Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal speak with Royi Metser, Founder & CEO of Avelo Running, about the explosive growth of running, the evolution of smart footwear, and how data-driven insights are changing the sport forever.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Gen Z and women are driving the second running boom.
• Why running clubs are replacing bars as social hubs.
• The challenges big brands faced in launching smart shoes.
• How Avelo integrates cutting-edge materials with advanced sensors.
• The importance of mechanical load monitoring for injury prevention.
• Why Kickstarter backers snapped up Avelo’s first batch in under 20 hours.
• Insights on running form myths and individual biomechanics.
• The role of gyms and treadmills in the future of running.
• How data can help every runner train smarter and safer.

👉 Learn more about Avelo Running:

https://avelorunning.com/

👉 Learn more about Avelo Running Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avelorunning/avelo-meet-the-worlds-smartest-running-shoe

👉 Learn more about Royi Metser:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/royi-metser-6886a211/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop
📘 View our full catalog:
US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog
UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

Follow Escape Fitness on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

0:00 Intro & Creatine Experiment

4:03 Creatine Gummies & Supplement Quality

6:28 Guest Introduction – Royi Metser

8:11 The Second Running Boom

12:13 Why Running is Timeless

14:56 Treadmills vs Outdoor Running

18:19 Running Clubs as Community Hubs

20:19 Why Big Brands Failed at Smart Shoes

25:21 The Materials & Tech Behind Avelo

32:23 Preventing Running Injuries with Data

32:41 Kickstarter Launch Success

34:34 Guiding Runners Beyond Guesswork

36:29 Debunking Running Form Myths

38:09 Host Takeaways

43:09 Closing Thoughts & Preorder Info

Matthew and Mo dive into this week’s hottest fitness topics — from personal diet experiments to the future of wearables in healthcare, political plays in fitness, market shifts in Pilates, and the explosive rise of Hyrox. This no-guest episode is packed with insights, debates, and predictions shaping the fitness industry.

In this episode:

• Matthew’s 5-week results on the Warrior Diet.

• Mo’s take on the White House wearable health initiative.

• The political and cultural impact of reviving the Presidential Fitness Challenge.

• Why Pilates is booming — and if it’s nearing saturation.

• Planet Fitness’ rumored acquisition of Basic-Fit.

• How Hyrox is becoming a lifestyle brand.

• Predictions for the next mega-brands in fitness.

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop
📘 View our full catalog:
US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog
UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

Follow Escape Fitness on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

0:00 Matthew’s Warrior Diet Results

4:21 Mo’s Morning Routine & Nutrition

6:59 Hydration and Alcohol Effects

11:33 White House Wearable Data Initiative

18:19 Presidential Fitness Challenge Returns

23:25 Pilates Market Boom or Bust?

30:00 Planet Fitness Eyes Basic-Fit

33:47 High Rocks Becomes a Lifestyle

40:14 The Most Exciting Era in Fitness

In this episode of LIFTS, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal welcome Star Sage, a leading force in the recovery and wellness industry. Star shares her expertise from years at Hyperice and how recovery is now central to events, gyms, hotels, and even Gen Z culture.

Highlights include:

• How Hyperice helped redefine recovery in mainstream culture.
• The shift from cocktail hours to compression lounges at elite events.
• Why hotels are investing in 24/7 recovery rooms.
• The Gen Z obsession with wellness over nightlife.
• How recovery boosts gym retention and member engagement.
• Underrated recovery methods that need more hype.
• New intersections between hospitality, entertainment, and wellness.
• Star's predictions for the future of recovery.

👉 Learn more about Star Sage:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/star-sage/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes.
Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities.

Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss a new video:
https://www.youtube.com/user/EscapeFitness

🛒 Shop gym equipment: https://escapefitness.com/shop
📘 View our full catalog:
US – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalog
UK – https://escapefitness.com/support/catalogue

Follow Escape Fitness on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Escapefitness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapefitness
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/escapefitness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escapefitness/

00:00 Intro + Travel & Sleep Hacks

03:51 Star Sage Joins the Show

05:11 Recovery at Events & Run Clubs

08:22 Gen Z, Foam Rolling, and Awareness

13:47 Hotels & the Recovery Room Boom

19:17 Business Travelers and Accessibility

23:44 Recovery Culture in Gyms

30:41 Wellness Tech vs Snake Oil

36:40 Wearables + Prescriptive Recovery

41:27 Recovery as Social Connection

43:07 Underhyped Recovery Trends

44:31 Final Takeaways + Sleep & Steps