Founders Club launches as all-in-one training and medical wellness concept, Runna data shows 52% of Gen Z want to marathon but 7% act & Stryv raises $11.5M

In today's episode

1. 01
   Signal

   Kyle Scheele named second-day keynote speaker at HFA Show 2027

   The Health and Fitness Association announced on October 30, 2026 that Kyle Scheele will deliver the second-day keynote, titled "Rethinking What's Possible," at The HFA Show 2027, running March 10–12 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Scheele, known for large-scale creative projects, will address how organisations can challenge conventional thinking and turn constraints into opportunities. The keynote is sponsored by Matrix Fitness.

2. 02
   Move

   Mark Mastrov unveils Founders Club, a fitness, recovery and medical spa concept

   24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov has launched Founders Club, a new wellness concept that combines strength training, recovery facilities, a medical spa, and spaces for working and socialising. The concept signals operator interest in bundling training, recovery and medical wellness under one roof.

3. 03
   Signal

   Stryv raises US$11.5M Series B to push deeper into Asian wellness hardware

   Singapore-based Stryv, a personal care and home wellness brand owned by Evo Commerce, closed an US$11.5 million Series B round on October 27, 2026, led by ACV Capital with participation from Openspace Capital and OCTAVE Capital. The company sells hair dryers, styling tools, massage chairs and air purifiers, and will use the funds to enter Taiwan and expand in Malaysia and Hong Kong, alongside research and development and potential acquisitions. The raise signals growing investor appetite for consumer wellness hardware in Southeast and East Asia, a category that increasingly overlaps with the recovery and self-care products fitness operators stock and recommend.

4. 04
   Move

   NYC Marathon valued at $339m as top races become major brands

   The New York City Marathon carried a valuation of $339 million as of late October 2026, with major races in London, Paris and Chicago seeing similar increases in value. The figures signal that large running events have grown into significant commercial properties. For fitness brands and studio operators targeting runners, the scale of these events points to growing sponsorship and partnership opportunities in the running category.

5. 05
   Move

   52% of Gen Z want to run a marathon but only 7% commit, Runna data shows

   New data from running app Runna, published October 30 2026, found nearly a third of Americans and 52% of Gen Z aspire to run a marathon, yet just 7% have committed to a race or physical challenge. Almost half of respondents said they do not consider themselves runners, and a third doubted their fitness level. Run club and event participation fell year on year as costs rose, a signal that operators and brands pricing or positioning running as exclusive risk shrinking the market they depend on.