1. Active Lifestyle partners with Merrithew to expand the Pilates market in China
Active Lifestyle China has announced a strategic partnership with Merrithew®, a globally recognized leader in Pilates and mindful movement equipment. This collaboration aims to enhance Active Lifestyle’s fitness integration services while expanding Merrithew’s influence in the Chinese market, providing high-quality Pilates equipment to fitness enthusiasts and professionals.
Xia Rongpeng, Executive Director of Active Lifestyle China, stated, “This partnership establishes a key strategic collaboration, aligning with our ‘Best in Class’ vision to deliver premium Pilates products and services to Chinese customers.” Merrithew’s CEO, Jim Heidenreich, added, “We are thrilled to work with Active Lifestyle, a trusted name in fitness solutions. This partnership strengthens our confidence in bringing top-tier Pilates equipment to the Chinese market.”
Merrithew, founded in 1988, has trained over 80,000 instructors worldwide and offers six proprietary training programs, including STOTT PILATES® and ZEN•GA®. Combining Active Lifestyle’s nationwide sales network with Merrithew’s premium Pilates equipment, this partnership is set to establish a new benchmark in China’s fitness industry.
2. Sportsoul and Aukey form a health-tech company to expand cross-border e-commerce business
Sportsoul (Sanboshuo), a leading Chinese fitness equipment manufacturer, has partnered with cross-border e-commerce giant Aukey to establish a health-tech company. The joint venture will focus on sports health services, remote health management, and sports goods retail. This collaboration is expected to leverage both the "Healthy China" strategy and the booming cross-border e-commerce trend, attracting significant market attention.
Aukey, a dominant player in the global home furnishing e-commerce market, sells products through platforms like Amazon and Walmart. Its subsidiary, Shenzhen Xipost Smart Warehousing, operates 27 overseas warehouses spanning over 5.5 million square feet. Meanwhile, Sportsoul, known for brands such as SKYWALKER and SPORTSOUL, specializes in fitness equipment manufacturing and also produces for global brands like Decathlon through ODM/OEM.
By combining Sportsoul’s manufacturing expertise with Aukey’s global logistics and distribution channels, the partnership aims to drive international market penetration. If further technology integration, such as smart home fitness solutions, is achieved, the collaboration could make significant strides in digital fitness and workplace health management.
3. China Export Credit Insurance compensates Arcana Power with $15.72 million over Bowflex bankruptcy
China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) has paid $15.72 million in compensation to Arcana Power (Lijuan Sports Technology Co., Ltd.) for financial losses caused by the bankruptcy of its long-term North American buyer, Bowflex. This marks the largest short-term export credit insurance payout in China for 2024, ensuring Arcana Power's continued financial stability.
Arcana Power, a national-level manufacturing champion, has built a strong export business over the past decade, selling treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines, rowing machines, and adjustable dumbbells in Taiwan, the U.S., Germany, France, Japan, and Singapore. The company had maintained a 14-year partnership with Bowflex, but the rapid post-pandemic shift from home workouts back to gyms led to a sales decline, straining Bowflex’s finances and ultimately resulting in non-payment.
This incident highlights the importance of monitoring long-term client credit risks. Experts suggest that exporting manufacturers should regularly assess buyer financial health and industry trends, while also using export credit insurance as a safeguard when expanding into global markets.
4. TRNR acquires Germany’s Sportstech, expanding its global fitness equipment market
U.S. fitness company Interactive Strength Inc. (NASDAQ: TRNR) has announced the acquisition of Sportstech Brands Holding GmbH, Germany’s largest e-commerce fitness equipment brand. The deal is expected to be finalized in April, 2025, creating a global fitness powerhouse across the U.S. and European markets.
Key Highlights:
Revenue Growth: The combined company is projected to generate over $50 million in revenue in 2025 and achieve EBITDA profitability in the second half of the year.
Market Expansion: Sportstech’s dominance in Germany and TRNR’s position in the U.S. will create a dual-market strategy, reducing regional market volatility.
Deal Structure: TRNR will acquire 99% of Sportstech’s shares through an all-stock transaction valued at $15 million. An additional $40 million in performance-based stock incentives may be granted if Sportstech achieves $25 million EBITDA between April 2025 and March 2027.
Following the acquisition, Sportstech founder Ali Ahmad will become TRNR’s largest shareholder and a board member, ensuring the company’s continued operational independence. The merger is expected to facilitate Sportstech’s entry into the U.S. market, increasing order volume for suppliers and leveraging U.S. capital markets for future expansion.
5. Les Mills launches Connect, a digital platform for clubs and instructors
Les Mills has introduced Les Mills Connect, a comprehensive digital platform designed to streamline fitness club management and enhance career opportunities for instructors. This all-in-one tool will improve Les Mills program implementation, training accessibility, and job matching for fitness professionals.
Core Features of Les Mills Connect:
Training Support: Clubs can access structured Les Mills training modules to facilitate seamless program integration.
Job Matching: The platform includes a recruitment hub to connect clubs with qualified fitness instructors.
Resource Optimization: Clubs can stay updated on events, new programs, and marketing materials, ensuring efficient Les Mills operations.
César Navarro, Operations Director at AEFA Les Mills, stated, “Les Mills Connect marks a key step toward professionalizing the group fitness industry by improving direct engagement between clubs and instructors.” This launch underscores Les Mills’ commitment to innovation and community growth in group fitness.
6. China's biggest fitness APP, KEEP, announces “All in AI” strategy for the next decade
Marking its 10th anniversary, Keep (03650) founder Wang Ning announced that the company will be "All in AI" for the next 10 years, focusing on four key areas:
AI-powered fitness programs: Utilizing 10 years of workout data to move from AI-driven recommendations to AI-generated personalized fitness plans.
Smart fitness hardware: Developing AI-driven connected fitness devices.
Brand expansion across multiple fitness scenarios: Increasing Keep’s integration into different exercise environments.
Global expansion: Scaling Keep’s AI fitness solutions worldwide.
In 2024, Keep has already launched several AI-based fitness applications overseas, including FitPulse (an AI-generated workout program) and CalCut (an AI-driven nutrition tracking app). Keep is also integrating AI-powered UGC content creation and AI-driven workout recommendations into its core app ecosystem.
With the Keep App 8.0 update and the planned release of AI Coach in April 2025, Keep is positioning itself as a leader in AI-driven fitness innovation.
7. BH FITNESS joins RESOFIT purchasing group to support independent gyms
BH FITNESS, a recognized name in the fitness industry, has joined RESOFIT, a purchasing group for independent gyms. This strategic alliance aims to provide independent fitness clubs with high-quality and cost-effective equipment solutions, helping them compete against large gym chains.
Benefits of the Partnership:
Access to BH FITNESS’s full range of equipment, including cardio machines and strength training equipment.
Optimized investment costs for independent gyms, enhancing financial sustainability.
Stronger market positioning for smaller fitness clubs through premium equipment solutions.
Mirian Etxegoien, BH FITNESS Commercial Manager, commented, “This partnership enables us to better support independent gyms by offering top-tier equipment while optimizing their investments.” The collaboration reinforces BH FITNESS’s commitment to empowering the independent gym sector.
This week’s fitness equipment industry report covers cross-border collaborations, AI fitness innovation, mergers and acquisitions, and credit insurance protection, showcasing the industry’s rapid evolution. Stay tuned for more updates!
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