This week’s industry roundup highlights significant consolidation, global network expansions, and macro-level market shifts across the global fitness sector. In Europe, Elina Pilates launched a new digital platform serving both residential and commercial sectors. and in Asia, World Gym announced its market entry into Thailand, and major Chinese manufacturers reported strong H1 momentum—with Shua Sports posting a 130% net profit surge and national sporting goods exports rising 5.64%.
Meanwhile, cross-sector integration continues to accelerate, evidenced by Impulse’s new AI ecosystem, Power Plate’s clinical bone-health initiative, and Celsius securing an exclusive distribution deal with SoulCycle. On the global events front, FIBO Arabia 2026 was officially postponed to 2027 due to regional Middle East tensions.
1. World Gym Expands into Thailand with First Location in Samrong
International health club chain World Gym announced its entry into the Thai market with the opening of its flagship location at Imperial World Samrong. The facility integrates commercial fitness equipment from suppliers including Matrix and The Abs Company alongside advanced training technology.
The club features digital assessment tools, such as three-minute AI Posture Diagnostics for structural analysis and MYZONE Switch heart-rate telemetry for workout tracking. Additionally, the launch extends World Gym’s Asia-Pacific partnership with HYROX into Thailand. According to John Caraccio, President and Chairman of World Gym Corporation, Thailand represents the next strategic growth market for the brand, which currently oversees 297 clubs across 10 countries, including 141 locations in its primary market of Taiwan. Presales for founding memberships have officially opened.
2. FIBO Arabia 2026 Rescheduled to 2027 Amid Regional Tensions
Trade show organizer RX officially canceled FIBO Arabia 2026, which was originally scheduled to take place from September 8–10 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center in Saudi Arabia. The second edition of the health and fitness trade exhibition has been rescheduled for October 6–8, 2027, at the same venue.
The decision follows geopolitical instability and logistics disruptions in the Middle East during August, which impacted international corporate travel and maritime transport. The event had been projected to host over 140 exhibitors and 17,500 trade visitors, building upon Saudi Arabia’s expanding fitness sector, which is targeted to reach SAR 15.5 billion ($4.14 billion) under Vision 2030. Organizer RX confirmed that FIBO’s flagship global event, FIBO Global Fitness in Cologne, Germany, remains unaffected and will proceed as planned from April 8–11, 2027.
3. SoulCycle Names Celsius Exclusive Energy Drink Partner
Boutique indoor cycling operator SoulCycle entered into a national partnership with beverage brand Celsius, naming the company its exclusive energy drink partner across studios nationwide. Under the agreement, Celsius products will be sold across SoulCycle’s brick-and-mortar network.
The commercial deal includes themed rides, product sampling, community activations, and branded digital content on SoulCycle’s at-home platform. The partnership formally launched on August 29 with 20 featured rides across New York, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles, following an initial preview event on August 22 at SoulCycle’s Bridgehampton location. For SoulCycle, which operates over 60 studios across the U.S. and London, the alliance expands its in-studio retail offerings while providing Celsius direct access to its core rider demographic.
4. Elina Pilates Launches Digital Training Platform
Spanish equipment manufacturer Elina Pilates expanded its product ecosystem with the launch of Elina Online Studio, an on-demand digital training platform designed for both consumer and commercial applications.
The platform offers two distinct access tiers: a retail subscription featuring structured workouts, progress tracking, and exercise selection across varying difficulty levels; and a commercial B2B tier engineered for fitness studios, gyms, and hotel wellness centers looking to integrate digital Pilates programming across multiple devices. All virtual sessions are led by certified instructors. The launch marks a strategic diversification for Elina Pilates from hardware manufacturing into digital content delivery, backed by an initial 30-day free trial period for new users.
5. Impulse Commences Hainan Base and Unveils AI Smart Ring
Qingdao-headquartered fitness equipment manufacturer Impulse officially initiated construction on its Smart Fitness and Wellness Equipment R&D and Manufacturing Base in Hainan, China. During the launch event, Impulse established the Global Health Technology Ecosystem Alliance alongside international entities, including the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Realcan Pharmaceutical Group, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Simultaneously, Impulse introduced its AI Health Technology Innovation Center in collaboration with Photonics, alongside its new “Infinite Energy” AI Sports & Health Smart Ring. The strategic initiative underlines Impulse’s shift from traditional equipment manufacturing toward integrated digital health technology, utilizing the Hainan Free Trade Port as a hub for international research, corporate wellness services, and global product distribution.
6. Shua Sports Reports 130% H1 Profit Surge on Export Demand
Chinese fitness equipment manufacturer Shua Sports reported its H1 2026 financial results, highlighted by a 130.05% year-on-year increase in net profit attributable to shareholders to RMB 46.42 million ($6.5 million) on revenue of RMB 789 million ($110.8 million), up 28.37%.
The financial turnaround was primarily driven by international demand, with core indoor fitness equipment revenues rising 38.44% year-on-year to RMB 615 million. Gross profit from overseas sales increased by RMB 54.84 million as the company expanded its global network to over 750 international partners across 120 countries, establishing localized operations in Germany and the UK. On the domestic front, growth was supported by government initiatives, including the National Fitness Plan (2026–2030) and new safety and aging-friendly equipment standards that took effect earlier in the year.
7. Power Plate Partners with Screen My Bones for Clinical Ecosystem
Vibration training brand Power Plate partnered with bone density diagnostic specialist Screen My Bones to launch a turnkey bone health management system for commercial health clubs. The joint protocol is currently undergoing clinical evaluation and member adoption testing across select David Lloyd Clubs venues.
The workflow combines three technologies into a non-clinical setting: Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry (REMS) diagnostic ultrasound for radiation-free bone density assessments; BioDensity systems for high-intensity skeletal loading; and Power Plate whole-body vibration for neuromuscular pre-conditioning. The initiative aims to provide commercial gym operators with a structured preventative health service targeting bone fragility and sarcopenia.
8. Chinese Sporting Goods Exports Grow 5.64% in H1 2026
Data from China Customs indicates that total export value for Chinese sporting goods reached $13.521 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 5.64% year-on-year increase. Following a volatile first quarter, export performance stabilized in Q2, culminating in June exports of $2.343 billion (+11.62% YoY).
The fitness and rehabilitation equipment sector remained the largest export category at $5.263 billion (+10.10% YoY). Across most product lines, trade data reflected higher unit shipment volumes alongside declining average unit prices; treadmill export volumes rose 16.34% while overall value grew 3.74% due to a 10.83% drop in average unit price. Geographically, Europe served as the primary growth driver (+13.39% YoY to $4.12 billion), led by Germany (+16.48%) and the UK (+6.34%), while exports to the United States grew modestly (+1.10% YoY to $3.978 billion).
Read more ….
