Episode Details

What actually defines a great gym experience today?
In this episode of the All Things Fitness and Wellness podcast, Krissy Vann sits down with Ivy Wu, Vice President of Global Growth at ClassPass, to unpack the results of the 2025 Best of ClassPass Awards and what the data reveals about changing consumer preferences in fitness.

The awards highlight standout gyms, studios, instructors and wellness businesses across 24 countries, based on real reservation data and member feedback. The results offer a unique look at where consumers are actually spending their time and money.

Krissy and Ivy explore how consumers are redefining what a gym experience looks like, why community driven and experience forward facilities are standing out, the growing role of instructors as the primary draw for classes, and how recovery and wellness services are becoming part of the broader fitness routine.

They also discuss the business implications for gym and studio operators heading into 2026, including what trends appear global and what still feels market specific.

Topics discussed include
• What the Best of ClassPass Awards reveal about consumer behavior
• How the definition of a “gym” is evolving
• The role of instructors in driving demand
• Intensity based formats versus experience driven fitness
• The growth of recovery and wellness services
• What operators should pay attention to heading into 2026

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