L Catterton’s Marc Magliacano discusses industry trends, major deals and the future of fitness and wellness at the ATN CEO Summit
The fitness and wellness industry stands at a crossroads of opportunity and innovation, according to Marc Magliacano, managing partner of L Catterton’s Flagship Fund.
At the 2025 ATN CEO Summit, January 7 in New York City, Magliacano joined Athletech News CEO and Founder Edward Hertzman for an in-depth conversation on the changing landscape of fitness and wellness investments. Magliacano’s insights shed light on the factors driving deal-making, the sectors poised for growth, and the challenges facing the industry in the coming year.
Past, Present & Future
With over two decades of investing in health and wellness, Magliacano has backed transformative brands like Solidcore, EGYM, Equinox, CorePower Yoga and Pure Barre. At L Catterton, his focus has shifted toward businesses that integrate fitness, nutrition and technology.
“The consumer wants everything from one trusted platform,” Magliacano said, highlighting the “massive convergence” reshaping the industry.
Reflecting on L Catterton’s recent majority stake in Solidcore, Magliacano praised the brand’s execution and leadership. “Solidcore delivers results through low-impact, strength-focused workouts,” he said. “Its leadership team is outstanding.” He emphasized that evolving with consumer trends will be critical to the brand’s future success.
When asked about Solidcore’s path to becoming a multi-billion-dollar brand, Magliacano pointed to its adaptability and market potential.
“The wellness revolution is attracting interest from major players like Nike and Apple,” he said, hinting at opportunities for partnerships and global expansion.
Another significant investment for L Catterton is EGYM, a platform combining hardware, software and AI to support gym operators. “EGYM is arming club owners with tools to succeed,” Magliacano said. “It integrates technology to guide members and improve financial viability.” He also highlighted EGYM’s plans for a major U.S. expansion in 2025.
Artificial Intelligence & Personalization
Magliacano sees artificial intelligence as a game-changer for the fitness industry.
“AI will transform gyms, creating digital fitness records and enhancing member experiences,” he predicted. He also noted the importance of integrating software and hardware to deliver personalized outcomes.
Magliacano touched on trends like functional training, strength training and the rise of social fitness activities like pickleball. He also predicted continued consolidation in the fitness sector, with larger franchises acquiring smaller operators. “This is one of the true enduring growth categories in the consumer space,” he said.
For Magliacano, the future lies in convergence. “Precision nutrition meets precision fitness,” he said, stressing the importance of unified platforms that offer real-time feedback and personalized solutions. He warned investors to scrutinize AI claims, noting that not all companies deliver on their promises.
As the session concluded, Magliacano left attendees with an optimistic view of the industry’s potential. “The next 12 to 24 months will be incredibly exciting for fitness and wellness,” he said, encouraging stakeholders to embrace innovation and adaptability.
Be on the lookout for more information on the ATN Innovation Summit, a can’t-miss two-day event to be held on June 17th and 18th in New York City featuring the biggest names, brands, and ideas across fitness, health, and wellness.
