Wellness Trends, Tech Integration, & Business Challenges With Bob Esquerre

Dave Wright is the CEO & owner of Creative Fitness Marketing, a global company with offices in the UK, Australia and North America that has served the international fitness community since 1990, specifically helping people be more and stay more physically active. He is also the CEO and creator of MYZONE® - a cloud based and wearable technology "Physical Activity Heart Rate Monitor & Fitness Tracker," used to monitor and increase exercise adherence. As a health club operator with 10 health clubs, and a board director of the UK's Fitness Industry Association, an international presenter, Dave is featured regularly in international trade magazines. Listen To Episode 015 As Dave Uncovers What is MYZONE and what problem(s) does it solve in our industry? Why Dave believes consumer marketing campaigns are inundating club owners The data behind why 50% of people that start their fitness program in January quit the same year How MYZONE technology guides the fitness pro (effort levels and MEP's) How MYZONE effort points (MEP's) are used in the group fitness setting How Midtown Athletic Club is using the MYZONE system to attract new members not on EFT to engage in club activities The recent partnership of Club Connect and MYZONE for educating fitness professionals in technology How health fitness professionals and coaches can use MYZONE and wearable technology in future settings to maximize profit and efficacy on the club floor Understanding machine learning in virtual coaching for automatic messaging systems The landscape of wearables: wrist worn, chest, clothing and activity reminders vs. activity trackers Incidental activity trackers and concerted activity trackers: accelerometers and phones How consumers are in pre-contemplation stages of behavior change using wearables Why heart rate recovery is the true measure of fitness for clients across the industry Why the chest strap will always be the king in heart rate monitoring because it's not a question of technology, it's a question of physiology The one thing Dave believes the club owners should be looking for around wearable technology in 2017 Top 3 Takeaways From The Show As the multitudes of technology platforms and wearable devices increase, smart club owners must partition dedicated time to research their best options. What's most important in the age of AI, machine learning, and the internet of things, is that whatever technology solution a club decides to offer to their members, it must work with devices both old and new to deliver a seamless experience that meets the member at their deepest needs. The intimidation factor of new technologies for group instructors and club owners of both small and big-box clubs are being alleviated by forward thinking companies like MYZONE and others in partnerships to proactively educate fitness pros on how wearable technology can enhance their relationships with clients. Dave believes that education around wearables is the glue that will hold everything together between the consumer, the device, and the trainer being able to get the most out of these new opportunities. The successful clubs of the future will implement foundational and progressive educational programs that both empower and inspire fitness industry professionals as a whole to adopt new wearable technologies as we move forward. Power Quotes From Dave "The struggles that club owners have is the intimidation factor of any new form of technology. It's one thing to have someone with wearable device, but it's another to be able to analyze the data. That's both the real key and opportunity. Doing nothing is no longer a solution for operators; they don't want to be another blockbuster or Kodak while sitting back to watch." - Dave Wright on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "What are the limitations and why is it, as an industry, that for the best part of 50 years that 50% of all the people that join clubs now in January actually leave by November, or even stop exercising for April and May? It fascinates me as a business that it costs seven times more money to get a new member to your club then to keep an existing one, yet so much of the membership campaigns in health clubs around the world are just focused on filling the top end of the bucket, rather than asking how can we stop the flow of members out the back door." - Dave Wright on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Dave MYZONE website Press about MYZONE Dave in Global Sports Jobs Technology Video Stuff Magazine features MYZONE At Midtown Athletic Clubs, MYZONE Engages Members MYZONE Signs on as ClubConnect Education Partner ROCK health digital health funding in Q1 2016 Fitbit accuracy questioned in May 2016 (lawsuit) How wearable tech will be the heartbeat of the modern gym Wearable Technology Awards MYZONE 2016 Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

27 Feb 201738min

With the swell of technology growth in or industry, what does the IOT mean for fitness in 2017? Listen to Michael Piermont and Dave Johnson from ECOFIT Networks uncover the details in this featured episode. Michael Piermont has been starting businesses since he was 7 years old and is a consummate "connector." Prior to starting amSTATZ, an app for personal trainers and their clients, Michael was the VP of Business Development for GoHealth, an internet marketplace for buying and selling health insurance. Since amSTATZ, Michael has co-founded FANCHEST, a subscription gift box company for sports fans. Currently, he is the CEO of ECOFIT Inc, one of Vedere Venture's portfolio companies. As the CEO of ECOFIT, the industry leader in networking cardio fitness equipment, Michael supports a technology solution for club operators to help maximize their club floor space. The foundation of their ECOFIT system is a specialized wireless technology enabling extreme equipment densities with cross brand compatibility. Building on this foundation, Micheal and the team have used ECOFIT technology to respond to the industry need for an enterprise level cross brand cardio management solution. This closed system allows viewing the health of all your cardio equipment from anywhere which gives club operators deep analytics to help better manage purchasing decisions that are based on real and relevant data through one platform that works with all of your cardio brands, old and new. Listen To Episode 014 As Michael Uncovers What does the IOT mean for the fitness industry in 2017 When big data is useful and when it's not for operators How Michael took his skills in data analytics from working in the NBA to the insurance industry, and then to fitness Why always on connected devices are changing the digital landscape for fitness and our collective society Why the IOT will never replace a personal trainer What happens when trainers and club owners start using big data and the IOT for better client results on the gym floor and around al club amenities What is the benefit of geo-targeting and using real time data from the IOT for clubs How some clubs in Chicago are using the IOT to run 100% automated health clubs right now Saving floor space, cycling gym equipment, and adding to the bottom line using the IOT How technology can be used got automate the boring tasks that big down health club staff Understanding predictive analytics: the branch of data mining concerned with the prediction of future probabilities and trends. Essentially, it is the predictor of variables that can be measured for an individual or other entity to predict future behavior. Resources Mentioned From Michael ECOFIT on the web ECOFIT on facebook ECOFIT on twitter Top 5 Metrics for Analyzing Your Gym's Success & Profitability eBook: Maximize Profit of Your Health Club Space LogMeIn.com Nest Thermostat Drop Cam Pet Net Tracking 17 'Internet Of Things' Facts Everyone Should Read The majority of people (87%) have not heard of the term 'Internet of Things' The internet of things (IoT) is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles (also referred to as "connected devices" and "smart devices"), buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data. Tune In @ 31:53 For Our Second Featured Guest: Dave Johnson During the last 4 years Dave Johnson have been operating in a development role at ECOFIT Networks. With a deep background in both fitness and technology, Dave brings a substantial knowledge of connected fitness to the industry both inside and outside club walls. During his time working with ECOFIT Dave has have helped build the industry's open network wireless platform and has come to understand this space and the requirements of delivering a successful networked strategy. Before ECOFIT, Dave was a representative for many leading equipment manufacturers developing strong commercial sales channels to military and government organizations across Canada. His time in the fitness industry has created very close senior-level relationships with major equipment manufacturers and fitness facilities alike. Dave is also the owner and operator of West Coast Recreation, which provides amateur and professional sporting events to thousands of fitness enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest since 1994. Listen To Episode 014 As Dave Uncovers What does cardio and fitness equipment intelligence mean for operators? How is ECOFIT helping club owners run a more profitable business by tracking commercial fitness equipment usage How sensor technology connected to a gateway can reach up to 600 feet even for busy big box clubs Why In order to help you identify which metrics to measure, we've highlighted the top 5 metrics that are most important in analyzing your gym's success and profitability. How to use cardio and fitness equipment technology to maximize profit of your health club floor space Understanding how to use smart cardio tracking in a closed system to increase member satisfaction and retention Why the profitability of your health club will be made or lost in the details of you club operations How test pilots of ECOFIT with @4 Hour Fitness, Crunch, and other top brands are using smart cardio and fitness equipment intelligence in 2017 Dave's ethos for the co-founding ECOFIT after years of work in recreation and fitness and more Resources Mentioned From Dave ECOFIT on the web ECOFIT on facebook ECOFIT on twitter Top 5 Metrics for Analyzing Your Gym's Success & Profitability eBook: Maximize Profit of Your Health Club Space Understanding cardio and fitness equipment intelligence IHRSA round table with FIT-C West Coast Recreation Dave Johnson on LinkedIn Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

21 Feb 201746min

For episode 13 we're coming to the end of our featured series, LIVE from #CES2017 at the #FitTechCES summit bringing the top speakers and brands from Las Vegas right to your audio player. From heart rate to gamification, nutrition tracking and beyond, this episode is highlighting the cutting edge of innovation and product development for fitness in the new year. Our first guest is Michael Herlihy, the Regional Account Manager at Polar Electro. A lot of athletes and coaches around the world know Polar for the heart rate sensors that made it famous since 1977, but over the past few years, we've seen some incredible products for lifestyle and health and wellness come out from Polar. On this podcast we're learning from one of the most famous companies in our industry about advanced training with wearable technology. With a recent partnership teaming up with Les Mills to create a fitter and healthier planet, you'll learn about the virtual and cloud-based fitness tracking systems and devices that will bring meaning and relevancy to your club's bottom line. You'll definitely want to stay tuned for our second feature guest Kevin McCoy from Lose It! With early success from a 2008 partnership with Apple and over a million downloads in their first year, Kevin is sharing wth us why what started out as the most successful calorie tracker application became a comprehensive and gamified health program. we''ll a;also discover the strategy behind how losit is making mindful eating accessible to all people- inside the fitness industry and globally. Listen To Episode 013 As Michael Uncovers What lead to the rise of Polar's success from 1977 to 2017 What is Polar's ecosystem for remote and virtual coaching feature named "Polar Flow For Coach" Why Polar and Les Mills have teamed up to create a fitter and healthier planet What devices are advanced training companions for professional and devoted athletes who want to reach their peak performance. Why Michael believes that anyone can make a watch in 2017, but what differentiates Polar in a crowded market What should trainers and club operators and owners be on the lookout for in the next 12 months from Polar for the blending of meaningful data and advanced fitness technology How virtual coaching with wearables are creating new opportunities in the fitness industry With this new technology, what has Michael seen change and what are the key aspects of what hasn't What programs combined with wearables will add to the bottomline for a club Power Quote From Michael "To be honest, anybody can build a watch. It's hard however to develop a system that actually allows you to analyze information that's beneficial to you. It's great that you walked those 10,000 steps today but what does that mean for you physically? That is really how we separate ourselves from the competition by delivering the precise analysis that we can provide to the user." - Michael Herlihy on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Michael Polar Website Polar Flow Polar A360 Les Mills Partnership for a fitter planet Polar Personal Trainer Polar Electro on facebook Polar Electro on Twitter Tune in @ 17:51 to hear from our featured guest, Kevin McCoy Kevin McCoy is the SVP of Business Development at Lose It! and is sharing with us how from early success in 2008 in partnership with Apple and over a million downloads in their first year, why what started out as the most successful calorie tracker application became a comprehensive and gamified health program. Kevin is also also discussing the strategy behind how Lose It! is making mindful eating accessible to all people, both inside the fitness industry and globally. Kevin joined Lose It! in 2009 and leads all strategic partnerships for the company including corporate sponsorships, technology partners, health professionals and coaches and affiliates. Kevin works with all of Lose It's partners and potential partners to ensure the brand is the right fit for Lose It! and the members. His key focus is working with well-aligned partners where the partnership brings value to their members and helps them along their journey of living a healthier life. From Josh Trent's discussion in 2016 with Charles Teague, CEO of Lose It! you'll learn the new changes over the past year for the award-winning application that now serves over 3 million people a month and which helped it's users lose over 45 million pounds on the platform. Listen To Episode 013 As Kevin Uncovers Why smart nutrition tracking is changing the landscape of fitness, diet, and health in the digital age What coaches and clients really wanted and needed for digital health coaching and virtual coaching to be a win-win Kevin's personal journey since 2009 with Lose It! and his ethos behind the company What health and wellness coaches be on the lookout for in the next 12 months from LoseIt! for the blending of meaningful data and advanced fitness technology What Kevin has learned as a member of the Consumer Technology Association - Health & Fitness Technology Board The framework behind the new feature Snap It uses the most advanced image recognition technology to deliver the best food tracking experience in the world Why Lose it! worked with data scientists to create a revolutionary tool called Snap It where the user can literally take a photo of their nutrition and it uploads to the cloud Understanding how machine learning can help log nutrients in an accurate and easy way for users globally Hurdles that Lose It! has overcome on the way to success in this market Power Quote From Kevin "We're always focused on making mindful eating accessible to people, and tracking your food we know is the best way to actually lose weight, but has difficulty. When we originally started Lose It!, we knew we could make it easier to make people figure out what healthy food they wanted to eat." - Kevin McCoy on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Kevin Lose It Website Ascend for fitness professionals by Lose It! Lose It on facebook Lose It! on Twitter Lose It! on Instagram #FitTechCES summit panel with Jenna Wolfe on Lose It! Snap It nutrition tracking The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) & Lose It! Partner To Make CES the Healthiest Tradeshow on Earth Changing eating habits: Lifehack Review on Lose It! Josh Trent's discussion in 2016 with Charles Teague, CEO of Lose It! Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

14 Feb 201736min

For episode 12 we're continuing our featured series, LIVE from CES 2017 bringing the top speakers and brands from Las Vegas right to your audio player. Our first guest is Dr. Steven Leboeuf from Valencell. You won't want to miss our second featured guest, Joni Kettunen, CEO of Firstbeat, and pioneer in physiological analytics and their applications for fitness. His vision for incorporating heartbeat analytics and wearable technology has placed Firstbeat at the cutting edge of the industry. About Dr. Steven As co-founder and President of Valencell, Inc., Dr. LeBoeuf has developed ongoing strategic partnerships between Valencell and leaders in industry and academia. He has raised more than $10M in funding for Valencell and is the inventor/co-inventor of more than 50 granted patents, including dozens of foundational patents in the field of accurate wearable sensors. Prior to Valencell, LeBoeuf led the optoelectronic biosensor program at GE Global Research, where he managed the development and productization of biosensor systems and developed cutting-edge nanosensor technology. Before joining GE, LeBoeuf developed optoelectronic solid-state materials and devices while researching at North Carolina State University. Dr. LeBoeuf holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from N.C. State and a B.S. in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University. With fitness wearables, apps, and devices of the rise, Dr. Steven is talking with us about a flourishing segment in our industry called, "hearables." These are connected devices worn at the ear, typically functioning as an audio earbud, biometric monitor, and can also be used as an augmented hearing device. The hearables segment is projected to have a compound growth rate of over 170% in the next 4 years, and Dr. Steven's insight and expertise on how this tech will impact the fitness industry will uncover the changes we're seeing in the way fitness professionals will collect heart rate, blood pressure, perform health and fitness assessments and much more. Listen To Episode 012 As Dr. Steven Uncovers What are hearables? Growth of hearables as a segment in wearables Why there are over 330 million aftermarket headphones now in the marketplace Why track biometrics at the ear? (effective due to arterioles and blood flow) The science of tracking blood pressure and other biometrics at the ear Discover how in 2006 Valencell's technology lead to the rise of the wearables market Why one of the biggest hurdles with sensor technology is predicting the future (for investors) Making sensor tech seamless? Exploring augmented hearing and voice user input The confluence of combining wearables biometrics with AI for Voice Plus Why use case validation is not done well currently, and what needs to be done for the future Why everything Dr. Steven does is about making people's lives better Top 3 Takeaways From The Show The hearables segment is projected to have a compound growth rate of over 170% in the next 4 years. This technology will impact the future of how fitness professionals will collect heart rate, blood pressure, perform health and fitness assessments and much more. Hearables are poised for tremendous growth, being driven by several orthogonal market forces, however, before mass-market adoption (10 M+ users) can be realized, a few technical challenges remain. The technical hurdles that stand between niche markets and mass consumer adoption are proving stable, seamless Bluetooth and wireless connectivity balanced with advanced features of size, comfort, and power management for long-term comfort and extended wear use cases. Power Quotes From Dr. Steven "At Valencell, we want you live your life well, with whatever wearable you like, and we'll help collect the data you generate to uniquely guide you in your lifestyle to better health." - Dr. Steven LeBoeuf on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "We're seeing that sensor use case validation is often not done well. What companies must do now is work together to test out these cutting edge technologies to meet the demands for seamless functionality and accuracy during real life situations." - Dr. Steven LeBoeuf on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Dr. Steven Valencell Website CES 2017: Optical Sensor Measures Blood Pressure Dr. Steven LaBouef on LinkedIn Catapult sports training Nick Hunn - Industry reviewer Photoplethysmography: a volumetric measurement of an organ. A PPG is often obtained by using a pulse oximeter which illuminates the skin and measures changes in light absorption. Emerging SUUNTO watches powered by Valencell technology Firstbeat Technology Tune In @ 20:25 For Featured Guest: Joni Kettunen, CEO - Firstbeat Mr. Joni Kettunen, PhD, is a pioneer in physiological analytics and its applications. He is leading Firstbeat at the cutting edge of heartbeat analytics for wearables, fitness devices, wellbeing services and professional sports. As of today, Firstbeat analytics is used by hundreds of elite sports teams, thousands of corporations, and millions of consumers to improve their performance and wellbeing. Before founding Firstbeat in 2002, Joni has done and published research in the areas of psychophysiology, behavioral medicine, autonomic nervous system function and stress quantification. Joni received his PhD from the Department of Psychology at the University of Helsinki in 1999. His vision for incorporating heartbeat analytics and wearable technology has placed Firstbeat at the cutting edge of the industry. On this show, you'll learn about how coaches and trainers are using Firstbeat's technology to train clients with precision heart rate variability, otherwise known as HRV. Joni is going to share with us how GARMIN is using this technology combined with virtual coaching for athletes and everyday fitness users to support wellbeing and superior performance by tracking much deeper than just steps and sweat. Listen To Episode 012 As Joni Uncovers What is Firstbeat? How Firstbeat models HRV with 20+ phases of heart rate data for actionable use from coaches and trainers How to provide actionable and individual feedback for stress or fitness training or sleep recovery How to model heart rate variability and stress in real life Why using HRV gives a "direct view" into the parasympathetic vagal system, which is strongly related to the recovery systems in the body HRV for coaches in person and virtually GARMIN HRV devices using training Why Firstbeat has grown to 90 people on staff with 20 exercise physiologists alone Understanding the GARMIN Fenix 3 Understanding the Jabra Elite Sport Headphones The challenges for the sensor technology How HRV and 24/7 digital systems in corporate wellness systems are being used to optimize wellness Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Joni believes it's no longer enough to simply capture and measure data. Whatever you are doing, the wearable needs to provide accurate, consistent, and meaningful feedback that is actually useful. It is now understood by the technology sector that serves the fitness, wellness, and corporate wellness settings that collaborating together to do better is paramount. Firstbeat's accurate heart rate variability (HRV) based measurement and personal diary provide a window to a client's well-being. This real personalization via HRV and biometric data is allowing greater coaching and lifestyle modification along the wellness journey. Based on decades of research and work with professional athletes, Firstbeat has created a professional grade coaching tool that helps their clients manage stress, enhance recovery and exercise based off of data that matters. Power Quotes From Joni "At any given time there are 15 to 20 different processes in our body that influence our heart rate. We detect those, and out of that we can compose a model of the physiology itself. Once we know what's happening in the body, we can provide much more actionable and insightful feedback for stress, training, fitness level, or sleep recovery." - Joni Kettunen on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "It's no longer enough to simply capture and measure data. Whatever you are doing with the wearable needs to provide accurate, consistent, and meaningful feedback that is actually useful. It is now understood by our peers that in the fitness, wellness, and corporate wellness settings we must come together to do better." - Joni Kettunen on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Joni Firstbeat Technology Stress and recovery analysis method based on 24 hour HRV Whitepaper: Firstbeat method, subjective stress was directly associated with objective stress and inversely with objective recovery GARMIN Fenix 3 Jabra Elite Sport True-Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Earbuds Wellness Professionals one professionals that use 24/7 dashboards Firstbeat is powering over 70 consumer devices to produce meaningful insights for training + wellbeing Firstbeat on twitter Firstbeat on facebook Firstbeat on Youtube Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, and many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

7 Feb 201736min

We're excited to bring you some of the most cutting edge information in fitness technology right from the 2017 CES show floor that directly relates to your fitness business. First up on today's show is Amy McDonough from Fitbit. Amy McDonough is the VP of Group Health at Fitbit. She works with employers, health plans and others in the corporate wellness space who are passionate about creating a culture of health within an organization or community. Amy oversees new and creative ways to bring consumer wearable technology into the corporate sphere with a goal of supporting as many individual's as possible in their journey towards optimal health. Since 2008 Amy has been an integral part of Fitbit's growth alongside the founders, and her deep insights about using these devices will give both operators and trainers a valuable perspective on how this will impact the fitness business in the new year. Fitbit met with us LIVE at CES to discuss the new landscape of corporate and large group health programs, the data around wearables, and their ecosystems that drive social connection and much more. Listen To Episode 010 As Amy Uncovers Exploring the benefits of wearables: increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, lower A1c levels and supporting medication free lifestyles for diabetics How Fitbit is impacting both the fitness and wellness industries in 2017 The growth of Fitbit: how Group Health is designed to meet the rising wellness needs of companies everywhere How Target, SAP, Bank of America are incorporating Fitbit Group Health in their wellness solutions How to approach the mindset of those resistant to using technology for behavior change as part of a team strategy How wearable technology is positively impacting select Fortune 500 companies Fitbit's new interactive features including a new community section of the website and specifically a feed where inspirational moments can be shared to increase physical activity among members Why Fitbit is combining large amounts of collected data create new, intuitive products, and more personalized devices to support the health consumers of today and the future What opportunities exist for large fitness clubs with Fitbit Group Health Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Amy believes there is no "one size fits all" wearable device or even approach to supporting a fitness enthusiast or club member's journey towards using increased accountability through technology. Looking deeper, it is the intrinsic and/or extrinsic motivation that is unique to all that really moves the needle. The data is proving that increased accountability through wearable devices for select companies is yielding a 24% - 46% decrease in anticipated health care costs after a 3 year look back period. The combination of integrating workplace group health initiatives using social, self motivation, and financial rewards programs tied to wearable technology is proving to be successful for both employees and insurance companies. Power Quotes From Amy "What keeps me motivated every day is that Fitbit is in a very unique position to really look at consumers as individuals and help them on a personalized and guided journey to their health." - Amy McDonough on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "While health can be serious business, we feel it doesn't have to be. We believe you're more likely to reach your goals if you're encouraged to have fun, smile, and feel empowered along the way." - Amy McDonough the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Amy Fitbit Group Health Amy McDonough on LinkedIn Fitbit announced a partnership with UnitedHealthcare MotionTM wellness program, powered by Qualcomm Life using the Charge 2, This is Fitbit's first-ever custom feature for a Fitbit device, enabling Motion program members to earn up to $1,500 in annual rewards for achieving daily activity goals. Fitbit Now Integrates with Innovative Brands Habit, Peloton and VirZOOM Fitbit Launches Redesigned Fitstar Personal Trainer App to Help You Work Out Smarter with Recommended Workouts Based on Fitbit Activity FITSTAR - Fitbit's personal trainer mobile application platform Wellness Force Radio - Gretchen Rubin Next: Tom Cortese From Peloton We're excited to be bringing you some of the most cutting edge information in fitness technology right from the CES show floor, that directly relates to your fitness business. Place your dial above at 22:33 to hear the feature with Tom. Tom Cortese is the COO and co-founder of Peloton - Tom has built a career managing effective, hard-working teams. and has deep roots in product development and user interface design and recently co-founded and sold the award winning PROUST. Listen To Episode 011 As Tom Uncovers How Tom went from triathlon and working for Revolution Health group to co-found Peloton Why Peloton decided to enter the fitness space and their future plans The mindset of larger fitness organizations towards Peloton in the early years How Peloton built an incredible community with unique personalities in your virtual and digital instructors Fast Company's feature of Peloton's commercial-grade bike launch that will brings the cycling experience to hotels, office buildings, universities, and recently started manufacturing bikes for gyms across the country in 2017. What group exercise trainers and health clubs can expect in the next 12 months from Peloton for the blending of meaningful data and advanced fitness technology Major difference between Peloton and Soul Cycle, Zwift, WEXER virtual, and the others in our space Power Quote From Tom "We didn't set out to reshape a piece of fitness equipment. We set out to bring you a totally different experience. To bring that engaging, fun, exciting group fitness workout to the comfort and convenience of your home." - Tom Cortese on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Tom Peloton Cycling Peloton on Facebook "Changing The View" John Foley at CES Peloton CEO John Foley at CES 2017 Tony Wang on the Recode podcast in 2016 discussing the swell of energy behind the indoor cycling world INC Magazine - The "Netflix of fitness" Men's Health - The Best Cardio Machine On The Planet" Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, Moon Mission Mediaand many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

31 Jan 201742min

Robert Dyer is the principle at Integrus, LLC, and a global ambassador with more than 30 years of operating health clubs, consulting to and advising fitness facility owners, global suppliers, and developing organizations. Robert and his partners have advised brands around the world. His fitness career began in the early 80's when he founded and served as CEO of the Fort Worth Fit For Life health club chain, and in 2006, he became CEO and founder of Fitmarc. Sometimes you'll hear the phrase "people person" and think of someone you know who fits this description. You know the ones: those folks who just seem magnetic to everyone around them. Robert Dyer is most certainly a people person. It's reflected in his approach to business, whether he's working with someone in the fitness industry or from an outside field. Colleagues refer to him as "the genuine article," and "committed to improving the lives and circumstances of all those around him" without hesitation. People also observe that he seems to go out of his way to get to the heart of an interaction, bringing integrity, fun, and authenticity to large presentations and small collaborations alike. Robert's philanthropic efforts have focused on helping and coaching people who can benefit from his experience and forward-looking insights. Robert's reputation of building relationships that matter and humanizing the health and fitness industry are well known to the people he has worked with over the years. Listen To Episode 010 As Robert Uncovers Bridging the gap between "old school" traditional club operations vs. "new school" technology focused operations What best practices Robert put into place to support Les Mills in managing over 800 facilities with 5,000 fitness professionals Real life on the ground vs. the perception of what clubs "should be doing" online Robert's featured contribution in the 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Team training: how new technology and customer service trainings need to be taught as technology grows on the fitness floor and in the back office The one thing that hasn't changed in fitness: It's a "people" business The club operator is busy with day to day operations, how do they create the time and inspiration to shift culture towards new technology in the club? How to know who to trust for quality information in a busy digital world Why Robert believes that focusing on educating staff, management, and club leaders to get 360 degree "buy in" is the most important first step of any map for technology integration and operational change What holds club operators back from using technology to create the time gaps for proactive team meetings that will foster productivity and connection. Does a specific road map for change with fundamentals for integrating new technology in clubs? The mindset of club operators and fitness pros that will bring them all the success they desire What separates the real, trustable relationships in the fitness industry from all the rest Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Some of the best input a club operator can ever receive from trainers and staff comes from an environment of transparency that is demonstrated from the top down. For any and all successful new technology integrations to work in a club, the enrollment conversation must happen from a place of collective feedback, not strong arm tactics. When it comes to new programs, operational policies, and technology systems to be effective and sustainable, all leadership must truly lead by their own example. Clear communication about the benefits to both staff and customers from any technology program initiatives must be demonstrated from all levels for success. In a sometimes noisy digital world, Robert believes it is important to take the time to create meaningful, personal, and authentic relationships beyond just digital. Technology is growing exponentially in our space, and with that, the opportunity to create those trusted connections are now more open than ever before. Power Quotes From Robert "I don't like to ask someone to do something I'm not willing to do myself. Obviously, as we grow we can't be everywhere at the same time, but keeping this in mind makes you think about whether something is really that important." - Robert Dyer on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "It's important to understand that it's not a competition between old and new or human vs. technology. It's seeing what the best answers are for our customers and their needs. There is no doubt in my mind that the fitness industry, either new or old school, are both going to have to adopt technology as we move forward." - Robert Dyer on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Robert Connect with Robert on LinkedIn Connect with Robert on Twitter Robert's Website Integerus Website Les Mills Group Fitness WEXER Virtual Fitness ECOFIT Fitness Equipment Intelligence Emotional Intelligence in the fitness industry How to build leadership skill-set around getting staff to buy into new technology The 2017 Group Fitness Landscape Les Mills International Acquires South Central Territory from Fitmarc Robert's Slideshares Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for podcast sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report Thanks To Our Outstanding Sponsors Bryan O'Rourke and his family of companies including Vedere Ventures, Integerus Advisors, Moon Mission Mediaand many more. If you are looking for unmatched guidance, capital, insights or a great speaker or facilitator, Bryan and his partners are the go to resource for your organization. To learn more visit bryankorourke.com The Fitness Industry Technology Council, your non-profit resource for reliable technology information supported by forward looking brands who are seeking to drive increased technology adoption in the fitness industry. Make a difference and join FIT-C at fittechcouncil.org today Check out Bryan and his partner Robert Dyer's recent book "9 Partnership Principles: A Story of Life Lessons" which is available now on Amazon.com

24 Jan 201737min

Graham Melstrand develops opportunities and relationships that advance ACE health policy positions and fitness industry standards. He assesses legislative positions at all levels of government that align with the ACE mission, and he monitors existing and emerging legislation and regulatory policy, informing ACE of the potential impact they have on the exercise professional, the public, and other stakeholders. He creates relationships with key policymakers and collaborative organizations and serves in an advisory capacity on a number of boards and committees including: president of the board for the Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals, within the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and other regulatory agencies. Melstrand holds a bachelor's degree in physical education/athletic training from California State University, Long Beach. As a competitive cyclist, he participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials (1984, 1988) and was a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program (1983 – 1990). Listen To Episode 009 As Graham Uncovers Why 72% of clients are asking for advice and feedback from activity trackers Why the exercise professional is moving into health coaching space to manage large groups Group Exercise Programming: Growing diversity and opportunities in the space Program offerings around the health coaching space Understanding the programmatic based delivery models for personal training vs. session-based delivery model What national programs are moving health progress forward by blending the activity data and prevention programs with and without government reimbursement Why programmatic based delivery service models reach more members than session based delivery models (3-5%) How the perception of the public health community about the fitness professional is now changing Community health: How new wearable activity technology is being used to geo-target for ROI in infrastructures for walkable communities Health literacy: Do average people know if they are or are not meeting activity guidelines? Correlations between physical activity and disease in affluent countries Life insurance: How will this industry give discounts for activity tracked through wearables? Understanding Intensive Behavioral Therapy: Received a grade B recommendation from the US preventative services task force now covered by medicare/medicaid (Behavioral physical activity nutritional intervention that targets individuals that are at risk for cardiovascular disease and have an additional risk factor - an estimated 90 million Americans would be open to receive this type of lifestyle counseling and would benefit, but only 8 million individuals have had access to it. How the YMCA's are a core portion of the delivery for the CDC's diabetes prevention program, which was just approved for reimbursement through medicare/medicaid (to the resistance of big pharma) Graham's featured contribution in the 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Top 3 Takeaways From The Show The data is showing from ACE and other Industry reports that health coaching is emerging in our space where the non-member programs are becoming a lot more common. People are moving from early adopters and into the next group of facilities that want to build on the success that their peers have had. In 2017, technology and devices are not the competition for the fitness professional, they are a tool that can be leveraged to help manage a larger client base, stay in contact with clients, and to manage a group of individuals towards better health. The perception of the public health community about the role of fitness professionals is now changing via the use of accreditation and new technology that taps into the potential of aggregate data that can be used to increase population health. Power Quotes From Graham "Technology devices are not competition for the exercise professional, they are a tool that can be leveraged to help manage a larger client base, stay in contact with clients, and to manage a group of individuals towards better health." - Graham Melstrand on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "We believe that health coaching is rapidly emerging in the health and fitness space while the non-member programs are becoming a lot more common. People are moving from early adopters and into the next group of facilities that want to build on the success that their peers have had." - Graham Melstrand on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Graham Leveraging Tech to Help Create Active, Walking Communities (Recorded Webinar) Surgeon General's Activity Guidelines John Hancock Vitality Program ACAC - P.R.E.P Program ACE Fitness Professionals GENEVIX, New England CDC physical activity guidelines Coalition for the registration of exercise professionals: USREPS accredited organization for trainers ACE: increased focus for the use of technology for the fitness professional Workplace wellness programs Intensive behavioral therapy - Grade B (US preventative services task force) Carmichael Training Systems - Endurance coaching Insurance companies providing incentives for wearable activity tracking Enhance Fitness - Seattle Senior Services Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact FIT-C for sponsorship and partnership opportunities Download the 2017 Tech Trends report

17 Jan 201738min

For over 20 years, Ted Vickey has immersed himself in fitness technology. Starting as the Executive Director of the White House Athletic Center through his fitness consulting company, FitWell, and continuing with his latest project as a Ph.D. researcher on Social Networking and Exercise at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Ted has proven to be an early adopter and advocate in technical systems and their applicability to fitness.  Ted believes we can take advantage of technology to not only motivate individuals across the globe to get out the door and move, but to be in closer contact with healthcare providers.  He is an emeritus member of the Board of Directors for the American Council on Exercise and has consulted with key organizations such as the Department of Commerce, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Fruit of the Loom, TSA and more. By education he is an Exercise Scientist, by experience an Entrepreneur, and by passion a Connector.  Listen To Episode 008 As Ted Uncovers Why major wearable technology organizations are investing in and creating digital wellness programs for 2017   What inspired Ted's Tedx Talk "The Wireless Future of Wellness Is Now"  Identifying new roles in fitness for trainers on and off the exercise floor Why the current model of personal training is broken  Bridging the gap between wearables and digital coaching   Identifying how health and fitness technologies can impact low income populations  Why fitness consumers are now asking for training at the club with technology  Understanding Data Collection Phase 1: Create the wireless fitness/wellness devices and improve data accuracy Understanding Data Collection Phase 2: Analyze the fitness data from a health professional Understanding Data Collection Phase 3: Implementing the data, personalizing it, and making it actionable  Google AI Investments in 2016 The results of ACE's Fitness Technology Survey Fitness Technology Among Trainers in 2016  Ted's featured contribution in the 2017 FIT-C Tech Trends Report Top 3 Takeaways From The Show Disruptive technology is happening right now in the fitness industry. With some of the largest brands in wellness technology and digital health aiming their sights on the fitness industry,  2017 will be the year for smart club owners, operators, and trainers to dedicate time and energy towards adoption. This is an exciting time for all involved in the health, fitness and wellness industry.  Big changes to the industry are fast approaching, and technology is leading the disruption.  Those that understand and embrace technology will continue to see success and grow, those that don't may struggle to survive.   The current healthcare model is broken. By being the bridge between doctor appointments, the certified health professional can play a critical role in the success of the overall wellness of each client.  And by using the proper disruptive health technologies as a tool, this success can be even greater.   Power Quotes From Ted "If you are a personal trainer and you're afraid that you're going to be replaced by a piece of technology, you should be. Because if the only thing you're doing for your client is the exact same thing that a piece of technology is doing, then you're not really a personal trainer." - Ted Vickey on the Fitness + Technology Podcast "The iPhone 6 is one million times more powerful than the computer used to put the man on the moon. What I suggest is that we as the fitness industry, the health industry, and the healthcare industry realize this is our moonshot. This is how we can make a difference, and that is by using technology to make a difference in the lives of those that we have the opportunity and the privilege to serve." - Ted Vickey on the Fitness + Technology Podcast Resources Mentioned From Ted Ted's "The Wireless Future of Wellness Is Now" TEDx Talk Ted Vickey's Website Kevin Kelly: The Inevitable Gary Wolf Canyon Ranch Institute  Nudge Coach App  Wellness and fitness technology regulations for 2017  Nir Eyal Interview: Habit Forming Products Fitbit 82% market share in 2016  Smart phone usage rates in America  Tech disruption in the fitness industry 2016 by Amanda Vogel  Technology disrupted industries in Banking Point Loma University Ted Vickey, PhDc HealBe by GoBe  Ace Fitness Webinar w/ Graham Melstrand: Population & Outcomes Management  FitTechCES 2017   Support This Podcast Leave a 5 star review on iTunes Share this episode with someone you care about Contact Kelli Hatton for sponsorship and partnership opportunities  Download the 2017 Tech Trends report

10 Jan 201739min