Fitness Guru Kayla Itsines on How She Stays Ahead of the Curve
*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).
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