Xponential Fitness President Sarah Luna Exits Fitness Franchisor

Leadership background

Luna, who brought a unique blend of experience in the fitness business world as a Chapman MBA grad, professional dancer, Pilates instructor and Jazzercise franchisee, was just 34 years old when she became president of the leading boutique fitness and wellness franchisor in 2021, elevating from prior roles such as national sales director of Club Pilates, senior vice president of operations and then president of Pure Barre.

At the time of her appointment to Xponential’s executive team in 2021, founder and (now former) CEO Anthony Geisler acknowledged her relentless efforts in helping Club Pilates and Pure Barre excel in the boutique fitness space, calling her an “invaluable asset” in driving the growth of Xponential’s brands.

It’s a sentiment echoed today by Xponential’s leadership.

“Sarah Luna has stepped down as president of Xponential Fitness, effective Dec. 13,” an Xponential Fitness spokesperson said. “Prior to assuming the role of President in 2021, Sarah held brand-level leadership positions at Club Pilates and Pure Barre, contributing significantly to their evolution into leading boutique fitness brands.

We thank Sarah for her service to Xponential and wish her continued success. The company is actively engaged in the search for a successor. In the interim, Xponential’s executive team will ensure seamless operations and ongoing support for franchisees and their members.”

Company changes

There have been several changes in the Xponential orbit in the last year, including the introduction of new CEO Mark King, who succeeds Geisler.

King’s appointment was met with enthusiasm from investors. The former Taco Bell chief shared last month on an earnings call that he’s bullish on international growth and plans to overhaul the franchisee experience, improving the recruitment process and implementing annual audits to ensure consistency.

King also noted that in the new year, Xponential plans to invest in its brands in new ways.

“Once we’ve worked through some of the challenges, I expect our business to become highly profitable and cash-generative at scale,” King told investors. “International is a huge opportunity that I plan to make a core focus. I see no reason why Xponential shouldn’t have as many studios operating outside the U.S. as it does domestically.”