The Barriers to Exercise and How GLL Set Out to Remove Them

For the first time in five years, Greenwich Leisure Limited redesigned their app home screen at a national level – and myFitApp was honored to support their endeavour and the two main priorities GLL set out to accomplish:

1. To reduce the number of tiles presented to the customer on what was formally an overcrowded and cluttered screen
2. To reorganise by introducing primary tiles that would be standardised across all leisure venues (regardless of product offer or size of facility)

And the why behind these goals was even more compelling: to help customers engage with a more active and healthier lifestyle. GLL commissioned research at the start of the year to find out how customers planned to engage with fitness apps in 2026.

The results were startling: while 2 out of every 3 people surveyed looked to use fitness apps to help achieve their health and wellbeing goals, there were significant barriers holding those people back.

According to GLL’s research, the three most common barriers to exercise were:

1. Cost – the price of traditional gym memberships were seen as expensive
2. Convenience – travelling to and from leisure facilities proves to be a challenge when customers battle with busy schedules (work, family, transportation challenges)
3. Confidence – Customers often talk about a lack of confidence with exercising in public, leisure facilities can sometimes be perceived as intimidating spaces, we often refer to this as ‘Gymtimidation.’

Quote: “Our belief was that a digital platform that provided affordable access to health and fitness resources 24/7 would drastically help to provide the support, guidance and motivation to customers who need it most – either as a convenient way to start a new fitness routine, or as a way to help increase exercise frequency and adherence when life often looks to get in the way.” Tom Popsys, National Products Project Manager, GLL

Curious about how GLL’s redesign played out? Read the whole highlight below.

Connect partners with myFitApp to make its AI-powered recommendations platform available to operators looking to drive engagement, participation and bookings.

London, UK — 23rd April 2026— Connect has announced a new partnership with myFitApp that will make LeisureWise, its AI-powered recommendations platform, available to all myFitApp customers across the health, fitness and leisure sector.

The collaboration enables operators using the myFitApp platform to introduce intelligent recommendations into their digital member experience, helping them surface relevant classes, activities and services at the right time.

LeisureWise analyses behavioural and operational data to generate personalised recommendations that encourage members to take action — whether that’s booking a class, trying a new activity or engaging more regularly with the services available to them.

Early deployments with operators already using LeisureWise are demonstrating the impact intelligent recommendations can have on engagement. More than 1,000 members have already completed the platform’s onboarding journey, and once members begin exploring recommendations, engagement is significant — with 85% showing booking intent and up to 30% progression into booking journeys. 

For operators, this means digital platforms can move beyond being simple booking tools and instead play a more active role in encouraging participation and engagement.

Danny Woods, CEO of Connect, said:

“The industry has invested heavily in digital platforms over the past decade, but many operators are still only scratching the surface of what those platforms can do to engage members.

LeisureWise was developed to help organisations unlock more value from the data they already have, using AI to surface relevant opportunities that encourage members to participate more often.

Partnering with myFitApp allows us to make that capability easily accessible to operators through a platform they already trust. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration the industry needs — bringing together partners who each add value and working together to deliver better outcomes for operators.”

Jonathan Cooke, Chief Commercial Officer, myFitApp, said:

“Our focus is always on helping operators get more value from their digital platforms and supporting them in delivering better experiences for their members.

We work with partners who bring meaningful capabilities that strengthen the myFitApp platform, and LeisureWise introduces a powerful new way for operators to personalise the member journey.

By combining AI-driven recommendations with the myFitApp platform, operators can connect members with the activities and services most relevant to them, helping drive engagement and participation.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment from Connect and myFitApp to bring practical innovation to the industry through collaboration between technology providers.

LeisureWise is available now to myFitApp customers.

Operators interested in learning more about LeisureWise can contact Connect or speak with their myFitApp representative.

Company debuts new brand, expanded global scale, new leadership team, and step change investment in AI

ATLANTA, March 30, 2026 — Xplor Technologies today announced the successful close of its merger with Clubessential Holdings, marking the launch of a newly unified global company with a new brand, new visual identity, and a renewed vision for the businesses behind everyday life experiences.

The new Xplor Technologies brings together vertical software, embedded payments, and AI-powered capabilities across a broader global platform designed to help businesses reduce friction, strengthen customer and member connections, and grow with confidence. The launch introduces a refreshed corporate identity across the company, its verticals, and its product portfolio, signaling a definitive moment of evolution for employees, customers, and the markets Xplor serves.

The launch also marks a new leadership chapter for the company. Randy Eckels, formerly Chief Executive Officer of Clubessential Holdings, now serves as Chief Executive Officer of Xplor Technologies.

“This is a defining moment for the new Xplor,” said Eckels. “We are bringing together proven businesses, deep vertical expertise, and strong positions across our markets, under one global brand with a unified vision. We now have the focus, scale, and momentum to innovate faster, deliver more value, and set a new standard for what’s possible in the industries we serve.”

With the close of the transaction, Xplor now serves more than 130,000 businesses in 72 countries, processes more than $47 billion in annual payments, and generates approximately $900 million in annual revenue. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company operates across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

As part of this next chapter, Xplor is making a material, eight-figure investment to expand native AI capabilities across its platforms, accelerating the development of practical capabilities designed to help businesses automate routine work, respond faster, and unlock smarter decision-making across their business. One early example is an AI agent for Momence users, designed to help fitness operators reduce administrative burden, improve responsiveness across the member journey, and support more efficient growth.

The newly combined company serves customers across fitness and leisure, golf and club, recreation, and home services. Its refreshed brand architecture and visual identity are designed to unify the company’s portfolio while creating a clearer, more consistent experience across the industries and communities it supports.

For customers, the launch of the new Xplor means continuity where it matters most, along with a stronger foundation for what comes next. Customers will continue to receive uninterrupted service while benefiting over time from broader capabilities, deeper expertise, and continued investment in the technologies shaping the future of the industries Xplor serves.

For more information, visit www.xplor.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Xplor Technologies merger with Clubessential Holdings mean for customers?

The merger of Xplor Technologies with Clubessential Holdings creates a stronger, larger, scaled global platform for software, embedded payments, and intelligent solutions. Customers can expect uninterrupted service, and faster innovation, with access to an expanded portfolio of vertical specific solutions designed to help everyday life businesses simplify operations, uncover insights, and elevate member experiences.

How is Xplor investing in innovation, AI, and next generation technologies?

With increased global scale and reach, Xplor is accelerating investment in next generation and AI technologies across its verticalized software portfolio. Xplor’s approach is grounded in the belief that AI should reduce time spent on routine work, support faster and more consistent member interactions, and enable businesses to run more efficiently, foster loyalty, and reach their full potential.

What is the Momence AI Agent, and how will it benefit fitness businesses?

The Momence AI Agent is the first example of AI innovation Xplor is bringing to verticalized software. Designed to help fitness businesses operate as if their best employee were available in every room, every time – it handles routine, time consuming tasks and supports consistent, timely member communications. The result is improved efficiency, stronger loyalty, and more capacity for teams to focus on growth.

What industries and markets does the new Xplor serve globally?

The new Xplor serves more than 130,000 businesses across 72 countries, supporting industries including Fitness & Leisure, Recreation, Golf & Club, Field Services, Laundry, and Education. Headquartered in Atlanta with operations across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, Xplor combines global scale with deep local market knowledge.

About Xplor Technologies

Xplor Technologies powers the experiences at the heart of everyday life. Through modern vertical software, embedded payments, and AI-powered capabilities, we help businesses in fitness, recreation, golf and club, field services, laundry, education, and other membership-based and service-based industries simplify operations, uncover insights, and elevate customer and member experiences.  More than 130,000 businesses in 72+ countries rely on Xplor to run their day and get paid, processing over $47 billion in payments annually. Our connected ecosystem helps operators spend less time managing complexity and more time delivering the experiences that matter most. 

Xplor is backed by world-class investors Advent International, Battery Ventures, Osprey Investors, and Silver Lake.

Media Contact:
Emily Lahey, VP Communications
Emily.lahey@xplortechnologies.com
+44 (0)7413994267 (UK)

1. Hybrid fitness and digital-physical integration 

Hybrid fitness – combining in-club and at-home or digital workouts – will become standard.  

Gen Z is increasingly committed to fitness and wellbeing. But they will also begin to experience less available time as they age, start families, or gain other interests. For clubs, being ready to meet members where they are, wherever they are is crucial – and an opportunity. Expect this to expand further in 2026: more clubs will adopt hybrid models, bundle in-club and digital memberships, and use unified platforms to manage both seamlessly. Newer systems offer operators real-time dashboards, front-desk operations from any device, flexible sales/upsells, and scheduling – making club operations more agile and remote-friendly. This will allow clubs to better manage hybrid services (in-club and digital), improve member service, and scale operations without bloated overhead.   

myFitApp supports “@home” livestream and on-demand fitness content, giving members flexibility and clubs new revenue streams. 

2. Mobile-first member experience becomes table stakes

“I have my phone.” That’s really the one (and only) tool or device that anyone thinks they need to do everthing. From banking to travel our most important transactions and communications happen there. Fitness doesn’t get an exception. Members increasingly expect mobile convenience: booking classes, managing memberships, paying, checking in, accessing content – it all happens from one branded app. myFitApp delivers exactly that.  

As competition grows, having a polished mobile experience – including content marketing, push notifications, referral campaigns – will be a key differentiator for gyms and studios. Why? Because it enables them to build and engage with their community outside their immediate four walls.  

Businesses will also come to rely less on other hardware and peripheral equipment as mobile devices come to run everything. 

3. Unified ecosystems – fewer fragmented tools, more ‘all in one’ platforms

Historically, gyms often used separate tools: one for bookings, one for membership management, another for marketing, another for check-in, etc. Nobody has time or patience for multiple systems and passwords now. The integration of technology under one roof suggests a shift to unified end-to-end platforms. This can reduce and eliminate hardware in many cases (see point #2). 

This reduces administrative friction and improves consistency across member experience, streamlines onboarding ad training, payments, content delivery, access control, and more. 

With open APIs, myFitApp can reduce administrative friction and improve consistency across member experience, streamlining access control, bookings, content delivery and more.

4. Building Community

The fitness club is the new meeting place, replacing bars and nightclub as the social meeting place and activity of choice. In fact, nearly half of the respondents in a survey this year were down for a first date workout. That number goes to nearly 70% if there is the promise of food afterward. From unique club crawls to specific meetups and groups for running, walking, cycling, yoga, etc., exercise is front and centre in people’s lives. It makes sense that they’re searching out connections that share their focus and passion.  

5. My Favourite Fitness and…

Just one thing doesn’t cut it anymore. That’s why myFitApp offers one booking solution for every member. It’s not just pilates, it’s pilates with recovery. It’s not just spinning, it’s spinning and strength training. But cost-conscious buyers aren’t looking to add multiple memberships to their list of monthly costs. They want convenience and value. Look for gyms to add either space or take advantage of online and virtual opportunities.  

That ties into how people are using gyms and studios. If people aren’t planning for a marathon, they’re training for a HYROX event. Or at least it seems that way. The interest in competition and training for that event is driving many goals, participation, and activity. Look for new fitness events and competitions to capitalize on this trend. And look for all types of gyms and boutiques to offer specialised training and coaching for these events, create teams, and trumpet their success when it comes.  

6. Redefining Strength

From the growing use of GLPs to the noted benefits of being stronger to aesthetics, strength training will continue to grow. But it will look different. While concerns about bulking up still exist, women’s strength training will continue to rise for all those reasons above. Data and personalised plans will help enable them to reach their goals. Personal Training – high touch and personality with support from the AI side. Member gets a personalised workout from AI and held accountable with perfect form with human personal trainer. 

Meanwhile increasing numbers of men will come to realise the low-impact, overall strength, and recovery benefits of Pilates workouts, just as envisioned by inventor Joseph Hubertus Pilates.

What This Means for Fitness Businesses & Members in 2026 

For gym/studio owners: Investing in integrated SaaS solutions is increasingly not optional, but essential – to stay competitive, scale efficiently, and meet member expectations.   

For members: Expect smoother mobile experiences – from seamless booking and payment to personalised content, hybrid workouts (in-club and at home), and loyalty/referral perks. 

For the industry overall: More consolidation around a few comprehensive platforms – reducing fragmentation and connecting data, engagement, payments, operations, etc. – and enabling hybrid fitness business models to flourish. 

For global growth: As these platforms scale internationally, gym operators in previously underserviced regions will have better access to enterprise-grade management tools – potentially raising the bar for fitness standards globally. 

Why 2026 Could be a Pivot Point 

2026 seems poised to be a turning point because: 

• The demand for hybrid and flexible fitness experiences – accelerated by global events & changing consumer habits – is likely to reach a tipping point. 
• Market saturation at the high end: big fitness chains/studios need efficient, data-driven, scalable solutions – and smaller studios/staffed gyms need to compete with digital-first offerings, hyper-efficiency without compromising personal touches. The middle is a tenuous place to be.  
• Global expansion is accelerating – meaning more operators worldwide will need to adopt “smart systems” instead of piecemeal solutions. 

Fernwood Fitness – the powerhouse Australian brand serving expert fitness classes, a secure and welcoming atmosphere, and the resources to pursue wellness to women nationwide – has grown from 60,000 to nearly 100,000 members in just five years. That kind of growth requires a powerful mobile application to ensure members can conveniently, easily, and securely access Fernwood clubs and their resources.

Since implementing myFitApp in 2024, Fernwood Fitness pursues powerful growth through:

1. Broadening online booking – Providing a welcoming, women-only environment is more than ambiance; Fernwood has empowered their members to take control of their own experiences by rolling out online bookings across all their offerings.

“That obviously puts the power in our members’ hands from a member experience perspective, so they can manage their calendars and their schedules, but it also just takes that admin burden off our customer service team in our club so they can really focus on being there and attending to our members in the club.” – Tahlia Day, National Operations Manager | Fernwood Fitness

2. Powerful mobile communication – Utilizing myFitApp allows the Fernwood team an unmatched level of control over their mobile application, supporting local and national push notifications as an avenue for communication beyond SMS or email campaigns.

“Being able to communicate direct to our members through a push notification has been a bit of a game changer for us.” – Tahlia Day, National Operations Manager | Fernwood Fitness

3. Implementing contactless entry access – Contactless entry is an upcoming upgrade for Fernwood members through myFitApp, making their secure, welcoming locations even easier for members to access

“A big thing for the Fernwood Group is we’re rolling out digital access with Exerp and myFitApp, giving contactless entry and that ease of touch point for our members.” – Tahlia Day, National Operations Manager | Fernwood Fitness

Hear more about how myFitApp serves Fernwood Fitness as they empower women across Australia to take control of their health:

Discover the new releases for myFitApp. Below are updates to the product from Q2 2025.