{"id":777,"date":"2025-12-27T11:30:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T11:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=777"},"modified":"2025-12-27T11:30:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T11:30:59","slug":"the-group-fitness-shift-no-ones-talking-about-past-lessons-future-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=777","title":{"rendered":"The Group Fitness Shift No One\u2019s Talking About: Past Lessons &#038; Future Reality"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  width=\"580\" height=\"385\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oKMQPm4o1H4\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Video Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oKMQPm4o1H4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In this episode of LIFTS, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Will Brereton: longtime group fitness leader, Les Mills presenter, and founder of SH1FT Fitness.<\/p>\n<p>They dive deep into how group fitness has evolved over the decades, why hybrid community is the new frontier, and how instructors, technology, and member expectations have transformed.<\/p>\n<p>Will shares powerful insights from the front lines of group exercise across NZ, the UK, Europe, and the U.S. This episode is essential listening for club operators, instructors, boutique owners, and anyone passionate about the future of fitness.<\/p>\n<p>Key Topics Covered:<br \/>\n\u2022 The five historical eras of group fitness and the new hybrid community era.<br \/>\n\u2022 Why the new Gen Z social hub is a gym instead of a nightclub.<br \/>\n\u2022 How meaningful interaction drives 2-3x higher retention.<br \/>\n\u2022 Why instructors are harder to find and how tech is filling the gap.<br \/>\n\u2022 The changing role of certifications and what members actually want.<br \/>\n\u2022 Where Pilates, strength, and boutique programming are heading next.<br \/>\n\u2022 Why big \u2018rock-star\u2019 classes have faded and which events replaced them.<br \/>\n\u2022 How digital fits into real\u2011world class experiences today.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about Will Brereton, click here:<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/will-brereton-991a0138\/<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about SH1FT Fitness, click here:<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/sh1ftfitness.net\/<\/p>\n<p>======================================================<\/p>\n<p>Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities. <\/p>\n<p>Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you never miss a new video when it\u2019s published: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/EscapeFitness<\/p>\n<p>Shop gym equipment: https:\/\/escapefitness.com\/shop<br \/>\nView our full catalog: https:\/\/escapefitness.com\/support\/catalog (US)<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/escapefitness.com\/support\/catalogue (UK)<\/p>\n<p>======================================================<\/p>\n<p>Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Escapefitness<br \/>\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/escapefitness<br \/>\nTwitter: https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/escapefitness<br \/>\nLinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/escapefitness\/<\/p>\n<p>00:00 Introduction<br \/>\n00:38 Guest Intro: Will Brereton<br \/>\n02:07 History of Group Fitness<br \/>\n04:43 Pandemic: The Biggest Inflection Point<br \/>\n09:55 Gen Z and the Social Fitness Shift<br \/>\n11:22 Why Group Fitness Drives Retention<br \/>\n15:00 Technology in Group X: Does It Help or Hurt?<br \/>\n20:24 Instructor Pay and Industry Challenges<br \/>\n25:00 Competency vs. Perfection in Teaching<br \/>\n28:44 Belonging vs. Progression in Group Fitness<br \/>\n30:55 Are Big Rock\u2011Star Classes Coming Back?<br \/>\n34:58 Hybrid, Digital, and Tech Trends<br \/>\n43:25 Where Group Fitness Is Heading Next<br \/>\n47:06 Final Takeaways<br \/>\n48:00 Closing Thoughts<\/p>\n<p>#lifts #fitnessindustry @sh1ftfitness180<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Video Source: Watch on YouTube In this episode of LIFTS, Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with Will Brereton: longtime group fitness leader, Les Mills presenter, and founder of SH1FT Fitness. 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