News and Publications

Latest News

FBA Partner Podium Raises $201M in Series D Funding to Accelerate the Digital Evolution for Local Businesses

LEHI, Utah, Nov. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Podium, a communication and payments platform for local businesses, announced today it has raised $201 million in Series D funding, led by YC Continuity with participation from Durable Capital Partners, Arpex Capital, Accel, Album VC, IVP, Sapphire Ventures, Summit Partners, and Sorenson Capital. This latest round brings the company's valuation to over $3 billion.

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Virtuagym Launches New Video Workout Platform  

12th October 2021, Amsterdam, Netherlands: Virtuagym, a global provider of fitness technology for coaching, member engagement, and club management, has today launched its exciting new integrated video workout platform. 

The feature allows Virtuagym customers to create their own workout libraries in the Virtuagym portal and make them available for fitness clients in their own customizable club mobile app. They can also be streamed to TVs via Chromecast and Apple TV, to provide a full-screen experience.  

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Smartify Media Joins the Fitness Business Association as a Sponsor

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, October 12, 2021) – The Fitness Business Association (FBA) today announced that Smartify Media, creator of a digital media revenue platform for retail locations, has joined its sponsorship ranks to provide fitness locations with an unprecedented recurring revenue-generating opportunity through programmatic advertising activation on digital displays in storefront windows.

Smartify’s Digital Storefront Display, developed in partnership with Samsung Corporation and powered by Smartify’s Media Management Platform, is a two-sided display that delivers custom content for in-store and street-side audiences, as well as revenue-generating advertising content fed from curated national and local campaigns for a wide range of iconic brands including the NBA, Zillow, Discover, UBER, Starbucks, Target, iRobot, ESPN, Procter & Gamble, and more.

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Global Fitness Brands and Influencers Come Together to Educate and Inspire at FitNation 2021

Amsterdam, October 5, 2021

The annual leading B2B event for the fitness industry, FitNation, is to return on October 29th, 2-6pm CET (8am-12pm ET). With a focus on technology and innovation, it is set to be the largest one yet and will follow the same virtual format from last year. 

In total, 1,200 fitness owners, operators and entrepreneurs are expected to come together to share invaluable insights, experiences, and ideas, providing an ideal opportunity for attendees to learn, network, and be inspired. It comes at a crucial moment following the recent evolution of the fitness industry, as more and more fitness businesses have looked to use technology to blend physical and digital and provide more hybrid, holistic health, and fitness experiences. 

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Cleanz Wipes Becomes FBA Sponsor

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, October 1, 2021) – The Fitness Business Association (FBA) today proudly announced and welcomed the addition of Cleanz Wipes to its sponsorship ranks to help ensure the cleanest, safest workout environment for fitness businesses of all types.

Cleanz Eco Wipes are made from highly sustainable and biodegradable bamboo, effectively killing the COVID virus, bacteria, and germs without harming fitness equipment and upholstery. Bamboo releases more oxygen into  the atmosphere, absorbs more carbon dioxide compared to other plants, and is 100% biodegradable.

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SUCCEED! Continues to Impress!

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, September 23, 2021) – The Fitness Business Association (FBA) – formerly the Association of Fitness Studios (AFS) - announced today that its FBA-branded SUCCEED! Virtual Conference & Expo (August 26-28) exceeded expectations, continuing to deliver cutting edge education and business interactivity to the fitness industry.

Building on the incredible successes of its two 2020 events, and it’s March 2021 virtual conference, SUCCEED!’s four virtual events have now delivered nearly 18,000 registrants for online learning to enhance the fitness business profitability of its audience.

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FBA Sponsor Podium Named To The Forbes Cloud 100 For Third Time

LEHI, Utah, Aug. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Podium, the leading communication and payments platform for local businesses, has been named to the Forbes 2021 Cloud 100, the definitive ranking of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world, published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures. Marking its third year on the list, Podium previously received the honor in 2018 and 2020.

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Publications

Brand New Reports Coming Soon!!!

2019 Fitness Studio Operating & Financial Benchmarking Report 

The 2019 report is our most ambitious yet, including a financial breakdown of studios by region, studio type, and size to get the most accurate data possible.

Access the 2019 Report

2019 Fitness Studio Trend Report  

To ensure a variety of feedback, AFS canvassed its Advisory Council, vendor partners, and leading studio and gym operators to reveal their top trends for 2019!

Access the 2019 Report

2018 Fitness Studio Operating & Financial Benchmarking Report 

From coast to coast, the 2018 report canvassed the US to get the most accurate data possible. The 2018 report shows the studio market continues to thrive and become increasingly revenue efficient.

Access the 2018 Report

2018 Fitness Studio Trend Report 

To ensure a variety of perspectives AFS canvassed it’s Advisory Council, Vendor Partners, and leading studio operators on trends they see growing or continuing in 2018. 

Access the 2018 Trend Report

2017 Fitness Studio Operating & Financial Benchmarking Report 

The 2017 Report has expanded the reach of respondents to mirror the expansion of AFS and the studio business. A full 30% of respondents to this year’s survey are from non-U.S. locations.

Access the 2017 Report

Marketing Best Practices Research Report 

We surveyed hundreds of studio owners across the country, identified the successful strategies, and provide them to you in this first-ever research report! 

Access the 2016 Report