Technology

The Hottest New Fitness Craze Is One Of The Oldest—Because It Works

Rucking, or walking with a weighted pack, can be done in the city, the country or the woods, and the … More simplicity is one of the reasons it is suddenly so popular. GoRuck With over two million copies sold to date, the health blockbuster Outlive by Peter Attia, MD is currently Number Eight on […]

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4 weeks ago

July 16, 2025

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Rucking-Urban Ruck GoRuck 25l — Rucking, or walking with a weighted pack, can be done in the city, the country or the woods, and the … More simplicity is one of the reasons it is suddenly so popular.

GoRuck

With over two million copies sold to date, the health blockbuster Outlive by Peter Attia, MD is currently Number Eight on the New York Times Non-fiction Bestseller List. But the impressive number is not eight, it’s 107. That is how many weeks the book has been on the list, having already reached the Number One spot and remained a bestseller for more than two years since. Among many other things, Outline helped drive the hottest new fitness craze.

The Hottest “New” Fitness Craze

Many readers of Outlive, including me, made systemic lifestyle changes, from the medical tests they get to what they eat to how much they exercise. But in particular Dr. Attia helped re-popularize one specific form of exercise, “rucking,” or walking around with a weighted pack.

Of course, he was not alone in making one of the oldest forms of exercise hot again. In a single 2-day span last month both the Times and rival Wall Street Journal ran long articles with nearly identical titles on why “weighted vests” are suddenly hot. They both kind of got it wrong as the articles really described rucking, and weighted vests are largely a different thing in the fitness world, but they were both right about it being a hot trend.

You don’t have to enlist or join special forces to benefit from rucking, but there is a reason why … More every major armed force in the world uses this as a primary form of fitness.

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Another NY Times bestselling author and former Men’s Health magazine editor, Michael Easter, champions rucking in his book The Comfort Crisis, going so far as to practice the activity, normally associated with hiking or walking, while vacuuming his home and on a treadmill.

Why Try Rucking?

Easter has been rucking regularly for well over a decade and while the pursuit is suddenly hot, he was an early adopter. He told me, “As a health and wellness journalist I always took an evolutionary look at what we do. When you look at modern fitness, a lot of people run, which is something humans evolved to do. But very few people carry, which we also evolved to do, and in my opinion is even more important. So, I started throwing on a backpack with weight, it’s so simple. You burn anywhere from 20-30% more calories than just walking, it’s uniquely good for burning fat and building muscle, and it’s a full-body exercise. When you run you just get cardio but not necessarily strength, with rucking you get both, building muscle while losing weight. And I feel very confident saying it has a much lower injury rate than running, it’s closer to walking.”

“Everyone has tried running, and it works for some people, but others get hurt or just don’t lie it. Rucking is just more approachable and easier.”

Comfort Crisis author Michael Easter and his dog getting ready to ruck.

GoRuck

Easter cites the work of expert Harvard professor Daniel Lieberman, a widely acclaimed evolutionary biologist known for his research on running and walking in humans. It was Lieberman who coined the term “born to run” about barefoot running cultures, later borrowed as the title of yet another big fitness bestseller. In his own fascinating book Exercised, Why Something We Never Evolved To Do is Healthy and Rewarding, Lieberman praised these evolutionary roots of rucking, explaining that the ability to carry weighted loads over long distances voluntarily (without having them strapped to us like a donkey) differentiates humans from every other creature on the planet and is a huge part of our species success and of being human.

Rucking is the act of walking or hiking (or for the devout using a treadmill at the gym) while wearing a weighted pack. It has been the primary fitness exercise of choice for most of the world’s military forces for centuries (or longer), and the term comes from the name from a widely used military backpack, a rucksack. “Rucking is very much a military term,” says Easter, “and some people hear military jargon and think ‘that’s not for me,’ but humans have been carrying weights for thousands of years, and it has always been good for us.”

Michael Easter out on a training ruck.

GoRuck

It differs from backpacking mainly in that it is intentional exercise, not something you have to do to carry the gear needed to camp in the wilderness. People strap on a weighted pack and walk their dogs or stroll around the neighborhood or go on hikes, in order to accomplish two fitness goals: burning more calories in the same duration of walking, and building muscle strength, while in turn improving bone density while becoming generally fitter. There is also a difference from backpacking in the packs and how you bear the weight, but what predominantly makes it rucking is intent, and that intent is to become healthier and stronger.

Finally, A Fitness Routine That’s Easy To Do Regularly and Stick With

But the best thing about it is that it is simple, and thus arguably the easiest new exercise routine to incorporate into your life, something many people struggle to do with all sorts of workouts. If you want to start a new fitness regimen tomorrow, I can’t think of many things that are effective that are easier to do than adding rucking to your life, and ease of adoption is incredibly important in the success of any new plan.

This is especially true if you already walk at all. I’ve always praised the health benefits of owning dogs, which need to be walked every day, and mine don’t care if it’s hot or cold or raining or snowing, they get my wife and I out for an hour or more each day, including many days when we would blow off the walk in bad weather if we didn’t have dogs. After reading Outlive about a year ago, I started rucking almost every day when I walk my dogs, and I was doing that anyway, so I needed to add exactly zero extra time to get a better workout. Rucking is not just good for you, it’s also an incredibly efficient way to exercise. Easter also rucks when he walks his dog.

Pack manufacturer GoRuck has helped develop hundreds of local Ruck Clubs around the country so … More people can work out in social groups.

GoRuck

Many people, even those without dogs, already do some sort of fitness walking, and rucking is a natural addition to this. Of course, if you don’t walk already, you have to add it to ruck, but you should be adding walking anyway (unless you run instead, and most experts do not recommend ruck-running). I also ruck when I hike, within reason, usually on hikes of 90-minutes or less. On longer hikes I am wearing a pack with gear and water anyway. It’s lighter, but still added weight.

Rucking has been an extremely popular form of exercise used by the military, and is currently employed by just about every armed force on earth. The reason it has lasted so long and continues to be so widely used is because the military sees the results, thousands of times each year, and knows it works. Special Operations Forces Prep Coach is a coaching programmed designed to help those trying out for U.S. special forces units (Navy Seals, Delta Force, Green Berets, etc.) make the cut in the highly selective, competitive and rigorous physical training programs required for admission. On its site, the coaches ask “How important is rucking? There are three studies in the past three decades on SFAS [Special Forces Assessment and Selection] and each of them found that rucking performance was the greatest predictor of getting selected, more than any other physical factors like running, pull-ups, or A.P.F.T scores.”

Rucking is so popular with elite special forces soldiers that in his New York Times bestseller Can’t Hurt Me —with over 7 million copies sold—former Navy SEAL David Goggins used heavy load rucking to train for both the SEAL teams and to later become one of the top ultra-endurance race competitors in the world. Goggins remains the only soldier ever to complete the elite training programs of the SEALS, Army Rangers and Air Force Tactical Controller, and was named the “The Fittest (Real) Man in America” by Outside Magazine. Even bestselling fictional SEALS use rucking—in Jack Carr’s hugely popular series of Terminal List novels (turned into a Chris Pratt series on Prime) his ex-Navy SEAL protagonist James Reece gets back into shape by wearing a weighted pack up and down mountains.

Rucking packs come in a variety of sizes depending how much you want to carry.

GoRuck

But you do not have to be a special forces operator to benefit from rucking, and one of the great appeals is that almost anyone can do it, as you can start with small amounts of weight. “The bearded dudes going into Afghanistan carried 120 pounds. I carry 45. My mom goes rucking with me and she uses 10 pounds,” says Jason McCarthy, a former special forces soldier who started GoRuck, the biggest company in the niche field of rucking gear, with his wife Emily (former CIA).

A Simple and Time-Efficient Way to Exercise

I spoke to McCarthy over the phone while he was out rucking around his Florida neighborhood, and it’s how he manages his time to stay hyper-ft and get his workouts in while running a company. “You can train wherever you are, city rucking is just hiking in the city, and while we’ve been talking I just got in 3000 steps. This morning, I rucked while I walked my dog. Now I don’t have to carve out time to go to the gym. It’s about finding time to exercise.”

“Why does it work? It’s always worked, since the beginning of time. I’m trying to create a ‘new’ fitness category that’s actually been around forever. Nike started with running at a time when no one had heard of running, it was just for crazies and weirdos.” To that end, in addition to making rucking gear, GoRuck puts on several hundred public rucking events each year and has helped build a grassroots network of about 700 “ruck clubs” across the country to help newcomers join a community. “People are starving for real world connections, and we have to create alternatives that make it fun and healthy to make those connections. The vibe is inviting and they are free. At first no one in the media wanted to cover it because it isn’t a $2000 piece of gym gear or high-tech. The whole beauty of rucking is that it is simple and it works. If you believe walking is great, getting outside is great, getting stronger is great or having a healthier heart is great, then it is for you. Every form of human movement gets harder when you add resistance, and this adds resistance.”

You can even practice rucking while traveling. This is the GR-1 backpack, the best carry-on bag I … More have ever had and the one I have carried for the past few years.

GoRuck

For someone who sells rucking gear, McCarthy surprisingly recommends starting by not buying any. “When you were in college you probably walked around campus with a backpack full of books. I see people in the airport with these really heavy backpacks. A lot of people are rucking and don’t even know it, because it’s so natural. Don’t go buy a bunch of expensive stuff. Start with what you have and for most people I recommend 20 pounds. If you put a dumbbell in a school backpack it’s going to bounce off your back and you’ll hate it, so maybe start with a bag of rice.” I tell my friends who are starting out to use multiple water bottles, because if the pack proves too heavy once you get out on the trail, you can just pour some out.

Easter seconds this beginning approach. “The beauty is simplicity, and unlike some other fitness and gear programs there is no paralysis by analysis. You own a backpack. You own something that weighs something. You have water bottles. Ideally you want the weight close to your back and higher up, so I tell people to put a yoga block or equivalent in the bottom of their pack and then put the weight on top of that to get it higher. If you use a dumbbell or weight plate, wrap it in a towel for cushioning. Go get started and then if you keep doing it, decide if you want to move on to more specialized gear.”

Gear For Rucking

I have done a lot of backpacking and hiking and gear reviews and probably have more packs than anyone should own, but I got a specific rucking pack from GoRuck, because it does make a difference. Backpacking packs are specifically and technologically designed to use a substantial hip belt and transfer weight to the lower body. That makes it more efficient and easier to carry loads long distances over uneven terrain, but the point of rucking is exercise, and to make your walk harder, not easier. The rucking pack has no waist belt, and is very low profile, so as Easter says, it holds the weight (I use metal plates and tubes of sand) close to your back and high up (Easter also uses GoRuck packs for his rucking).

I was already familiar with the company because I use and write on luggage for all travel and sports, and in my many years of questing to find the perfect carry-on bag for my very frequent travel around the world, I’ve ended up with the GoRuck GR-1. I’ve had this for a few years, longer than I have been rucking, and like all their products it is overbuilt to truly last a lifetime. I put the GR-1 in my 2024 Father’s Day luggage buying guide here at Forbes as the top carry-on and wrote “The GoRuck GR-1 is simply the best carry-on bag for active travel (or any travel) I have found.” NY Times gear testing site Wirecutter also picked the GR-1 as “The Best Buy It For Life Backpack” and wrote, “It isn’t just tough, it’s nearly indestructible.”

It’s bigger and doesn’t have a dedicated metal plate pocket, but you can definitely also use the GR-1 as a rucking pack if you want to buy just one thing. Because I keep my carry-on loaded for flights all the time, I use a separate rucking-specific pack, the GoRuck Rucker 4.0 20-liter. This way I can just leave the weights in it and not move things around daily. All their stuff is made to military grade and practically indestructible. GoRuck makes rucking-specific packs in three capacities (15, 20 and 25 liter) and several sizes for different heights.

Easter says, “I tell people to never go over a third of your body weight, and I carry about 20% of my body weight. I don’t like vests where weight is on your chest because that affects your breathing, I only go on my back. If I’m training for big backcountry trip, I’ll get on a treadmill with a very heavy pack, like 60 pounds, crank up the incline to a steep setting and walk slowly for 45 minutes, that’s a great workout.” I’ve been carrying 21-24% of my body weight.

You can also use the packs to add to your bodyweight exercises such as push-ups and pull-ups.

GoRuck

Just to clarify the misleading verbiage of the recent newspaper articles, there are also weighted vests, as Easter mentions, that carry weight on the front and back. GoRuck makes these as well, as do many fitness gear companies, and these are far more widely available than rucking-specific packs, which may cause the confusion. Weighted vests have traditionally been accessories used at the gym for serious strength training, mainly to add resistance to body weight exercises such as pull-ups and push-ups. With strength training, to increase the workload you can do more repetitions, lift heavier weights or both, but body weight exercise is generally limited by your body weight. Most of us would struggle to do 10 pull-ups, but if you get to the point where you can do, say 30, you can either keep doing more or add weight, and a vest is the way to do that. For rucking, keep it on your back. But you can also use these rucking packs in the gym (or stopping for pushups on your hike) in lieu of a vest for most bodyweight exercises.

Health Benefits

The recent Wall Street Journal article said that carrying 10% of your body weight burned 8.5% more calories, while going to 20-30% jumped that to 19.7 and 32.2%. They also said carrying weight activated muscles in your back, shoulders, abs and lower body. The Journal also cited studies showing that rucking can prevent or reduce bone density loss while ageing.

When you exercise regularly and eat well it is very difficult to break out the effect individual lifestyle elements have on your overall health and performance, which is why anecdotal reports are not a reliable source of training information. In addition to rucking I am also doing regular strength training with weights, hiking, cycling and doing high intensity interval training, plus myriad other activities. Nonetheless, I have been doing most of those things for a long time, and a year after I added rucking to my fitness mix I am at the leanest, fittest state of my adult life, I’ve had no pain or soreness or injuries related to rucking, my tangible performance at endurance events such as long distance cycling and hiking has improved, and I have to believe that my frequent rucking (60-90 minutes 4-5 times a week with 35-40 pounds) has made a difference. Just the fact that over the year I have been able to increase the weight when it gets easier seems to prove that strength and endurance are being built along the way.

For most of my life, the primary focus of health-based exercise was aerobic, but in recent years studies have shown that strength training is much more important to long term health than many people thought, possibly even more important than cardio, and directly related to bone density. But for a well-rounded fitness routine you want cardio and aerobic exercise and full body strength, and most of us want to burn more calories. Rucking does all of this, in a way that is easy, efficient and time effective compared to many other kinds of exercise. But it should not take the place of strength training and other exercise but rather makes a perfect addition to those. It can also be highly social and is fun and easy to do with friends.

“I’m already going to go for a walk or walk the dog, so I might as well throw on the pack and get a lot more benefit from the walk,” says Easter. This simplicity and efficiency is a big part of the reason why rucking is the hottest new fitness craze.

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How the world’s most valuable company got caught in the middle of Trump’s spat with China – The Mercury News

By Clare Duffy, Phil Mattingly, Lisa Eadicicco, CNN New York (CNN) — Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, has found itself caught in the middle of President Donald Trump’s historic trade war with China. The result: an extraordinary concession from a $4.5 trillion corporation that will give the United States a percentage of every high-end […]

Published

26 minutes ago

August 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Clare Duffy, Phil Mattingly, Lisa Eadicicco, CNN

New York (CNN) — Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, has found itself caught in the middle of President Donald Trump’s historic trade war with China. The result: an extraordinary concession from a $4.5 trillion corporation that will give the United States a percentage of every high-end AI chip sold in China.

The deal, which AMD also signed for some of its chips, could split the difference between two competing Trump administration goals: maintain America’s AI dominance while securing a critical trade agreement with China. It could also give the White House billions of dollars to spend as it wishes.

What Nvidia agreed to

Nvidia and AMD have agreed to pay the US government 15% of their revenues from semiconductor sales to China in exchange for licenses to export their technology there.

The White House in April blocked the export of certain AI chips to China, including Nvidia’s H20 chips and AMD’s MI308 chips. The deal with the Trump administration allows the companies to obtain export licenses to restart sales of those chips in China, a US official told CNN. The Financial Times first reported the story Sunday.

Nvidia previewed the deal last month, when it said it would resume sales of the H20 chip to China after the Trump administration expressed openness to allowing the export of certain AI chips again. But the 15% payment was a surprise. Trump said Nvidia was initially asked to pay a 20% cut, but they negotiated the rate down to 15%.

The deal came together after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the official said. Although the export licenses were granted Friday, no shipments have yet been made.

“We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets,” a Nvidia spokesperson said in a statement. “While we haven’t shipped H20 to China for months, we hope export control rules will let America compete in China and worldwide.”

AMD has not responded to CNN’s request for comment.

How extraordinary is this?

Governments, including the United States, have taken control of companies in the past when they were considered to be of strategic importance to national security. During the financial crisis in 2009, the United States took control of General Motors and Chrysler, and the proceeds of those stakes went directly into the US Treasury after the government sold them for a profit.

But it’s not clear that the US government has ever demanded a percentage of a company’s business without taking an equity stake – or if it’s even legal to do so.

The US Constitution forbids taxes on exports. To get around that, the deal’s terms have been structured as a voluntary agreement, so it won’t be considered a tax or a tariff, a US official said. Instead, Nvidia and AMD will voluntarily send funds to the US government. The companies will have no say whatsoever on how the US government deploys that money after it is sent.

“It’s hard to identify any historical precedent for this sort of arrangement,” said Sarah Kreps, law professor and director of the Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy.

What about national security?

In recent years, the US government has sought to restrict China’s access to advanced American technology in an effort to slow its progress on AI and let the United States get farther ahead. But the White House’s reversal on export controls may be an acknowledgement that China is advancing in AI regardless, so American companies might as well be allowed to benefit. It could also give the White House another way to raise revenue for the US government, along with tariffs.

“It seems like there’s been some vacillation within the administration about and toward China, and I think that reflects the internal divide within the administration between the China hawks and the economic pragmatists,” Kreps said. “It seems like increasingly, the economic pragmatists are holding sway.”

That approach would align with arguments from Nvidia’s Huang, who has said that restricting sales of American AI chips is bad for US national security. Chinese developers could simply undermine US leadership by creating their own alternatives if they can’t buy American technology, according to Huang, who has met with Trump repeatedly in recent months.

The White House agrees with Huang, believing it’s better to have China locked into a US-made chip sold through legitimate channels than to force China to the black market, a US official said. China has been able to subvert existing channels to obtain restricted chips anyway.

Why is Trump charging 15%?

Big questions remain about where the 15% commission idea emerged and what it could mean for national security.

A US official said that the payment allows the administration to maintain control of the export process and bring in revenue for the US government in the process. Still, it’s not clear that the penalty for Nvidia and AMD will effectively limit the flow of the chips or erase any potential national security issues.

“If there’s a legitimate national security concern about exporting these chips to China, then I don’t see how the payments to the US government address those risks. In fact, they don’t at all,” said Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “And if there’s not a sufficient national security risk or they can be adequately mitigated … then the US government should just get out of the way and expect nothing in return.”

What does this mean for Nvidia?

Nvidia released the H20 chip last year as a way to maintain access to the Chinese market — which made up 13% of the company’s sales in 2024 — in the face of US export controls imposed by the Biden administration.

But the chips are widely believed to have contributed to DeepSeek, an advanced Chinese AI model that shook Silicon Valley upon its release earlier this year, raising concerns that China was further ahead on AI than previously understood.

After the Trump administration barred H20 sales to China in April, Nvidia said it took billions of dollars in charges and lost revenue because of the export controls in the first quarter and projected a similar outcome in the second quarter.

So, even if it has to fork over 15% of those sales to the White House, resuming shipments of the H20 to China could mean billions more dollars in revenue for Nvidia — which became the first publicly traded company to top $4 trillion in valuation last month. Shares of Nvidia (NVDA) rose as much as 0.5% on Monday.

Combined, Nvidia and AMD could earn as much as $35 billion in annual revenue from sales of their H20 and MI380 chips to China, according to CFRA Research analyst Angelo Zino’s estimates. That means the White House would earn around $5 billion in revenue. “We acknowledge the tax will have a negative impact on profit margins tied to China sales but view the reentry into the second-largest GPU market to be worth the cost,” Zino said in emailed commentary Monday.

How important are these chips?

Trump on Monday called Nvidia’s H20 chip “obsolete,” saying that China “already has it in a different form.”

But some experts disagree with Trump’s characterization of the chips.

“These H20s are still state of the art,” CSIS’s Kennedy said. Although they’re less advanced, in some ways, than other Nvidia chips, “they also come with elements that make them extremely sophisticated and valuable,” including their memory capabilities.

Nvidia’s H20 chip is also good at inference, says Param Singh, professor of business technologies and marketing at Carnegie Mellon University, which refers to the process an AI model goes through when answering a question.

But Nvidia’s H100 and H200 series chips, as well as its Blackwell line of chips, are much more powerful and better equipped to train large language models like OpenAI’s GPT-5 he says. It’s not the same as calling it obsolete, but using a chip like the H20 instead could mean it might take longer to train cutting edge AI models.

“There’s a huge difference in the amount of calculations that an H100 chip could do versus an H20,” he said.

Nvidia likely reasoned that there is enough Chinese demand for the chips to make the 15% commission to the White House a worthwhile trade-off for its business, according to Kreps. “You have to do a calculation based on what was lost from the export controls,” she said.

Will Trump approve more advanced chips?

Trump on Monday left open the possibility that Nvidia could export its super high-end Blackwell chips for a higher price. The Trump administration had closed the door on the export of that technology to China — even after reversing course on the H20.

However, Trump on Monday said that he’d consider allowing Nvidia to sell the Blackwell chip.

“The Blackwell is superduper advanced. I wouldn’t make a deal with that, although it’s possible,” Trump said. “I’d make a deal a somewhat enhanced in a negative way. Blackwell, in other words, take 30% to 50% off of it, but that’s the latest and the greatest in the world. Nobody has it. They won’t have it for five years.”

Trump said Huang will return to the White House in the future to discuss selling an “unenhanced” version of Blackwell.

“I think he’s coming to see me again about that, but that will be a unenhanced version of the big one,” Trump said. “You know, we will sometimes sell fighter jets to a country and we’ll give them 20% less than we have.”

What does China want?

Questions from Beijing about the security of American AI chips also raise uncertainty about just how successful Trump’s commission policy could be.

China could choose not to buy US tech firm Nvidia’s H20 chips, the social media account Yuyuan Tantian, which is affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, said on Sunday. It claimed that the chips could have “backdoors” that impact their function and security, following previous similar claims from China’s cybersecurity administration. Nvidia has repeatedly denied that its products have backdoors.

However, that statement could be less an indication that China won’t buy American chips and more a signal to Chinese tech companies to continue innovating in semiconductors even if US shipments do resume, Kennedy said.

What does this mean for a broader trade deal?

For the Trump administration, the cost-benefit analysis is that it opens up the flow of mid-tier chips to China while giving the administration a key bargaining chip in its ongoing trade talks, a US official said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called Nvidia export controls a “negotiating chip” in the larger US-China trade talks.

But China knows that, and its posturing over supposed security concerns with the H20 chip this weekend suggests that it won’t be won over so easily — even if it wants the chips for its market.

This story has been updated with additional information and context.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Originally Published: August 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM PDT

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Crunch Fitness Killeen Expands into New 50,000 sq. ft. State-of-the-Art Facility with Grand Re-Opening Celebration on August 19

KILLEEN, Texas, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Undefeated Tribe, one of the fastest-growing franchise groups within the Crunch Fitness system, is doubling down on its commitment to the Killeen community with a bold expansion into a brand new 50,000-square-foot location. Locally owned and operated by franchisee Tony Hartl and The Undefeated Tribe, the new […]

Published

28 minutes ago

August 11, 2025

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The new location, representing a $10 million investment, is located just next door from the original club at 1101 S Fort Hood Street, in the former Conn’s and next to Area 254. Originally opened in 2018 with 28,000 sq. ft., Crunch Killeen is now expanding to nearly double the size, bringing an even more vibrant and upscale experience to its members.

The expanded club will feature hot yoga, full-service locker rooms with saunas, a second indoor turf space, more strength training and cardio equipment, a Kid’s Crunch Theatre, group fitness and Ride spin studios, HIITZone™ functional training, HydroMassage®, red light therapy, tanning, babysitting services, personal training, and more.

“We are so excited to bring a new Crunch Fitness brand to Killeen and continue to offer outstanding and affordable fitness,” said Crunch Franchisee Tony Hartl. “We appreciate and value all of our members at Killeen, especially those who have been with us since day one—this new location will offer a vibrant, upscale and new experience for the community.”

To celebrate the opening, Crunch will host a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Monday, August 19, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, where the first 1,000 guests will receive a free Crunch t-shirt (while supplies last). Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet football legend Vince Young, who will be available for photos and autographs (limit 2 per person). The event is free and open to the public, no membership required.

In addition, Crunch is offering a limited-time exclusive where new members can join for just 1¢, get their first month free, and receive a complimentary one-hour personal training session.

Crunch Killeen is also hiring. Positions include managers, group fitness instructors, personal trainers, customer service representatives, facility technicians, and babysitters. Those looking to join a team that’s passionate about people, fitness, and fun can apply now at epiccrunchjobs.com.

Founded in 2018 by Tony Hartl, The Undefeated Tribe was named Crunch Franchise of the Year in 2021 for its excellence in performance, brand leadership, and community impact. With 33 locations open and over 47 in development, the team is on a mission to open over 100 new clubs nationwide by the end of 2028.

About The Undefeated Tribe

Founded in 2018 by Tony Hartl, The Undefeated Tribe is one of the fastest growing franchises within the Crunch Fitness system. The Company currently operates locations in Texas, Missouri, New Mexico and Oklahoma, with many more in development. In 2021 The Undefeated Tribe was selected as the Franchise of the Year for the Crunch Fitness system. The Undefeated Tribe was recognized as the top-performing franchise for its unique accomplishments and excellence in business performance, community service, and brand involvement.

Media Contact

Amber Givens, The Undefeated Tribe, 1 2706685354, [email protected], epicrunchjobs.com

SOURCE The Undefeated Tribe

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If the ESPN & FOX One Bundle Isn’t Enough —Here’s What Happens When You Add Peacock, HBO Max, & Paramount+

If you care about live games, critically acclaimed documentaries, and every possible angle on sports, the new ESPN DTC–FOX One bundle for $39.99 is a powerful foundation, but it’s only the beginning. For sports streamers who need to fill their gaps in other linear broadcast sports from the Big Three and Warner Bros. Discovery, adding […]

Published

2 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

For sports streamers who need to fill their gaps in other linear broadcast sports from the Big Three and Warner Bros. Discovery, adding Peacock, HBO Max, and Paramount+, you’ll have a near-complete streaming setup for the sports-crazy household.

The latest bundle between FOX and ESPN highlights how much the sports streaming landscape has changed since earlier this year. Venu Sports, a joint venture sports-streaming app between Warner Bros. Discover, FOX, and ESPN, was set to launch at $42.99 per month; however, the idea was scrapped as the companies chose to focus on their existing offerings.

With a growing number of sports fans becoming frustrated with fragmentation, figuring out where and what to watch can sometimes be challenging. Many are preparing for the upcoming NFL season and other fall sports to adjust their budgets accordingly.

Find out below why each service is worth adding, what kinds of sports and events they typically bring to the table, and exactly how much the combinations will cost based on the plans you provided.

The Price of Streaming for Sports Fans

As cable subscribers continue to decline, fans of sports that air on traditional TV, including NBC, CBS, and the Turner Networks (TNT, TBS, truTV), have added Peacock, Paramount+, and HBO Max, respectively. With the news of the FOX-ESPN bundle, the chart below shows how much it would cost to add the other three services to your arsenal.

Streaming Combo	ESPN–FOX Bundle (mo / yr)	Peacock (mo / yr)	HBO Max (mo / yr)	Paramount+ (mo / yr)	Monthly Total	Annual Total
ESPN–FOX One Bundle	$39.99 / $479.88	—	—	—	$39.99	$479.88
ESPN-FOX + Peacock Premium	$39.99 / $479.88	$10.99 / $109.99	—	—	$50.98	$589.87
ESPN/FOX + Peacock Premium Plus	$39.99 / $479.88	$16.99 / $169.99	—	—	$56.98	$649.87
ESPN/FOX + HBO Max Basic	$39.99 / $479.88	—	$9.99 / $99.99	—	$49.98	$579.87
ESPN/FOX + HBO Max Standard	$39.99 / $479.88	—	$16.99 / $169.99	—	$56.98	$649.87
ESPN/FOX + HBO Max Premium	$39.99 / $479.88	—	$20.99 / $209.99	—	$60.98	$689.87
ESPN/FOX + HBO bundle (Hulu & Disney+ With Ads)	$39.99 / $479.88	—	$16.99 / $203.88*	—	$56.98	$683.76
ESPN/FOX + HBO bundle (Hulu & Disney+ No Ads)	$39.99 / $479.88	—	$29.99 / $359.88*	—	$69.98	$839.76
ESPN/FOX + Paramount+ Essential	$39.99 / $479.88	—	—	$7.99 / $59.99	$47.98	$539.87
ESPN/FOX + Paramount+ Premium	$39.99 / $479.88	—	—	$12.99 / $119.99	$52.98	$599.87
All four — all-premium combo (Peacock Premium Plus + HBO Premium + Paramount Premium)	$39.99 / $479.88	$16.99 / $169.99	$20.99 / $209.99	$12.99 / $119.99	$90.96	$979.85

What is the ESPN-Fox Bundle

The ESPN and FOX One bundle brings both companies’ direct-to-consumer offerings under one roof for only $39.99. The bundle is set to launch on Thursday, October 2. However, each service is set to launch sooner individually, and here’s what they include:

ESPN DTC

For many, the ESPN app is a must-have as it has nearly everything for every sports fan. The flagship direct-to-consumer app will launch on Thursday, August 21, at $29.99 per month. With the app, subscribers get access to all of ESPN’s linear networks, streaming content from ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, ACCNX, and cover an estimated 47,000 live events annually.

FOX One

The FOX One app launches on the same date as the ESPN app and brings FOX’s content without the hassle of the cord. FOX One packs the company’s entertainment, news, and sports content together for as low as $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year. Highlights from the FOX brand that will be available include FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network, FOX Weather, FOX Sports, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes, B1G, FOX Local Stations, the FOX Network, FOX Nation, and B1G+. FOX Sports offers the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, NCAA sports (college football and basketball), FIFA World Cup, IndyCar, horse racing, MLS, and international soccer.

Why Add Peacock

Peacock Overview (Plans, Pricing & What to Watch):
- Premium: $10.99 per month | $109.99 per year
- Premium Plus: $16.99 per month | $169.99 per year
- Sports to Watch: NFL, PGA Tour, WWE, NBA, NASCAR, College Sports, Premier League & More
Watch Peacock Today

Peacock is a smart add for viewers who want broad, event-driven coverage beyond what the ESPN-FOX bundle covers, as it complements:

Marquee matchups during the NFL season with Sunday Night Football
Big-time matchups on the hardwood throughout the NBA and WNBA seasons
Soccer and international competition, including the Premier League on NBC/Peacock feeds and studio shows.
WWE Network (WWE PLEs*, archives, and original content)— *this changes in 2026
Olympic and major-event coverage, plus replay libraries and live-streamed niche sports produced by NBC Sports.
College athletics, including college basketball and football featuring the Big Ten, Notre Dame and more.
Live golf during the collegiate season and the LPGA and PGA Tour
Racing, including the Kentucky Derby and Thoroughbred Racing, and motorsports like NASCAR, SuperMotorcross, and other top leagues

Peacock brings the NBC Sports’ lineup that fills the “big occasional event + deep archive” gaps. It offers hundreds of live events you might not get on ESPN or FOX, and on-demand replays and extras that make bingeing highlights easy.

Beyond sports, Peacock gives you thousands of shows, movies, and original content, including the library of NBC, Bravo, and other popular networks. You can choose the Peacock Premium plan, which includes ads, or upgrade to Peacock Premium Plus to watch without ads and get access to your local NBC station. Peacock also offers student discounts and savings for adults aged 18-24.

Why Add HBO Max

HBO Max Overview (Plans, Pricing & What to Watch):
- Basic: $9.99 per month | $99.99 per year (No Sports)
- Standard: $16.99 per month | $169.99 per year
- Premium: $20.99 per month | $209.99 per year
- Bundle with Hulu & Disney+ (With Ads): $16.99 per month (No Sports)
- Bundle with Hulu & Disney+ (No Ads): $29.99 per month
- Sports to Watch: NASCAR, AEW, MLB, NHL, March Madness, College Football, French Open, U.S. Soccer & More
- Watch HBO Max Today

HBO Max isn’t primarily a live-sports destination, but it completes a sports lineup by offering premium context and storytelling:

Feature-length sports documentaries, behind-the-scenes series, and long-form analysis.
Event specials and occasional live-sports tie-ins that are great for fans who value background, history, and high-end production on the biggest sports stories.
A rotating catalog of sports films and premium TV that rounds out game-day viewing (pre/post-game film nights, biopics, documentaries).

HBO Max will look different after the completion of the Warner Bros. Discovery spin-off of its linear network. Until then, subscribers can find a solid lineup of sports content airing on TNT, TBS, and truTV on the platform.

The USMNT, USWNT, AEW, March Madness, Big 12 sports, Big East men’s and women’s basketball, College Football Playoffs, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, tennis, The Match, French Open, Savannah Bananas, and Unrivaled are just a few of the highlights that fall under the TNT Sports portfolio, you can stream live on HBO Max with the Standard or a higher tier plan.

Like Peacock, HBO Max offers a large library of on-demand content, including premium shows, reality TV, Discovery content, and thousands of hours of entertainment. If you want the storytelling and premium-content layer on top of live-game coverage, add HBO Max to your lineup. Also, the platform offers a student discount.

Why Add Paramount+

Paramount+ Overview (Plans, Pricing & What to Watch):
- Essential: $7.99 per month | $59.99 per year
- Premium: $12.99 per month | $119.99 per year
- Sports to Watch: NFL, WNBA, PGA Tour, NCAA Basketball + Football, March Madness, Big 3, NWSL & More
- Try Paramount+ for 7 Days Free

Paramount+ is the natural complement to the ESPN–FOX bundle for U.S. broadcast-driven sports as it features a diverse sports lineup:

CBS Sports content (NFL games carried by CBS, college football/basketball games on CBS, Army-Navy and Big Ten, Pac-12, Mountain West packages).
Golf coverage, including the Masters and PGA Tour rights held by CBS
Marquee WNBA matchups, WSL, and NWSL games highlight women’s sports on the platform
European club soccer and tournament feeds from UEFA, Serie A, USL Championship, AFC Asian Cup and others
Additional live coverage from regional/league partners and plenty of replay access.

Beginning next year, combat sports fans can find the Octagon on Paramount+ after the UFC agreed to an exclusive rights deal. Adding Paramount+ gives you the broadcast-rights muscle for key national matchups and marquee league windows that pair well with ESPN and FOX event stacks.

The Paramount+ Essential plan includes ads, and you get access to the NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, over 40,000 movies and shows, up to 3 simultaneous streams, and select SHOWTIME Originals. Upgrade to Premium and get an ad-free experience, full access to the SHOWTIME library, download movies and shows, and watch your local CBS feed for even more live sports and events.

Cord cutters who utilize Walmart+ can watch Paramount+ for free. Those going back to school save 50% with the Paramount+ student discount. The platform offers a 7-day free trial and you can sign up below.

Other Streamers Beyond the Traditional Networks

Outside of the Big Four broadcast networks and the Turner Networks, many tech companies have acquired rights to live sports. Some other options you may want to consider are:

Netflix: Starts at $7.99 per month, offers WWE Raw, boxing, the NFL on Christmas, select live events + thousands of shows, movies, documentaries and more
Prime Video: Starts at $8.99 per month after a 30-day free trial, includes NFL, NBA, WNBA, NASCAR, boxing, and more than 25,000 titles
Apple TV+: Starts at $9.99 per month after a 7-day free trial, includes MLB Friday Night Baseball, critically acclaimed shows, and movies. Additionally, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV features every MLS game without blackout restrictions.
NFL Sunday Ticket: The official home of live NFL out-of-market games streams on YouTube and YouTube TV, starting at $23 per month. (find out more here)

Keep in mind that a few streaming platforms are included or discounted as perks in other services you might already be paying for, such as Verizon Wireless and Home Internet, Boost By Kroger Plus, Straight Talk Unlimited, T-Mobile and Home Internet, and others.

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Technology

HFA Report: US Leads a Booming Global Fitness Market

HFA’s latest Global Report shows record memberships, rising revenues and booming wellness trends, signaling a worldwide industry in peak form and hungry for even more growth With half of 2025 in the books, one thing is clear from the Health & Fitness Association’s (HFA) newly released global report: more people worldwide are treating fitness as […]

Published

2 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HFA’s latest Global Report shows record memberships, rising revenues and booming wellness trends, signaling a worldwide industry in peak form and hungry for even more growth

With half of 2025 in the books, one thing is clear from the Health & Fitness Association’s (HFA) newly released global report: more people worldwide are treating fitness as a necessity, not a luxury.

That is the main takeaway from the 2025 HFA Global Report, but it’s not the only one. There’s plenty to be encouraged by, as the global fitness industry started the year with strong momentum, propelled by record memberships in key markets, steady facility growth and a consumer shift toward treating their health as a priority.

“The Global Report is one of the most important resources we provide because it brings together market data, consumer trends, and policy developments from across the world in one place,” HFA president and CEO Liz Clark said. “It offers a clear picture of where the industry is going and how stakeholders can help shape its future.”

The comprehensive annual study is based on insights from operators, financial data and market analysis in more than 60 countries, taking the pulse of the global fitness industry and where it’s headed next. It also spotlights policy developments from countries such as Australia, Brazil and the United States, markets where fitness is gaining recognition as a vital contributor to public health, tax reform and healthcare integration.

Here are some noteworthy insights from the 2025 HFA Global Report:

US Remains on Top, but Global Markets Are Ripe for Growth

The U.S. remains the largest fitness market, with high penetration and a broad spectrum of offerings from high-value, low-price (HVLP) gyms to luxury clubs.

Industry sentiment is also overwhelmingly optimistic: 91% of operators expect revenue gains, 83% anticipate improved profitability and a majority are projecting membership growth in 2025, according to the report.

Such confidence is fueling an aggressive search for new opportunities, particularly in markets where penetration remains low. Countries like India, Japan and Saudi Arabia are beginning to draw serious interest from global operators. The HFA report notes early moves from international brands in these regions, from new market entries to franchise deals.

GymNation, one of the GCC’s fastest-growing fitness chains, has opened a new headquarters in Riyadh, unveiled senior hires and is preparing to surpass 50 locations by year-end. Its first Saudi club, in Riyadh’s Qurtubah District, drew more than 7,000 founding members ahead of its June 20 opening.

International franchises are also staking their claim. Body Fit Training (BFT), the Australian-born, Xponential Fitness-owned backed brand known for its strength-focused group workouts, has launched in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with plans to open more than 50 studios over the next decade. A new flagship in Doha’s West Walk will anchor the expansion, with locations in Riyadh, Dubai, and Kuwait City slated within the next year.

Meanwhile, in India, a rapidly growing middle class and government-led wellness initiatives are creating fertile ground for new concepts. Additionally, easing inflation, higher disposable incomes and greater public spending on physical activity are expected to sustain global industry growth through 2025.

M&A Reshapes the Market

Consolidation defined the fitness industry in 2024, with major mergers and acquisitions reshaping the competitive fitness arena. Leading the charge was the formation of Purpose Brands, created through the merger of Self Esteem Brands and Orangetheory Fitness. The combined entity marked one of the biggest fitness industry consolidations in recent memory, generating $3.5 billion in system-wide sales across a portfolio of brands that spans 7,000-plus locations in nearly 50 countries.

Other headline-grabbing deals further altered the map. PureGym expanded its North American footprint with the $121 million acquisition of Blink Fitness, adding more than 100 locations to its network. LA Fitness also bolstered its regional presence, acquiring XSport Fitness to grow in key U.S. markets.

Strength Training Dominates Floor Plans

Strength training continues to reshape club design, with strength zones now occupying 42% of modern gym floor space, the highest share on record, per HFA. By comparison, cardio areas have shrunk to 12% while functional training zones account for 15% of total space.

AI Adoption Shows Generational Divide

When it comes to AI in fitness and wellness, younger consumers are miles ahead. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z (and a strong share of Millennials) have tried an AI-powered app, compared with just 17% of Baby Boomers, HFA noted in its report, citing data from ABC Fitness’ recent Wellness Watch report. Once people start, they tend to stick with it: almost half of adopters use AI daily, tapping tools for everything from personalized workout plans and nutrition advice to recovery tracking and mental wellness support.

Frequent users report feeling more motivated and seeing better results, but older generations remain cautious, often citing privacy concerns and a preference for human coaching.

For operators, the takeaway is to meet members where they are. HFA’s report suggests integrating AI features into the broader member experience, such as personalized programming or progress tracking, and using them to enhance, not replace, human interaction. Education is also key, particularly for older members, to build trust and highlight clear benefits.

The complete 2025 HFA Global Report is now available for download here

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Technology

How AI is Transforming Cloud Gaming Industry

Introduction: The global cloud gaming industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. As the market expands, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a pivotal force, reshaping every facet of the cloud gaming landscape, from infrastructure to player experience. It enables smarter resource allocation, real-time content personalization, latency […]

Published

2 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Introduction:

The global cloud gaming industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. As the market expands, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a pivotal force, reshaping every facet of the cloud gaming landscape, from infrastructure to player experience. It enables smarter resource allocation, real-time content personalization, latency reduction, and advanced game logic. By moving game processing away from local devices and into the cloud, AI helps deliver stable, engaging experiences on virtually any device. Its application across both infrastructure and user experience is making cloud gaming more efficient, immersive, and accessible to a global audience. According to IMARC’s cloud gaming market report, in 2024, the global cloud gaming market was valued at approximately USD 2,705.9 Million, reflecting strong momentum driven by mobile gaming adoption, widespread 5G availability, and rising demand for platform-agnostic gaming environments enhanced through intelligent AI systems.

Key Industry Trends:

AI-Driven Latency Reduction and Network Optimization: AI is critical in predicting network congestion, reallocating bandwidth dynamically, and optimizing server placement. Real-time analytics allow gaming providers to minimize lag and deliver low-latency performance across varied geographies, which is essential for multiplayer and competitive gameplay.

Personalized Gaming Experiences via AI: AI technologies are enabling real-time personalization by analyzing player behavior and preferences. This allows cloud gaming platforms to dynamically adjust difficulty levels, storylines, and in-game content. Such adaptive gameplay significantly boosts user engagement and loyalty, positioning AI as a key enabler of innovation and retention in the evolving cloud gaming landscape.

Intelligent NPCs and Adaptive Game AI: AI-driven non-player characters (NPCs) now exhibit learning behavior, decision-making based on user strategies, and context-aware reactions. This enhances gameplay by introducing unpredictability and realism that traditional scripting could not achieve. For instance, in January 2025, NVIDIA launched ACE autonomous game characters, enhancing NPCs with generative AI for realistic interactions. These characters can perceive and act like players, providing dynamic gameplay. Partnering with developers, NVIDIA aims to create engaging experiences with adaptable enemies and companions in various game titles.

Enhanced Cloud Security and Anti-Cheat with AI: AI tools are improving detection of cheating patterns, bot activities, and account takeovers. Real-time behavioral analysis and threat prediction models are reinforcing trust among competitive gamers and esports professionals. For instance, in March 2025, Tencent Cloud partnered with Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) and Asphere to enhance game security and combat cheating in popular Southeast Asian games like Nine Dragon Ultimate. This collaboration leverages ACE’s anti-cheat solutions and Tencent Cloud’s global infrastructure to provide a fair and enjoyable gaming experience for players.

AI-Optimized Streaming and Visual Quality: Through AI-based upscaling, frame interpolation, and dynamic resolution adjustments, cloud platforms are delivering high-fidelity graphics without overloading network resources. AI helps maintain consistent visual quality even under fluctuating bandwidth conditions.

AI for Cloud Gaming Infrastructure Management (AIOps): AIOps solutions are being deployed to automate cloud infrastructure monitoring, fault detection, and capacity scaling. This reduces downtime, improves cost-efficiency, and ensures consistent performance across global server networks.

Rise of AI-Powered Esports Analytics and Coaching: AI tools analyze gameplay footage, player movement patterns, and strategy execution. These insights are being used by esports organizations to optimize training, scout talent, and design strategies, further professionalizing the competitive gaming segment.

Market Segmentation and Regional Insights:

Device Type:

Smartphones dominated the cloud gaming landscape with 40.2% market share in 2024. Their portability, app support, and cloud streaming compatibility allow users to play high-quality games without needing high-end hardware. Widespread mobile broadband availability makes smartphones the most accessible platform for casual and on-the-go gamers globally.

Smart TVs support cloud gaming through built-in applications or external devices, allowing users to access game libraries directly on their screens. The convenience of controller pairing and no-console gameplay makes Smart TVs an appealing option for family and casual gaming setups, especially in regions with robust home internet infrastructure.

Cloud integration in consoles allows users to stream games directly from servers, expanding access to titles without requiring downloads or physical discs. This enhances the user experience by minimizing storage needs and enabling real-time access to new releases. Consoles remain a preferred choice for dedicated gamers seeking performance and immersive gameplay.

Tablets serve as a flexible gaming option, bridging portability and screen size. With cloud support, they allow seamless gameplay across locations. Their compatibility with Bluetooth controllers and stable Wi-Fi access enhances user engagement, particularly among casual gamers and younger audiences who prefer lighter, mobile-based gaming experiences.

PCs continue to attract both casual and hardcore gamers due to their customization, processing capability, and wide game compatibility. Cloud gaming further extends the life of mid-range PCs by offloading processing to remote servers, allowing high-end gaming without continuous hardware upgrades, and supporting multi-device gameplay synchronization.

Genre:

Adventure/Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

RPGs offer expansive storylines, character customization, and dynamic world-building, making them ideal for immersive, cloud-delivered experiences. The genre’s depth and progression systems align well with cloud architecture, where players can resume gameplay across devices. The evolving narrative structure is well-supported by AI enhancements and responsive streaming technologies.

Puzzle games attract a broad user base with logic-driven, mentally stimulating challenges. They range from simple casual formats to complex sequences, appealing to all age groups. Cloud gaming enables access without installations, offering quick-load play on smartphones and tablets, which aligns well with shorter, on-demand gaming sessions.

Social games integrate multiplayer and community features, allowing players to interact, compete, or collaborate in real-time. Cloud platforms support this dynamic by facilitating cross-device interaction and shared progress. Their low barrier to entry and social engagement factor makes them especially popular among mobile-first users and casual gamers.

Strategy games involve tactical decision-making, resource management, and long-term planning. These require real-time responsiveness and stable connectivity, which cloud infrastructure supports effectively. The genre benefits from cloud processing power and AI integration, which help deliver smoother experiences, especially in large-scale multiplayer and simulation-driven scenarios.

Simulation games replicate real-world activities or systems, often requiring intensive processing for realistic outcomes. Cloud gaming allows players to engage with high-fidelity simulations without needing advanced hardware. This expands accessibility for titles in business, farming, driving, or city-building simulations, making them viable across a broader user base.

Technology:

Video streaming led the market with 54.8% share in 2024. It entails rendering games in real-time on remote servers, with the visual output being streamed to the user’s device. Input commands are transmitted back, enabling gameplay without high-spec local hardware. This method ensures high visual quality and accessibility across smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.

File streaming sends essential game data to the user’s device while the remaining content loads progressively. This hybrid method can reduce bandwidth use and offer smoother performance with localized caching. It requires faster, more stable connections but enables more responsive play compared to traditional video streaming under ideal network conditions.

Gamer Type:

Casual gamers account for 52.5% of the market. They play occasionally and value convenience, ease of access, and multi-device compatibility. Cloud gaming removes hardware and update barriers, allowing seamless gameplay across smartphones, tablets, and TVs. This accessibility makes it particularly attractive to this broad and growing segment.

Hardcore gamers dedicate significant time to gaming and seek performance, competitive edge, and access to premium titles. While traditionally dependent on powerful local hardware, many are adopting cloud gaming for its flexibility and on-demand access. AI-enhanced features and reduced latency are making cloud platforms increasingly suitable for this segment.

Regional Analysis:

Asia Pacific led the market with 47.9% share in 2024. Factors include widespread smartphone usage, growing esports participation, and expanding internet infrastructure. According to industry reports, Asia Pacific’s mobile internet users will rise from 1.4 billion to 1.8 billion. 5G is expected to add USD 130 Billion, with data traffic quadrupling by 2030. The rising middle class and urbanization, coupled with strong demand for mobile entertainment, continue to drive adoption across both casual and competitive gaming communities.

North America is experiencing stable growth due to technological integration, platform innovation, and a mature consumer base. High disposable income, growing esports viewership, and access to high-speed internet support cloud gaming expansion. Market players in the region continue to partner with tech firms to enhance delivery and user engagement.

Europe is showing strong adoption rates, supported by policy harmonization, cross-border digital services, and broadband penetration. Local developers are also increasingly utilizing cloud platforms to reach wider audiences. The region benefits from growing interest in immersive entertainment and favorable digital infrastructure in key countries such as Germany, the UK, and France.

Latin America is an emerging cloud gaming market, propelled by rising smartphone penetration and younger demographics. Challenges in console affordability are mitigated by the availability of low-barrier cloud access. As connectivity improves, adoption is expected to accelerate, especially among mobile users seeking affordable, high-quality gaming experiences.

The Middle East and Africa show rising potential with increased digital engagement and improvements in internet infrastructure. As local telecom operators expand 4G and 5G services, cloud gaming is becoming more viable. Regional interest in mobile-based entertainment and government-backed digital transformation initiatives are also contributing to market development.

Technology-Driven Market Transformation

Forecast (2025-2033):

The cloud gaming market size 2025 is estimated to reach USD 3,785.53 Million, driven by advancements in AI, increased demand for immersive experiences, broader device compatibility, and rising adoption across emerging markets with improving internet infrastructure. By 2033, the market is projected to reach USD 77,711.9 Million, growing at a CAGR of 39.90% during 2025-2033.

Demand Drivers of Cloud Gaming Market:

Growing Demand for Immersive and Personalized Gaming

Modern gamers are increasingly drawn to rich, cinematic experiences that feel tailored to their play style. This rising demand for immersive environments and interactive storytelling is reshaping expectations across platforms. The appeal of customizable journeys and seamless cross-device play is driving long-term adoption, especially in subscription-based cloud gaming models.

Increased Accessibility and Device Agnosticism

Cloud gaming, powered by AI, enables high-quality performance on both premium and entry-level devices. This flexibility attracts a wider audience, particularly in developing regions, where advanced hardware penetration is limited. The cloud gaming market analysis reveals a clear shift toward device-agnostic gaming experiences driven by intelligent infrastructure.

Desire for Dynamic and Ever-Evolving Game Worlds

AI technologies allow games to evolve dynamically based on player decisions, behavior, and real-time global trends. This creates non-linear experiences and continuous content updates, which boost retention and replay value. Such adaptive gameplay is becoming a core expectation among players, driving long-term demand and user loyalty.

Rising Expectations for Realistic and Intelligent In-Game Characters

AI-powered non-player characters (NPCs) now simulate human-like decision-making, conversation, and adaptive behavior. This level of realism significantly enhances storytelling and immersion. The demand for emotionally intelligent, responsive game environments is leading studios to invest in advanced AI engines, driving market expansion and development complexity.

Cost-Efficiency for Both Players and Developers

Cloud gaming reduces upfront investment for players by eliminating hardware dependencies, while developers benefit from lower distribution and maintenance costs. AI further optimizes server management, user analytics, and content delivery, enabling more efficient monetization strategies and scalable operations, improving margins across the value chain.

Conclusion:

The global cloud gaming industry is undergoing a transformative shift, with artificial intelligence playing a central role in reshaping gameplay, infrastructure, and user engagement. From latency reduction and immersive personalization to intelligent NPCs and AI-driven infrastructure management, the integration of AI is redefining the boundaries of interactive entertainment. As demand grows across regions and devices, cloud gaming is poised for sustained growth through 2033. Industry stakeholders must invest in scalable, AI-enhanced solutions to remain competitive and capitalize on emerging opportunities in this rapidly evolving digital gaming environment.

Partnering with IMARC Group for Innovation in Cloud Gaming:

IMARC Group supports stakeholders across the cloud gaming ecosystem with strategic guidance to navigate the fast-paced transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Our services enable clients to identify new opportunities, mitigate operational risks, and foster innovation in the next generation of gaming platforms through:

Market Insights: Understand global trends shaping the cloud gaming sector, including the rapid integration of AI, growing demand for immersive, cross-platform experiences, and shifts in user behavior. Our research highlights key focus areas such as AI-enabled personalization, intelligent NPCs, and seamless game streaming across devices.

Strategic Forecasting: Plan for the future of cloud gaming with insight into evolving technology models, player expectations, and service delivery mechanisms. Our forecasting capabilities help businesses adapt to continuous innovation, track AI-driven infrastructure changes, and align strategies with long-term market dynamics.

Competitive Intelligence: Monitor key developments in cloud gaming technologies, including enhancements in visual quality, infrastructure automation, and security frameworks. We provide detailed analysis on how leading companies are embedding AI to differentiate offerings, expand reach, and improve the gamer experience.

Policy and Regulatory Analysis: Gain clarity on emerging policy frameworks and how evolving data, digital, and connectivity regulations affect cloud gaming delivery. Our analysis examines the implications of shifting compliance requirements and regional infrastructure standards on platform design and market access.

Customized Consulting Solutions: From product strategy to geographic expansion, our tailored consulting services are designed to align with specific business goals. Whether enhancing operational efficiency, integrating AI-driven capabilities, or responding to new market demands, we support decision-making with practical, evidence-based recommendations.

As the cloud gaming landscape continues to transform, IMARC Group remains a reliable partner for delivering strategic insight, fostering innovation, and supporting business growth in a competitive and intelligent digital environment.

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Technology

The great re-bundling is set to begin, and it’s about damn time

By the end of the year, sports fans without a pay TV subscription would, in theory, need to subscribe to nine separate streaming services to watch every major sporting event in the United States. That’s right, nine streamers: ESPN, Fox One (Fox’s upcoming streaming sports service), Paramount+, Peacock, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, the future […]

Published

3 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation