1. Skelcore Appoints Industry Veterans to Lead New Strength Platform

Miami-based fitness equipment and wellness technology company Skelcore strengthened its executive team as it prepared for its next phase of growth. The company appointed Roy Simonson, founder of Eagle Fitness (later acquired by Cybex) and a veteran designer credited with pioneering cable-based circuit equipment, as head of product design.

Skelcore also hired Hillis Lake, a founding member of Freemotion Ground Zero, as head of U.S. sales. The dual appointments signal the brand’s ambition to revitalize the strength equipment category across health clubs, boutique studios, and global hotel chains.

Simonson will lead the development of the upcoming Skelcore 2.0 strength line, which the company says will introduce a new category of hardware built on advanced biomechanics, variable resistance pathways, and integrated performance feedback systems. Selected attendees previewed the first products at the HFA Show in San Diego, with partner installations expected by the end of 2026. Skelcore equipment is currently installed in more than 60 countries.

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2. HYROX Launches Youth Competition Series “Youngstars”

Global functional fitness race organizer HYROX introduced a new youth competition system, Youngstars, targeting participants aged 8 to 15. The program adapts the brand’s signature format—running combined with functional workout stations—by adjusting distances, loads, and movement intensity for younger athletes.

The first official Youngstars event took place in Amsterdam on January 24–25, 2026, serving as both a concept validation and operational test. The event integrated competition, family participation, and sports education elements, with organizers reporting positive feedback and strong engagement.

HYROX confirmed the next Youngstars event for March 28–29, 2026, at London Olympia as part of the main HYROX race weekend. The move indicates that the youth series is not a short-term experiment but a long-term component of the brand’s global competition structure, reflecting broader industry interest in youth training and family-oriented fitness formats.

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3. Korean Court Jails Employees in Technogym Distribution Dispute

A South Korean court sentenced employees of sports marketing firm Galaxia SM in a commercial-secrets case tied to the competition for Technogym’s exclusive distribution rights in Korea.

According to legal sources, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced two individuals—one former and one current Galaxia SM employee—to two years in prison for breach of trust and related charges. Another former employee received a fine of 5 million Korean won, while the company itself was fined 50 million won.

The case involved the alleged theft of confidential information from Wooyoung Wellness Company, a fitness equipment distributor. The defendants were accused of using internal data to persuade Technogym’s regional management to switch exclusive distribution rights. Technogym terminated its agreement with Wooyoung in October 2020 and signed a new contract with Galaxia SM in December of that year.

The court ruled that the defendants knowingly engaged in systematic and intentional misconduct, causing severe and potentially irreversible damage to the victim company’s core business.

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4. Saddle-Free “Cardio Speeder” Bike Appears on Kickstarter

A new fitness concept called the Martoni Cardio Speeder emerged on Kickstarter, introducing a stationary bike without a traditional saddle. Instead of a seat, the design uses hip and arm support structures, encouraging a semi-suspended riding posture.

The concept aims to reduce pelvic pressure while forcing greater engagement from the core and upper body. Unlike conventional indoor cycles, where the seat supports part of the rider’s weight, the Cardio Speeder requires active stabilization, changing both muscle recruitment and perceived training intensity.

The machine combines a traditional flywheel and mechanical drive system with basic Bluetooth connectivity for compatibility with third-party virtual training apps. However, it currently lacks a proprietary digital ecosystem or content platform.

The U.S.-based project, led by founder Marty Williams, is still in its crowdfunding and market-validation phase. The official retail price is listed at $2,999.95, while early-bird backers on Kickstarter were offered units at around $1,120. No confirmed commercial gym installations or international distribution agreements have been announced.

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5. UFC Gym Announces Entry into Mainland China

UFC Gym, the commercial fitness brand derived from the global MMA organization, announced plans to enter the mainland China market. The company intends to open its first facilities in major cities, marking a significant step in its international expansion.

The planned clubs will combine multiple training zones, including professional combat training areas, functional fitness spaces, recovery zones, and branded retail sections. UFC Gym will work with local partners to ensure consistent service standards and program quality.

CEO Adam Sedlack described China as a “critically important” growth market, noting that local consumers’ focus on performance, discipline, and self-improvement aligns with the brand’s “Train Different” philosophy. The China locations are expected to integrate MMA-inspired training, HIIT, strength work, and hybrid fitness formats such as Hyrox-style classes, along with recovery and therapy services.

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6. SHUA Sports Showcases AI Fitness Equipment at Milan Winter Olympics “China House”

On February 4, SHUA Sports participated in the “China House” pavilion at the Milan Winter Olympics, presenting a range of AI-enabled fitness products. The exhibition space featured interactive training zones, including entertainment-based exercise experiences, smart cardio, digital strength assessment, and indoor ski simulation.

Products on display included the V10+ smart commercial treadmill, rowing machines, and the BioFit digital strength system. The company positioned the installation as a demonstration of Chinese fitness technology on the global stage.

This marked SHUA’s fifth appearance at an Olympic “China House,” following previous events in Sochi, Rio, PyeongChang, and Paris. The company has also served as an official fitness equipment supplier for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and operator of the fitness center at the Hangzhou Asian Games Village. According to company data, SHUA products have been used by athletes from 99 national teams and are now exported to more than 110 countries.