Welltodo Today: Is A Fitness First Takeover Imminent?, Athletic Apparel, The Rise Of Fitness Instructors

Today’s key global wellness news articles from around the world, impacting the industry and influencing the business of wellness.

Boom Cycle founder Hilary Gilbert on London’s spinning obsession

Sitting down for coffee with Hilary Gilbert, founder of London fitness cult Boom Cycle and the woman who spearheaded the capital’s spinning revolution, I have a good idea of how our conversation might go. Because while this is our first caffeinated trip together, it is not our first journey.

JJB Founder Whelan Pounces On Fitness First

The multimillionaire founder of JJB Sports and owner of Wigan Athletic FC is in detailed talks to buy the British operations of Fitness First – once Britain’s biggest gyms operator. Sky News has learnt that DW Sports, headed by Dave Whelan, has entered a month-long exclusivity period to secure a £70m takeover of Fitness First’s UK business.

Consumers will pay more for only one kind of product – and it’s killing Gap

Consumers are increasingly unwilling to pay a premium for apparel. But there’s a notable exception: athletic apparel. “Consumers also appear willing to pay a premium for a product that performs better,” Morningstar analyst Bridget Weishaar wrote in a recent note. “This fits with our belief that consumers now value experience over material goods, as performance-based apparel is used in activities.”

Meet The 25-Year Old Who Designed Modi’s Yoga T-Shirt

It’s no secret that the west has taken yoga and made it famous – but it’s inadvertently giving back – and it’s something that could potentially catch the tail-end of the global athleisure trend and become big business in India – with a homegrown twist: yoga apparel.

Companies, Don’t Be Afraid To Take A Stand: It Can Be Good For Your Brand

Apple did something remarkable this year, and it had nothing to do with the iPhone or MacBook. It came out against an anti-LGBT bill under consideration in the North Carolina legislature. This was the latest-and arguably most significant-stand the company has taken in its growing activism campaign for LGBT rights.

A huge shift happening in the fitness industry is threatening traditional gyms

Not too long ago, a trip to the gym might have inspired dread. You’d have to slog through miles on the treadmill or the elliptical, alone. It was daunting. Sure, there was the option to take a group exercise class, but unless you were step aerobics acolyte, you probably steered clear of that room.

Exclusive: Wellness startup Gomalon raises second round of seed funding

Bangalore-based wellness services startup Gomalon Technology Ventures Pvt. Ltd has raised $100,000 (around Rs 68 lakh) in a second round of seed funding from a company that makes essential oils, natural food colours and spice extracts, Anil Kumar, co-founder, Gomalon told Techcircle.