Hello to all glowPPL and a huge WELCOME to all the new subscribers! I am so happy you are here and thank you to the OGs for being a part of this newsletter as it has (and will continue to) evolve. You’ll notice a little branding update and I want to explain! Basically, goodbye glow girl pink and hello glowy nightfall navy.
My intention with Glow has always been to be a voice and platform for women in the industry which is why I went with pink originally. In hindsight, I think it was a lazy choice that I made because I knew that it would immediately register as ‘girl’ and I wasn’t sure where I wanted to take this project, but I have more clarity now.
The glow pink has honestly never resonated with me because I know femininity can be reflected on a spectrum of colors and I never want Glow to feel like it perpetuates boxes or stereotypes. For that reason, Glow is taking on a darker and more expansive persona, reflecting the aura of a midnight star illuminated by its own light.
I also have been playing around with the sections and am still working through how I want to highlight each section of Glow: fitness, wellness, women’s health, longevity and holistic beauty. So, I’m trying something different with this edition.
One thing though that I’ve added which feels so right is a section to highlight an up and coming brand or founder in Glow. If you have a Glow brand you love or are curious about, respond to this email!! Or just respond and say hi so we can get to know each other :)
Okay that’s all for now, more updates coming soon ILY.
xx, Abby
☆ Creators and Campaigns
Credit: Strava
Year end reports just dropped and they tell a bigger story than what workouts are the most popular. Strava found that Gen Z is actively choosing movement and community over doomscrolling, with younger athletes driving a big rise in running, racing and group challenges.
Garmin’s data shows the same pattern with major growth in activities that feel social or intentionally restorative like racket sports, Pilates, HIIT and strength training. Together the reports paint a picture of people moving with more purpose and connection than just fitness goals.
Credit: @pkpaddlebattle
Pickleball Kingdom is launching a new reality competition series called Paddle Battle, premiering on YouTube in January 2026. Sixteen players will compete for two pro contracts, while two more contestants will win franchise opportunities through audience voting.
☆ Product Drops
☆ Funding and Growth
Barre3 signed its first South America franchise deal with a planned studio opening in Chile, marking the brand’s entry into the region.
Joi and Blokes acquired HerMD, bringing one of the leading women’s sexual health and menopause care platforms into their hormone and longevity network.
Tone It Up was reacquired by co-founder Karena Dawn, bringing the once-dominant digital fitness community back under original leadership as she works to rebuild the brand’s momentum
☆ Business Moves
ClassPass added NuSpine Chiropractic to its platform, bringing routine spinal care and quick-visit chiropractic sessions into its wellness membership options.
Massage Envy introduced Aescape, a robotic massage experience, at select franchised locations.
Reebok Fitness partnered with BODi to integrate BODi’s fitness, nutrition and wellness content into the Reebok app, with programs like P90x.
☆ Glow Industry’s Next Wave
Credit: Fold Reformer
UK based Fold launched the Fold Reformer in 2024, solving the very real issue of not having space for an at home Pilates setup. Traditional reformers take up a ton of room, but Fold’s design lets the machine fold in half for easy storage while still delivering true studio-quality equipment. Every purchase also includes access to Fold’s on-demand library of Pilates classes.