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Home > Escape Your Limits > LIFTS Episode 89 - ClassPass Debate: Does It Help or Hurt Studio Owners? Jeff Bladt vs. Rachel Hirsch
Podcast: Escape Your Limits
Episode:

LIFTS Episode 89 - ClassPass Debate: Does It Help or Hurt Studio Owners? Jeff Bladt vs. Rachel Hirsch
Category: Health
Duration: 00:55:53
Publish Date: 2025-09-14 07:00:00
Description:

In this special debate episode of the LIFTS Podcast, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by guest co-host Jack Thomas (Fitness Business Asia) to moderate a high-level discussion on the impact of ClassPass for boutique fitness owners.

Industry voices Jeff Bladt (ClassPass/Playlist) and Rachel Hirsch (Wellness Growth Ventures, The 2% Club, and studio owner) share opposing perspectives on whether ClassPass is a powerful growth partner or a dangerous dependency. Discussion highlights include:

  • The origin and evolution of ClassPass.
  • How ClassPass transformed consumer behavior in fitness.
  • Free trials, pricing power, and fairness for studios.
  • Parallels with aggregators in travel, dining, and delivery.
  • Revenue data showing both growth and risks for studio owners.
  • Strategies to avoid over-reliance on ClassPass.
  • How ClassPass affects women-led boutique studios.
  • Industry-wide calls for better collaboration between aggregators and studios.

Learn more about Jack Thomas:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitnessbusinessasia/

Learn more about Jeff Bladt:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bladt/

Learn more about Rachel Hirsch:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-hirsch-43b31265/

https://www.the2percent.club/

Learn more about ClassPass:

https://classpass.com/

Support fitness industry news by sponsoring future LIFTS episodes. Contact us at wendy@escapefitness.com for advertising opportunities.

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0:00 Intro & Hosts

4:21 Why ClassPass Matters

5:50 The Origin Story of ClassPass

10:30 Consumer Perspective with Rachel

12:46 Free Trials Debate

19:10 ClassPass as an Aggregator

23:05 Discounting & Devaluation Issues

27:40 Revenue Data Insights

33:44 Consumer Wins vs. Studio Risks

38:22 Women in Leadership Discussion

47:51 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

54:34 Closing Remarks
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