1. CrossFit CEO Don Faul Steps Down as Ownership Search Continues
CrossFit LLC announced that CEO Don Faul will step down from his role, with his final day scheduled for March 6, 2026, concluding nearly four years of leadership at the fitness brand. The announcement comes as CrossFit continues its search for a new owner, a process that began in March 2025 when the company engaged investment bank Moelis & Company to explore potential strategic partners or buyers.
Faul’s departure takes place during a key moment in the CrossFit competition calendar, with the 2026 CrossFit Open currently underway from February 26 through March 16. In a statement, Faul expressed gratitude to the company’s employees, affiliates, athletes, and community members, noting that leading CrossFit had been an honor.
Speculation about potential buyers has circulated for months. Reports last November suggested that a group including 24 Hour Fitness co-founder Mark Mastrov had explored acquiring the brand, although no agreement has been finalized. CrossFit’s board stated that it will begin working with an executive search firm to identify the company’s next CEO as the ownership transition process continues.
2. TRNR Recovers $6.4M Loan from Sportstech, Ends Legal Dispute
Interactive Strength Inc. (NASDAQ: TRNR), the parent company behind the Wattbike, CLMBR, and FORME brands, announced that German fitness company Sportstech Brands Holding GmbH has fully repaid its outstanding loan obligations, resolving a legal dispute between the two parties.
Under the settlement terms, Sportstech paid TRNR $6.4 million, covering the original $5 million loan principal along with interest and reimbursement for transaction and legal expenses totaling $1.4 million. As part of the agreement, TRNR has withdrawn its lawsuits and canceled the planned public auction of pledged Sportstech shares that had been scheduled for March 11, 2026.
TRNR CEO Trent Ward stated that the resolution allows the company to move forward without further legal distractions while delivering a financial return on the working-capital loan. The company now holds no ownership interest in Sportstech.
With the dispute concluded, TRNR said it will focus on executing its growth strategy, including completing the planned acquisition of connected-fitness company Ergatta, expanding Wattbike’s Air-Pro commercial bike sales in international markets, and pursuing a 2026 pro forma revenue target exceeding $30 million.
3. SHUA Sports Marks 30th Anniversary with Philanthropy and Global Expansion Strategy
Chinese fitness equipment manufacturer SHUA Sports celebrated its 30th anniversary in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, bringing together more than 600 distributors, suppliers, and partners from around the world to mark the milestone and outline the company’s future development strategy.
During the event, Chairman and President Zhang Weijian announced a total philanthropic commitment of RMB 24 million (approximately USD 3.36 million). This includes RMB 20 million in donations to the Quanzhou Taiwanese Business Charity Federation and Jinjiang Charity Federation, as well as RMB 4 million worth of fitness services provided to local hospitals to support frontline medical staff.
SHUA also unveiled its “2030 Globalization Strategy,” which sets a goal of becoming the leading scientific fitness service provider in China and ranking among the top three fitness equipment companies globally. The strategy focuses on international brand expansion, intelligent product development, global operational capabilities, and sustainable growth.
Founded in 1996 as a small workshop in Jinjiang, SHUA has grown into a major domestic fitness equipment brand and was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2020. The company also showcased new AI-enabled training technologies and smart fitness solutions during the event, highlighting its continued focus on combining exercise science with digital innovation.
4. Nike Strength Becomes Official Strength Equipment Partner of Everlast Gyms
Nike Strength, operated under license by Dimension 6 Fitness Corp., has entered into a partnership with U.K.-based gym chain Everlast Gyms to become its official strength training equipment partner across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
As part of the agreement, Nike Strength equipment will be installed in 25 Everlast Gyms locations. The deployment includes Nike Grind dumbbells, Olympic bumper plates, rubber-coated kettlebells, and the 1972 PowerBar Olympic barbell.
The equipment will primarily be integrated into Everlast Gyms’ “Hustle” high-intensity training studios and Olympic lifting areas. According to Everlast Gyms Managing Director Dan Summerson, the collaboration aims to enhance the brand’s positioning in the high-performance training segment while providing members with more professional strength training tools.
The partnership coincides with the opening of a new Everlast Gyms facility in Manchester as the company continues expanding its premium training offerings.
5. Roxfit Raises $2.4M to Expand Hybrid Fitness Training Platform
U.K.-based digital fitness startup Roxfit has secured nearly $2.4 million in a seed funding round led by DSW Ventures, with participation from Peter Markham, SWIM Capital, and York Angels. Combined with a previous $1.06 million pre-seed round, the company’s total funding now reaches approximately $3.6 million.
Roxfit develops training tools designed for hybrid fitness athletes, combining endurance running with functional training. The platform offers pacing guidance, wearable device integration, and post-race performance analytics to support athletes preparing for competition.
The company plans to use the new capital to expand product development, grow its engineering and AI teams, and strengthen its global ambassador network. Roxfit has also signaled interest in building partnerships with gyms and training communities internationally.
User growth has been rapid, increasing from 80,000 in May 2025 to more than 260,000 users across 185 countries within less than a year. Much of this growth has been driven by the rising popularity of HYROX fitness racing events, which organizers expect to attract more than 1.3 million participants worldwide this year.
6. Oura Acquires Gesture-Control Startup Doublepoint
Wearable technology company Oura announced the acquisition of Doublepoint, a Helsinki-based startup specializing in gesture recognition technology. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Doublepoint’s technology enables users to control wearable devices through small hand movements detected via artificial intelligence and biometric data. Oura plans to integrate these capabilities into future versions of its smart ring products, enabling more natural and seamless interaction with digital interfaces.
The acquisition supports Oura’s broader strategy to develop “ambient AI” experiences that combine gesture and voice interaction with continuous biometric monitoring. The company expects the Doublepoint engineering team, including its four founders, to play a central role in developing these new capabilities.
Oura has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The company has sold approximately 5.5 million smart rings globally and was valued at around $11 billion in late 2025. According to market research firm IDC, global smart ring shipments increased by nearly 51% in 2025, with Oura remaining the market leader.
7. EGYM Launches Smart Strength Series 3 and Integrated Fitness Operating System
German fitness technology company EGYM has introduced its Smart Strength Series 3 commercial equipment line, along with a new integrated operating system designed to unify connected fitness experiences across gym environments.
The new strength machines feature redesigned ergonomics, optimized motion paths, and an 18.5-inch eye-level display. Each unit connects directly to EGYM’s digital ecosystem, automatically adjusting resistance and training methods based on a user’s personalized workout plan.
The system incorporates NFC smartphone login, integrated LED lighting, and a slim machine design intended to improve the overall training experience. At the software level, the new operating system coordinates multiple layers, including training execution, user experience, data intelligence, business analytics, and external integration.
Powered by the company’s EGYM Genius AI platform, the system continuously analyzes performance data to refine training programs and provide operators with insights into gym utilization and operational efficiency. EGYM describes the platform as a comprehensive operating system designed to connect hardware, data, and business processes within modern fitness facilities.
8. Jerai Fitness and Plus Fitness India Partner for 100-Gym Expansion
Indian fitness equipment manufacturer Jerai Fitness Limited has announced a strategic partnership with Plus Fitness India to support the rollout of 100 new gyms across the country.
The collaboration introduces a bundled model that integrates gym franchising with equipment supply, simplifying the process for new entrepreneurs entering the fitness industry. By combining franchise support with equipment manufacturing and procurement, the companies aim to streamline gym setup and ensure standardized facility design across locations.
Jerai Fitness, which has more than three decades of manufacturing experience, produces a large portion of its equipment domestically using automated processes including robotic welding and advanced assembly systems. The company says local production helps control quality, reduce costs, and support India’s “Make in India” manufacturing initiative.
Plus Fitness, originally founded in Australia, operates more than 350 clubs worldwide across Australia, New Zealand, India, and other Asia-Pacific markets. Its 24-hour gym model and standardized franchise system have supported rapid international expansion.
India’s fitness equipment market is expected to grow from approximately INR 2,500 crore in 2024 to INR 4,600 crore by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of about 13%, according to industry reports. The new partnership aims to capitalize on this rising demand while expanding access to organized fitness infrastructure across both major cities and emerging regional markets.
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