WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness

A great workout and a beautiful space might get people through the door. What makes them stay? What makes the business worth growing? That’s where WELL RUN comes in. Hosts Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack have spent enough time inside fitness and wellness businesses to know where the good stories are. They’ve got opinions, too. Annie brings 25 years of experience in operations, including talent strategy and product development. Erin brings more than 20 years in the industry, with expertise in brand and programming shaped by her work in Pilates and luxury hospitality. Through solo episodes, conversations between the hosts and guest interviews, they get into the questions that follow you home from work. Is your “signature” programming different from what’s down the street? How do you keep great people without making them carry the whole business? Can you build systems without sucking the personality out of the place? They talk community and what makes a brand memorable. They also follow the money, from member retention to whether the latest wellness trend deserves a spot in your budget. Expect some laughs. A little disagreement comes with the territory. For founders and owners, along with the leaders running clubs, studios and wellness businesses every day. Build it. Run it. Grow it.

WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness, a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness

  Sebastien Lagree: The Truth About Lagree, Megaformers and What’s Next

  Oct 6, 202636 min

  Sebastien Lagree on Method, Machines, Innovation and What Comes Next Sebastien Lagree has spent decades building a fitness method, an equipment platform and a global licensing business around one central idea: the machine is only a tool. The method is what matters. In this episode of WELL RUN , Erin Schirack and Annie Adragna sit down with the founder of Lagree Fitness and creator of the Megaformer for a conversation that goes well beyond Pilates comparisons. Sebastien takes us back to the early days of Lagree and explains how circuit training, biomechanics and client outcomes shaped the method long before the Megaformer became recognizable around the world. We also get into something operators should pay attention to: what happens when a category gets popular enough that everyone wants a version of it. Sebastien shares his perspective on imitation, why not every reformer-style workout is Lagree and why he believes programming and execution matter more than the equipment sitting in the room. The conversation moves into where Lagree is headed next, including digitally enhanced machines designed to coach tempo and range of motion in real time. Interestingly, Sebastien sees some of that technology as a way to create greater focus and mindfulness during training, not more distraction. We also talk about the business behind the brand. Why licensing instead of franchising? How do you continue innovating without making every studio owner replace equipment every time something changes? What does product development look like when your roadmap extends years into the future? Sebastien also gets personal about the realities of being a founder, hitting periods of burnout and finding his way back to the work with a different relationship to fitness, wellness and life outside the business. Key Takeaways Why Sebastien separates the Lagree method from the machine it is performed on What operators should understand about programming, biomechanics and client outcomes before chasing equipment trends His perspective on the growing number of reformer and Megaformer-adjacent concepts entering the market How digital guidance, tempo and range-of-motion technology may change the Lagree experience Why Lagree chose a licensing model and how that supports continued product innovation What is coming next across Lagree equipment and programming The founder side of building a global fitness brand and what Sebastien has learned about burnout, recovery and longevity This is a conversation about fitness, but it is also about intellectual property, product strategy, category ownership and what it takes to keep evolving after your original idea becomes an industry. Connect with Sebastien Lagree Want to learn more about Sebastien, the Lagree Method or the business behind the brand? Sebastien Lagree Website Instagram Lagree Fitness Website Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Interested in the business side of Lagree? Explore Lagree Licensing Explore Lagree Certification Contact Lagree Fitness For licensing, certification, press and general inquiries: info@lagreefitness.com Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

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  WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness

  The Reformer Boom: Is Fitness Diluting Pilates?

  Oct 1, 202638 min

  WELL RUN is back. In the first episode of the newly relaunched podcast, Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack take on one of the more interesting shifts happening inside fitness right now: Pilates-adjacent programming being built into the membership experience. The conversation starts with Life Time’s CTR, Core, Tone and Reform, a reformer-based class included in its Signature Membership, then gets into the bigger business question. What happens when an experience consumers associate with premium Pilates becomes part of the membership? Erin and Annie look at it from both sides. There is a strong case for programming that increases participation, gives members another reason to use the club and strengthens retention. There are also legitimate questions around positioning, instructor standards, safety, revenue and what happens to an established Pilates business when the lines between methods start getting blurry. The bigger issue is not whether every club should build its own version. It is whether operators understand what problem they are solving before they copy what someone else is doing. Key takeaways: • Why Pilates, Megaformer and reformer-style fitness should not automatically be treated as the same product • How included programming can increase perceived membership value and become a meaningful retention tool • The revenue tension between making a format more accessible and protecting a premium Pilates department • Why instructor qualifications, coaching standards and class design become more important as these programs scale • What operators should evaluate before adding a Pilates-adjacent format to their own programming mix • Why strengthening the Pilates business you already have may create more value than chasing the newest format • Where Annie and Erin disagree on whether this model is worth pursuing This episode is less about CTR itself and more about a decision operators face constantly: when do you follow a market shift and when do you protect what already makes your business valuable? Welcome back to WELL RUN. Send us Fan Mail WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness Hosted by Annie Adragna and Erin Schirack. Connect: @wellrun.podcast For more information or to work with us, visit WELL RUN on Instagram and send us a DM. Annie Adragna | Oasis Consulting Firm 25 years in fitness leadership. Advises owners and investors on profitable operations, talent strategy and product development. Website | Instagram Erin Schirack | HIGH SOCIETY Luxury wellness consultant and Pilates educator turning distinctive programming and brand experiences into revenue. Website | Instagram Enjoying WELL RUN? Follow the show, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify. Share an episode with a fellow owner or operator.

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  Episode #18

  Beyond the HYROX Buzz: Programming That Builds Community and Revenue

  Sep 21, 202639 min

  HYROX, Group Fitness and Gym Revenue: When Programming Becomes a Business Strategy HYROX is everywhere right now. But for gym owners and operators, the more interesting question is not whether HYROX is having a moment. It’s what the rise of HYROX tells us about where fitness programming is going and what members increasingly want from their clubs. Annie Adragna and co-host Erin Schirack sit down with Heli Wiener, Commercial Sales Manager at Centr, to talk about HYROX, group fitness programming, community and the business opportunity behind training for something bigger than another workout. Before joining Centr, Heli spent years leading programming for large health clubs, developing group fitness and training programs, coaching teams and creating member experiences. Today, she works with clubs, studios and fitness operators to create strength and functional training environments with a particular focus on HYROX. The conversation goes beyond the race itself. They talk about what happens when programming stops being treated as another amenity on the schedule and starts being viewed as part of the club’s retention, engagement and revenue strategy. They also get into one of the harder programming questions for operators: how much structure is enough? Strong brands need standards and consistency, but great instructors also need enough room to create energy, connection and community. And then there’s HYROX. The rapid growth of HYROX has brought competitive functional fitness to a much broader audience and created something clubs are constantly trying to build: members with a reason to train, a goal to work toward and a community they want to stay connected to. Heli shares how Centr and HYROX are working together to create authentic race-training environments and why clubs don’t necessarily need to transform their entire facility to participate. For operators, the opportunity is bigger than adding another program. It’s understanding whether a programming concept can increase utilization, strengthen retention, create incremental revenue and give members another reason to choose your facility. A few things we get into: Why group fitness programming should be evaluated as a business driver, not just a member amenity The balance between brand standards and instructor creativity Why training toward a goal or event can change member behavior What HYROX is doing differently from traditional functional fitness Where CrossFit, group fitness and HYROX overlap Why the actual training environment matters when members are preparing to race How operators can approach HYROX without immediately making a massive investment The role of simulations, events and community in creating revenue opportunities What operators should think about before deciding how far to take HYROX inside their facility About Heli Wiener Heli Wiener is passionate about helping gyms and fitness facilities create spaces where people love to train. Before joining Centr, she spent years as a programming manager for large health clubs, developing group fitness and training programs, leading teams and creating exceptional member experiences. Today, as part of the Centr commercial team, Heli partners with clubs, studios and fitness operators to deliver strength and functional training solutions with a special focus on HYROX. Her operational background gives her a unique perspective on how facilities can create high-performance training environments that support member engagement, retention and long-term business growth. Connect with Heli + Learn More Heli Wiener: Connect with Heli on LinkedIn Centr x HYROX Affiliate Equipment: https://shop.centr.com/pages/hyrox-equipment-affiliate Centr Commercial: Commercial equipment and facility solutions for gyms, clubs, studios and HYROX training environments. Topics HYROX, HYROX training, HYROX gyms, HYROX race training, HYROX affiliate, Centr HYROX, HYROX equipment, functional fitness, hybrid fitness, group fitness programming, gym programming, fitness programming, gym revenue, health club revenue, member retention, member engagement, fitness community, gym community, fitness events, CrossFit, gym owners, fitness operators, health club operators and commercial fitness. Send us Fan Mail Oasis Consulting Firm People-first consulting for luxury health clubs, boutique studios, spas and recovery centers. We help you grow revenue, improve retention, and build teams that last. Founded by Annie Adragna, 20+ years in leadership and executive recruiting across top brands like Life Time, Equinox and Midtown Athletic Clubs. Work with us: oasisconsultingfirm.co (find ways to work together, schedule a 30-minute call with Annie and grab some free resources there) Connect: Email: annie@oasisconsultingfirm.co Instagram: @oasis_consulting_firm LinkedIn: Annie Adragna About Annie: Founder of Oasis Consulting Firm and host of Well Run Podcast . Consultant, strategist and talent strategy focused on people-first operations and profitable growth.

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  WELL RUN: The Business of Fitness + Wellness

  The Future of Hospitality Is Wellness Driven | With Erin Schirack

  May 12, 202632 minS0

  <p>Infusing Wellness into Hospitality with Erin Schirack</p><p>In this episode of Well Run, Annie Adragna sits down again with Erin Schirack, founder of HIGH SOCIETY, for a conversation about what hospitality brands are getting right and wrong when it comes to wellness.</p><p>The two discuss why consumers are no longer looking at wellness as a bonus amenity and instead are expecting it to be woven into the overall experience. From sleep support and calmer environments to fitness programming, recovery offerings and thoughtful food and beverage options, Erin shares why the future of hospitality is about...

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  Episode #17

  Programming Integrity in Fitness: Education, Systems and Recovery Strategy with Nile Bratcher

  Mar 2, 202643 minS0

  <p>Many health clubs say they personalize training. Few actually systemize it.</p><p>In this episode of the Well Run Podcast, Annie sits down with Nile Bratcher, certified performance and health coach, Certified Surgical Technologist with University of Colorado Health, creator of REFORM and host of Reform – Health, Performance, Recovery with Nile.</p><p>Nile shares what nearly two decades of coaching, combined with clinical surgical experience and 25 years as a B-boy and martial artist, have taught him about programming integrity. He explains why most trainers are operating as exercise pickers rather than strategic programmers, and how that gap sh...

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