The Connected Health and Fitness Summit (CHFS) 2025 brought together over 450 industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries for three days of transformative discussions, groundbreaking insights, and meaningful connections. From workshops on revenue optimization to deep dives into the future of artificial intelligence, the Summit showcased how the fitness industry continues to evolve while maintaining its core focus on human connection and growth. 

Day one started with intensive workshops focused on business influence through revenue strategies and brand storytelling. The welcome reception set the tone for the collaborative atmosphere defining the event, while enthusiastic attendees had their hearts pumping at an energetic Barry’s ride organized by Mariana Tek.

The Summit’s innovative networking approach was a highlight and took center stage on day two. It featured an intuitive app that transformed how attendees connected. With quick scan functionality and seamless meeting scheduling, meaningful conversations flowed naturally, from scheduled sessions to organic discussions over lunch and happy hours. 

The day’s sessions tackled pressing industry topics head-on. A compelling panel explored the implications of GLP-1 medications and their role in community wellness, while discussions on longevity and women’s wellness highlighted the industry’s expanding and inclusive horizons. Nike’s Tal Ziv and Gymshark’s Calum Watson shared their vision for holistic fitness, offering glimpses into the future of these influential powerhouse-leading brands. 

The inaugural Connected Health and Fitness Awards celebrated excellence across the industry. Hal Hargrave and The Perfect Step earned recognition with the Community Wellness Advocate Award, while Amalgama secured the Digital Wellness Software Leader Award. Other Honorees included Rook for Personalization Prodigy, SoulCycle Inc. for Fitness Experience Innovator, and Oura for Fit Tech Hardware Excellence. 

Day three opened with Gabby Reece leading an invigorating breathwork session, setting a powerful tone for the final day. We saw Gabby retake the spotlight with Eloiza Tecson for a fireside chat. The panel titled A ‘Not-so-Distant’ World of AI-Powered Fitness: Cracking Down on Member Attrition saw the likes of Davide Petramala, Lubo Smid, Natalie Barnes, Vijay Menon, and Raphael Konforti from 24 Hour Fitness, who insightfully shared his perspective on Ai and HI (human intelligence), emphasizing that as artificial intelligence advances, our need for genuine human connection grows stronger. 

The Innovation Showcase spotlighted four groundbreaking companies — Motiv8, Fidari, trainwell, and Coach360 — each delivering compelling five-minute presentations of their transformative solutions. Meanwhile, the CEO Founders Forum, led by Jeff Yasuda and Mohammed Iqbal, provided a space for executive-level discourse on industry challenges and opportunities.

Engaging roundtable sessions hosted by FloWater, SleepScore, and NASM sparked dynamic conversations about industry evolution. The Summit concluded with a forward-looking discussion on fitness funding, featuring insights from SnowAngel Capital’s Alex Alimanestianu, SageHouse’s Jim Crowell, and moderator Ashley Kim from Translink Capital. In a fitting finale, Emma Barry announced Coach360 as the Innovation Showcase winner, making Kathleen Ferguson the first female to win the award. 

I was blown away by the innovation in the room, with brands like moonbird leading impressive technology surrounding breathing techniques for calming the nervous system through the world’s first handheld device. We saw why Tony Robbins is a big fan of BioCharger after a mental clarity session at the charging station.

Kinotek’s functional movement assessment system impressed as a valuable technology for personal trainers, clubs, and gyms. I also enjoyed sharing with Butter and hearing how they leverage failed payment recovery to boost business revenue and retain clientele. Among these incredible brands is STRV, a digital product development company helping renowned brands design, build, and scale mobile and web products. 

Several key themes emerged throughout the Summit. While AI continues to reshape the industry, the hunger for authentic human connection and community grows stronger. Women’s Wellness takes center stage as the industry begins recognizing and responding to the Modern Woman’s evolving needs and aspirations. The demand for personalized, data-driven, science-backed solutions shows no signs of slowing, while GLP-1 medications present possibilities and considerations for obesity management and beyond.

Marianne Brett, Réka Góbis, Emma Richardson, and Cara Fautley deserve a big thank you and salute for bringing together 450 industry leaders who walked away with more than just business cards and buzzing topics to discuss. They created three days where competitors become collaborators, where AI met empathy, and where the next wave of fitness innovation took shape. Connected Health and Fitness Summit proved that magic happens when you put the right people in an environment where they can thrive. 

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.