1. Echelon Expands Fitness Accessibility Through Flex Partnership
Echelon, a connected fitness brand, has announced a collaboration with Flex, a health and wellness payment solutions provider, allowing customers to purchase Echelon equipment, memberships, and accessories using their Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
According to Flex, this initiative could provide customers with net savings of 30-40%.
Lou Lentine, Founder and CEO of Echelon, emphasized the brand’s commitment to accessibility:
"Partnering with Flex makes our fitness solutions more attainable while ensuring a seamless payment experience. Since launching this collaboration, we've witnessed a significant increase in HSA/FSA transactions, benefiting both our customers and our business."
Echelon joins other health-focused brands working with Flex, including Ultrahuman, Forme, Centr, CorePower Yoga, Orangetheory, iFIT, and Tempo. This move mirrors a broader industry trend, as more fitness companies integrate wellness-based financial solutions to improve accessibility and affordability.
2. Aktiv Solutions Introduces Functional Strength Training Platform
Aktiv Solutions, a functional training equipment brand, has unveiled Aktiv BASE, a multi-functional platform designed to enhance gym setups and optimize strength training.
Aktiv BASE offers ergonomic support, portability, and compatibility with various training equipment, including barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and resistance bands. It provides a Slant Zone to activate hip muscles during bridge exercises and a Flat Zone for stability in weighted and bodyweight exercises.
With its lightweight, portable design and built-in handles, Aktiv BASE caters to fitness spaces seeking flexibility without compromising functionality. It integrates seamlessly into larger training setups like Olympic racks and Smith Machines, making it a versatile addition to strength and functional training areas.
Aktiv Solutions continues to align with the growing demand for strength-based training, expanding its portfolio alongside products like SMITH 3D Trainer™ and FORMA™ Series.
3. Centr Partners with MNLY to Develop a Holistic Men’s Health Ecosystem
Centr, the fitness and nutrition brand founded by Chris Hemsworth, has announced a strategic partnership with MNLY, a men’s health company specializing in blood analysis and personalized wellness solutions.
The collaboration aims to integrate Centr’s holistic training and nutrition programs with MNLY’s advanced diagnostics and tailored supplement plans, creating a comprehensive health ecosystem for men.
MNLY utilizes blood analysis to provide health insights and lifestyle recommendations, while Centr offers a diverse range of workouts, including HIIT, strength training, boxing, MMA, and mindfulness practices.
Luke Hartelust, CEO of MNLY, highlighted the partnership’s significance:
"We are breaking outdated norms in men’s health by providing precise, data-driven wellness solutions. Partnering with Centr allows us to offer a truly personalized approach, empowering individuals to take control of their health and performance."
This collaboration further strengthens Centr’s position as a comprehensive wellness brand, integrating fitness, nutrition, and personalized health diagnostics into a single ecosystem.
4. GWI Report: U.S. Wellness Economy Surpasses $2 Trillion, China at $870 Billion
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released new data showing that the U.S. wellness economy reached $2 trillion in 2023, accounting for 32% of the global wellness market valued at $6.3 trillion.
China follows as the second-largest wellness market, with an estimated value of $870 billion.
Key Market Insights:
U.S. wellness spending has grown by 8.3% annually over the past five years, outpacing the country’s overall economic growth.
Americans now spend over $6,000 per year on wellness-related products and services.
The largest segments in the U.S. wellness market include:
Fitness & Physical Activity: $377 billion
Personal Care & Beauty: $364 billion
Healthy Eating & Nutrition: $309 billion
Fastest-growing sectors include:
Wellness Real Estate: $181 billion, growing at 17.6% annually
Mental Wellness: $108 billion, growing at 13.9% annually
Public Health & Preventive Medicine: $286 billion, growing at 16.3% annually
The U.S. wellness industry continues to dominate, but GWI researchers question whether spending alone can improve national health outcomes, as healthcare costs remain high and overall public health lags behind other developed nations.
Meanwhile, China’s wellness market is rapidly expanding, driven by rising consumer awareness, government support, and investments in smart fitness technology, gym chains, and traditional health practices like TCM-based wellness tourism.
5. Amazon Layoffs Impact Fitness Division
Amazon has laid off approximately 200 employees in its North America Stores division, affecting teams working on fitness and fashion products.
According to Business Insider, employees from a San Diego-based group known as "F2" were among those impacted.
An Amazon spokesperson explained the decision:
"We've adjusted parts of our North America Stores team to better align with our priorities. While we have made the difficult decision to eliminate some roles, we are committed to supporting affected employees during this transition."
The layoffs come as Amazon continues to reshape its fitness initiatives. In 2023, the company discontinued its Amazon Halo fitness wearables and shut down the Halo health division after just three years.
Despite these cuts, Amazon is expanding its telehealth services under One Medical, recently introducing wellness-focused offerings, including anti-aging treatments, men’s health solutions, and prescription skincare—available to Prime members at competitive prices.
6. Core Home Fitness Launches TRANSFORM Fitness App
Core Home Fitness has officially launched TRANSFORM, an advanced fitness app designed to revolutionize home workouts through customized coaching, interactive workouts, and community-driven engagement.
Unlike generic fitness apps, TRANSFORM offers:
Expert-led training programs, spanning strength, cardio, cycling, yoga, and more.
Real-time coaching & performance tracking, with integrations like MyZone and FitRadio.
A strong fitness community, encouraging members to share progress and motivation.
Michael Gayetsky, CEO of Core Home Fitness, described TRANSFORM as a game-changer:
"We're not just selling fitness equipment—we’re transforming the entire workout experience. TRANSFORM is more than an app; it’s a personal fitness ecosystem that supports users at every stage of their journey."
TRANSFORM is now available for download on iOS and Android, with a 14-day free trial for new users.
By Roger Yao from Shanghai, China
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