MELVILLE – – November 02, 2026 -- GYMGUYZ, the in-home and on-site personal training franchisor, formally launched its youth fitness line GYMGUYZ Kidz and rolled out new AI initiatives at its Recharge 2026 conference, held September 23-25 in Naples, Florida.
The annual event gathered franchisees, trainers, corporate staff and vendor partners from a network of 177 locations across 31 states. The agenda centered on leadership, management, operations and client acquisition, delivered through workshops, peer roundtables and separate owner and trainer breakouts.
Founder and CEO Josh York said there is "no ceiling" on what franchisees can achieve and described the system as hungry for what comes next.
GYMGUYZ Kidz debuts as franchisees get hands-on AI training
The Kidz launch was the central milestone of the conference. It gives franchisees another way to reach clients in their communities. A separate session on adaptive fitness programs prepared owners to serve that segment, which the company describes as fast-growing.
The technology track included a hands-on AI breakout. Attendees moved from an introduction to GYMGUYZ's AI initiatives into a dedicated workshop.
Operations and lead generation dominate the business curriculum
Business coach and author Omar Periu, described in the release as the father of LA Fitness, delivered the opening keynote. Sessions on leadership, lead generation and the state of the franchise followed, along with Franchise Advisory Council roundtables.
President Phil Brojan said Recharge is where the company presents major product launches and innovations. He said its value shows when franchisees apply what they learn to decisions, team building and operations.
Grinstead named Franchisee of the Year; 16 businesses make Circle of Excellence
Josh Grinstead of GYMGUYZ Bergen, Hudson & Rockland Counties won Franchisee of the Year, the Growth Mindset Award and a Pinnacle Award. Nick Scrivens of GYMGUYZ Westchester, NY, took Elite Producer of the Year. Tara Smith of GYMGUYZ Annapolis & Columbia, MD, was runner-up.
Other Pinnacle Award recipients were Sam Langer, James Bonavita and Vinny Vilasboa of GYMGUYZ Westchester, NY and Southern Fairfield County, CT; Aneillo Iadevaia of GYMGUYZ Long Island; and Shannon Sevor of GYMGUYZ Silicon Valley, CA.
The Circle of Excellence, reserved for top franchisees, recognized 16 businesses. They include Silicon Valley, CA; Denver South, CO; West Hartford, CT; West Richmond & Charlottesville, VA; and several territories in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Crux Roadboardz Graphics was named Vendor of the Year. Ken and Melissa Veard of GYMGUYZ Austin, TX, received the Innovation Award, and Alexi Sumner-Bailey of GYMGUYZ Ventura County, CA, won the Community Engagement Award.
GYMGUYZ says it is actively seeking qualified single- and multi-territory franchisees to expand beyond its current 177 locations.