Unilever Buys Grüns, Function Acquires GetLabs, Gym Memberships Climb
·3 min
The episode opens by framing the alignment of gyms, doctor's offices, and daily nutrition as a trend in health routines. It then details Function's acquisition of GetLabs, a preventative health platform that brings blood draws into the home. This move expands beyond Function's partnership with Quest Diagnostics to offer on-demand testing at home or in the office. The deal aims to remove bottlenecks like missed or delayed lab work, increasing testing frequency and compliance. Function has been building an integrated stack, having previously acquired full-body MRI company Ezra and adding AI-driven analysis. Next, the episode reports that U.S. gym memberships reached a record high of 81 million in 2025, with 26% of Americans belonging to a fitness facility. Total participation topped 100 million people and 7 billion visits. Engagement improved as no-show rates fell from 10% to 4.6%. Growth came from both Gen Z, accounting for 35% of memberships, and adults age 65 plus, the fastest-growing cohort. Demand converged around aesthetics, longevity, medical fitness, and social connection, driving participation in strength training, group classes, and low-impact formats. Gyms are shifting from access to outcomes by layering in programming, personalization, and health services. Finally, Unilever's $1.2 billion acquisition of Grüns is discussed. Grüns is a gummy supplement brand that scaled to $300 million in revenue in under four years, with daily greens in an accessible format. About 95% of its customers take the product multiple times per week, with 100 million gummies shipped daily across 7,000 retail locations. For Unilever, this builds on a wellness portfolio including Nutrafol, Liquid IV, and OLLI, focusing on science-backed categories. The goal is to shift supplements into daily, repeatable behaviors rather than occasional protocols, reflecting broader industry trends.
