Recognizing Leaders Who Shape the Future of Fitness and Wellness
Early Rate Application Deadline ($699): August 14, 2026
Regular Rate Application Fee: $849
Recognizing Leaders Who Shape the Future of Fitness and Wellness
Early Rate Application Deadline ($699): August 14, 2026
Regular Rate Application Fee: $849
what are the power players awards?
Welcome to the Athletech News Power Players 2026, an award recognizing the business leaders who’ve shaped the fitness and wellness industry over the past year. ATN is committed to spotlighting C-suite executives, founders and other leaders who’ve not only driven success within their companies but have also made a lasting impact on the industry at large.
WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR?
In 2026, ATN will expand Power Players to award 16 categories plus one lifetime achievement recipient. These new categories will allow us to celebrate a wider range of industry contributions. A new selection process will also involve three equal voting groups.
Key Dates
August 14, 2026
September 15, 2026
October 5, 2026
October 20, 2026
Early November
2026 Power Players Categories
Athletech News will unveil the 17 winning Power Players in early November. Executives may apply to be considered for up to three different award categories. Companies may apply with as many executives as they wish, but must submit a separate application for each executive.
01
CEO of the Year
Recognizing the fitness and wellness industry’s top CEOs (presidents may also apply in organizations without a CEO position).
02
Franchising Executive of the Year
Recognizing top executives at franchise parent brands.
03
Franchisee of the Year
Recognizing top executives among franchisee groups or individual franchise operators.
04
Founder of the Year
Recognizing top founders among startups founded on or after January 1, 2023, with revenue of $10 million or less.
05
Dealmaker of the Year
Recognizing top partners in private equity, venture capital and other investment firms who’ve brokered major fitness and wellness deals over the past year.
06
Equipment & Wearables Executive of the Year
Recognizing top executives among companies in the fitness equipment, wearables and other hardware verticals.
07
Tech Executive of the Year
Recognizing top executives among companies in the software, Saas and related verticals, including chief technology officers and chief product officers.
08
Wellness & Recovery Executive of the Year
Recognizing top executives among companies in the wellness and recovery verticals.
09
Marketer of the Year
Recognizing the industry’s top Chief Marketing Officers (or related marketing positions).
10
Fitness Professional of the Year
Recognizing top “fit pros,” including both personal trainers and executives in the group fitness and/or personal training verticals.
11
Content Creator of the Year
Recognizing top fitness and wellness content creators who educate, inspire and engage audiences across social media and digital platforms.
12
Rising Star
Recognizing standout executives (age 35 and under) who’ve made an outsized impact early in their career by driving innovation, leading teams and contributing directly to business growth. Visionary, impactful and ahead of the curve, this is the Power Player everyone will be watching in the years to come.
13
Gym Operator of the Year
Recognizing the top operators propelling their gym, health club or studio forward each day through growth, innovation and member experience.
14
Fitness & Wellness Philanthropist of the Year
Recognizing individuals making exceptional charitable impacts via philanthropy, community outreach and initiatives that expand access to fitness and wellness.
15
Comeback Player of the Year
Recognizing individuals at the center of our industry’s most inspiring stories from this past year, overcoming adversity, reigniting growth or successfully reestablishing a position in the fitness and wellness industry.
16
CPG & Supplements Player of the Year
Recognizing top executives among consumer packaged goods, nutrition and supplement verticals driving innovation, growth and consumer impact.
17
Lifetime Achievement
This special award will be presented by ATN’s executive and editorial team to a current or retired executive for their exceptional lifetime impact on the fitness and wellness industry (ATN will not be accepting applications for the Lifetime Achievement category)
The 2026 Selection Committee
What's Different This Year?
In 2026, we're opening up our selection process to reflect a broader range of community voices.
Here's how it works:
01
Five finalists are announced in each category
02
Voting opens October 5th
03
Voting closes October 20th
04
Winners are announced in early November
Who's Voting:
The ATN editors
Our editorial team evaluates every finalist on industry impact: what they've built, what they've changed and what the data shows about their influence on the category.
ATN Community
You. Every ATN reader gets a vote, because no one knows the industry better than the human engine running it. Tell us who's moving the needle on the ground, in the gym, in the studio and in the boardroom.
2025 Power Players
Last year's honorees cast the third vote. Nobody understands what it takes to earn this recognition better than those who already have.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Organizational Achievements
Success in business is a team effort first and foremost, so the collective achievements of your company or organization over the past 12 months will be given priority in judging. Achievements such as financial success, new product launches and partnerships will be considered, along with a more holistic view of an organization’s growth over the past year.
Individual Leadership Contributions
As an executive and leader, how have you directly contributed to the success of your organization as a whole and your individual team members? Specific examples are appreciated where possible.
Industry Impact
How has your and your organization’s success over the past 12 months impacted the broader fitness and wellness community? Power Players have an influence that extends beyond their organization and into the industry as a whole.
Be Recognized Amongst The Industry’s Top Leaders
Early Rate Application Deadline ($699): August 14, 2026
Regular Rate Application Deadline ($849): September 15, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Early Bird Application Deadline ($699): August 14, 2026
Application Deadline ($849): September 15, 2026
October 5, 2026: Finalists are announced. All finalists will be notified via email if they were chosen as a Power Players 2026 finalist. Voting begins.
Voting Closes: October 20, 2026
Early November: Winners will be announced on Athletechnews.com and in our weekly email newsletters to industry executives.
Any top-achieving executive of a company or organization operating in the fitness and wellness industry is encouraged to apply.
Executives may apply to be considered for up to 3 different award categories. Companies may apply with as many executives as they wish, but must submit a separate application for each executive.
Being honored as an Athletech News’ Power Player 2026 provides unique recognition and brand exposure benefits on a personal and organizational level.
Winning executives are recognized as standouts among their peers by the world’s top fitness and wellness business publication, providing a unique platform for personal brand building and exposure.
Power Players will feature prominently in ATN newsletters, on our website and on our social media channels, receiving recognition before a constantly growing readership base of 100,000+ subscribers. Winners are encouraged to promote their status as a Power Player on their personal social media channels and in email signatures, for example.
Organizations get a chance to showcase their executive-level talent and overall brand success. This can provide benefits when it comes to marketing, talent acquisition and funding.
Finalists are selected by the ATN editorial team after an exhaustive review of all applicants and application materials. Voting will then open. Winners will be selected by votes from our readers, the 2025 winners and Athletech’s editorial team. Entries will remain confidential and will not be shared with third parties.
Applicants will be notified on October 5th, 2026, if they’ve been selected as a finalist for Power Players 2026. In early November, 2026, Power Players 2026 winners will be announced on Athletechnews.com and in our weekly email newsletters to industry executives.
This is a non-refundable processing fee required of all applicants. The early rate application fee is $699 and is due by August 14, 2026. The regular rate application fee is $849 and is due by September 15, 2026.
There is a fee required because the Athletech News Power Players 2026 is an ambitious editorial undertaking that requires many hours of careful analysis and content creation. The application fee ensures ATN can commit the resources needed to make Power Players the ultimate authority in recognizing the executives who are revolutionizing the fitness and wellness space and positively influencing society.
Refund Policy: All sales are final. While refunds aren’t available, we may be able to offer an application credit if canceled before the final deadline. If you need to cancel your application, please get in touch with us by emailing us at [email protected].
Need more help?
Have a question? Drop us an email at [email protected]
Early Rate Application Deadline ($699): August 14, 2026
Regular Rate Application Deadline ($849): September 15, 2026
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