Why Jake Paul’s Triumph is a Victory for the Recovery Industry
The Gen Z YouTuber-turned-boxer has defeated Mike Tyson, pushing red light therapy and cold plunging into the spotlight after attributing his rapid ascent to a rigorous recovery regimen
Jake Paul’s victory over Mike Tyson isn’t just a win for his four-year boxing career—it could elevate the conversation around recovery techniques and give a major boost to an industry already on the rise.
Leading up to the highly-anticipated eight-round heavyweight match on Friday, the 27-year-old highlighted the importance of recovery in his training during the final episode of Netflix’s three-part documentary, “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson.“
One scene showed Paul settling into a red light bed by TheraLight, as he explained that it helps with inflammation.
“I, for sure, am progressing faster than other people in the sport because of the resources I’m putting in front of myself,” Paul said in the scene.
“Because it’s an old, outdated sport with not a lot of technology, a lot of fighters spar and then just sit there… no, it’s time to stretch, time to get into ice baths, red light, all of these things — and it’s been really, really beneficial. I focus probably more on recovery than I do even on the workout.“
While Paul’s recovery routine isn’t the sole reason he defeated the 58-year-old boxing champ, his commitment to recovery stands out—especially amid the rise of recovery tech gadgets and solutions. The social media sensation embodies much of Gen Z: digitally native, invested in nutrition and wellness, crowding the supplement and sports nutrition aisles, mindful of mental health, and fully embracing recovery and biohacking methods to gain an edge.
It’s a trend that is driving fitness brands to respond as they look to transform the standard gym experience.
Boutique fitness franchise F45 Training has recently unveiled Recovery by F45 with plans to add cold plunge tubs, infrared saunas and percussive therapy equipment to participating studios worldwide. The new option gives F45 franchise partners the chance to add the popular wellness and recovery methods as either an add-on purchase for F45 members or as an a-la-carte option for drop-ins.
The Mark Wahlberg-backed franchisor is led by F45 CEO Tom Dowd, who settled into his new role last year and has signaled he intends to transform the fitness brand into a health and wellness destination.
“The vision that I came in with was to be a solution headquarters for everything health and wellness,” F45 CEO Tom Dowd has told ATN.
As for Wahlberg, the actor/entrepreneur is opening a fitness and recovery concept called Municipal Gym in Summerlin, Las Vegas. Powered by EoS Fitness and set to offer state-of-the-art equipment, the new fitness facility will also feature total body recovery amenities such as cryotherapy, compression therapy, infrared saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms and cold plunges.
“The first time in history that luxury and serious fitness meet,” Wahlberg said of Municipal Gym in a social media clip. “Recovery, rejuvenation therapy, juice bars, cafe, retail stores – only the best vitamins and supplements for you. Big, crazy collabs.”
Integrating recovery and wellness solutions can help a fitness business stand out in a competitive market and increase member retention without any additional required staff. WellnessSpace Brands, maker of the HydroMassage, RelaxSpace and CryoLounge, for example, are all designed to be intuitive and self-guided, requiring little, if any, staff involvement.
“If a product appeals to a lot of members and makes them feel great, that’s where you create stickiness,” WellnessSpace Brands president Kevin Conaway said. “Members are driven to return again and again when you offer them something that relieves pain and makes them feel better. Give members something they can’t get at home. If you get the equipment mix right, they’ll get in the car and drive to your location — even on their off days for recovery.”
