Matthew Januszek

Co-Founder of Escape Fitness · Partner at Escape Fitness USA

Matthew Januszek is a British entrepreneur who co-founded Escape Fitness and built it into one of the most recognized names in functional-training equipment — supplying gyms, studios, and hotels around the world. Today his focus is Escape Fitness USA and the brand’s next chapter across North America, alongside the LIFTS Podcast he co-hosts with SweatWorks founder Mo Iqbal: a weekly look at the business, science, and technology shaping the future of fitness.

Building a Global Brand

What began as a startup with limited capital grew, under Matthew’s leadership, into an international business chosen by premier fitness brands worldwide. He recognized early that equipment is only part of the story — education, content, and community are what turn a product into a movement, and that conviction still guides his work today.

A Functional-Training Pioneer

Escape Fitness helped define the functional-training category, designing equipment and programming that move people beyond machines toward strength, mobility, and real-world performance. That same philosophy now drives Escape Fitness USA’s work with operators across North America.

Escape Your Limits & the LIFTS Podcast

Across more than 300 episodes of Escape Your Limits — and now the weekly LIFTS Podcast with Mo Iqbal — Matthew has interviewed champions, founders, scientists, and industry leaders, distilling the mindset and methods behind standout success. His conversations are where the fitness industry thinks out loud.