From Supply Chain to Member Value

Behind every treadmill that logs thousands of miles, every weight rack that endures daily demand, and every cardio floor that never stops humming, there's a global operations machine working seamlessly behind the scenes. At Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, that engine is led by Dave Brown, SVP of Global Operations. 

With decades of experience building resilient supply chains, scaling international teams, and putting the customer experience at the centre of every decision, Dave has seen firsthand how operations can make or break a facility's success. In this conversation, he shares his leadership philosophy, the lessons our industry has learned from global disruption, and why the future of world-class operations may be more "invisible" than ever before. 

Leading with Integrity and Speed 

For Dave, leadership starts with principles. "I lean in with integrity to build trust," he says. "It's about understanding the organisation's capabilities, never taking the first 'no,' and remembering that slow is smooth and smooth is fast." 

These principles set the foundation for how he balances scale, quality, and speed across a global operations footprint. It's a philosophy that turns complexity into clarity and keeps teams aligned under pressure. 

From Theory to Reality: Meeting Rising Expectations 

In fitness, reliability isn't optional. It's everything. Downtime erodes trust for facility managers and members alike. That's where global operations play a unique role. 

"We're the lynchpin between theory and reality, or design versus execution," Dave explains. "Our teams need to be vocal at every stage of the product life cycle, whether that's investment decisions, new process improvements, or capacity planning. That's how we ensure we're aligned with customer expectations from the start." 

Lessons from Global Disruption 

The last few years have tested supply chains like never before. For Dave, the fitness industry's big takeaway was clear: build flexibility into the system. 

"Whenever possible, we use common parts versus custom, dual source where we can, and establish regional manufacturing where it makes sense," he says. These strategies help insulate customers from uncertainty and allow facilities to count on the uptime they need. 

Putting the Customer First 

Every operational decision, no matter how far behind the scenes, eventually impacts on the customer experience. Dave believes the best way to keep customers at the centre is through transparency. 

"At LF / HS, we celebrate as one team. Every department has an equal seat at the table and an equal voice. I keep our teams informed in the good times and in the bad times. Transparency builds trust." 

Even the "silent wins" like improvements facilities may never see, ladder back to customer value. Dave points to safety initiatives that help retain experienced team members. "Keeping our people safe means keeping our experience levels high, and that's a win our customers feel every day." 

Balancing Global Scale with Local Needs 

Operating worldwide brings unique challenges. Regional differences in expectations require constant balance between global consistency and local flexibility. 

"Standard practices and global read-across are key but so is realigning reporting structures and adapting to local market realities," Dave says. The ability to scale best practices globally while customising execution locally is what sets resilient operations apart. 

Looking Ahead: Data, AI, and Invisible Wins 

What will operations look like 5–10 years from now? Dave sees a shift toward true platformed solutions and experiences that blend function with engagement. "Solutions that gamify and give users a distraction while they exercise will become part of operations planning," he predicts. 

Data, digital tools, and AI will also redefine resilience. "It's about predictive measures in forecasting alignment, anticipating equipment downtime, and using digital platforms to keep global operations not just efficient, but future ready." 

The Vision 

Dave sums up his philosophy and future goals in one vision statement: 

"Deliver best-in-class global manufacturing and operations execution that prioritises the safety and success of our people with an unwavering commitment to quality, while providing consistent outcomes for our customers. We aspire to be the catalyst that unites all Life Fitness functions into a cohesive collaborative engine that drives alignment, innovation, and enterprise growth." 

Why It Matters 

The best operations are invisible, but their impact is undeniable. As fitness facilities push to deliver more reliable, connected, and elevated experiences, operational excellence becomes a true competitive differentiator. 

With leaders like Dave Brown at the helm, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is proving that the future of fitness isn't just about what happens on the floor. It's also about the precision, resilience, and trust built behind the scenes. 

Question for operators: What's one "invisible win" you're building into your operations today?