The $1.8 trillion global wellness market, coupled with advancements in biometric tracking and health technology, has investors banking on the future of wellness.

Renowned cyclist and endurance athlete Lance Armstrong’s Next Ventures is the latest VC fund to get in on the wellness craze, targeting $100 million — its first fund in almost five years — to invest in whole-person health, preventive care and diagnostics.

Next Ventures managing partner Julian Eison, was forthright:

“We said, hey, this whole consumerization of health is omnipresent,” Eison told PitchBook, which reported on Next Ventures’ plans to write pre-seed, seed and Series A checks with an average check size of $2 million. 

It’s a viewpoint shared by other leading investors and experts.

As Jon Canarick of North Castle Partners, Mark Grabowski of Snapdragon Capital Partners and Lance Dietz of KB Partners shared during Athletech News’ DISRUPT 2023 video series, there is an overall sense of optimism surrounding the health, fitness and wellness markets. 

“I think almost universally there’s growth in consumer expenditure in health and wellness across multiple categories,” Grabowski said, noting that the industry as a whole is on an “upward trajectory.” 

Wearables Track More Than Just Fitness

He also indicated that health and fitness trackers have even more runway, especially with consumers embracing preventive wellness practices. Advancing technology also means that wearables no longer cater to elite athletes or weekend warriors. Instead, consumers of all ages and in any health condition can track their health metrics, widening the available consumer market.

“When you think of everything from blood testing to stool samples, there you’re actually addressing some different issues,” Grabowski pointed out. “It’s not about, ‘Am I optimizing my workout performance?’ It’s about allergies, chronic issues, immune responses and other things that people are dealing with.” 

Investors are taking note, with Ultrahuman’s multi-device ecosystem the latest funding recipient. The company just secured $35 million in a Series B to advance its health monitoring endeavors, which include a smart ring, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a ‘Blood Vision’ system and an upcoming home health device that assesses environmental impacts on well-being. 

Next Ventures’ portfolio touts some notable health and wellness names, including smart ring brand Oura, AI wearable company Humane and Genopets, a move-to-earn game. The VC fund also invested in Utah-based Amp Human in 2019, maker of PR Lotion, which merged with Momentous, a ‘human performance” supplement brand.

As for Oura, the smart ring maker is expected to enter a “health-focused” chapter, having recently welcomed an executive from the Apple Health team and signing a deal to make its wearable device FSA/HSA eligible. 

Wellness CPGs Gain Steam, Too

Tech may always be a hot area for its jaw-dropping capabilities that seem to advance each week, but good old consumer packaged goods have been receiving the attention of investors, too — especially those in the wellness categories. 

Even major retailers like Target are banking on the wellness wave, introducing over 1,000 health-supporting products across all verticals. For good reason, too: consumers have not only become more health-conscious, but GLP-1 users have redirected their spending away from unhealthy items and toward wellness purchases.

Bloom Nutrition, a supplement brand in the greens and superfoods category recently scored a major investment from C4 maker Nutrabolt. 

Health and wellness guru/A-lister Gwyneth Paltrow, no stranger to all things green juice and longevity-supporting, is also eyeing the power of products with wide appeal. The goop founder has turned feeling good into a profitable brand, catering to the masses with a new line of budget-friendly wellness and beauty products, a departure from goop’s higher-priced items. 

Paltrow’s Los Angeles-based VC firm, Kinship Ventures, has reportedly sought to raise $75 million for its debut fund, eyeing early-stage consumer goods and tech companies.

Over on the East Coast, Humble Growth, a N.Y.-based growth equity firm launched by an all-star team that includes RxBar founder Peter Rahal, secured over $312 million for its debut. Earlier this year, Humble Growth acquired a significant minority stake in Momentous in a deal worth $32 million.

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Ultrahuman, a wearable tech company with products such as a habit-tracking ring, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an upcoming home health device, has secured $35 million in a Series B equity and debt funding round to fuel growth and support advanced research in the health monitoring space. 

Emerging technology is making it easier than ever for consumers to take proactive health measures as metabolic health takes center stage, especially with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearing the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) this month.

Ultrahuman, which has expanded into over 150 retail outlets worldwide, says it’s on track to exceed $100 million in annualized revenue run rate by the end of the year — and things are just heating up.

The Bangalore, India-based wearable tech brand plans to expand UltraFactory, its manufacturing facility, to ramp up production of its health-supporting devices.

“Our ability to make long-term manufacturing investments, supported by our profitability, is unique in the smart rings market,” said Mohit Kumar, co-founder of Ultrahuman. He launched the company in 2020 alongside co-founder Vatsal Singhal after being inspired by seeing MMA athletes using data to train and recover.

The Series B round marks a pivotal step forward to dominate the smart rings space, Kumar said, adding that Ultrahuman has the goal of becoming the market leader, with the retail expansion having helped the tech brand reach new audiences.  

“Our vision of being the top player in terms of both active devices and geographic presence is within reach, thanks to our rapid expansion and the love we’ve received from our users,” Kumar continued.

The funding round included participation from VC firms Blume Ventures, Steadview Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, Alpha Wave and Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal.

Multi-Device Health

The wearable tech market may be crowded, but the centerpiece of Ultrahuman (and what sets it apart from competitors) is its multi-device health ecosystem — one in which the company says can create a “grand unified view of the human body” by gathering a large set of biomarkers on its integrated platform. It’s a differentiating factor that expands Ultrahuman past the pure smart ring space.

“The future of health is integrated, and at Ultrahuman, we’re making that future a reality today by seamlessly combining various health data streams to empower preventative health and wellness,” Kumar said.

However, smart rings have proven to still be a hot device. Last month, Samsung entered the wearable ring space with its Galaxy Ring to compete with market leader Oura, which itself is signaling the same move as Ultrahuman and deepening its push into the health-tech space.  

A crowded space, indeed — and that’s before Apple has even taken a shot at the wearable ring space. Industry experts have anticipated the tech giant joining Oura and Samsung, especially when considering Apple’s patent filings. 

Ultrahuman appears to be going beyond wearables, having announced Blood Vision, a blood test that correlates sleep changes, resting heart rate, HRV and movement trends with markers in the blood.

The company provides an example of how it would work, where the system can ascertain how an improvement such as sleep quality may influence an LDL marker — the goal being for users to fully see the connection between their lifestyle habits and their blood markers. Over time, users can track the progression of certain health markers, receiving a true “behind the curtain” look at their health.

Next Up: Healthy Homes

As the at-home environment is predicted to become the epicenter of the wellness real estate market and its projected expansion to $887.5 billion by 2027, Ultrahuman’s upcoming ‘Home’ device perfectly aligns with Global Wellness Summit’s top forecasted trend for 2024.

The silent, low-profile device will soon be available for pre-order and promises to optimize living spaces by monitoring daily markers that impact health — everything from exposure to artificial light, air quality, humidity and noise levels.

Users can also gain insights into snoring and sleep quality and optimize their sleep environment by analyzing external temperature. An airplane mode allows users to shut off wifi and Bluetooth, while a smoke sensor can alert users of a fire.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM), as awareness of metabolic health continues to gain steam. 

The system will become available to purchase online without a prescription this summer. 

The wearable Stelo Glucose Biosensor System is designed for those 18 years and older who don’t use insulin and either treat diabetes with oral medications or don’t have a diabetes diagnosis but are interested in seeing firsthand how diet and exercise impact their blood sugar levels.

Using a small sensor worn on the back of the upper arm, Stelo continuously measures, records, analyzes and displays glucose values every 15 minutes when connected to an app. Users can wear each sensor for up to 15 days before replacement.

Stelo isn’t designed for those with “problematic hypoglycemia” since it won’t provide the necessary alerts. 

Although Dexcom notes that Stelo users shouldn’t take medical action based on the device’s findings without consulting with a healthcare professional, the health tech company says the glucose biosensor system can help users understand how modifications such as diet and exercise can impact glucose excursion. 

Considering that approximately one in three American adults have prediabetes — a staggering 80% of whom don’t know they have it —  Stelo can serve as an invaluable tool, underscored by its ease of accessibility. It’s a stance that appears to be shared by the FDA.

“CGMs can be a powerful tool to help monitor blood glucose,” said Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Today’s clearance expands access to these devices by allowing individuals to purchase a CGM without the involvement of a healthcare provider.

“Giving more individuals valuable information about their health, regardless of their access to a doctor or health insurance, is an important step forward in advancing health equity for U.S. patients,” Shuren continued.

While a price hasn’t been mentioned yet, one William Blair analyst estimates Stelo may cost around $90 a month and that consumers could use their healthcare savings accounts to offset the expense.

Consumers Embrace Wearables for Health

By all accounts, consumers are entering a new era of health and wellness. The pandemic may have inspired health and wellness, but it also led to skyrocketing sales of pulse oximeters, perhaps a testament to how much consumers have come to rely on monitoring devices beyond fitness and activity trackers.

Instead of simple trackers, companies such as Whoop bill their technology as ‘human performance,’ leaning into AI and providing biometric data points across sleep, recovery, stress and strain.

Smart ring maker Oura is also invested in the glucose realm, having partnered with CGM platforms Veri, Supersapiens and January AI to offer insights into sleep and glucose biomarkers.

One wearable tech startup, Signos, raised $20 million last year as it looks to disrupt the medicated weight loss and metabolic space by using Dexcom CGMs to provide real-time diet and workout recommendations based on the readings with its app.  

The CGM Market Heats Up

Although Stelo may be the first CGM cleared for over-the-counter purchase, the CGM space is expected to become increasingly competitive. Abbott’s first consumer biowearable, Lingo, is currently being rolled out across the U.K. with ambitions of receiving a green light for the U.S. market. Similar to Stelo, it tracks glucose levels and provides personalized insights in response.

“Our mood, weight, energy levels and ability to focus are all connected to our individual glucose levels, which rise and fall in response to the food we eat, hours of sleep, regular exercise, and even life’s daily stresses,” said Lily Soutter, a nutritionist in Abbott’s Lingo division. “Improving your metabolic health by tracking your glucose levels over a meaningful period of time can motivate you to implement changes to better manage those spikes and dips, ultimately benefiting your health and well-being.”

Meanwhile, companies like Roche are forging a new frontier in diabetes management and the CGM space using predictive AI for its Accu-Chek SmartGuide device. Using a CGM sensor, Roche’s system displays current glucose levels, predictions for the following two hours and provides a risk prediction for nocturnal hypoglycemia.

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Samsung officially introduced the Galaxy Ring, its latest innovation in wearables, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The new device marks the South Korean tech giant’s first venture into the smart ring category and the emergence of a key competitor for market leaders like Oura.

The Galaxy Ring comes equipped with a variety of sensors designed to monitor key health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, respiratory rate and the time it takes for a user to fall asleep. The information will populate what Samsung calls “MyVitality Score,” which offers personalized health insights based on these different metrics. 

Despite the arrival of a new competitor, Oura CEO Tom Hale called Samsung’s entry into the smart ring space a positive for the industry as a whole.

“New players entering the space is validation for the category and drives us to aim higher to serve our members and community,” Hale told TechCrunch.

Although Samsung has smartphones and smartwatches, the Galaxy Ring caters to different consumer needs, noted Hon Pak, head of the digital health team at Samsung Electronics.

“Our own customers told us, I want choice. I want the ability to have other forms of wearables to measure health,” Pak told CNBC. “And some want to wear the watch, some want to wear the watch and the ring and get benefit from both. Some just want more simplicity.”

The Galaxy Ring is designed to work seamlessly with Samsung’s smartwatches, providing users with a comprehensive overview of their health when used in tandem. One of the most anticipated features of the ring is its ability to monitor noninvasive glucose levels and blood pressure, a significant advancement in health technology. Samsung is also researching how best to use artificial intelligence to give deeper insights into a person’s health. 

“Imagine (a) large language model, acting as my digital assistant, while looking at the context of my medical records, my physiological data, my engagement with a mobile device, the wearables during all of that … begins to bring greater insights and personalization opportunities,” Pak said. “A digital assistant coach is (…) absolutely needed.” 

The smart ring market could grow to $1 billion or more by the 2030s, according to industry estimates. Samsung’s entrance into the space seems to be a validation of the market’s growth potential.

Oura, the category’s leader by far, has around 100 granted patents, with almost 30 pending patents, which could suggest potential intellectual property disputes down the line between major players.

In addition to brands like Movano (Evie Ring) and RingConn looking to capture market share by offering differentiating features like a focus on women’s health and no subscription fees, there are rumors that Apple could look to enter the space with a smart ring of its own.

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Researchers from the University of Washington have introduced the thermal earring, a piece of smart tech they say could redefine how we monitor our health.

The device continuously monitors earlobe temperature to provide more insights into users’ health in a fashionable and discreet manner. Co-lead authors Yujia (Nancy) Liu and Qiuyue (Shirley) Xue conducted the research. 

Like the smart ring, the thermal earring combines fashion and functionality. Similar to a paperclip in size and weight, it includes a magnetic clip that attaches one temperature sensor to the earlobe and another that dangles below to gauge room temperature. It can also be customized with designs made of resin, like flowers and gemstones, without compromising its accuracy. It has a twenty-eight-day battery life, which is far longer than many competitors. 

The research team focused their work on the limitations of current wearables and proposed earrings as a stylish and comfortable alternative. Earlobes, Xue discovered, provide a more consistent temperature reading compared to hands or wrists. In small proof-of-concept tests, the earrings were less variable compared to comparable smartwatches. 

“I wear a smartwatch to track my personal health, but I’ve found that a lot of people think smartwatches are unfashionable or bulky and uncomfortable,” Xue told the University of Washington. “I also like to wear earrings, so we started thinking about what unique things we can get from the earlobe. We found that sensing the skin temperature on the lobe, instead of a hand or wrist, was much more accurate.”

The thermal earring can detect changes related to stress, eating, exercise and even ovulation. Xue and her team of researchers are looking into expanding the earring’s capabilities to include heart rate and activity monitoring and possible sustainable power sources. The device is not yet commercially available but could disrupt the jewelry wearable space. 

The wearables space has been hot lately, with Oura, Apple and Whoop all making waves and Samsung poised to enter the market with its Galaxy Ring, reportedly set for release this summer.

Brands like Oura, Apple and Whoop continue to evolve the technology behind their products, with new and improved features like Whoop Coach and Apple’s new mental health offerings. Temperature monitoring has become more popular than ever, with some wearables like the Oura Ring using it for natural birth control methods and cycle tracking. 

The post Could Smart Earrings Shake Up the Wearables Space? Researchers Think So appeared first on Athletech News.

As Apple continues to push into the health and wellness space, new intellectual property filings and reports speculate that the tech giant might be moving into the hydration-tracking and smart ring markets.

The hydration-tracking feature could continue to improve on the already-beloved Apple Watch, and the smart ring could disrupt that growing space currently dominated by Oura.

Apple recently filed a patent for a “wearable device with perspiration measuring capabilities” for its Apple Watches. The solution would be non-invasive and could measure perspiration, skin temperature and more to help consumers optimize hydration.

If successfully implemented, the innovation could also displace offerings that focus solely on hydration measurement, like Nix and Flowbio, which work through skin patches. Apple is also reportedly developing a noninvasive glucose-monitoring solution, reformulating its problematic SpO2 sensor, and working on a much-anticipated AI health coach. 

Is an Apple Ring in the Works?

At least one industry insider also claims that Apple is working on a smart ring offering. Samsung recently teased its Galaxy Ring at its Unpacked event in January, and Apple could be following suit.

The California tech company has filed several patents over the years that hint at their smart ring’s advanced development stages. The intellectual property suggests that Apple’s ring could have features like biosensors and the ability to control the Apple Vision Pro headset. A patent in 2015 shows the device as having an accelerometer and gyroscope.

The potential introduction of the Apple Ring aligns with growing interest in the smart ring sector, which is expected to reach $200 million by 2031.

However, many of Apple’s patents are several years to a decade old, demonstrating that the company’s explorations of the smart ring space might not come to fruition. Skepticism also remains due to a lack of credible information about the leak generally associated with imminent Apple product launches. 

Despite the tentative and speculative nature of some of the tech company’s plans, one thing is certain: Apple remains committed to health and wellness innovation and has plans in the works to continue improving on its wearables. 

The post Apple Secures Hydration Patent, Smart Ring Rumors Heat Up appeared first on Athletech News.

Pvolve is expanding its leadership team, welcoming Stacey Heald as its new chief operating officer of franchise development and Alexis McDowel, a former Oura executive, as its first global vice president of communications. The news comes on the heels of a year of unprecedented franchise growth for the brand. 

Stacey Heald joins Pvolve with 20 years of experience in health and wellness and more than 15 years in corporate unit operations and the franchise industry. She was previously an executive vice president at Medi-Weightloss Franchising and a co-founder of LeHeal Biogenix, which provides non-surgical treatment options to those suffering from orthopedic issues.

In her new role as chief 0perating officer of franchise development, Heald will oversee Pvolve’s franchise strategy, operations and P&L. Her focus will be on fueling franchise expansion, enhancing operations and implementing strategic measures for sustainable growth.

“Pvolve’s unique franchise business stood out to me with its multi-revenue stream business model, proprietary equipment, and hybrid class experiences,” Heald said. “This role provides an exciting canvas to leverage my experience in healthcare and the franchise industry to optimize and grow an already successful franchise business. I believe in the method and look forward to working with the rest of the leadership team to continue Pvolve’s growth, further its commitment to wellness, and positively impact our members.”

Alexis McDowel, the newly appointed vice president of communications, will spearhead Pvolve’s global communications and public relations initiatives. McDowel brings over two decades of communication experience, including as VP of communications at Oura, where she led global PR for product partners, ambassadors, health experiences, and corporate, executive and internal communications. Her other leadership experience includes companies like Fitbit, Electronic Arts, Unity Technologies and LucasArts.

“After working at the intersection of health and technology for over a decade, including a global pandemic that saw the entire industry change at lightning speed, everyone is wondering what’s next,” McDowel said. “Pvolve’s clinically-backed workouts, made by women for women, and omnichannel approach of meeting consumers where they are, embody elements we’ve seen consumers gravitate towards.”

McDowel and Heald join Pvolve’s all-female leadership team, which includes founder Rachel Katzman, president Julie Cartwright, chief marketing and commercial officer Karina Kogan, and chief training officer Antonietta Vicario.  

Pvolve has had an eventful start to 2024, with continued franchise growth and the announcement of its Health Aging Study, which validated the brand’s fitness method in a clinical study.

Notably, Jennifer Aniston joined Pvolve last year as an advisor and has also starred in an ad campaign for the brand. Pvolve awarded 28 franchise licenses in 2023, bringing its total number of franchise locations to 40. Last year, five new studios were opened in San Diego and Carlsbad, California, Nashville, Tennessee, Victoria (British Colombia) and Calgary in Alberta, Canada.  

“At Pvolve, our success is all about the dedication of our fantastic leadership and team,” Katzman said. “Now, with experienced leaders like Stacey Heald to steer the franchise business and Alexis McDowel to elevate awareness through PR, we’re gearing up for even more growth. I can’t wait to see the milestones we’ll achieve together.”

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Oura has long been synonymous with “smart ring.” For years, entering the space proved difficult for many potential competitors due to the technological challenges of creating small and stylish enough hardware components for heart rate and blood oxygen tracking. However, several smart rings that have been in the works for years have finally hit the market or will be released soon.

Take Movano Health’s Evie Ring. The product was first showcased at CES 2022 and is a female-first wearable. Evie comes with a simplified app that tracks heart rate, activity, menstrual cycles and blood oxygen. It also allows for mood and menstrual symptom tracking to identify patterns over time, and has a small gap in the ring that is forgiving with finger swelling.

Smart Ring Competitors

Other smart rings were also featured at CES 2024. The Amazfit Helio Ring is a ring geared towards elite athletes that focuses on recovery. It has full integration with GPS sports watches, so users’ comprehensive health data is available in the Zepp app. The ring is expected to be released in the next few months, with pricing not yet available, although many believe it will be priced at around $350, similar to competitors.

RingConn, also displayed at CES, is more affordably priced at $279. It conducts sleep quality analysis and all-day heart rate and blood oxygen saturation monitoring. Like Oura, it offers stress index monitoring. 

Other smart rings offer more niche features. YogiFi offers a Mat + Ring that tracks yoga asanas, mindfulness minutes and breathing patterns to elevate users’ practices. Ultrahuman Ring Air is smaller and lighter than competitors and has advanced recommendations. For example, it can observe energy levels and circadian cycle to recommend specific times to consume coffee. 

Samsung Readies Galaxy Ring

Large players are also eyeing the market. Samsung has been teasing its Galaxy Ring, which will reportedly launch later this year. In addition to standard health and fitness tracking, Samsung might use the Galaxy Ring to control connected devices like smart TVs.

A newly filed patent by Samsung shows that a pair of XR glasses could use a smart ring to get positional information for users’ fingers and hands. The Galaxy Ring will reportedly be available in sizes up to 13 and in three different finishes. 

What To Watch in 2024

Many wearables have implemented subscription fees, such as Oura and Whoop. Some newer players, like Evie and RingConn, are hoping to capture market share with no fee, a feature that could appeal to many consumers. For the Helio Ring, users must subscribe to the service for $69.99 per year to access the company’s AI chatbot for health-related questions. 

The smart ring market size could surpass $1 billion by the 2030s. As more brands express interest in the space, will they be able to compete with Oura? Even larger players like Samsung may face an uphill battle to bring new consumers to the smart ring space and convert Oura users to their products. However, as the space grows, 2024 could be the year of the smart ring.  

The post Oura, Samsung & More: The Smart Ring Era Is Here appeared first on Athletech News.

Dorothy Kilroy, chief commercial officer at Oura, joins the show in Athletech News’ latest installment of the “Unscripted” podcast. While Kilroy started at Oura less than a year ago, she’s a long-tenured consumer, having worn the company’s wearable smart ring for almost five years now. 

Alongside “Unscripted” co-hosts Edward Hertzman, Athletech’s founder and CEO, and Eric Malzone, Kilroy discusses the ultra-popular Oura Ring and what’s next for Oura while also breaking down what she’s seen of the wearable industry as a whole. How wearables can assist, but not replace, medical professionals is also discussed during the podcast, along with how Oura caters to other key demographics. 

Watch this episode of “Unscripted” for unfiltered takes on the following:

• How Oura separates itself from the wearables pack
• Relationships with key demographics including females, active users and medial communities
• Futures for Oura and the wearable industry as a whole

Key Talking Points:

Introductions: (0:00 – 2:11)

Oura vs other wearables (2:11 – 4:49)

What the Oura Ring offers (4:49 – 6:24)

Responding to consumers (6:24 – 8:00)

Oura and women’s health (8:00 – 10:19)

Oura’s business model (10:19 – 13:10)

Relationship with medicine (13:10 – 16:58)

Future of wearables (16:58 – 19:49)

Accessibility and demand (19:49 – 22:04)

Artificial intelligence usage (22:04 – 24:41)

Fashion element (24:41 – 28:22)

Wrap-up/methods of contact (28:22 – 29:51)

The post Watch Now: Oura’s Dorothy Kilroy Joins ATN ‘Unscripted’ Podcast appeared first on Athletech News.

Fitness and wellness are growing priorities for many. According to Lululemon’s 2023 Global Wellbeing Report, 67% of people place wellbeing as a top priority, but only 12% say their wellbeing is where it should be. Looking back at 2023 and toward 2024, how will consumers try to narrow the gap between their fitness goals and their current reality?

Consumers’ affinity for connected fitness remains an open question, although virtual reality seems to have carved out a niche for those who desire gamified workouts. Wearables continue to advance, but are they innovating too fast? Strength is seemingly here to stay, with Pilates and functional training more popular than ever. And how will the rise of weight loss drugs impact the traditional fitness industry? While the future of fitness and wellness is uncertain, one thing is for sure: the industry is unlikely to show any signs of slowing down in 2024.    

To get you ready for a new year, Athletech News previews the top fitness and wellness trends to watch in 2024:

• 

  Can Connected Fitness Rebound?

  Connected fitness has been slow to recover from the post-pandemic surge in popularity of in-person workouts. Lululemon stopped selling Mirror, its connected fitness unit, at the end of 2023. It even struck a five-year deal with Peloton to provide fitness content for Lululemon Studio, which is replacing Mirror, as well as create co-branded apparel. The two companies also hosted a series of in-person events, demonstrating a collaboration between the one-time competitors. Earnings showed that Lululemon’s previous $500 million acquisition of Mirror was nearly worthless. Mirror’s downfall might be reflective of the current state of connected fitness. 

  Peloton, meanwhile, continues to cite hope for a turnaround. It recently rebranded to a more content-focused model, and offered extensive holiday deals in November to drive sales, including up to $700 off of Peloton purchases. The company is facing difficulties converting free app users into paying subscribers, which has led to wider-than-expected losses. Peloton is hoping to boost revenue with high-profile partnerships and the relaunch of Tread+, but the company has cited concerns that inflation-weary consumers will hesitate to invest in its expensive hardware.

  Connected fitness companies that focused on premium hardware as opposed to virtual programming have also been struggling, such as Tonal and Hydrow, each of which began 2023 with layoffs. Even Clmbr, the LeBron James and Jay-Z-backed vertical climber maker, laid off around 25% of its staff earlier this year before being acquired by Forme.

• 

  Will In-Person Fitness Continue To Grow?

  While connected fitness struggles, in-person is back and better than ever. IHRSA’s 2023 Global Report cited a resurgence of consumers connecting and engaging during in-person workouts. Today, boutique fitness accounts for 42% of all gym memberships. The report also cited high-value, low-price and luxury fitness facilities gaining the most over 2023.

  Planet Fitness continues to win big with Gen Z: Morning Consult named the brand on a list of top ten leading companies that young consumers are eyeing. The fitness franchise has an active presence on social media platforms, and its “Classic Membership” is just $10 a month, a price that hasn’t been raised in 30 years, although the brand is considering a slight increase. Crunch Fitness is also expanding rapidly. The New York-based franchise brand currently has over two million members and operates over 450 gyms worldwide. CR Fitness, the top Crunch Franchisee, plans to build 15-20 fitness clubs per year, growth that has led to over 1,000 employment opportunities. 

• 

  What’s Next for Weight Loss Drugs?

  GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have also taken the fitness and wellness world by storm this year. Barclays has estimated that the industry could be worth $100 billion by 2030 and perhaps even $200 billion within the next ten years. WeightWatchers notably pivoted from its points system and weight-loss meetings to offering access to weight loss and diabetes drugs. Food companies have noticed declining sales and have scrambled to shift their strategic focus. Nestlé has created new vitamin and mineral-packed products for those on appetite suppressants. 

  The fitness industry has been eager to welcome GLP-1 users: Life Time launched the Miora Longevity and Performance clinic at its flagship Target Center health club in downtown Minneapolis. The clinic offers doctors, physician assistants, nurses and personal trainers in addition to weight loss drugs and non-invasive therapies like red light therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and infrared saunas. Xponential Fitness has also leaned into the weight loss medication sector, acquiring Lindora, a metabolic health clinic.

• 

  Will Strength Training Continue To Surge?

  According to MindBody’s 2024 fitness trend report, the top three workouts of 2023 were Pilates, yoga, and strength training. Strength training in particular is growing in popularity with Gen Z. Les Mills partnered with Adidas earlier this year on a strength-focused workout to target younger consumers. The launch of Nike Strength, a collection of strength training equipment for elite and everyday athletes, also demonstrates the growth of the category. Pure Barre launched Define, a low-impact fitness class that incorporates heavier weights than those used by most boutique fitness brands. CorePower Yoga’s most recent class addition was Strength X, a high-intensity strength training class that incorporates traditional yoga poses with targeted resistance exercises. Orangetheory Fitness, known for its cardio workouts, has also gotten into the strength training craze.

  At 2023’s IHRSA Convention in San Diego, Fabrizio Cecchinelli, format manager at Technogym, cited two main reasons for strength training’s surge in popularity: social media and science. Strength training’s photogenic nature makes for aesthetically pleasing posts. The science behind strength training has also propelled workouts, as a search on PubMed, the National Institute of Health’s database of biotechnology information, revealed that in the last decade, the number of searches for scientific information related to the benefits of strength training increased almost fourfold.

• 

  Can Fitness Wearables Bridge the Healthcare Gap?

  Wearables continued to evolve in 2023 as consumers using the devices for reaching various fitness goals are increasingly using wearables to generally monitor their health. New hardware, software, and apps have allowed turned wearables into customizable health clinics. Heart rate monitors are standard on many wearables, and some even have FDA approval for detecting abnormalities like atrial fibrillation. Whoop offers a feature called Health Monitor which provides a daily update on all user metrics. Members can send this report as a PDF directly to a doctor or medical professional. Devices have also gotten more social. Oura launched Circles earlier this year, where members can share high-level data like “Readiness,” “Sleep,” and “Activity” scores with friends and family members. Apple Watch also allows users to share their activity with family, friends or coaches.

  Strength training has also become more prominent in the wearables market. Whoop became the first fitness wearable to measure strength earlier this year. It now allows users to measure strain during strength workouts by tracking weights, reps and sets for a personalized view of their training. Oura also launched a co-branded Rest & Recovery kit with Equinox that featured a specially designed ring cover for weight training and strenuous workouts. The innovation addressed users’ concerns about the Oura ring being less compatible with barbell training. 

• 

  Will VR Fitness Take Off?

  While connected fitness has waned, virtual reality (VR) fitness is a fairly nascent field, but one that’s becoming more prominent in the industry. Les Mills is investing in the space, with its recent launch of XR Dance and Bodycombat. Xponential Fitness has created Xponential+, a new virtual and mixed-reality app for Meta Quest 3 that allows users to essentially take boutique fitness classes in their living room.

  On the athleisure front. Alo Yoga teamed up with Obsess, the experiential e-commerce platform, to launch an immersive virtual reality shopping experience. But it hasn’t been all fun and games—Meta was sued earlier this fall by Andre Elijah Immersive Inc (AEI), a self-proclaimed new entrant to the VR fitness space which alleged that it developed a fitness yoga app with Meta and Alo before the relationship soured. Most of the lawsuit alleges that Meta has a vertical monopoly on the VR fitness space, and colluded with Alo to keep AEI out of the market. Despite some setbacks, Meta is still leaning into the health and fitness space, believing in the power of virtual reality to make workouts fun and engaging. 

The post The Fitness & Wellness Trends To Watch in 2024 appeared first on Athletech News.

This past year involved countless fitness and wellness stories coming across our desks here at Athletech News, but a few caught more eyes than others, making the cut as our most-viewed articles of 2023. These 10 stories were all among our most read but are listed in no particular order, so if you missed out on any of the action this past year and want to get caught up before moving on to 2024, keep reading.

• Chris Rondeau Out as Planet Fitness CEO in Stunning Move

  Planet Fitness employees – and the general fitness community – were shocked this year when Chris Rondeau stepped down as CEO, with Craig R. Benson taking over in an interim role. Rondeau worked with the company for 30-plus years prior to his exit. Planet Fitness mentioned that the move did not come in any part due to any financial factors, but its shares consequently fell by over 12% shortly after the news broke. But amid the storm, the low-price/high-value gym franchise continues to grow, with Q2 results showing a revenue increase of 27.6% and success attracting Gen Z after getting three million sign-ups from high schoolers this year. 

• The Future of Fitness Wearables: How Whoop, Oura, Garmin Are Innovating

  With intel from a variety of industry leaders, Athletech News forecasts and examines the future of fitness wearables. How new tech already has and could continue to elevate wearables is discussed, as is a potential place for the products in healthcare. How different wearable companies serve different needs in the fitness and wellness community with their products is analyzed as well.  

• 

  Pvolve, Jennifer Aniston Focus on ‘Strength’ in Debut Ad Campaign

  We break down Jennifer Aniston and Pvovle’s debut ad campaign, along with the general rise of functional fitness. Aniston signing on with Pvovle came as a groundbreaking deal for Pvolve and the entire fitness industry given her fame. The company’s goal to redefine how strength is viewed by the masses received a major boost via the ad campaign. 

• Meta Pushes Into VR Fitness: Why the Tech Giant Is Just Getting Started

  After acquiring Within, maker of popular VR Fitness app Supernatural, Meta took an unforeseen leap into the VR fitness arena. Meta’s director of Metaverse content Anand Dass sat down with ATN to explain why the tech giant is so bullish on VR fitness, how it’s looking to close the gap between those who work out regularly compared to those who don’t, and the future of VR Fitness from a general perspective.

• Exclusive: Xponential President Talks Acquisition Plans, Gary Vaynerchuk Partnership

  Xponential President Sarah Luna breaks down the global fitness franchisor’s future. In an exclusive interview with ATN, Luna touches on the rise of boutique fitness in a post-pandemic world, Xponential’s hunger to acquire new brands and expand, as well as the impact of partnering with social media guru Gary Vee.

• 

  Peloton Announces Rebrand, Wants To Be More Than a ‘Bike Company’

  Peloton’s massive rebrand and the goals behind it are laid out, many of which relate to the company’s desire to branch out and reach larger crowds with its offerings. By expanding the Peloton app and getting into strength training, the company intends to be much more than just an “in-home bike company.”

• F45 Reveals $372M Loss as CEO Plots Plan Forward

  F45’s higher-than-expected losses are revealed to the public, including $372.3 million in total losses for 2021 and 2022 combined. ATN looks into the ways in which the Mark Wahlberg-backed company can rebound after its financial setbacks under new CEO Tom Dowd, who recently stepped in to try and help the functional fitness franchise right the ship. 

• CEO Corner: Ryan Duey on How Plunge Grew From the Garage to the Mainstream

  Plunge co-founder Ryan Duey explains how he and co-founder Michael Garrett have made cold water recovery tubs more accessible to the masses. After recapping Plunge’s past, Duey roadmaps the company’s future goals as well as those of the cold water therapy industry in general.

• 

  Nike Launches Strength Training Equipment in Latest Fitness Move

  Nike made waves by dropping a collection of fitness equipment for the first time in company history. The brand’s corresponding campaign is highlighted by athletes such as LeBron James and Derrick Henry. ATN also breaks down the sportswear titan’s additional recent fitness moves, such as opening up a series of boutique studios.

• Tonal Sues Smart Home Gym Rival Speediance

  Tonal sued rival smart home gym company Speediance earlier this year, alleging infringements on its patents as well as false and misleading advertising on the part of the Chinese brand. The case could have big implications for the at-home fitness market in 2024.

The post The 10 Most Popular Fitness & Wellness Stories of 2023 appeared first on Athletech News.

Luxury fitness club operator Equinox Holdings is currently mulling its options to refinance upcoming debt maturities, including securing a $1.3 billion loan in the private credit market, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg attributing anonymous insiders familiar with the matter.

The NYC-based “temple of well-being” launched in 1991, since growing to over 300 locations across the U.S., Canada and London with its signature clubs and fitness brands such as Pure Yoga, Blink Fitness and SoulCycle. The brand has also branched out to include luxurious experiences with Equinox Hotels. Recently, Equinox has partnered with a spate of leading brands across fitness, wellness, fashion, food and travel, offering its members exclusive perks like a co-branded Rest & Recovery Kit with Oura.

Equinox has been in talks to raise approximately $400 million in preferred equity as part of the financing and is reportedly working with Centerview Partners and Goldman Sachs as it explores its options.

As WSJ notes, citing a research report last month from Moody’s Investors Service, Equinox has a $76 million revolver maturing in January, a $1.2 billion loan maturing in March, and a $200 million junior loan to be repaid in September.

Last year, Equinox received some criticism for its “It’s not you, it’s January” marketing move where new members who wished to join its fitness clubs on January 1 would be turned away and prompted to join the following day.

Equinox did not immediately respond for comment.

The post Equinox Explores $1B+ Loan To Refinance Debt, Reports Say appeared first on Athletech News.

All products featured on Athletech News are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission

Athletech News has tested and rounded up what we believe are the 25 best fitness and wellness holiday gifts of 2023. With everything from wearables to workout gear to red light face masks, this gift guide is bound to have something for the fitness fanatic or wellness guru in your life.

• 

  Apple Watch Series 9 

  Apple Watch Series 9 is the watch you know and love but better than ever. It is brighter (2x brighter than Series 8), more sustainable (available in a watch case and band combination that is carbon neutral), and more convenient than its predecessors. The new Double Tap feature picks up on the tiniest muscle movements in your wrist to recognize when you are tapping your index finger and thumb together, allowing you to answer a call, open a notification, play and pause music, and more. Double Tap is the feature you never knew you needed—it allows you to play and pause music when your hands are dirty from cooking or check your Smart Stack of apps while you are carrying your dog. Another cool new feature is Precision Finding, which directs you to your iPhone by showing you approximate distance and direction. When you get close, a loud chirp, visual indicator, and haptic feedback all help you find your way back to the device.

   

• 

  Barry’s Gift Card

  Now that in-person workouts are in full swing, Barry’s seems to be more popular than ever. If you’re unsure what to get a fitness fanatic, consider a Barry’s gift card. They range from $50 to $200 and can be used for online retail like apparel, accessories, and equipment. Barry’s has apparel from brands like Lululemon, Vuori, and Bandier, and accessories like drinkware, socks, and foam rollers. The gift card cannot be used, however, for classes. The brand also has its own fitness equipment, like adjustable weights, sweat towels, and its signature bench. Give someone the gift of bringing Barry’s home. 

• 

  BeautyBio GLOfacial 

  The BeautyBio GLOfacial is an at-home deep-cleansing and hydrating facial treatment tool that unclogs pores and exfoliates dead skin cells in just one treatment. The product acts like a vacuum with your pores, pulling out any dirt, oil, and makeup while simultaneously infusing it with Salicylic and Hyaluronic Acid. The tool comes with a GLOfacial concentrate, a small and large treatment tip, and one clarifying cap to customize your routine. For the skincare junkie, or a loved one managing clogged pores, the GLOfacial is a great gift. 

• 

  Blazepod

  Blazepod is an innovative workout system that includes stackable platforms that light up and users tap in response to optimize reflexivity, agility, and decision-making skills. For the athlete in your life who needs to breathe new life into their workout routine, Blazepod’s lighting pods cue your brain to make split-second decisions during training. The pods are controlled by the Blazepod app, which comes with hundreds of pre-set activities for drills, exercises, and competitions. The pods collect every tap to analyze your data down to the millisecond. This unique approach to training gamifies workouts, with customizability down to the color of the pod lights. They are also easy to transport: the pods’ stackable nature allows them to be easily packed up. Blazepod is also the reaction training platform for athletes from the NBA, NFL, MLB, and MLS, among other leagues. If you have a competitive athlete or someone who is looking to take their training to the next level, consider Blazepod.

• 

  Centr by Chris Hemsworth Workout Kit

  Centr, Chris Hemsworth’s fitness and wellness platform, has released at-home fitness products that complement its online content. The kit comes with 3 fabric resistance bands, 5 tube bands, 2 ankle straps, 2 D-handles, a dual hook straight bar, a door anchor, and a travel bag. The kit comes with 3 months of a digital Centr membership (a $59.99 value) that can be used on any device and syncs with your wearables. Centr’s online platform has both dynamic workouts led by expert fitness coaches and carefully crafted nutritional plans and recipes. The Centr Workout Kit is available on Walmart.com. 

• 

  Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

  On the hunt for the perfect gym bag? Dagne Dover’s Landon Carryall Bag is durable yet fashionable, and versatile yet well-organized. Made from neoprene, the bag is soft but structured, and can weather the storm of sweaty clothes or sneaker dirt. It is designed with thoughtful details, like well-placed mesh pockets (perfect for post-workout toiletries or a water bottle) and a laptop or iPad sleeve. The Landon Carryall also comes with a shoe or laundry bag to keep dirty items separate. While it doesn’t appear bulky, the bag can truly carry it all—it fits a surprising amount for its size. If you’re shopping for someone who needs a new everyday gym bag, look no further. 

• 

  Grüns Daily

  Want the benefits of greens powders without the chalky taste or messy cleanup? Grüns are gummies that contain over 20 vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Zinc, and more. They come in little daily packets for easy consumption and are made with whole veggies, fruits, super mushrooms, adaptogens, antioxidants, and prebiotics. The gummies are also made with a pectin base, a fruit fiber, instead of gelatin. The gummies contain higher average sugar content than leading greens powders, but they more than make up for it in their vitamin content. Although they taste different than typical gummy candies, with a tarter flavor and a stickier consistency, you quickly adjust and fall in love with the flavor by the end of the bag. For a healthy stocking stuffer, consider gifting Grüns. 

• 

  Fabletics Apparel

  Looking for high-quality activewear that won’t break the bank? Fabletics offers apparel and accessories for men and women with a flexible VIP membership model. Each month, members are charged $59.95 for benefits, which unlock low prices for the activewear. Promotional credits roll over month-to-month for up to 12 months, and members can skip any month. Kevin Hart has been the face of Fabletics Men since 2020, and some of his favorite products include the Training Day Hoodie, a breathable sweatshirt with 4-way stretch, and the Fundamental Short, which has a no-roll waistband and anti-stink fabric. Fabletics also recently launched a collaboration with Kevin Hart last month called “Every Day Sunday” which celebrates the collection. For women who love a workout walk, the Open Back Onesie is breathable and versatile, in trendy color block designs, and the Cozy Fleece Hooded Onesie comes in seasonal colors and designs that will put your gift recipient in a festive mood.

• 

  Gold VK Carbon Fiber Performance Insoles

  For those looking to upgrade their sneaker game, Gold VK Carbon Fiber Performance Insoles from VKTRY are made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber and are customized for your sport, gender, age, and weight. Say goodbye to your sneaker’s foam or plastic insoles—these allow for more reactivity, explosivity, and support. If your loved one is a serious athlete who hasn’t yet converted to performance insoles, look no further—there will be no turning back. 

• 

  GORUCK GR1 Backpack

  For those looking for a serious backpack upgrade, the GR1 from GORUCK might fit the bill. The backpack has been proven to Special Forces standards and is designed to go from adventures to everyday life. The GR1 is highly waterproof and has a reinforced laptop compartment with a false bottom for extra support. The backpack has extra padded shoulder straps and a top handle for carrying comfort. Although the backpack is on the heavier side, it is easy to pack and organize, as it opens flat and has several internal pockets. GORUCK also donates 1% of its annual top-line revenue to various non-profit partners who support those who serve, including the military, Veterans, First Responders, teachers, and social workers, so you can feel good about your purchase. 

• 

  HigherDOSE Glow Serum + Red Light Face Mask

  The HigherDOSE Glow Serum and Red Light Face Mask are the dynamic duo for the skincare fanatic. The Glow Serum is a light-activated formula that can boost the benefits of the Red Light Face Mask. The Serum is made with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and other bio-nutrients for powerful hydration, enhancing the mask’s use of red and near-infrared LED technologies to warm the skin and provide a natural glow. The mask also seamlessly fits into one’s active lifestyle, with no cord to hold you back. You start seeing benefits soon after using the Red Light Mask, so your loved one will go into the new year with rejuvenated and glowing skin. 

• 

  Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs 

  The Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs offer extra rest and recovery for, you guessed it, legs. They bring a decade of science-backed research to provide users with a restorative massage using 7 levels of pressure and biomimicry to revive muscles and relieve pain. The Legs increase circulation while reducing delayed onset muscle soreness, and can be controlled through the Bluetooth-connected Hyperice app. The Normatec 3 Legs also comes in a new and reduced weight for easy traveling. They are a great gift for those recovering from injuries, or those who need a little more rest and recovery during an intense training plan. 

• 

  Kimberly Synder’s “You Are More Than You Think You Are” 

  New York Times bestselling author and celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder’s book is about how best to reach your goals and live the life you have envisioned. The book draws inspiration from the guru Paramahansa Yoganandaa and includes personal stories and scientific research to provide simple exercises and practices to help readers unlock their potential. “You Are More Than You Think You Are” helps readers feel grounded and balanced amid hectic and overwhelming schedules. Snyder is also the founder of Solluna, a wellness brand with products like supplements, skincare, and online health and beauty courses. 

• 

  Methodology Gift Card

  For the fitness foodie, Methodology is a sustainably sourced meal delivery service that is gluten-, dairy-, and refined-sugar-free. The portion-controlled meals come in reusable, recyclable packaging and only require five minutes to heat up before eating. Methodology is the only food delivery service clinically validated by a leading university. The Signature Reset, a 4-day meal plan that you can personalize based on type of protein, offers menus that vary from week to week. Sample dishes include Wild Blue Crab and Prawn Cakes + Sherry Glazed Carrots, Roasted Hodo Soy Tofu Pho, and Chai-Spiced Apple Crumble Overnight Oats. The Reset is an easy way to get the year off on the right foot. The meals are simple but flavorful, with generous amounts of seasonings and dressings, a nice change from the many bland cleanses in the market. It also comes in packaging that makes the Reset easy to incorporate into a busy, on-the-go schedule. For the busy professional looking to hit reset in January, a Methodology gift card might be the perfect gift. 

• 

  NON Sets

  A gift perfect for Dry January, NON is a non-alcoholic wine brand with inventive and refreshing flavors. With flavors like Salted Raspberry and Chamomile, Caramelized Pear and Kombu, and Lemon Marmalade and Hibiscus, NON is infusing fun into non-alcoholic drinks. The beverages are not too sweet but have good flavors. NON drinks are also perfect for holiday gatherings sans alcohol. 

• 

  Oura x Equinox Rest and Recovery Kit

  Shopping for someone who can’t stop talking about the Oura ring? The Oura x Equinox Rest and Recovery Kit is a co-branded gift that features select finishes of an Oura Ring, an Oura x Equinox branded ring cover, and a one-year Oura membership. The black cover, though seemingly simple, is sleekly designed and fits tightly on an Oura ring for no-slip coverage from scratches. No more worrying about the ring knocking up against barbells during training—the Oura x Equinox Rest and Recovery Kit has you covered.  

• 

  REVOLVE Beauty’s 2023 Advent Calendar

  For the skin health fan, REVOLVE’s Beauty’s 2023 Advent Calendar includes 24 beauty products ranging from serums to body scrubs to daily peels. With six full-sized products and a $481 retail value, the calendar is also beautifully packaged in green and pink. Some standout products include Barbara Sturm’s the Good C Serum, which energizes the skin with much-needed Vitamin C and the SLNY Cryotherapy Massager, which uses cold therapy to tighten and de-puff skin. Don’t sleep on the advent calendar, as it usually sells out every year!

• 

  SOUNDBOKS Go 

  For a music-powered workout, the SOUNDBOKS Go is portable but has powerful bass, battery life, and sound quality. It’s perfect for outdoor or indoor workouts where your loved one needs some concert-level volume musical motivation. The full-bodied sound that feels like surround sound can elevate everyday workouts. It can fit on a bike rack, over your shoulder, or in the back seat of a car. The speaker system is dentproof, splashproof, and lightweight, and connects to the SOUNDBOKS app for easy control and wireless pairing. 

• 

  Speediance Gym Pal 

  The Speediance Gym Pal, the company’s latest and most compact release, packs a punch for its price. It has no membership requirement, so buying the equipment for a loved one is truly a gift. It has a weight capacity of 220 pounds, and the app comes with extensive programming and the ability to do customizable training. The Gym Pal is also compact—it can take up only 1.4 square feet when standing vertically and can be stored underneath a couch or bed. If you’re looking for a digital resistance platform that doesn’t break the bank, the Gym Pal might be the gift for you. 

• 

  Sprig Aromatherapy Experiences 

  Kohler, the plumbing and manufacturing company, launched Sprig, its first wellness brand specializing in aromatherapy. One of its offerings is a shower infusion kit that uses pods and a showerhead attachment to bring aromatherapy to your everyday routine. It also offers scented candles, body and linen mists, and bath bombs in six signature blends (Breathe, Focus, Shield, Recharge, Relax, and Sleep) to match your mood. The blends feature 100% natural botanicals and could be a perfect gift for a loved one looking to go into the new year with more Zen.  

• 

  Therabody Theragun Sense

  Theragun Sense from Therabody is a new percussion massage gun that has haptics, a heart rate sensor, and breathwork for moments of mindfulness. Perfect for a loved one who wants an integrated and holistic wellness practice and percussive relief that is not too intense, it’s the first percussive massage therapy that has calming breathwork to ease everyday stress and pain. The Therabody breathwork is a perfect way to start one’s day, accompanied by the Therabody app, which offers visually pleasing and calming guided videos for breathwork and meditation. 

• 

  Tnuck Sport 

  Want a stylish but classic take on athleisure? Tnuck Sport from Tuckernuck uses technical fabrics with fashionable silhouettes that can take you throughout your day. The Black Puff Sleeve Campbell Pullover is casual but put together, and can take you from the tennis or pickleball court to the coffee shop. The Suzanne Tennis Dress is a retro take on a classic style that is made from light materials and is similarly versatile. Tnuck Sport is a great gift for a loved one who doesn’t want to compromise style during workouts. 

• 

  TRX YBell PRO Series

  Why buy a kettlebell, a dumbbell, and a push-up stand, when the Ybell can act as all three? The YBell is a stackable, space-saving weight that is perfect for strength, HIIT, and cardio workouts. It comes in weights ranging from 10 pounds to 44 pounds and has a cast iron core and commercial-grade, powder-coated finish. It’s stackable and sleek and requires far less space than the three pieces of equipment it replaces. For those obsessed with space efficiency and design, the YBell could be the perfect gift. 

• 

  WHOOP Body 

  For the WHOOP users in your life, consider the WHOOP Body for the days they want their tracker to be “invisible.” The smart apparel line allows you to wear WHOOP 4.0 in a variety of different ways through built-in “pods.” Simply place the WHOOP tracker in said pods, and the device collects data from your torso, waist, and calf, depending on its placement in the clothing. The Any-Wear Athletic Boxers are particularly popular for men, while the women’s Any-Wear Bralettes feel supportive and soft throughout the day.  

• 

  Vuori Apparel 

  One of the hottest brands in athleisure right now, Vuori is bound to please even the pickiest friend or family member. The brand first became famous for its super soft Performance Joggers, and now carries everything from t-shirts, dresses, and outerwear. The Performance Joggers are now available in more than 15 colors, and are made in the brand’s DreamKnit fabric, which your loved one will not want to take off. Although the joggers are stretchy and ultra-comfortable, they also look sleek and flattering enough for daily errands or a casual night out, particularly in the black color. Vuori also expanded its product line to cozy outerwear, with insulated and sherpa jackets. Even with their non-DreamKnit products, Vuori delivers on coziness and versatility. For those obsessed with comfort but not willing to sacrifice style, consider Vuori.  

The post The 25 Best Holiday Gifts for Fitness & Wellness Fans appeared first on Athletech News.

This article is part of ATN’s DISRUPT 2023 video series, which features key conversations with executives from the most successful brands in fitness and wellness. To watch more videos, click here

The general appetite for investing in fitness and wellness companies has cooled off quite a bit from its pandemic-era high, although the long-term prognosis for the space remains strong, according to industry experts. 

Speaking during Athletech News’ DISRUPT 2023 video series, three leaders in the private equity and venture capital spaces – Jon Canarick of North Castle Partners, Mark Grabowski of Snapdragon Capital Partners and Lance Dietz of KB Partners – gave their thoughts on the current landscape of the fitness and wellness market, including which sectors are best poised for growth despite a cloudy macroeconomic environment. 

The Fall of At-Home Fitness

Overall, the investors agreed there was too much buying in the fitness and wellness space during COVID, especially of at-home fitness companies, which has caused a lot of financial tumult and sent valuations tumbling in recent months. 

“There was way too much investing in the space by a factor of five, or something to that effect, particularly, of course, in the home fitness category,” Canarick said, noting that pandemic-era investments “were probably beyond the scale and scope of what was economically feasible for the category. As a result, you have billions and billions of dollars of burned capital that are underwater all throughout the home fitness part of the space.”

Confidence in at-home fitness companies during the pandemic likely reflected many investors’ predictions about what the long-term effects of the pandemic would be on people’s workout preferences. 

“I think there was overconfidence that this (was) a whole new world, people are all going to be working from home, there’s going to be more remote work, (and) people are going to want to now work out at home and not go back to the gym,” Grabowski said. 

Brick-and-Mortar Fitness Is Back

It’s certainly not all bad for the fitness and wellness industry post-pandemic. The flip side of the at-home fitness debacle is that in-person experiences are booming as people seek social interaction in gyms and studios.

“People had habits that they’re going back to,” Dietz said. “We think in-person experiences are very valuable to human nature so you see a lot of people going back to brick-and-mortar.”

Canarick agreed that we’re witnessing a “really strong recovery of brick-and-mortar fitness,” but he noted that hybrid fitness is likely here to stay as many consumers now prefer a blend of working out in person and at home.

“Peloton has had their fair share of challenges but they still have gained an enormous market share of monthly workouts,” Canarick said by way of example.

As people return to in-person activities, the concept of “community” is more important than ever, Dietz believes. Fitness and wellness businesses that are able to build products and services that foster connection are more likely to be attractive to investment firms in the current environment.

“It’s a buzzword at times, but it’s also one that I think has a meaningful impact on long-term value for the user experience,” Dietz said of the power of community.  

“Where community can address loneliness and the ability to be a bit healthier because you have people around you I think is a really interesting opportunity,” he added.

The Newcomers: Recovery, Fitness Trackers & Preventative Wellness

As for what areas of fitness and wellness could be targets for increased investment moving forward, the investors identified three sectors: recovery, health and fitness trackers, and preventative wellness.

Recovery tools are moving from the niche to the mainstream thanks to the direct-to-consumer success of companies like Hyperice and Therabody and the proliferation of modalities like cold plunge, infrared sauna and cryotherapy. 

Canarick expressed excitement about the growth potential of the recovery sector as tools once only available for professional athletes find their way into the hands of the masses, although he said there may be a cap on how big the market can get. 

“There’s still a question as to the size of that market from a profitability standpoint,” Canarick said of the recovery space.

Another hot category figures to be health and fitness trackers, driven by the sudden popularity of companies like Oura, Whoop and others. However, Canarick again urged some caution since it’s unclear whether trackers will be able to gain market share with non-fitness enthusiasts, which is still most of the population.

Grabowski believes the market for health and fitness trackers could really take off, especially as consumers increasingly embrace what he calls “preventative wellness” over traditional healthcare or sickcare. 

Trackers have the ability to reach consumers outside the athlete or weekend warrior population if they’re used to help everyday people track important health metrics, Grabowski noted.

“When you think of everything from blood testing to stool samples, there you’re actually addressing some different issues,” he said. “It’s not about, ‘Am I optimizing my workout performance?’ It’s about allergies, chronic issues, immune responses and other things that people are dealing with.” 

Long-Term Outlook Is Positive

Overall, while the market isn’t what it was pre-COVID or during the pandemic thanks to macroeconomic conditions and general global uncertainty, there’s still reason to be optimistic about the financial “health” of health, fitness and wellness, the investors believe. 

“I think almost universally there’s growth in consumer expenditure in health and wellness across multiple categories,” Grabowski said, noting that the industry as a whole is on an “upward trajectory” and most sectors are at or are approaching pre-COVID levels.

That’s not to say growth capital will be easy to come by, at least in the short term. To make themselves attractive investment candidates in the current fraught economic environment, fitness and wellness businesses will need to show they have executive teams who can adapt to change.

“If it’s not the pandemic, then it’s inflation. If it’s not inflation, you’ve got what’s going on geopolitically,” Grabowski noted. “So I think seeing senior management teams who have proven adaptability, there’s an even bigger premium. One-note players are not as backable.”

The post Fitness & Wellness Market Healthy Despite Post-Pandemic Woes, Investors Say appeared first on Athletech News.

Oura has hired Apple executive Jason Oberfest, who served as an integral member of the Apple Health team since joining the company in 2018 from Mango Health.

Tom Hale, Oura’s CEO, told Bloomberg that Oberfest’s hiring will allow the company to “dive deeper into the healthcare world,” adding that his arrival “marks the start of a new chapter” for Oura. Oberfest will servce as Oura’s vice president of healthcare.

Currently, Oura has health sensors that can gather data like oxygen saturation, heart rate variability, menstrual cycles and sleep cycles. It recently announced new stress management features, providing stress monitoring and an AI-powered journal feature. Oberfest’s hiring is a win for the wearables company, which has stiff competition from products like the Apple Watch and Whoop.

Apple Watch has long had healthcare applications, with recent iterations of the Watch including an FDA-cleared electrocardiogram to help users monitor irregular heart rhythms and potential signs of atrial fibrillation. It can also detect critical health conditions and summons emergency services during accidents like falls.

Now, Oura is expected to similarly expand its capabilities and gain more credibility in the healthcare space.  

It has been a big year for Oura outside of the healthcare sector as well: the company recently hired former Headspace executive Sean Brecker as its new CFO, which came after the brand partnered with Headspace and Thrive Global this year to enhance users’ mental health and sleep management capabilities. The smart ring company also announced a large-scale retail partnership with Best Buy and the acquisition of Proxy, a digital identity startup. Oura also recently forged an agreement with a health e-commerce website to make its ring FSA and HSA eligible.

The post Oura Hires Apple Exec, Plans Deeper Healthcare Push appeared first on Athletech News.

Tonal has made a major announcement ahead of the holiday shopping season, expanding its retail footprint with Best Buy. As of Monday, consumers can shop for Tonal and accessories on BestBuy.com, a partnership the smart home gym maker says will help it reach new audiences. 

Tonal’s new deal with Best Buy follows an in-store deal with Nordstrom as the brand pushes into the retail space.

Ian Yung, Tonal’s senior vice president of revenue, called Tonal’s relationship with Best Buy a “natural next step” as the smart home gym maker increases its distribution and expands its e-commerce presence in the at-home fitness sector.

“As one of the nation’s most trusted retailers, Best Buy has a loyal built-in customer base, and we are excited about the potential for more people to experience the power of Tonal,” Yung said.

As part of the collaboration, Best Buy’s Geek Squad Agents will manage delivery and installation for consumers who shop for Tonal products on the retailer’s website, with the in-home delivery and installation included in a Tonal purchase.

The electronics retailer has partnered with other tech-forward fitness brands this year, such as wearable tech company Oura and rower company Ergatta. 

Tonal Is All-In on Hardware

Tonal CEO Krystal Zell recently spoke with Athletech News at Disrupt 2023, where she shared her thoughts on the future of the intelligent strength fitness brand, which uses AI-driven equipment that dynamically adjusts weights in real-time with up to 200 pounds of digital resistance.

Appointed as CEO earlier this year to replace Tonal founder Aly Orady, Zell stepped into her new leadership role just as the smart home equipment maker raised $130 million in a new funding round. 

Zell says she’s encouraged by the growing strength training arena as consumers continue to invest in their health and wellness, especially as data shows strength-based training can enhance an individual’s quality of life. The fitness brand has also begun to target the active aging population, who are also intent on taking measures that promote longevity. 

Zell is also committed to Tonal’s hardware-centric model, pointing out that there isn’t a content experience available that can be replicated without the Tonal strength trainer. She also points out that there is (and always has been) an abundance of fitness content on the market.

“It’s about staying the course on what we believe is significant differentiation for us, which is taking people who are very focused on fitness, and bringing the best of a strength experience to them rather than just churn, churn, churn from a content perspective,” she said.

AI has been a focal point of Tonal’s development, with the equipment maker boasting five years’ worth of data collection on weight training that it uses to inform workout design.

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Tonal, an AI-powered smart home gym company, is implementing a new way of creating customer satisfaction, partnering with Extend to offer product production on its equipment. Extend, which specializes in tech-enabled product protection solutions, will offer Tonal owners in-home service and repairs, provided they purchase protection plans. 

The program includes four and five-year protection plans that cover accidental damage and electrical failure once the manufacturer warranty ends.

“We are excited to partner with Tonal, a leader in the at-home intelligent fitness space, to contribute to the exceptional customer service they deliver across their community,” said Rohan Shah, co-founder and chief revenue officer of Extend. “By offering product protection through Extend, Tonal will underscore their commitment to consumers across the entire product life cycle and our solution will also drive incremental revenue for the company. Together, we’re excited to make sure that no Tonal customer ever misses a workout!”

Tonal’s Push to Elevate the Customer Experience

Creating the best customer experience is at the heart of Tonal’s mission, from delivery to offering AI-powered workouts so users get quick results. 

Athletech News spoke with Tonal’s new CEO, Krystal Zell, during an exclusive interview for DISRUPT 2023, where she discussed the importance of providing the best for Tonal’s customers and the pride she has for Tonal as the OG in the at-home digital strength training company space.

“We have far superior technology and capabilities, hundreds and hundreds of patents, a completely unique system,” Zell said crediting Tonal for its performance science, coaches and trainers.

“That creates this really best-in-class experience,” she added. “There really are tons of copycats out there, and their product is often very inferior. And quite honestly, truly the other thing is customer service.”

Zell referred to Tonal managing its distribution and being responsible for the entire customer experience.

“We take ownership of that, and we’re very focused on making sure we deliver a great experience end-to-end from order to install and that is not the case for many of our competitors in the market,” she said.

Oura, Others Choose Extend

Extend, which launched in 2019, has also been selected by Oura as the smart ring maker’s leading product protection solution. 

Oura CEO Tom Hale has told ATN that Extend’s platform made it easy for Oura to bring value to its members and its business. Using AI, Extend can quickly resolve claims and provide quick replacement or reimbursement for customers — a major draw for Oura ring owners.

“We’ve found that by enabling quick repairs or replacement, the Extend Product Protection Platform offers peace of mind and helps our members have confidence that this investment will serve them for many years to come,” Hale said.

On top of saving on replacement costs and customer support overhead, Oura and Extend’s other 800 partners receive a portion of each protection plan sale through Extend’s associate model.

Philippe Lambotte, VP of customer care, logistics and field operations at Tonal, also praised Extend’s ability to drive incremental revenue for its partner companies.

“With Extend, we have both unlocked a revenue stream and a scalable way to service customers. Together we will help Tonal customers be their strongest,” Lambotte said.

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Oura has unveiled a collaboration with Equinox, with the sides introducing a co-branded Rest & Recovery Kit.

The collaboration is part of the Equinox Circle program, designed to give club members exclusive access and privileges to a range of luxury brands spanning nutrition, fitness, wellness technology and more. Other brands that are part of the Circle collection include sneaker resale website StockX, supplement company Thorne HealthTech, meal delivery service Provenance Meals and air travel platform Blade.

The Rest & Recovery Kit is now available for purchase online for $545, catering to Equinox members and non-members alike. This comprehensive kit is curated to enhance the rest and recovery experience of individuals dedicated to their fitness journey. It includes the Gen 3 Oura ring, available in a choice of Horizon Silver or Horizon Stealth, accompanied by an exclusive Oura x Equinox branded ring cover. The kit also comprises a charger, a sleek leather pouch and a one-year Oura Membership.

One of the standout features of this Rest & Recovery Kit is the specially designed ring cover. Its primary function is to ensure the seamless connection of the Oura ring during physically demanding activities, such as weight training and strenuous workouts. This innovative accessory addresses a common concern among users who have found the Oura ring less compatible with barbell training. By shielding the ring from potential damage, scratches and wear during rigorous exercise, the cover serves as a simple solution to a prevalent problem.

Other activations from the Equinox Circle program include an exclusive StockX pop-up event, which is being held at Equinox’s Bond Street location in New York City through the end of October, and a dinner hosted October 26th at Torrisi in NYC where Equinox members can book a table via the Dorsia app.  

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Oura has appointed Sean Brecker, formerly of Headspace, as its new chief financial officer.

It’s been a big year for Oura, which announced a large-scale retail partnership with Best Buy and the acquisition of Proxy, a digital identity startup, teasing what may be ahead on the horizon —- possible features such as payments, access, security and identity through the wearable ring. With a reported value of $165 million, the deal fortified Oura’s position in the wearable space, with CEO Tom Hale acknowledging the company now has “the most comprehensive portfolio in the smart ring space.”

Brecker comes to Oura with expertise in the health and wellness industry, having spent a decade at Headspace in various leadership positions, including CEO and CFO where he led the mental wellness company’s $3 billion merger with Ginger. He’s also served as a trader and originator at investment institutions, such as J.P. Morgan, Lehman Brothers and Citigroup.

At Oura, Brecker will lead the company’s financial operations and support its growth, driving financial activities such as capital raising, financial reporting, investor and board relations and corporate strategy.  

“I had known Tom (Hale, Oura CEO) for a couple of years, and when he reached out to me about the CFO position, I was immediately intrigued,” said Brecker of his new position.

From Fan To Financial Officer

Brecker noted that he’d been a fan of the Oura Ring even before his appointment, particularly its gentle encouragement and habit-changing prompts. The wearable even nudged him to take a COVID test after it indicated his body temperature was elevated and his HRV and blood oxygen saturation were in an unusual state. The test concluded that he was positive for COVID right before Brecker was scheduled to leave on a two-week trip to Asia. Because of Oura’s data, Brecker quarantined and started Paxlovid, which he said saved his summer. 

“I’ve always had the utmost respect for Tom, which made the opportunity even more enticing,” Brecker added. “As I got to know the executive team and various members of the board and saw people’s passion about Oura’s mission to impact people’s lives, I became even more excited and motivated.”

Oura Expansion

Oura’s new leadership position comes on the heels of its three new stress management features, providing real-time stress monitoring, an AI-powered journal feature and an upcoming scoring system that assesses how much physiological stress an Oura ring wearer can handle by considering daily stress and recovery.

The company has also partnered with Headspace and Thrive Global, so Oura members can access Headspace content to unwind and Thrive Global to participate in sleep and stress management challenges powered by the smart ring.

Combating stress and promoting mental fitness is a major component of Oura, as demonstrated by a partnership with Talkspace, an online behavioral health company. Announced last month, Oura users can opt to provide their personalized sleep data with licensed therapists. 

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Technology and fitness go hand-in-hand. What would exercise be without wearables, digital guidance, virtual reality, fitness trackers, smart cardio equipment and streaming fitness classes?

But with technology comes a price tag, and inevitably, mechanical and electrical glitches and breakdowns. Parts may need to be repaired and replaced after wear and tear. Further, items purchased online can be damaged, lost or stolen in transit. 

So, a critical piece of the sale process for tech brands is product protection. It’s a necessary evil. Brands must offer peace of mind to consumers who are laying out $200, $300, or $500-plus for a piece of equipment or a wearable.

But what if there was a product protection program that flipped the script? That reimagined antiquated extended warranty and shipping protection programs by eliminating many of the issues customers face with legacy providers, boosting customer confidence and retention. What if it even drove incremental revenue?

Extend is a product protection platform launched in 2019 that is working to do just that. The brand has partnered with over 800 manufacturers across a range of industries, including fitness and wellness.

Oura Chooses Extend

We were intrigued here at Athletech News, so we spoke to Tom Hale, CEO of leading health wearable company Oura, which has aligned itself with the platform, to ask him, “Why Extend?”

“At Oura, we believe in using technology to solve problems. Previously, protection plans made it hard to process claims, perhaps purposely so that people wouldn’t bother with the hassle,” Hale told ATN .“We realize the value of protection plans – and in earning the trust of our members – by making the claims process as frictionless as possible. Based on our work with Extend, it seems that the trends are changing and we’re happy to see it.”

“We were impressed with Extend’s reputation as a top product and shipping technology company and knew that a partnership would bring value to our members,” the Oura CEO adds.

About Extend: Easy Claims & Incremental Revenue

The Extend Protection Plan begins when the manufacturer’s warranty ends. Its AI-driven technology resolves claims and offers speedy replacement or reimbursement resolutions for customers online.

“We’ve found that by enabling quick repairs or replacement, the Extend Product Protection Platform offers peace of mind and helps our members have confidence that this investment will serve them for many years to come,” Hale says.

Further, tech brands can drive incremental revenue with Extend’s unique model that kicks back a portion of each protection plan sale. Manufacturers also save on replacement costs and customer support overhead.

Reducing Customer Acquisition Cost

Oura’s partnership with Extend also encompassed a co-branded Facebook and Instagram campaign featuring Extend Product Protection messaging. 

“We wanted to compare the impact and efficiency of the Extend Product Protection messaging to our existing brand benchmarks,” Hale says of the social media effort. “So our teams worked together to build a marketing campaign.”

The campaign – which addressed consumer concerns and potential reservations associated with buying an Oura Ring – led to significant reductions in overall Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and “was so successful, we kept them in the market for over eight months,” Hale notes

Customized Plans

Extend’s technology matches products to customized plans to ensure customers have the right protection after the manufacturer’s warranty runs out.

Hale told ATN that when completing the Oura checkout process, customers have the option to upgrade for a one-time fee to a two- or three-year protection plan, which covers the items offered in the one-year manufacturer warranty plus a host of scenarios ranging from breakage from drops, cracks and collision to damage from power surge or electrical failures. 

“For our business, we’re able to leverage Extend’s industry expertise to offer the extended warranty and satisfy the range of regulations that govern these programs, so that we can focus on our core business,” Hale says.

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