The deal comes amid a year of consolidation across the fitness software and payments space
Daxko, a software and payments provider, has added another piece to its growing fitness tech portfolio with the acquisition of Exercise.com, a gym management software company that focuses on boutique fitness studios.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition builds on Daxko’s recent expansion streak. In September, the company acquired Vision, a longtime software partner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, extending its footprint to nearly 30% of Clubs nationwide. The deal was designed to reduce administrative burdens for club leaders while expanding access to Daxko’s member management and engagement tools. That move followed Daxko’s purchase of ARC, a platform supporting Jewish Community Centers.
“This acquisition reinforces our commitment to serving fitness businesses of every size and model, from independent studios to multi-location clubs,” Daxko CEO Jeff VanDixhorn said. “Exercise.com’s proven platform and team align perfectly with our strategy to help fitness organizations thrive while improving the lives of the people and communities they serve.”
Exercise.com will continue operating under its existing platform and team, with Daxko’s backing expected to speed innovation and scale. The companies said the goal is to more tightly link coaching, operations and payments in one data-driven system designed to help fitness businesses grow.
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“The future of boutique fitness belongs to the platforms that help owners run smarter, connect deeper and grow faster,” Exercise.com founder and CEO Joel Ohman said. “We’ve built a strong foundation for that vision, and joining Daxko, a recognized leader in fitness, gives us the reach, resources and go-to-market strength to take it further—bringing more value to fitness professionals and their members.”
The Daxko–Exercise.com acquisition adds to a growing list of fitness technology deals in 2025.
In July, Echelon Fitness acquired Fortë to scale its enterprise software platform, while in September, Xplor Technologies and Clubessential Holdings announced plans to merge, forming a multi-vertical global software and payments provider serving more than 130,000 customers across fitness, wellness and recreation.
Does microdosing exercise really work? Is it enough to level up your fitness and make any kind of beneficial impact on your health? I’ve covered previous studies on how exercise snacking can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health, but what about physically inactive individuals with little experience with exercise? Do they still achieve benefits from these short bouts of movement? Let’s delve into the research.
The meta-analysis
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In a meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers evaluated the effects of brief bouts of exercise spread throughout the day, known as exercise snacks, on muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health outcomes. The study authors were especially interested in the impact on the following factors:
Muscle strength
Fitness
Heart health
Blood pressure
Body fat
Cholesterol
The study involved 414 physically inactive adults of varying ages. In this case, the researchers considered exercise snacks to be five-minute workouts performed at least twice per day, at least three times a week, for at least two weeks, rather than longer sessions in single blocks. The meta-analysis included randomised controlled trials of adults and older adults comparing those who did exercise snacking with those who didn’t exercise at all. Exercise snacking lasted for 4-12 weeks in the studies. The workouts varied in intensity from moderate-to-vigorous to near-maximal.
The results
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Here are the results of the meta-analysis:
Exercise snacking enhances heart and lung fitness. The adults who stayed committed to these shorter workouts had better endurance.
Exercise snacking helped older adults enhance their muscular endurance and become tired less quickly, though more studies are needed specifically on this.
These shorter exercise bursts didn’t improve muscle strength or the ability to produce force. Typically, building strength requires using heavier loads or committing to longer training sessions. However, the studies in this analysis ended after 12 weeks.
These mini workouts scattered throughout the day didn’t change medical markers over those 4-12 weeks, such as body fat, cholesterol, metabolic health, and blood pressure.
91% of participants completed their exercise sessions, and 83% stuck to their program requirements, showing high compliance with exercise snacking.
The bottom line
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It’s important to note that this research involved adults who were physically inactive and had little to no experience with exercise, and the studies ended after 12 weeks. The bottom line is that if you’re physically inactive now, several short bursts of movement throughout the day over 4-12 weeks can definitely improve your fitness. You’ll be making strides, or shall we say movements in the right direction, but it might not be enough to make significant metabolic changes in your health, such as your blood pressure, body composition, or cholesterol.
If you asked me what I thought was the most glamorous form of exercise, I’d say Pilates. The wildly viral workout has become synonymous with sleek Reformer studios, sweat-inducing sessions and matching pastel-hued sets worn by so-called “Pilates princesses”. It’s hard not to fall for the allure, but behind the aesthetic lies something far more functional. Pilates was never about looking polished; it’s about how your body moves. At its core (literally), it’s about mobility, alignment and strength – three things most of us need more of after years of sitting, slouching and scrolling.
Enter the Pilates leg kick – or single-leg kick, as it’s known in the classical mat repertoire. It looks deceptively gentle, but experts say this one simple move can do wonders for your hip mobility and core strength.
“Pilates leg kicks usually refer to exercises from the classical mat repertoire such as the single leg kick and the double leg kick,” says multi-disciplinary trainer Tara Riley. “They’re done lying face down, kicking the heels towards the bottom, with a focus on extension through the back body, challenging the hamstrings, glutes, hips and shoulder girdle stability.”
And don’t just take our word for it. Research backs up just how important hip mobility and core strength are for long-term health and movement quality. A 2018 study found that four weeks of focused core training significantly improved posture and spinal stability, while another review linked limited hip mobility to knee and lower-back pain. In other words, this understated Pilates move does far more for your body than any flashy ab finisher could.
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Keen to discover more about the power of Pilates? Check out our guides to the best Pilates exercises for beginners, best Pilates core moves, best advanced Pilates exercises, and the best weighted Pilates moves. Keen to shop? Don’t miss our edit of the best Pilates bar exercises, best at-home Reformer Pilates machines, and more budget-friendly Pilates sculpt bars, Pilates sliders and Pilates rings, here.
Hip Mobility and Core Strength Matter – Here’s the Pilates Move an Expert Swears By
Why do experts love the Pilates leg kick?
“The Pilates one-leg kick is a great exercise to challenge the body in a number of ways,” explains Pilates instructor Eloise Skinner. “It strengthens the muscles on the back of the body, works on alignment, and really builds the mind-body connection.”
Because the exercise requires you to lie prone (face down) while lifting the chest and kicking one leg, your posterior chain – the glutes, hamstrings and lower back – is working hard to stabilise you. At the same time, your shoulders and core must stay engaged to prevent wobbling.
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Skinner adds that it’s the balance of control and coordination that makes this move so potent. You can’t just swing your leg; every inch of the movement has to be intentional, which forces the smaller stabilising muscles to activate. The result? Better body awareness, balance and control – all key principles of Pilates.
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Why is the Pilates leg kick so good for hip mobility and core strength?
Hip mobility might not sound like a headline goal, but it’s one of the most important foundations for healthy, pain-free movement. “It’s fundamental to so many daily activities – standing, bending, stretching, twisting,” says Skinner. “A lack of hip mobility can cause overcompensation in the lower back, knees or ankles, and even lead to stiffness or pain.”
The single-leg kick works both sides of the equation: as you lift and bend your leg, the front of the hip lengthens (a stretch for tight hip flexors) while the back of the body strengthens. That stretch-and-strengthen combination is what keeps hips mobile and joints healthy.
Meanwhile, the core is quietly doing most of the heavy lifting. Keeping the upper body lifted and stable challenges your deep abdominal muscles to stay switched on – the kind of strength that supports your spine and improves posture. “Core strength is challenged through the need to stabilise the mid and upper body, and maintain alignment as the legs move quickly,” says Skinner.
It’s that blend of precision and power that makes the move a favourite among instructors – a functional strength exercise wrapped in an elegant Pilates package.
Is the Pilates leg kick suitable for beginners?
Yes, though Skinner says a little alignment awareness goes a long way. “It’s a good exercise for beginners, although it does require some understanding of posture, since there’s a chance of overloading the lower back if the upper body is placed incorrectly. It might be best to try it with a teacher first, in a class environment, and then incorporate it into a home practice.”
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Once you’ve nailed the basics, there are easy ways to level it up. “To make it more advanced, the legs can move in sequential motion, switching between kicks like scissors, or both legs can move together in a double-leg kick,” Skinner adds. “You can also combine it with other glute or hamstring work for a more complete routine.”
How to do a Pilates leg kick with good form
Start with eight to ten reps per leg, moving slowly to prioritise form. Over time, you can increase the tempo or add pulses for more intensity.
Lie face down on your mat with your legs extended and toes pointed. Rest your hands lightly beside your body.
Lift your chest slightly, keeping your shoulders away from your ears and your neck long.
Engage your core and glutes to stabilise your pelvis and prevent the lower back from arching.
Bend one knee and kick your heel towards your glute in a controlled motion – think smooth, not snappy.
Lower the leg back down with control, then switch sides.
Pilates Exercise: One Leg Kick | Pilates Anytime – YouTube
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How often should you do the Pilates leg kick?
Two to three times a week is plenty. Pilates is all about control and consistency – your muscles benefit more from a few mindful sets than daily, rushed reps. The leg kick is entirely mat-based, which makes it perfect for at-home or on-holiday workouts.
When will you notice results from practicing the Pilates leg kick?
Multi-disciplinary trainer Tara Riley says most people feel the difference within a few weeks of consistent practice: “You’ll start to notice looser hips, better posture and more awareness of how your body moves.”
King Charles III celebrated his 77th birthday on Friday, 14 November by carrying out a series of engagements in South Wales, refusing to be put off by the chaotic rain of Storm Claudia, much like his niece, Zara Tindall, over in Cheltenham. Alongside his wife, Queen Camilla, he kicked off the day at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, one of the most significant buildings in the country that also celebrated its 200th anniversary this year. During his visit, he had a conversation with people working their patronages, including The King’s Trust and Royal Osteoporosis Society, sharing with the public an insight into how he manages to keep fit at 77.
The King spoke to various Welsh celebrities and media personalities, including TikTok creator Lewis Leigh, Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, and Liam Reardon, the reality TV star who shot to fame after winning the 2021 series of ITV’s hit dating programme Love Island. In conversation with Liam, he revealed his rigorous fitness routine.
Queen Camilla and King Charles wave as they depart from a visit to Cyfarthfa Castle
Speaking to the father of Prince William and Prince Harry, Liam said: “I’m opening a gym next week, so if you ever fancy a little session, let me know, we’ll have a session together.” In response, the King laughed and said: “I try to do my exercise… twice a day.”
Later talking about the interaction, the Love Island winner said: “He mentioned going to the gym… He said, ‘You’re opening a gym are you?’ I said, ‘Yeah. Look, if you’re ever in the area again and you fancy a session, I’ll put you through your paces’… He said, ‘Oh yeah, I’d love to’. I said, ‘You look fit anyway’, he said, ‘I train twice a day’, I said, ‘I can tell’.”
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: King Charles’ health over the years
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At his age, and with such a busy schedule, getting in two workouts a day is quite the task, but for someone who is constantly out and about, as well as a continuously public-facing figurehead of the country, it’s especially vital that he is physically and mentally fit enough to handle the image side of his responsibilities.
The King’s birthday celebrations in the Castle
At the community reception, there were also representatives from the King and Queen’s respective patronages, as well as local businesses such as Coco’s Coffee and Candles, and Enaid Wellness. People from the King’s Trust, Royal Osteoporosis Society, and domestic violence charity Safer Merthyr Tydfil were also present.
King Charles was then presented with a coin to mark the Trust’s upcoming 50th anniversary next year, which was designed by King’s Trust alumna Jessica Gregorio and produced at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant.
The guests then sang happy birthday to the King before he cut his cake, which was a replica of Cyfarthfa Castle made out of a vanilla sponge with jam and buttercream. After the celebration, King Charles left to officially open the South Wales Metro Depot in Taff’s Well, just outside of Cardiff, while the Queen visited Cyfarthfa Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil to mark World Poetry Day.
