The international fitness and wellness industry is experiencing one of the most significant mergers in its history. With a total valuation of USD 7.5 billion, Playlist and EGYM have concluded a merger agreement that has the potential to permanently change the structure of the market. The newly created holding company will systematically combine AI-supported software solutions, networked training hardware, digital booking platforms and corporate fitness and wellness services for the first time. The merger is more than just a classic corporate deal. It symbolizes the transformation of the fitness industry from a device- and contribution-driven market to a data-based, preventative health ecosystem.
Prevention as the industry's new leitmotif
EGYM CEO Philipp Rösch-Schlanderer clearly summarizes the strategic vision of the merger: "By uniting EGYM and Playlist under one roof, we have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of people around the world through preventive healthcare. We are bringing together smart exercise equipment, access to studios, management software, corporate fitness and personalized AI training in one connected ecosystem."
He continues: "With this move, we can finally prove and scale the true value of the fitness industry: By shifting the focus from repair to prevention, together we can reduce chronic disease, lower healthcare costs and make people healthier and happier."
These statements reflect one of the key megatrends in the fitness and health market, as exercise, training and regeneration are increasingly seen as a preventative health service, not just a leisure activity. Insurance companies, companies and public institutions are increasingly recognizing fitness studios as partners in the healthcare sector.
785 million dollars for scaling and innovation
The merger is accompanied by a capital inflow of 785 million US dollars. The financing is led by Affinity Partners, complemented by a consortium of existing investors from both companies.
Asad Naqvi, Partner at Affinity Partners, said: "We are impressed by the exceptional performance of both companies and believe the merger will create a unique platform that will deliver even greater value to their clients."
The investment underlines the growing confidence of financial investors in fitness and wellness technology as a future market, especially where scalability, data intelligence and recurring revenue models come together.
Separate brands, common strategic direction
The Playlist brands will remain in place after the transaction is completed. EGYM will operate as a subsidiary within the Playlist portfolio. This structure follows a current industry trend: brand strength and customer proximity will be maintained, while technology, data and product development will be bundled in the background.
The completion of the merger is still subject to the usual regulatory approvals.
Hardware, software and booking - all in one system
Playlist is best known for its AI-powered software, digital membership management and booking platforms that enable personalized wellness experiences. EGYM is also pursuing the goal of transforming healthcare "from repair to prevention" - with smart training equipment, adaptive AI training plans and data-based training control.
A key growth driver here is Wellpass, which gives tens of thousands of companies and their employees access to fitness and wellness locations. Corporate fitness is one of the fastest growing submarkets in the industry, driven by:
* rising sickness rates
* growing importance of employer attractiveness
Relevant trends that will be accelerated by the merger
Combining the expertise of Playlist and EGYM reinforces several key developments in the fitness market:
1. AI-powered personalization
Training plans, equipment settings and recommendations are increasingly automated and customized - in real time and across locations.
2. platformization of the fitness industry
Studios are evolving from individual providers to hubs in digital ecosystems that combine training, therapy, regeneration and corporate health.
3. corporate fitness as a revenue and stability factor
B2B contracts ensure predictable revenue and reduce dependency on traditional monthly fees.
4 Data as a strategic success factor
Training, usage and health data enable better support, greater training effectiveness and long-term customer loyalty.
Global expansion with regional fine-tuning
Both companies intend to use the new funding to make targeted investments in artificial intelligence in order to make studios and wellness providers more efficient and strengthen member loyalty. EGYM plans to further expand its fitness and corporate fitness technologies, particularly in North America and Asia, while Playlist is significantly expanding its previously limited presence in Europe.
A milestone for fitness, wellness and corporate health
Playlist CEO Fritz Lanman describes the merger as follows: "This merger is a pivotal moment for both our companies. We continue to create the global infrastructure for personalized wellness experiences. EGYM's approach to advancing this vision through technology and corporate fitness solutions to promote wellness at scale inspires us. By combining our market coverage and complementary product portfolios, we can unite multiple layers of wellbeing in a single global platform: software, connected hardware, end-user bookings and corporate health management."
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Editorial team fitnessmarkt.de
Source and image source: shape UP Business
Published on: 23 January 2026