Real-time market intelligence from the global fitness equipment industry
FitGearSource founder Roger Yao has arrived in Xiamen, and we will bring you on-site coverage of the China Sport Show 2026.
Selkirk Sport, best known for its pickleball paddles, has acquired competitor Bread & Butter Pickleball Company in a move to help Selkirk “reach a broader and increasingly diverse base of pickleball players.” With the inclusion of Bread & Butter, Selkirk “expands its portfolio with a differentiated brand that speaks to a distinct consumer segment.” The acquisition also enhances both companies’ platform of services as they scale internationally.
U.S. high-end outdoor sports equipment brand Yeti's wholesale sales grew by 19% in Q1 2026, the company raised its full-year earnings and sales outlook regardless. CEO Matthew Reintjes characterized Yeti’s competitive advantages as “durable and defensible,” pointing to brand trust, scalable product platforms and a diversified global omnichannel model.
UFC GYM is entering the Pakistani market with two new locations in Islamabad and Lahore. The expansion is led by Premier Sports Group, the official master franchisee, which was recently established to bring global sports and fitness brands to the country.
The initial plan includes a premium venue in Islamabad and a flagship club in Lahore.
on May 17: Information from the China National Intellectual Property Administration shows that Shua Sports has applied for a patent titled “倒蹬挂片训练器” with authorization announcement number CN309985121S, and the authorization announcement date is May 15, 2026. The application number is CN202630185661.X, the publication date of the application is May 15, 2026, and the filing date is April 20, 2026.
The 43rd China Sport Show in 2026 will be held from May 21 to 24 at the Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center. This year’s exhibition will cover more than 200,000 square meters, with over 2,000 participating enterprises, both figures reaching record highs. Among them, the APFIT Asia-Pacific Fitness and Healthy Lifestyle Zone is the core section of the fitness equipment sector, bringing together leading domestic fitness equipment manufacturers. On May 16, the China Sporting Goods Federation announced that all preparations had been completed.
Escape Fitness Limited, the Peterborough-based functional fitness equipment supplier operating across 80 countries with over 1,000 global clients, has entered administration as of April 27, 2026, marking an alarming end to its 25-year legacy in the commercial fitness industry.
The fitness equipment factory Zhejiang Qiaodeng Industry and Trade Co., Ltd. will launch new products at the 2026 China Sports Expo, including exercise bikes, treadmills, and mini steppers.
Life Time Fitness, a high-end U.S. fitness chain, has announced that it will expand the size of its clubs to accommodate more premium facilities and services. This strategic adjustment reflects the broader trend in the fitness industry toward “experience-based” and “lifestyle-oriented” models. Life Time plans to use larger spaces to integrate more functional areas, including boutique studios, recovery facilities, food and beverage services, and collaborative workspaces, in order to meet members’ diverse health needs.
Amazon is recalling approximately 2,900 sets of Amazon Basics 55-lb. adjustable dumbbells due to safety concerns. Users are advised to stop using the product immediately and follow Amazon’s instructions for return or replacement. Amazon says it has received at least eight reports of the weight plates failing to lock properly during weight adjustment and dislodging, though no injuries were reported.. but the recall highlights the importance of checking exercise equipment for defects.
Virgin Active has announced that it will reopen its club in Mayfair, London, in July 2026 as the brand’s first “Social Wellness Club” in the UK. The new concept goes beyond the traditional gym model by integrating private meeting rooms, a coffee bar, recovery spaces and boutique training zones, and will be locally tailored to the characteristics of the UK market. Virgin Active plans to roll out this concept across other parts of the UK and into developed markets worldwide.
Xiamen Mydo Sport has announced it will showcase three original, independently developed treadmill innovations at the upcoming 43rd China International Sporting Goods Show, taking place from May 21–24 at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center.
The first product is an installation-free folding treadmill featuring a proprietary, one-click folding mechanism designed for rapid space-saving storage in both residential and commercial settings.
The second product is a smart UI screen-casting treadmill that allows seamless wireless mirroring of phones and tablets, integrating user entertainment with live workout metrics.
The third product is a patented five-in-one multifunctional treadmill that consolidates regular running, backward walking, resistance walking, vibration, and balance training into a single unit, targeting multi-generational fitness needs.
Japanese track and field equipment brand ASICS reported its strongest quarterly performance ever on May 13, with growth across all product categories and regions. U.S. sales increased by 19%. However, the stock fell 6% despite the strong results, as the company did not raise its full-year guidance.
Italian top-tier fitness equipment manufacturer Technogym released its Q1 2026 financial report, posting revenue of €236.8 million (up 10.1% year-on-year), the best first-quarter performance in the company’s history. The B2B segment grew 10.8%, while the B2C segment grew 7.9%. The company is accelerating its multi-year strategic partnership with Google Cloud’s Gemini AI, integrating large models into its fitness equipment ecosystem.
On May 7, 2026, Google announced that the Fitbit app would be officially renamed Google Health and that it would launch a Gemini-powered Google Health Coach AI health coaching subscription service on May 19, starting at $9.99 per month ($99 per year). The AI coach will integrate fitness guidance, sleep analysis, and health consultation into one offering, marking Google’s full transformation from wearable fitness tracking to a comprehensive health management platform.
With just one month left on the countdown to the opening of the expo, the bell has sounded to spur us forward and we are striding into a new journey. As of now, overall exhibitor recruitment for the 2026 China SportShow has successfully concluded. The exhibition area will exceed 200,000 square meters, with more than 2,000 participating companies—both figures setting new records in the history of the China SportShow. At the same time, all aspects of preparation for the event have been refined and completed, and everything is in place as we await a new chapter.
