: “To be part of all of that, you have to accept technology, or you have to accept that technology is going to be part of your business and not just on the managing side of it.”  4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 2:25: Bryan opens up the show by asking Shay his views on gamification. 7:55: Shay comments o

This week, on the Fitness + Technology podcast, host Bryan O’Rourke welcomes good friend, Alister Rollins to the show. Alister is the Founder & CEO of Move Technologies, a firm that provides clients with innovative branded digital products, all of which are designed to better monetize customer bases while keeping members physically active and connected with their brand and community. Today, Alister joins Bryan in an open conversation about digitization, tech trends, hyper-personalization, and entrepreneurship in the industry space.  To learn more about IHRSA 2022 in Miami, visit the registration page here:  https://hub.ihrsa.org/ihrsa-2022-request One Powerful Quote: 20:50: “I think trust is such a key word, and all brands need to be so focused on trust, and I believe trust is built of alignment, autonomy, and transparency. I think if you can deliver those three things to the consumer and to your potential future members and members, then you develop trust.”  4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlight