Therabody is investing over $10 million in scientific research initiatives, forming a Scientific Advisory Board and partnering with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the wellness tech brand announced.

The $10 million investment will be allocated toward conducting scientific and clinical research studies across various domains including beauty, wellness and athletic performance over the coming years. Therabody’s Scientific Advisory Board will also be comprised of four experts in their respective fields to guide research strategy, initiatives and product development.

The board is comprised of Dr. Pamela Peeke, a physician and scientist specializing in integrative medicine and women’s health; Dr. Daniel Giordano, a Doctor of Physical Therapy who focuses on performance health and longevity; Dr. Robin Thorpe, a global leader in recovery science; and Dr. Neera Nathan, a Harvard-trained dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon specializing in dermatologic surgery and laser medicine.

Together, the board will advise on research strategy, related initiatives and content, and co-develop new Therabody products related to their areas of expertise. 

“I am thrilled to welcome this caliber of scientific leadership to Therabody,” said Monty Sharma, president and CEO of Therabody. “Our Scientific Advisory Board, along with our significant investment in scientific research and partnerships, will ensure we remain at the forefront of our industry and dedicated to developing the most effective, scientifically validated products available today and in the future.”

Therabody x ACSM

Therabody is also committed to working with ACSM on the sponsorship and exhibition of new therapies at the ACSM Annual Meeting in May 2024. The organization is made up of over 40,000 physicians, scientists, educators and health fitness professionals, and is considered a leader in sports medicine and exercise science. 

Therabody has long been dedicated to scientific research, demonstrated by an extensive research portfolio with 21 scientific studies completed to date and an additional 26 in progress. Therabody Labs is the company’s in-house team of scientists and engineers to test and optimize their products. 

Expanding Access to Wellness

The new announcements come as Therabody has been focusing its efforts on expanding the accessibility of its products, including its new beauty line. Therabody released the TheraFace Vibration Mask, which is a light therapy mask clinically proven to reduce signs of aging. The mask is a complement to the TheraFace Pro, which has different attachments for various skin concerns, such as aging, acne, tension relief, and more.

Therabody founder and chief wellness officer Dr. Jason Wersland spoke with Athletech News last year about the new beauty line and the company’s mission to democratize access to wellness and beauty through its products.

Last year, the wellness tech brand also launched three new massage guns in a push to target everyday wellness consumers: the Theragun Relief, Theragun Sense and Theragun Pro Plus.

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In an escalating legal battle in the wellness tech industry, Therabody has filed a lawsuit against rival Hyperice for defamation, trade libel and related causes of action, the company announced. Therabody filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Friday.

Therabody’s lawsuit is not one of intellectual property, but of defamation, injury to reputation and trade libel, which is the publication of a false statement of fact that results in monetary damages, and other related claims.

The wellness tech company alleges that Hyperice made defamatory statements to an athletics store that carries Therabody products, as well as at a trade show. Therabody also asserted false advertising and unfair competition in violation of the California Business and Professions Code, in addition to the common law claims of defamation and trade libel.

Wellness Tech Wars

Therabody’s defamation suit comes after Hyperice filed lawsuits for patent infringement against Therabody and several other brands earlier this year. Friday’s filing demonstrates that Therabody will go beyond merely defending itself in the patent infringement case.

“Dr. Jason Wersland invented the Theragun in February 2008. Therabody has always been a leader in wellness technology and has secured over 600 global patents,” said Therabody CEO Monty Sharma. “As a response to the statements that Hyperice made referring to us as imitators after it filed its lawsuit against us in January 2024, today we filed suit against them for defamation, trade libel and related causes of action.”

In a statement provided to Athletech News, Hyperice CEO Jim Huether said he believes the defamation suit is an attempt by Therabody to shift the focus away from the patent-infringement litigation involving the two brands.

“As we have previously stated, we firmly believe that almost all of Therabody’s percussion devices infringe on our IP, including the Theragun PRO, Theragun Sense, Theragun Elite, Theragun Prime, Theragun Mini, Theragun Relief, TheraFace PRO, and TheraFace LED,” Huether said. “We believe today’s actions by Therabody are a baseless attempt to shift the focus away from their infringing activity. We will continue to move aggressively against infringing parties to enforce and protect our IP.”

The massage gun market is valued at $542.6 million and will likely reach over $1 billion in the coming years. Earlier this year, Hyperice filed a suit against Therabody and other wellness tech companies for infringing U.S. Patent No. 11,857482, which claims technology dating back to 2013 that is used in products like the Hypervolt 2 and Hypervolt Go 2 massage guns.

In 2019 and early 2020, Therabody filed patent infringement lawsuits against Hyperice and Achedaway, which resulted in Achedaway agreeing to a cease and desist and Hyperice agreeing to stop selling one of its massage devices.  

This story has been updated to include comments from Hyperice CEO Jim Huether.

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Therabody has added Michael Giordano and Peter Noverr to its executive team as chief revenue officer and chief operations officer, respectively, as the wellness tech company gears up for what it calls “ambitious growth plans.”

Giordano has a background in consumer electronics and will drive Therabody’s market expansion, online and offline. Noverr has experience driving global supply chains and growth engines. 

Before Therabody, Giordano was chief commercial officer at Progressive Leasing, and spent 14 years at Samsung Electronics America. Noverr previously worked at The Better Being Co., where he was chief operating officer for three years. He also served as chief operating officer at Jenny Craig and was CEO and co-founder at Level Life Foods, a company that specializes in diabetes management products. 

“Mike and Peter bring years of experience, success, and outsized value creation in sales and operations across multiple industries, including Consumer electronics,” said Monty Sharma, CEO and president of Therabody. “We are excited to have them join our excellent Therabody team and supercharge the pursuit of our purpose.”

Therabody Eyes Consumer Wellness

As it gears up for more growth, Therabody will look to build on a big 2023. The wellness tech company unveiled several new products, including the Theragun Pro Plus, the Theragun Sense, and Theragun Relief, in the hopes of increasing product accessibility to new audiences and demographics.

“We’ve become so accustomed to living with pain and it doesn’t have to be that way,” Dr. Jason Wersland, founder and chief wellness officer of Therabody recently told Athletech News, teasing the company’s plans to release more wellness and beauty products. “We started with the pro athletes and have flipped the script to deliver the most effective and innovative therapies to everybody.”

Therabody also partnered with United Airlines to promote wellness travel. United customers flying via United Polaris international business class are provided a Therabody amenity kit with TheraFace eye serum, face spray, hand cream and cleansing towlette. In the United Polaris lounges, travelers will have access to Therabody products like the Lounger, Theragun and RecoveryAir JetBoots.

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Barry’s has named Therabody its official recovery partner, solidifying both companies’ commitment to providing fitness consumers with recovery solutions.

The partnership will see Barry’s signature HIIT workout combined with Therabody’s health and wellness technology, giving Barry’s members the opportunity to enjoy a wellness experience before working out or a recovery treatment afterward.

Therabody will provide recovery stations that include its Theragun PRO and WaveRoller devices in all of Barry’s U.S. fitness facilities. The wellness tech company will also provide training for Barry’s instructors and staff while developing custom routines for Barry’s members.

The move presents an almost spa-like offering, designed to make in-person fitness more attractive to consumers who may have become too comfortable with an at-home routine. It also highlights the importance of recovery in the fitness journey.

The recovery stations will allow members to use Therabody products to warm up before a workout and to ease muscle soreness after training in Barry’s Red Room.

Therabody founder and chief wellness officer Dr. Jason Wersland expressed his excitement about the partnership.

“As we dive back into the gym at Barry’s, remember that recovery is your secret weapon,” Wersland told Athletech News via email. “You can’t be a gym warrior without some serious recovery game. Therabody is here to save the day with our percussive therapy devices, ensuring that your muscles bounce back for the next class. So, remember friends, no pain, no gain… but also no gain without some Therabody recovery magic!”

Last fall, Therabody closed a $165 million growth equity round, launching eight new wellness and recovery products. At the time, the wellness tech company said the capital would be used for continued investment in technology, the creation of digital content and Reset, its whole-body wellness centers.

The company has also moved into garments technology for recovery on the go, adding vibration to compression to speed up recovery through a germanium-infused wearable sleeve.

Therabody recently welcomed Jim Allwein as its chief financial officer.

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Wellness technology company Therabody has named Jim Allwein as its chief financial officer.

The appointment comes as Therabody expands its product offerings past recovery into everyday health and wellness and a few months after Therabody announced Monty Sharma as president and CEO.

With over 25 years of experience in financial management and extensive experience in finance, technology and health and wellness, Allwein has held leadership positions at Atkins (now Simply Good Foods), Great Brands of Europe/Danone International Brands, Acirca-Walnut Acres, Hitachi America and Vital Nutrients.

For the last four years, Allwein has been a functional advisor at North Castle Partners, a private equity firm that focuses on fitness, health and wellness companies.

During his time as CFO of Atkins from 2006 to 2015, Allwein led the company’s financial turnaround, resulting in double sales, tripled earnings and an eventual sale.

“We are excited to have a proven and experienced executive like Jim join our great team,” Sharma, Therabody’s CEO, said in a statement. “Being an avid user of our products including Theragun, Jim shares our passion to help millions of consumers across the world recover faster, reduce their pain and improve their mobility, sleep and stress.”

The wellness technology company closed a $165 million growth equity round last September as it launched eight new products to broaden its brand to include whole-body health. North Castle Partners led the venture, and existing investors HartBeat Ventures LLC and Aaron Rodgers’ Rx3 Growth Partners also participated.

In April, Therabody and Emily Cole, a Duke University track and field athlete, announced an NIL partnership. As Therabody’s first female NIL athlete, Cole joins an impressive list, as the wellness brand has partnered with other notable athletes such as James Harden, Cristiano Ronaldo and DeAndre Hopkins. 

The wellness company’s healing technology has also recently expanded into the garment market with a new offering, RecoveryPulse. The new product was developed after two years of research at Therabody’s laboratory in Los Angeles, where scientists and engineers worked to better understand the benefits of incorporating vibration into compression therapy. 

Dr. Jason Wersland, founder of Therabody, told Athletech News last summer that the wellness technology company planned to lean into the mind-body connection, explaining that when examining Therabody’s science, there are frequencies that run through its products that access the mind.

The brand recently received a ringing endorsement from model Karlie Kloss, who prepped for the 2023 Met Gala by using Therabody’s RecoveryAir Jet Boots.

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Therabody is unwavering in its commitment to helping pro athletes and everyday consumers live pain-free and recovery-focused lives, and it is now expanding its healing technology into the garment market.

RecoveryPulse, a new product from the wellness technology company, combines graduated compression with vibration therapy. The treatment is woven into a germanium-infused wearable sleeve and is intended to provide supportive therapy while on the go or relaxing.

Scientists and engineers at Therabody’s laboratory in Los Angeles, California, spent over two years conducting research and development to better understand the benefits of incorporating vibration into compression therapy. According to the wellness tech company, adding vibration helped people recover faster.

“As we use science and technology to innovate products, services and content that shifts the way people think about and take charge of their health, we believe one of the best ways to help consumers is to provide solutions that integrate into their daily lives,” said Benjamin Nazarian, co-founder and Executive Chairman. “RecoveryPulse wearable technology offers people the freedom they like with the recovery they need.”

Last fall, Therabody announced the completion of a $165 million growth equity round led by private equity firm North Castle Partners, LLC, with existing investors including Aaron Rodgers’ Rx3 Ventures and Kevin Hart’s HartBeat Ventures, LLC.

Therabody, which pioneered percussive therapy with Theragun, facial health with TheraFace, and sleep-assistance SmartGoggles, says that its compression wearables elevate compression therapy, which is widely used for recovery, circulatory issues, edema, and pain.

With the addition of vibration, Therabody’s latest wellness offering can accelerate circulation, reduce tension, improve range of motion, and relieve soreness and pain.

According to Therabody, its new RecoveryPulse sleeves can be a game changer for fitness enthusiasts who enjoy running, cycling, tennis, and golf, but they are also useful for use during and after travel, for those who work on their feet or stand for long periods of time, and for those who sit or work at a computer.

The new vibrating wearables can also help with chronic conditions like golfer’s and tennis elbow, circulatory problems, sore muscles, and general aches and pains. There are three vibration modes available, allowing users to tailor their therapy to their specific needs and level of comfort.

“We developed Recovery Pulse to make pain relief as convenient as possible,” said Therabody co-founder and Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Jason Wersland. “We hope that if people can use a device that is convenient and comfortable enough to wear under their clothes, they will use it more frequently, even wear it to work. Whether people use it between sets in a workout or someone like a nurse wears it under their scrubs, we really don’t want people to think pain and discomfort have to be normal or accepted.”

The co-founder, who started his own chiropractic practice in 2006, was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2007 that resulted in a 9-millimeter disc bulge injury, which changed the course of his life, leading to the creation and patenting of Theragun as a result of his own pain experiences.

At the start of 2023, Therabody appointed health and wellness industry veteran Monty Sharma as president and CEO.

Last year, Therabody filed six lawsuits to prevent unauthorized e-commerce sales from Amazon Marketplace and made a move to protect its intellectual property. The wellness tech company also accused T.J. Maxx for attempting to imitate its Theragun smart percussive therapy devices.

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Theraboody has announced Monty Sharma as President and Chief Executive Officer of the wellness technology company. Co-founder and CEO Benjamin Nazarian will transition to Executive Chairman.

Sharma is a health and wellness industry veteran, having served as CEO at companies such as EAS, Naked Juice, Atkins (now Simply Good Foods), Curves, Jenny Craig, and Better Being Company.

Notably, at both Naked Juice and Atkins, Sharma doubled sales and tripled earnings in under three years and helped facilitate the sale of Naked Juice to PepsiCo. 

“I am thrilled to join Therabody and partner with Ben and the excellent team. Therabody’s category leading and innovative products solve for various consumer pain points to help them lead healthier and stronger lives,” said Monty Sharma. “A significant opportunity exists to bring these incredible products to various consumer segments across the world and for our brand to build a strong and clear leadership position in technology-based wellness.” 

Therabody, which evolved from the therapeutic Theragun, has grown into a vast offering of wellness products. The wellness tech company offers compression systems, a facial health product, muscle stimulators, hot and cold wearables, topicals, and ingestibles. 

“We are working to change the way people think about their health and wellness so that they proactively take care of themselves and stop accepting pain as part of life,” says Nazarian, who has served as Therabody’s CEO since founding the wellness tech company in 2016.

“I am very excited to have Monty join us to help us achieve this goal. Having someone with Monty’s expertise and track record join our company is a testament to our market leadership and speaks to the opportunity ahead of us. I look forward to partnering with Monty to continue to grow and build Therabody into an iconic company that is having a profound impact on people’s lives.”

Therabody closed a $165 million growth equity round last fall and launched eight new products. The wellness tech company said the capital would be used for continued investment in technology, the creation of digital content, and Reset, its whole-body wellness centers.

The company named Julianna Hough as an investor and ambassador in 2021.

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