This Week In Fitness: Maxiom AI Launch, Strava x Breakaway, PHIT Act, UNITY x Stride

Welcome to This Week in Fitness — where we crunch the latest fitness business headlines all in under 5 minutes. Hosted by Krissy Vann, this weekly segment from All Things Fitness & Wellness delivers quick, credible insights for operators, executives, and decision-makers in the global fitness industry.

Here’s what’s making news this week:

1. Maxiom AI Launches with $2M Seed + $6M Series A
Maxiom Labs introduces SmartCoach AI, a digital platform using biometric data to deliver personalized training. A clinical trial is set to test its performance against traditional coaching.

2. UNITY Fitness and Stride Team Up
Launching in Toronto, UNITY360 memberships combine diagnostics, recovery, and personalized training in a data-driven wellness experience.

3. PHIT Act Advances in U.S. House
The long-awaited PHIT provision was included in a newly passed House tax package, potentially allowing Americans to use pre-tax dollars on fitness expenses.

4. The Commons Expands into Wellness
Australian coworking brand The Commons announces an all-in-one health club concept set to open in Melbourne, with coworking, fitness, and recovery in one space.

5. ISSA Launches GLP-1 Support Course
The International Sports Sciences Association rolls out new training to equip fitness professionals supporting clients on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

6. Strava Acquires The Breakaway
Strava adds a cycling training platform to its growing suite of tools, further investing in structured coaching experiences for subscribers.

7. ŌURA Rolls Out Movement Updates
ŌURA’s new features expand movement tracking, improve heart rate zone personalization, and integrate with partner platforms to offer deeper wellness insights.

8. YogaSix Introduces Y6 Mobility
YogaSix debuts a mobility-focused class format across select U.S. studios, catering to growing interest in recovery and sustainable movement.

#fitnessbusines #fitnessindustry #fitnessnews 

Episode Transcript

Unknown (00:00):
Chris Vann, welcome to This Week in

(00:06):
fitness by atfw, where we crunchthe latest fitness business
headlines all in under fiveminutes. I'm your host, Krissy
Vann, and here's what's makingnews, artificial intelligence is
taking another bold step intothe fitness world. Maxium Labs
has launched its AI poweredhealth and performance platform,
backed by a $2 millionoversubscribed seed round and a

(00:27):
newly opened 6 million series. Aits product, smart coach. AI
uses real time data fromwearables nutrition and
biometrics to deliverpersonalized training and
recovery recommendations. Maxiumis positioning itself as a full
service digital coach designedto adapt to individual behaviors
and outcomes. A randomizedclinical trial starts in June to

(00:50):
compare its effectivenessagainst traditional coaching
methods, in a move that blendsdiagnostics and gym floor
experience, stride and unityfitness have teamed up,
launching may 29 in Toronto, thenew unity 360 membership
combines genetic gut and VO twoMax testing with personalized

(01:11):
training and recovery supportwith over 4200 active members,
unity is betting that bioindividual programming is the
next frontier for fitnessbusinesses aiming to retain and
engage results focused clients.
Meanwhile, in Washington, theFit act is gaining ground. The
US House of Representativespassed its reconciliation tax

(01:32):
package, and for the first time,it includes language from the
Fit Act. The provision wouldallow Americans to use up to 500
in pre tax dollars, or 1000 forfamilies for fitness related
expenses like gym membershipsand youth sports. The bill now
heads to the Senate for furtherdebate.
Australian co working brand, thecommons, is entering the

(01:53):
wellness market with an all inone health club model set to
open in Melbourne thisSeptember. The Richmond location
will combine strength andrecovery programming with co
working community events andbathhouse amenities. A second
site is planned for South Yarrain January with over 200 classes
offered weekly. The Commons istargeting professionals looking
for a one stop wellness solutionthat fits into their daily

(02:16):
routine.
The international sportssciences association is stepping
in to support a growing segmentof fitness clients. The
organization has launched itsGLP one weight loss support
training course to helpprofessionals work with
individuals using medicationslike ozempic and wegovi. The
curriculum developed inpartnership with the health

(02:37):
coach Institute blendsphysiological education with
behavior change coaching. Itcomes as projections show over
24 million Americans could beusing GLP ones by 2035
Strava continues expanding itstraining ecosystem. The company
has acquired the breakaway, a YCombinator backed cycling app

(02:58):
that delivers personalizedtraining and performance
feedback. The deal follows itsrecent acquisition of Runa and
signals a deeper investment instructured coaching tools for
paid subscribers. Strava saysbreakaway users typically log
twice as many activities asothers on the platform.
Aura is refining how users trackmovement and recovery. New

(03:19):
updates now allow more accurateheart rate zone tracking,
expanded workout logging andintegrations with partner apps
like corepower Yoga and technogym, the wearables expanded
detection capabilities now coveractivity around the clock,
reflecting a growing consumerexpectation for continuous
Health Insights, not justworkout summaries.

(03:40):
Yoga six has added a new formatto meet the recovery first
mindset y6 mobility, whichlaunched this spring in select
US studios, combines yoga withfunctional mobility, work
designed to support hips,shoulders and lower back
movement. The class is aimed ateveryone from athletes to
sedentary workers. The rolloutcontinues through 2025 as part

(04:01):
of the brand strategy under theexponential fitness umbrella.
That's a wrap on this week infitness by atfw. I'm your host,
Krissy Vann, and remember, stayfit, Stay informed and keep your
fitness business in shape. You