The pandemic significantly altered the fitness industry by making traditional gym visits and in-person classes inaccessible, prompting a surge in at-home gym equipment and online workout classes to maintain exercise routines and community experiences. In a discussion on The PubNub PubCast, Lauren Foundos, founder and CEO of FORTË, shares insights with PubNub's COO, Casey Clegg, about the digital transformation in the fitness sector. Foundos highlights the factors driving user engagement in online fitness spaces and the surprising reactions from consumers and gyms to pandemic-induced changes. She emphasizes the potential for delivering exceptional fitness experiences on a large scale and predicts a hybrid model as the future of the fitness industry. The PubNub PubCast features industry leaders discussing innovative virtual experiences and the creation of connected online communities.