What we learned from BeyondActiv World 2026: key insights for fitness businesses

In February, our CEO and CTO represented MoveLab at Beyond Activ World in Riyadh, hosted at the prestigious Fairmont Riyadh. Over two intensive days, more than 1,000 executives from 30+ countries gathered to shape the future of the active lifestyle economy across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Beyond Activ continues to establish itself as one of the most important meeting points for leaders in fitness, wellness, hospitality, sports, and longevity. With 75+ expert speakers and 50 exhibitors, the program focused on investment roadmaps, AI applications, consumer behavior shifts, and next-generation business models. But beyond the panels and presentations, what stood out most were the conversations happening between founders, investors, operators, and innovators.

Saudi Arabia: BeyondActiv World 2026

Saudi Arabia is impressive. Riyadh is a city that takes time to absorb: dynamic, ambitious, and rapidly evolving. The scale of development and the speed at which projects are moving signal something important: this region is no longer an “emerging” wellness market. It is positioning itself as a global epicenter for fitness and preventative health.

From boutique studios to large-scale wellness hospitality concepts, the ambition is clear. There is strong institutional support, serious capital investment, and a willingness to adopt cutting-edge technology. For companies in connected fitness and digital infrastructure, like MoveLab, the opportunity is substantial.

(And yes, the Saudi hospitality and cuisine made the experience even more memorable!)

Key industry insights

Across keynotes, roundtables, and private meetings, several themes consistently surfaced:

1. Fitness & wellness continue to grow

Companies are expanding, new concepts are launching, and investors are actively looking for scalable models. The industry is not slowing down, it is evolving.

2. Longevity is a defining trend

Longevity is no longer a niche conversation. It is becoming central to fitness strategy. Companies are increasingly designing offerings around preventative health, recovery, performance tracking, and long-term wellbeing. This shift aligns strongly with data-driven training models and integrated digital ecosystems.

3. Health tracking & data remain core

Data continues to be one of the most valuable assets in the fitness ecosystem. Wearables, performance metrics, biometric tracking, and integrated software platforms are critical components of modern fitness businesses. Facilities are no longer just offering workouts, they are delivering measurable outcomes.

For MoveLab, this reinforces the importance of robust backend software, seamless hardware integration, and meaningful data visualization. Technology must empower both companies and end users.

4. AI Is inevitable, But so is human connection

Artificial intelligence was one of the most discussed topics throughout the event. AI-driven personalization, predictive analytics, and operational automation are no longer experimental, they are being implemented now.

However, a key insight from our leadership team was this: AI cannot replace human interaction. In fitness especially, community, coaching, and motivation remain fundamentally human experiences. The future belongs to businesses that successfully combine intelligent technology with authentic connection.

5. Partnerships drive real growth

Perhaps the most valuable takeaway was the power of partnerships. Beyond Activ is not just about trends, it is about alignment. We met founders building ambitious projects, operators scaling across borders, and technology partners pushing innovation forward. Growth in this industry does not happen in isolation. It happens through collaboration.

Looking ahead

We left Riyadh inspired by the ambition of the region and energized by the conversations we had. The Middle East is moving quickly, and the global fitness industry is entering a new phase defined by longevity, data, AI, and integrated ecosystems.

To everyone who visited our team, shared ideas, and explored potential collaborations, thank you. We are excited about what comes next and look forward to building the future of connected fitness together.