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

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