EGYM has signalled its intention to become a major global player in the health club equipment space, signing up former CEOs of Life Fitness and Precor, two of the top equipment suppliers in the world.
The industry heavyweights are former Life Fitness CEO, Chris Clawson and former Precor CEO, Rob Barker.
Clawson will take on a new role of general manager gymtech at EGYM in mid-February and Barker will serve as a strategic advisor to CEO Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer.
Headquartered in Munich, EGYM is a global fitness technology company that provides intelligent workout solutions built on connected gym equipment and software, offering digital solutions and data-based guidance to help members stay motivated and get results.
As the company celebrates its 15th anniversary, Roesch-Schlanderer is delighted at the appointments, saying: “Clawson and Barker have shown unwavering dedication to the health and wellness industry and both have experience of elevating companies to global market leadership."
EGYM took on US$225m of new investment in 2023, bolstering its growth potential.
Strengthened by this investment and the new appointments, Roesch-Schlanderer's aims going forward will be to continue to drive the transformation of the healthcare market from repair to prevention, while remaining an open platform provider.
After serving as president of Life Fitness from 2010 to 2016, Clawson Clawson was appointed CEO in July 2019, until 2021.
“I'm thrilled to work with Philipp and the entire team at EGYM to implement the company’s big goal of partnering with as many operators and suppliers as possible for a fully connected workout experience in and outside the club," says Clawson. “Joining forces with my former competitor, Rob Barker, also makes this an amazing opportunity.”
Barker spent 27 years at commercial equipment manufacturer, Precor, rising to the rank of president. He oversaw the sale of Precor to Peloton in 2020, before leaving the company to move to Portugal and invest in boutique franchise, Trib3, which restructured in February 2023.
“I've admired the EGYM approach and growth, as operators and consumers become increasingly used to the hybrid world of digitally connected fitness experiences,” says Barker. “It's also great to be working with Chris. We were leaders of competing businesses for many years, but got on well, since we always shared the same desire to simply get more people more active more often and make the world a better place."
"Together we will continue to drive the transition of the healthcare market from repair to prevention and stay committed to our approach as an open platform provider, knowing you cannot go on this big a mission without strong partners at your side," said Roesch-Schlanderer.
