*By Michael Teich*
The ubiquity of smartphones and apps has enabled people looking to improve their health find more convenient, cheaper alternatives to the gym without even leaving their home.
Kayla Itsines, Co-Creator of the Bikini Body Guide, has capitalized on the rapid adoption of such technology to build her fitness empire, which reaches a global audience of over 30 million.
“The app is like a personal trainer in your pocket,” Itsines said in an interview with Cheddar Monday. "You can do it anywhere."
But the rise of technology has also paved the way for other fitness disruptors such as Peloton, which has nearly $445 million in outside funding and lets users live stream spin classes from their homes. Itsines said Bikini Body Guide, which has no outside investments, has a competitive advantage because of its attention to fitness categories such as post-pregnancy and yoga.
"We try to cater to all women, which really puts us ahead of the game," she said. "Our oldest customer that I know of is 76. We're not just for the young ones, we're for the moms and grandmoms as well."
Itsines added that she has found success with her app by focusing on the achievements of other women, not her own.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/kayla-itsines-reinvents-the-fitness-industry).
About nine million people with student loans missed their first payment after the recent pandemic pause, according to data.
Spending this holiday season is set to significantly rise, according to an economic survey from CNBC.
Google settled an antitrust lawsuit, Tesla is reportedly raising pay, a group is suing Utah over its social media policies for kids and the founder of Nikola was sentenced to prison.
The White House is lending its support to an auto industry effort to standardize Tesla’s electric vehicle charging plugs for all EVs in the United States.
Some of America’s biggest retailers are working to increase their shipping speeds to please shoppers expecting faster and faster deliveries.
A group representing several big tech companies is suing Utah over state laws about children's social media use.
Google has agreed to pay $700 million to settle an anti-trust settlement.
Stocks were up after the closing bell as Wall Street continued to pin their hopes on rate cuts after last week's comments from the Fed.
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Google has agreed to pay $700 million and make several other concessions to settle allegations that it had been stifling competition against its Android app store — the same issue that went to trial in another case that could result in even bigger changes.
