During the pandemic, Gary Simpson had a realization that his at-home rowing experience could benefit from connectivity. Specifically, he sought a connected fitness solution that would work with his Concept2 rowing machine, the industry’s most popular erg.

Simpson already had entrepreneurial experience, having founded Transit Wireless, which provides wireless infrastructure for the New York City subway system. Driven by his desire for a better connected rowing solution, Simpson founded myrow, which sells a 22-inch, full-color HD touchscreen tablet that attaches to and connects with the Concept2 rowing machine to provide users with at-home workouts.

Athletech News spoke with Simpson about what differentiates myrow from competitors, where myrow fits into the larger connected fitness industry and the company’s biggest challenges as it scales.

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and length.  

Athletech News: What differentiates myrow from competitors in the connected rowing space? 

Gary Simpson: We took the best erg on the market and are transforming it into a connected fitness machine. For existing Concept2 owners, you can upgrade your workout and keep your machine for an investment of $499 plus a monthly subscription ($29.99).

The content and features that myrow go far beyond anything that is currently available for the Concept2. We have the competitive edge on price point, compared to what is currently on the market. The Concept2 (sold separately) with the added myrow monitor is priced at about $1,500, while competitors charge between $2,500-$3,000 for an erg with a comparable screen.

If you’re in the market to buy a new rowing machine and were interested in the Concept2 but deterred by the lack of a connected fitness experience, myrow solves that problem at a compelling price point. It won’t feel like an add-on product; instead it was designed to feel like it belongs with the Concept2.

ATN: With connected fitness flux, including rowing-based brands, where do you see myrow fitting in? 

GS: With an aging population, rowing will continue to be a perfect at-home workout. At-home rowing machines offer a highly efficient full-body and low-impact workout. Rowing machines are more effective than exercise bikes and treadmills, as they target and strengthen all major muscle groups throughout the entire body, including the legs, glutes, core, arms, back and shoulders in a low-impact workout.

Rowing accomplishes calorie-burning and muscle-building. We hope to tap into the huge base of Concept 2 owners to offer an immersive connected fitness experience. In our beta testing last year, we had over 3,000 applicants (who own the Concept2) to test the product, which gives us confidence that it is something the Concept2 world will embrace. 

ATN: As a startup, what have been your biggest challenges and successes thus far? 

GS: As with all start-ups every day is a challenge, but every day is a success if you get to the next day!  We were thrilled with all the excitement and interest when we unveiled the product at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the largest electronic show in the world, and hope to take that momentum with us as we set our sights on the launch this Spring.  

ATN: What can users expect to see from myrow when it launches? 

GS: We are excited to start taking pre-orders for the product at www.myrow.com in early April and will begin shipping to consumers at the end of May. 

When we launch this Spring, the myrow tablet will come pre-loaded with over 80 video workouts and over 200 workouts and training plans (non-videos) and will have a constantly growing library with a variety of classes. In addition to the instructor-led workouts, there are also group rows, challenges, the ability to create your own workouts and preset workouts, including Concept2’s “Workout of the Day.”

 The tablet also provides the user with a deep level of metrics and analytics to help users improve their performance and achieve their fitness goals. 

The post Myrow Founder Sees Bright Future for Connected Rowing appeared first on Athletech News.

When it comes to groundbreaking innovations, EGYM likes to go two at a time. The fast-growing fit tech company announced the upcoming launches of EGYM Genius, an AI-powered training software, and Hip Thrust, its newest smart strength training machine.

EGYM Genius is an artificial intelligence (AI) software that creates fully automated, personalized training plans tailored to clubs and their specific equipment. Genius connects entire gym floors, linking different machines made by different suppliers, even including free weights.

This tech connects all of EGYM’s components, such as EGYM Smart Strength (including its Fitness Hub and connected Smart cardio), training plans, workouts of all kinds (including classes and training outside the gym recorded with apps and wearables) as well as motivational and community tools such as Gameday and EGYM’s Branded Member App.

Trainers and club members will get insights from seven billion EGYM data points (and growing) while using the software, including data from training sessions carried out on EGYM and partner devices. The data points help Genius generate precise recommendations for individualized training plans for users.

EGYM’s AI Push

EGYM, which raised $225 million in 2023, continues to invest in AI. With Genius, the brand is making good on its intentions to utilize tech to create a connected gym.

“We want to make the whole gym ‘smart’,” EGYM North America general manager Dana Milkie previously told Athletech News. ”By understanding members’ preferences, their goals and experience levels , and combining it with the data we are able to track on our platform, we can deliver a workout tailored to the member and the operator’s facility.”

Bringing Tech to Glute Training

As glute training increases in popularity along with strength training as a whole, EGYM is capitalizing with the Hip Thrust, which the fit tech brand says is the world’s first fully electronic hip thrust device, using smart weight rather than physical weight or resistance bands. The equipment strengthens lower body muscle groups with a focus on the glutes and hamstrings.

The product marks the 19th piece of strength equipment from EGYM, broadening its portfolio of machines and addressing consumer demand. The Hip Thrust offers a space-saving design along with a user-friendly interface that can be used both independently and in an area concept, EGYM assures.

Hip Thrust will work within EGYM’s ecosystem of smart equipment, and will also be backed by Genius. The Hip Thrust is projected to be available sometime this fall, with Genius available in October.

The post EGYM Launches AI Training Plans, Hip Thrust Machine appeared first on Athletech News.

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.

The post Ultrahuman Raises $35M To Disrupt Smart Ring Market appeared first on Athletech News.

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.

The post Continuous Glucose Monitors Emerge as Next-Gen Wearable appeared first on Athletech News.

Newer and more advanced technology such as fitness wearables, artificial intelligence software and robotics is reducing employee well-being, according to a new briefing paper from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW).

The preliminary research may be a wake-up call to the countless businesses that have embraced artificial intelligence and automation technology to reduce labor costs and advance their bottom line; it could also have ramifications for the makers of fitness wearables like watches, rings and bands.

Using data from an online survey of over 6,000 workers in the United Kingdom, IFOW discovered that while digital information and communication technologies correlated with improved quality of life, extensive exposure to newer technologies can be detrimental to well-being.

One key survey finding is that frequent engagement with AI software, robotics and wearables (defined as fitness trackers, smartwatches, smart glasses, GPS devices and other data-gathering sensors) “exhibited a negative relationship with quality of life,” with even moderate exposure to robotics revealing an adverse effect on quality of life.

Start of the Conversation

IFOW’s findings highlight an important area that has yet to be fully explored in the current tech-forward age, but ultimately the paper encourages employers to understand the need to roll out technology that actively engages workers and to conduct “rigorous monitoring of risks and impacts.”

“The findings of this working paper – coupled with the current rapid pace of adoption of workplace automation technologies – emphasize that this work should be a priority if this technological transformation is to deliver a future where innovation and well-being advance together,” the authors wrote.

As the paper’s authors also point out, all hope is not lost in an overly connected world that will continue to lean toward tech. Instead, the findings “underscore the importance of a proactive, human-centered approach to technology deployment, emphasizing the value of worker consultation and participation rights, clarification of purposes and balanced consideration of technological benefits and risks.”

The authors also state that the need for additional research is evident, especially when understanding the different impacts of technology by sector and its overall impact on the intersection of well-being with productivity and worker retention. 

A Case for Corporate Wellness Platforms

In addition to prompting the start of a meaningful conversation, the survey’s findings are interesting, especially when juxtaposed against the rise of corporate wellness programs. 

Not everyone is sold on such employer-focused programs, as one Oxford researcher recently illustrated in a controversial take, but IFOW’s initial results on the topic are likely good news for platforms that are encouraging employers to invest in well-being programs for their staff. 

Corporate wellness giant Gympass has soared to a $2.4 billion valuation and continues to add to its robust line-up of wellness offerings, recently expanding its sleep category this month with snooze-supporting apps Rise Science and SleepScore. According to Gympass research, 98% of employees worldwide report sleep is crucial for their well-being, and 60% say work stress negatively impacts their sleep.

Global healthy eating platform Lifesum, tapped to support staff employed by tech titans Amazon and PayPal, recently revealed an eye-opening statistic: that nearly 71% of stressed-out Gen Z and Millennials would quit their jobs tomorrow in favor of one that better supports their overall well-being and that almost 70% would be more productive if their employer improved their well-being. 

The post Fitness Wearables, AI Linked to Reduced Employee Wellness appeared first on Athletech News.

Hapana is adding to its gamification arsenal, launching a new “challenge” app feature for boutique and group fitness studios. The all-in-one fitness software provider is partnering with Strong Pilates, helping to launch the Australian brand’s inaugural “Feel Strong” running challenge that goes until March 26th.

With the challenge feature, Hapana now allows operators to stoke the competitive fires of their members, spurring engagement and retention. 

The platform allows boutique fitness studios to set up group challenges either with fixed time frames, like Strong Pilates has done, or via a purchase-based start for individual enrollments. After that, operators can add goals or levels for members. Screens illustrate progress along the way, tracking metrics and displaying them with visually captivating graphics. Users are also permitted to share their achievements across social media.

“Challenges are essential for boutique and group fitness studios, fostering engagement and member retention,” said Jarron Aizen, CEO and founder of Hapana. “Existing software solutions haven’t kept pace with evolving market dynamics, and Hapana is here to bridge that gap. We are proud to offer the best member app in the market, continuously innovating while other providers lag behind.”

As gamification often does, Hapana sees the launch of challenges as an opportunity to give gym-goers more in terms of helping them reach their fitness goals. That leads to benefits for operators as well. 

“The challenge app, with the potential to engage thousands of members simultaneously, empowers them to track their progress, hold themselves accountable, and stay motivated – not just for challenges, but also for trials and overall fitness goals,” Aizen added. “This fosters a sense of community for our customers, ultimately driving member conversion.”

Having gotten the first crack at the feature, Strong Pilates was quick to agree. 

“Hapana’s challenge capability is game-changing for our business, and we are incredibly grateful to the Hapana team for delivering this innovative solution,” said Michael Ramsey, co-founder of Strong Pilates. “The challenge app is not just a feature; it’s a powerful tool to engage our members, welcome newcomers and ultimately convert them into loyal members of the Strong Pilates family.”

This launch represents another win in what’s already been a successful past five years for Hapana. Since moving its base of operations from Sydney to the United States in 2018, the software provider has twice doubled in size, partnering with top brands like F45 Training, Body Fit Training (BFT) and Gold’s Gym alongside Strong Pilates. 

The post Hapana Launches In-App Group Fitness Challenges appeared first on Athletech News.

StimScience, the neuroscience-based sleep company, has appointed Tim Rosa, a former Fitbit executive, as its new CEO.

Rosa’s appointment marks a step forward for the company’s flagship product line, Somnee, a personalized, smart sleep headband that employs non-invasive, closed-loop neurostimulation to enhance sleep quality and duration.

“With StimScience, the team has pioneered and delivered lab-grade technology in a sleep headband that accurately maps and measures brainwave patterns and applies personalized tES neurostimulation that nudges the brain to sleep,” Rosa said.

With a proven track record in launching world-class brands and products, Rosa is aiming to guide StimScience through its next phase of growth and innovation. As the former chief marketing officer of Fitbit, he scaled the company from a small startup into a household name, with over 140 million devices sold in 100-plus countries. 

“There’s a lot of exciting clinical research and momentum validating the importance of sleep fitness and its impact on cognitive performance, athletic performance, mental health, general health, and even weight loss,” Rosa said. “Wearables have done a great job educating consumers on their general sleep stage trends and insights. The challenge for most consumer-grade devices has been creating a closed-loop, lab-grade diagnostic in combination with a personalized therapeutic that adapts with the user and ultimately improves sleep onset, duration, and/or depth.”

Rosa added that he’s “excited to partner with wearables, sleep products and services, and healthcare to close that loop and improve outcomes for 100 million consumers.”

The Future of Sleep Science?

As the first company to approach sleep improvement through personalized closed-loop neurostimulation, StimScience claims its device is proven to cut the time it takes to fall asleep in half and improve sleep quality with only 15 minutes of use. It also claims Somnee is four times as effective as a melatonin pill, twice as effective as cognitive behavior therapy, and one-and-a-half as effective as Ambien in improving sleep efficiency and duration. Somnee markets itself as the “future of sleep.”

Rosa’s recruitment was backed by Dr. Matthew Walker, PhD, the author of New York Times bestseller “Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams,” and chief sleep advisor at Somnee.

“Sleep is increasingly recognized as one of the most fundamental habits not only for our day-to-day functioning, concentration, mood, and body health, but also for continued brain and body wellness as we age,” Walker noted.

Venture capital firm Khosla Ventures also supports StimScience.

“We backed Somnee because the team had every component needed to bring forward clinical-grade consumer technology to change the face of sleep. Since our initial investment, this thesis is proving itself out,” said Vinod Khosla, a tech investor and founder of Khosla Ventures. “With Tim at the helm, Somnee can now scale to bridge a foundational health gap and cement itself as an iconic brand that carries weight with consumers, the medical and sleep health communities.” 

The post Somnee Sleep Headband Maker Hires Tim Rosa as CEO appeared first on Athletech News.

ABC Fitness, the world’s largest fitness tech company, is adding to its arsenal. At IHRSA 2024, the software provider announced a partnership with DXFactor, a leading data science, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and Generative AI supplier, a move designed to transform the digital experience for operators and their members.

“We are excited to partner with DXFactor for their unparalleled expertise in digital transformation,” said Khal Rai, platform president of ABC Ignite. “This partnership will support new offerings for our mobile platform, creating bespoke member experiences and integrations that set new industry standards for innovation and personalization.”

The partnership will support ABC Fitness in mobile app development, given DXFactor’s extensive knowledge in creating differentiated customer experiences on mobile platforms. 

“Aligning with an industry titan like ABC Fitness significantly amplifies our mission to revolutionize the fitness industry with AI and GenAI,” added Dharmesh Trivedi, co-founder and CEO of DXFactor. “Our combined strengths will ensure our commitment to business outcomes for our clients and accelerate digital transformation within the fitness industry by empowering members and operators with AI and data-driven solutions.” 

The partnership comes as advanced analytics and AI transition from perquisites to requirements for most successful fitness businesses.

“This partnership promises to be a cornerstone for the fitness industry, offering a blend of DXFactor’s transformative digital strategies and ABC Fitness’s technological prowess,” said Al Noshirvani, managing partner at Alta Technologies and board member at DXFactor. “Customers can now anticipate a comprehensive digital transformation tailored to meet fitness enthusiasts’ and enterprises’ modern demands.”

DXFactor is no stranger to innovation in fitness and wellness. The company’s proprietary Outcomes Framework, which combines client data and external datasets, has generated over $2 billion in outcomes for fitness brands including Chelsea Piers, Chuze Fitness, Crunch Fitness, FitnessSF, Lift Brands, Orangetheory Fitness, Wisconsin Athletic Club, XSport Fitness and Xponential Fitness.

ABC Fitness has big plans around AI, including using it to help gyms and studios boost engagement and retention and cater to their members with personalized services including habit and nutrition coaching, At IHRSA 2024, ABC hosted an Innovation Lab, previewing its latest AI investments across all platforms.

The post ABC Fitness, DXFactor Partner Around Generative AI appeared first on Athletech News.

Digitalization and artificial intelligence are forging a new frontier for the fitness industry, as demonstrated by numerous exhibitors and sponsors at IHRSA 2024 in Los Angeles.

Although the promises of AI and technology can drive business, one thing is clear: The fitness and wellness industry may warmly adopt the advancements but brands are still maintaining a focus on consumers and community wherever possible.

Technogym Creates an AI-Powered Wellness Journey

Technogym, one of the leading brands offering a complete ecosystem of health and wellness, has seen how leveraging AI can net positive results. The Italian fitness giant sees great promise in using data to define cohorts based on activity interest. The result? Hyper personalization and the ability to refine marketing targets, saving time and resulting in consumer satisfaction.

Francesco Arlotti, Technogym’s head of digital solutions, stressed the importance of an ecosystem that offers value to fitness and wellness seekers that goes beyond mere access to a digital platform. Instead, he points out that it must take consumers on a journey.

“If we want to increase the value of what we offer, we have to follow a different route,” Arlotti said.

The brand just debuted its most comprehensive AI-powered fitness assessment and customer engagement tool — Technogym Checkup. 

Technogym’s data-driven capabilities can give operators rich insights that can group club users based on workout preferences, habits and even activity patterns, offering an opportunity to refine upselling, drive community with friendly competitions in the form of challenges or even create new classes. 

Barry’s Drives Community via Apps & Pop-Ups

As one of the OG’s of HIIT–based fitness, Barry’s is growing across the globe and expanding its modalities. Best known for its famed Red Room, the fitness brand has developed a loyal following over the years and has been open to change, rebranding its name and vibe.

Never afraid to break the rules, Barry’s has taken a unique approach to digitalization with not one but two apps: the newer Barry’s X, a proprietary platform to take, book classes and access the FitFam social network, and its original app that presents a one-stop shop “for all things in-studio.”

Jenna Hauca, Barry’s senior vice president of marketing and digital, says Barry’s continues to deliver community-driven experiences and plans to reflect that same approach with additional features on its app as it evolves. 

“For us, community is really the guiding principle of most of the decisions we make, digitally and in person,” Hauca said.

Keeping a focus on in-person and community experiences has led to a robust number of members showing up to Barry’s, funneling in from advertised in-person fitness challenges, where members are encouraged to attend as many in-studio classes as they can in a specific time frame. In addition to driving people to classes, it’s also led to Barry’s members encouraging one another, in person and in the brand’s FitFam space. 

With the launch of Ride, the brand has expanded its “welcome mat” to a new audience, Charlie Meredith, Barry’s chief curriculum lead, has told Athletech News. Barry’s is also exploring additional pop-ups this year, continuing to connect with its community and attracting new members in “non-traditional” locations.

The post IHRSA 2024: Fitness Brands Balance AI & Community appeared first on Athletech News.

Technogym, the fitness industry’s only AI-based end-to-end open platform, has perfected its leading “ecosystem,” delivering successful results for operators in terms of ROI, member engagement and attraction, as well as fitness enthusiasts who want to see results and stay motivated on their health and fitness journeys.

A fitness and wellness industry pioneer, Technogym offers the ultimate solution by providing operators with a cutting-edge and seamless integration across software applications already in use, fitness equipment from any manufacturer, popular payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Stripe, Visa and others, and consumer apps and wearables.

Moreover, the AI-based Technogym Ecosystem Coach adjusts training programs to enhance engagement and maximize results. It also supports marketing efforts through advanced profiling, allowing operators to run loyalty campaigns.

This revolutionary “ecosystem” has crowned Technogym as the gold standard in health and fitness equipment and software for club owners, hotels, medical centers and elite athletes. The company will serve as the exclusive and official supplier of the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer, providing its smart equipment and services to over 15,000 elite athletes.

Ever-evolving to meet the needs of operators and health and fitness consumers, Technogym is launching Technogym Checkup at IHRSA 2024, a pivotal moment for the fitness industry leader.

“Today within our Technogym Ecosystem, the one and only end-to-end ecosystem in the industry, we are proud to launch Technogym Check Up, our AI-based assessment station, that represents the access point to the ecosystem in order to measure physical and cognitive parameters and to a fully personalized program for every single individual that evolves over time thanks to AI,” said Nerio Alessandri, Technogym founder and CEO.

One-Stop Shop for Fitness & Wellness

By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the brand-new Technogym Checkup boasts an AI-based assessment station, allowing users to hyper-personalize their training based on body composition, strength performance, balance, mobility and even cognitive abilities. Taking it a step further, the data is used to calculate a “Wellness Age” so Technogym Coach can prescribe effective training that adapts over time. 

The latest launch supports the brand’s ‘Technogym as Medicine’ philosophy, promoting long-term health and wellness with its world-class products and ecosystem. A fierce advocate of promoting longevity through Technogym, Alessandri has long urged the preventive power of fitness and the belief that a healthy mind is a healthy body. 

Technogym’s new precision-based training program can be accessed anywhere, anytime — at the gym, at home, on vacation or even with a user’s physician. 

“Digital innovation has always been a key element of Technogym’s constant growth over the years since 1996, when we launched Wellness System, the first software in the industry,” Alessandri said.

Meaningful Health Tracking

Leaning into longevity-centered wellness, Technogym’s Wellness Age functionality offers a starting point for users to comprehend the age that mirrors their current physical and functional condition and offers a pathway to make improvements with a personalized, targeted training program. 

Employing a results-driven program allows users to see their Wellness Age decrease while AI makes adjustments to accelerate results, leading to an optimal state of health in a relatively quick time. 

A Potent Member Engagement Tool 

The latest innovation from Technogym meets the demands of longevity-seeking consumers who want a holistic method that culminates in improved health and vitality. 

By offering Technogym Checkup, operators have an opportunity to offer a unique, cutting-edge and in-demand service, generating additional revenue, retaining existing members and attracting new wellness and fitness seekers.

Additionally, from an operator’s perspective, the data-driven technology allows Technogym Coach to follow the training evolution and group club users based on workout preferences, habits and activity patterns so operators can leverage the findings to fine-tune upselling and even launch friendly fitness challenges for members. 

The Technogym Difference

As operators look to hone in on increased personalization, Technogym’s ecosystem enables every stage of the gym experience to be customized from beginning to end, from assessment to program customization and follow-up. 

Technogym’s digital expertise and AI-centered technology means its smart equipment and app can adapt and guide users on their health and fitness path. After logging into the app, the profile is recognized immediately, pulling together preferred goals and past sessions to track and store all improvements. 

Notably, and in line with the top trend in fitness, strength equipment will automatically adapt metrics across load, range of motion, correct posture, speed, number of sets, repetitions and recovery. 

Another area of advancement is Technogym’s AI-based Ecosystem Coach, which adjusts training programs to not only elevate engagement and results but also supports marketing efforts for operators with its advanced profiling capabilities. 

Advancing the multi-touchpoint experience for users is the Technogym App, offering access to the ecosystem with over 1,000 workouts and programs for fitness, sports performance and health and lifestyle, even taking into account special health considerations. 

Technogym can be found at booth #1716 at IHRSA 2024. 

The post Technogym Launches AI-Powered Health & Longevity Tracking appeared first on Athletech News.

As it aims to expand into North America, Australia-based health tech company Coach Welly now has as good a guide as anyone.

The personalized member engagement platform appointed John Blackburn as its North American lead. Blackburn formerly served as vice president and general manager of retail at IBM as well as executive vice president at DMI, and now finds himself tasked with leading enterprise growth initiatives for Coach Welly within the United States and beyond.

“We are delighted to welcome John Blackburn to Coach Welly as our North American lead,” said Owen Bowling, CEO of Coach Welly. “His extensive experience and proven track record in driving enterprise growth make him an invaluable addition to our team. John’s strategic vision and deep understanding of corporate and insurance markets will be instrumental in our success launching into these markets in North America.”

Blackburn also spent time working for EY, PWC, SVP Retail and EVP before coming aboard at Coach Welly. He helped grow each organization’s commercial businesses and completed strategic investments/buy-outs from private equities.

“As the importance of health and wellness have grown in awareness, technology has advanced to be more engaging and personalized, and overall healthcare costs have risen,” said Blackburn. “I see Coach Welly as perfectly positioned to solve for these factors and drive real and meaningful health outcomes and behavior change for people.”

Blackburn won’t be alone as he takes these new steps into a leadership role, as Coach Welly also recently appointed Troy Morgan to serve as its Asia-Pacific (APAC) lead.

Like Blackburn, Morgan brings an excess of experience, being a 25-year veteran of the health and wellness industry. He’s owned and operated fitness and health facilities, corporate well-being platforms and program designs.

AI-Driven Member Engagement

With artificial intelligence (AI) as its backbone, Coach Welly drives member engagement by offering users a scalable and personalized health and fitness journey. Supported by biometrics and gamification elements all within a cloud-based framework, the platform has established itself as a trustworthy tool for operators since launching in 2019.

Coach Welly recently agreed to a partnership with World Gym Australia to showcase its engagement capabilities in the health and fitness sector. Elements such as a scanned readiness score based on heart rate to provide curated workouts, a point-based accountability program and other gamification features have all become available at World Gym facilities this year.  

After securing pre-seed funding which valued the company at $4.25 million, Coach Welly also teased that it had a “rapidly growing list of contracted customers,” illustrating the likelihood of similar partnerships down the line, potentially in North America with Blackburn now aboard. 

The post Coach Welly Adds Former IBM Exec, Eyes North American Market appeared first on Athletech News.

Innovation in gym and studio software management tools has emerged as a key trend at recent fitness industry trade shows including IHRSA, with the market becoming increasingly competitive. 

This year’s IHRSA 2024 will showcase what’s next for some of the biggest software players in the space, with some exciting announcements and unveilings planned. 

Athletech News spoke with Xplor Technologies, Club OS, ABC Fitness, Club Automation and ClubReady to give you a sense of what’s coming at IHRSA 2024, and what the future will hold for fitness brands looking to leverage the best software tools to grow their businesses and connect with their members. 

Xplor Plans Industry’s ‘First True Growth Platform’

Xplor Technologies has already had a big year but is looking towards more announcements. It recently acquired Membr, a top management software platform for gyms and health clubs. The acquisition expanded Xplor’s purview beyond just the boutique studio space, which it serves with its Mariana Tek product, and into gyms and health clubs. 

However, Andy Swansburg, Xplor’s Chief Product Officer for Fitness and Wellbeing, told Athletech News that the company still has a “maniacal” focus on becoming a growth platform for boutique studios and is building a product called Xplor Growth. 

“There are not a lot of people who are making a data model that is flexible and accessible and then empowering the entire stack with it,” Swansburg said of the new launch. 

Fitness brands are trying to grow through the consumer journey, ensuring that at every touchpoint, users have the best chance of becoming brand evangelists. 

“We’ve built the first true growth platform in the industry with a few different layers,” Swansburg explained. “The first layer is the fitness industry’s first consumer data platform. Without a unified view of your consumer, it’s difficult to create a customer journey.” 

Bringing a consumer data platform to the fitness world can unlock new potential by allowing users to rate experiences, so businesses can evaluate their operations more easily. Xplor also added gamification to drive even more engagement. 

“Brands can set up challenges, consumer streaks and milestones,” Swansburg said. “We’re going to be building an analytics platform on top of that. The trend is towards, ‘Every touchpoint matters in this world.’” 

To generate excitement for IHRSA, Xplor is hosting its first Mariana Tek Summit on March 5th in Los Angeles. The event will feature networking opportunities, breakout sessions, and panel discussions. 

“The industry is probably five, if not more, years behind some of the other industries in the world, which is funny because I don’t know another business where someone shows up to a location five days a week,” Swansburg said, noting the high levels of engagement fitness consumers tend to have with brands. “We have so much data. All this innovation is a big step forward to power engagement.” 

Club OS Teases a Major Release

Club OS also has big announcements in the pipeline for IHRSA 2024. 

“This will be the most significant product release announcement in the company’s history, and we’re excited to reveal it for the first time with the fitness community at IHRSA this year,” said Nick Hahn, VP of Product & Development at Club OS.

While the company couldn’t yet provide details about the product launch, Club OS teased how the announcements would tie into the platform’s larger strategic goals and industry trends. 

“There are few solutions to provide a single platform that manages the entire member journey,” Hahn said. “The vision for our team is to provide a comprehensive yet intuitive end-to-end solution that covers as much of the member journey as each customer needs.” 

“Our flexible ecosystem enables our team to take an agile approach to helping our customers overcome key challenges such as member churn, staff turnover, tough competition, and economic uncertainties,” Hahn added.

ABC Fitness Leans Into AI, Personalization

ABC Fitness, the world’s largest fit tech company with a burgeoning portfolio of software platforms catering to clubs, gyms and studios, is planning to showcase exciting advancements in AI and personalization. 

“During IHRSA 2024, we are excited to host an Innovation Lab that will offer a preview into our latest AI investments across our platforms which leverage our leadership in member and club data,” said Cristine Kao, Chief Marketing Officer at ABC. “Our booth will also showcase how automation can drive world-class personalization at scale, from attracting and retaining members to running your club 24/7.” 

ABC will also showcase “some exciting new features” including “tailored habits & nutrition coaching, personalized members goals, and automation to convert more prospects into clients,” Kao shared. 

Kao will be onstage on March 6th at IHRSA, sharing the results of ABC Fitness’ annual consumer research and global membership data as well as discussing the potential of AI in the industry.

“The acceleration of AI is happening at an exciting time in the evolution of fitness technology across an ever-growing digital landscape, such as wearables and tracking devices,” Kao said. “At ABC Fitness, we are carefully evaluating the potential for AI technologies to evolve from supporting simple administrative tasks to far more powerful applications.”

ClubReady Empowers Brands To Connect With Their Members

ClubReady is focusing on the potential of customization and connection. With customers like Pure Barre, YogaSix, and CycleBar, the software platform helps streamline brands’ operations through lead management, member retention and billing solutions. 

“New integrations continue to increase the power and value of ClubReady for growing entrepreneurs,” said Devin Meister, a Demand Generation Manager for Clubessential Holdings, the parent company of ClubReady. “For example, integrations between ClubReady Connect messaging system and Concierge services enable fitness operators to optimize their staff hours for both presale and post-sale lead conversion in a seamless solution with proven workflows.”

“Our mobile app offerings enable brands to take control of their brand and extend their connections and engagement with push notifications to members anywhere, and extensive reporting for staff,” Meister added.

ClubReady plans to make announcements about reporting features and its mobile app in the near future. 

“ClubReady continues to build and expand our industry-leading solutions and services, enhancing operators’ ability to engage members and prospects, empower staff members, and drive actions for success,” Meister said. 

Club Automation Gets Personal 

Club Automation, an all-in-one club software management system, will provide an innovative, interactive experience at IHRSA. 

“How often has a fitness software company invited you to try what it feels like to become a new member, purchase personal training, schedule sessions, book spaces, and explore a mobile app – as seen from the eyes of your members?” said Tom Antosik, VP at Club Automation. 

Club operators can step into their members’ shoes and try Club Automation’s online registration and mobile experience. The brand is focused on personalized, interactive touchpoints that showcase how its offerings elevate experiences through innovations. 

“From checking in at the club and purchasing packages to scheduling sessions and updating payment information, our team is ready to show off an end-to-end sign-up process that creates that smooth onboarding journey prospective members can expect with Club Automation,” Antosik said.

The post IHRSA 2024 Software Rundown: All About the Member Experience appeared first on Athletech News.

In its efforts to help the fitness and wellness community catch more quality z’s every night, SleepScore Labs is widening its net. 

In partnership with the Lake Nona Impact Forum, SleepScore, the global leader in enterprise-ready sleep science and improvement, will make its SleepScore APIs available across many health and fitness apps. Doing so will enable users of participating apps to sleep better and reap an abundance of ancillary health benefits. In turn, SleepScore APIs will strengthen engagement and retention across those apps. 

“We are delighted to bring the power of our evidence-based sleep improvement solutions to the many great health and wellness apps that would benefit from improved engagement, retention, and outcomes,” said Uma Shivanand, head of product at SleepScore Labs. “It’s our mission to make a meaningful impact in this vital aspect of people’s lives.”

With data from 230-plus scientific studies, 61 peer-reviewed publications and over 360 million hours of contextual sleep data, SleepScore APIs help users unlock improved sleep habits. After gathering a user’s sleep data through wearables, the program logs and compares it before laying out a personalized sleep journey, presenting sleep content material, a cognitive behavioral therapy option and a sleep coaching system. SleepScore users enjoy between 10 to 26 extra hours of sleep per month, the platform says.

With quality rest in high demand, those results promise to drive engagement once applied to new platforms. SleepScore already has a proven track record in that regard, reportedly delivering three to four daily engagements and a retention rate after 30 days of 60%, topping the industry average of 8%. 

The release of SleepScore APIs comes as an emphasis on sleep as a form of personal wellness only continues to grow. Therabody and United recently agreed on a partnership to offer sleep-nurturing amenities on flights after noticing an increase in demand for improved sleep while traveling. 

Centr, Chris Hemsworth’s fitness and wellness platform also recently released a new audio series aimed at improving users’ sleep performance. LumosTech, a sleep-specific tech company, partnered with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun last season to enhance sleep routines with light therapy products.

The post Fitness & Wellness Apps Can Now Use SleepScore Tech appeared first on Athletech News.

When you’re a top medical equipment supplier, being forward-thinking isn’t just something to strive for, but a necessity. Having done that for over 180 years, seca’s latest innovations have big implications for the fitness industry, making them some of IHRSA 2024’s most anticipated unveilings. 

Headlining seca’s products at IHRSA 2024 will be the seca TRU Body Composition Solution, a full-body test that analyzes users’ health and wellness using key metrics.

The seca TRU body composition solution features state-of-the-art hardware and customizable software that offers a variety of solutions to boost membership and engagement for gyms and fitness facilities. seca’s user-friendly API powers the product and simplifies the integration and customization processes.

The product operates via medically validated Bio Impedance technology, which delivers accurate health data following a 24-second scan. Users initially step up to seca’s Bear Claw glass platform to begin the measurement process.

Ultrasound tech determines the member’s accurate height before starting the analysis, breaking down muscle mass by each extremity & torso, fat mass, energy expenditure, recovery levels and other health factors which are later displayed in the seca 125 analytic software. seca’s solution even factors in age, gender, and ethnicity, as recently emphasized by the American Medical Association; seca’s body composition analysis is the only product on the market to factor in the latter. 

More Than Just Bodyweight

Duane Jones, seca Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, believes individuals who only check the scale every morning are in the dark ages in terms of monitoring their health. The TRU Body Composition Solution gives them that necessary upgrade. 

“Traditional metrics like weight do not fully capture the internal changes occurring in their bodies,” Jones said. “The TRU Body Composition Solution provides a more comprehensive view by setting baselines, which then allows gym goers to establish goals that more accurately reflect their overall health status.”

Personalized goal setting, progress tracking, identifying new insights and motivation all come to fruition following the scan. The precise analytics present users with benchmarks and metrics to strive for, hopefully spurring motivation and illustrating improvement over time.

Potential insights include setting up nutrition plans in relation based on results. The solution also identifies patterns worth acknowledging in one’s diet or exercise regimen, as well as potential health issues users would want to snuff out before they deter their fitness journey. 

Analytics are compared with the results of studies featuring over 3,000 healthy individuals to ensure accuracy. They’re also loaded into a cloud-based software that makes results accessible across a multitude of devices. 

The Missing Piece for Fitness Operators 

These same cutting-edge features make the TRU Body Composition Solution attractive to operators. The motivational factors born out of the analytics presented to gym goers naturally work to an operator’s benefit, spurring engagement and retention. It’s far easier to stay involved and committed to a gym that provides useful detail on your progress and constantly presents you with distinct goals. 

“Gyms without this solution miss a crucial opportunity to engage their members more deeply and promote additional wellness services they offer, such as personal training, group fitness, recovery programs and more,” said Kyle Toscano, seca Director of Marketing. “The TRU Body Composition Solution’s API can integrate with gym management and communication systems, enhancing member engagement and potentially increasing retention by providing a more connected and personalized wellness experience.”

The TRU Body Composition Solution is ideal for operators who want to engage with their members in a personalized, meaningful way, rather than with a one-size-fits-all solution. seca also handles product delivery, installation and network integration. 

Looking Ahead: Partnerships & Advancements

Toscano says it’s now full speed ahead for seca and the brand’s holistic health analyzer. seca will continue to update the TRU Body Composition Solution going forward, with plans to address factors such as the rise of obesity medications like GLP-1s more distinctly. 

“Recognizing the growing prevalence of obesity medications and their potential side effects, such as muscle loss, the TRU Body Composition Solution is positioned to play a crucial role in this context,” he said. “By tailoring the solution to address these specific needs, it can enhance the fitness experience for new members drawn to fitness facilities for health reasons, offering a medical-grade device that supports both fitness and medical outcomes.”

seca also aims to collaborate with more forward-thinking members in the fitness space, such as newly added partner Crunch Fitness, in addition to projects with ABC Ignite & Trainerize already in progress. seca already works with EGYM, Kieser Training, Vita Club, Maglicine and FitX, just to name a few.

“Overall, the TRU Body Composition Solution’s future plans are characterized by a focus on innovation, responsiveness to health trends, and partnerships that amplify its impact,” Toscano said. “This makes its launch an exciting development in the fitness and wellness industry.”

The post seca Tru Brings Medical Analysis to Gyms & Studios appeared first on Athletech News.

While Concept2 launched the free ErgData virtual trainer app roughly a decade ago, the sport equipment manufacturer’s upgraded version of the software promises to blow the prior rendition away once showcased at IHRSA 2024. 

Connected to the Concept2 performance monitor, this next-gen edition of ErgData operates as a far more detailed virtual trainer than its predecessor. It allows users to set up workouts and view customized stats and info during workouts, track progress and enjoy daily challenges all from an iOS and Android device. 

ErgData holistically connects users to Concept2, which remains one of the fitness industry’s most diverse suppliers, featuring an abundance of rowing, skiing and biking exercise equipment — all of which allow users to partake in both power and cardio-based training. 

“This is the new version of ErgData,” explained Alex Dunne, a member of Concept2’s Technology Team. “It’s far superior to the initial app that we had. We’ve been running with it for about 18 months and every couple of months we add a new feature to it. It’s a platform we can build upon.”

Sharing Is Caring

Illustrating how ErgData makes workout information transferable is one of the application’s most exciting innovations and a key point that Concept2 plans to hit on at trade shows this spring. 

The application’s real-time tracking catalogs every move you make on a piece of Erg equipment. From there, you’re invited to share results and/or workout methods with other users or even trainers. Doing so builds a sense of community among all parties as users take meaningful steps forward in their fitness journey. 

“You can share it with anybody that you want to, be that one person or be that thousands of people,” Dunne said. “If you’re working with a group, to be able to set a training plan, program it and send it out to them so all they have to do is tap a button on their phone to load it in, that’s a real benefit. You’re making it easy for people. The coach can share it with the athlete. The athlete can share it back to the coach.”

The Concept2 team is eager to move past old methods of exchanging exercise information with ErgData. Gone are the days of jotting down notes or sharing photos of dashboards thanks to the app’s updated form. 

“Traditionally it’s been, you finish a training session, you take a picture of the monitor and you share that with your friends. We’re able to improve that experience,” Dunne said. “You don’t have to take photos, you can simply share the workout from the app, generate more statistics, show the information the way you want to show it and track challenges.” 

New Features Drive User Engagement

The Real Time Loop and Workout of the Day represent two of the ErgData app’s top features. The Loop allows you to work out on a live, virtual course with other Concept2 users. Enhanced with the app’s new data-sharing abilities, this feature also helps drive engagement on the equipment. 

“There are ways that you can quickly engage with a wider audience so that you’re not just completely alone in your basement,” Dunne said. “The Loop puts you out on a track with a bunch of other people, whether they’re overtaking you or you’re overtaking them. It’s just that element of community.”

The Workout of the Day feature offers a different exercise for users to partake in every 24 hours. Doing so bolsters engagement too by keeping things fresh. Then comes the data, which ErgData collects from workouts and updates on a leaderboard. This makes progress visual, fostering motivation and consequently retention. 

“You don’t get into a rut of doing the same thing each day,” Dunne said, noting that Workout of the Day provides “people with a workout that they can do and then they can see how they’ve stacked up against everybody else that’s done it on that day. Over time, they’ll get motivated by seeing a little bit of progression.”

More To Come

Despite these notable strides with ErgData, Concept2 intends to keep moving forward. While Dunne was unable to share any specific future updates for the app, he did express the company’s ongoing desire to make additions as it evolves.

The Concept2 team also plans to highlight ErgData’s upgrades at FIBO, another major showcase for fitness innovation based in Europe, a few weeks after IHRSA in April. 

“We’ve been gradually adding features to ErgData so that you can see the kind of data you want,” Dunne said. “We’re an engineering lead company. We’re always tinkering. We’re always thinking through new ideas. We’re always working on new features.”

The post Concept2 Takes Personalized Fitness to New Heights With ErgData appeared first on Athletech News.

In the world of digital health and fitness, video content is the heartbeat of any enterprise. Offering a fresh stream of content that’s scalable to varied audiences is fundamental.

However, producing this content is time-consuming, expensive and resource-intensive. 

To do so, companies can either: hire a video production agency, which can be time-consuming and expensive; hire an internal team – also cost-intensive and unwieldy;  or utilize lower-quality stock video that likely won’t meet the needs of today’s discerning consumers.

In response to these challenges, tech entrepreneur and former Fitbit product leader Bogdan Predusca, along with former management consultant and digital innovation leader Dan Nica, have developed an entirely new infrastructure for video production that shoulders the heavy lifting, streamlines the process and yields smart, sustainable and measurable content. 

Launched in late 2020, Hyperhuman is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered health and fitness video creation and delivery platform that automates the video production process and helps companies provide personalized, engaging content that boosts customer loyalty and drives positive health outcomes.

The platform effectively reduces cost and resources by providing a tech-assisted content production toolchain, a cutting-edge video delivery infrastructure, omnichannel export capabilities and a white-labeled consumer app.

“Start-ups, and small- and medium-sized businesses that are largely the backbone of this industry have always been challenged to create quality, scalable content,” says Predusca. “So, we set out to build a platform for companies to produce smart, quality video content with a mission to make the world’s health and fitness media accessible reusable and profitable.”

Hyperhuman serves digital companies, wellness providers, connected hardware companies, and consumer fitness companies.  

What Hyperhuman Solves For

“The video creation process is disconnected and clunky. It takes a long time,” says Predusca. “Quality is hard to manage. It’s expensive. Development is not sustainable. Content is not personalized for the user, and oftentimes the outcome is poor.”

Hyperhuman addresses these needs, and more, with a host of features including the ability to add exercise details, create exercise groups, add royalty-free music, share auto-generated social clips, and more. 

“We took our industry insights and set about envisioning what companies ultimately need to achieve and used technology to achieve it,” Predusca explains, “It’s an entirely new infrastructure for video production and delivery.”

How It Works

Hyperhuman is an open platform that uses a data-driven approach to help companies create hyper-personalized content in minutes or transform existing videos into a reusable library of smart video blocks. 

AI handles post-production, quickly generating assets in a modular format embedded with analytics so companies can gather user feedback and track key metrics such as user engagement, workout completion rates, and more. Content can be instantly published in any existing app or digital product using Hyperhuman’s public API or embeddable webpages.  

“It’s like having a dedicated post-production and video agency that is just a click away, that yields smart, measurable, amenable and highly customizable omnichannel content,” says Predusca.

Additionally, Hyperhuman offers an extensive video library of ready-to-use footage, including various workout styles, exercise demonstrations, and fitness classes. This content – produced by Hyperhuman’s elite video production partners – can be easily incorporated into workouts and programs, eliminating the time and effort of filming new footage.

In a move to enhance their client’s success even further, Hyperhuman partnered with PR firm Dunn Pellier Media in late 2023, gaining significant exposure and awareness in the market.

“We want to set our clients up for success in all ways and we continue to seek unique collaborations and partnerships like this to do so,” says Predusca.

The Future Is Personalized

“The future of fitness is undeniably heavily weighted on personalization and continually adapting to consumer needs and uses – fast,” predicts Predusca. “The utilization of AI helps to do so and will develop in many ways. Clearly, the delivery of content is evolving as well, and we are always looking at new ways of interaction and consumption.”

To that end, Hyperhuman recently partnered with a sports apparel company that delivers personalized content based on biometric data derived from technology embedded into their clothing. In the digital healthcare space, Hyperhuman is in talks with companies that are using DNA testing to deliver hyper-personalized content. 

“In the end, it’s about helping consumers to achieve better outcomes,” explains Predusca. “Fitness companies have a significant impact on people’s lives, helping the world to become fitter, more active and healthier. Hyperhuman is trying to do our part by democratizing video production and delivery and making video smart so that companies can deliver on this.”

The post With Hyperhuman, Fitness Brands Can Create Game-Changing Video Content appeared first on Athletech News.

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.

The post Samsung Unveils Galaxy Ring. Can the Tech Giant Challenge Oura? appeared first on Athletech News.

A software platform is only as good as the data, technology and intent that powers it. A software company is only as good as its people.

Since launching in 2012, TeamUp has worked fiercely to provide the best management software for fitness studios, boxes and gyms, doing so with two deep-seated points of differentiation, a tech-first approach and a commitment to customer service 

First, TeamUp is designed as a tech product for the fitness industry versus a fitness product using technology. This tech-first approach translates to a significant competitive advantage for operators and offers app users highly intuitive functionality and ease-of-use such as the ability to adapt class schedules from a mobile device and more. 

Second, TeamUp is comprised of smart, friendly, forthright individuals who give the best they have to delight customers with exceptional service, customized solutions and unlimited support – delivering the best possible experience. 

“Our development process prioritizes customer needs by bringing the latest technology rapidly to the product and the customer, giving them a competitive advantage to move faster, said Tim Green, TeamUp COO. “The product itself advances user experience, intuitiveness, and smart, timesaving features to ultimately boost efficiency across the organization.”

When it comes to service and support, Green notes TeamUp has dedicated customer success agents who are highly capable and available to offer immediate assistance at first touch – every time.

“TeamUp works incredibly well for us because it fits our model and the level of service they provide allows us to communicate with them quickly and easily and address any problems when they come along. They’re also open to new ideas and development, which we’ll work on with them to help improve their solution and therefore our solution,” says TeamUp customer Max Henderson, CEO of Hotpod Yoga.

Customer Success Is Baked In

TeamUp’s mantra is to help each customer create the best version of their business. 

“When building a product, we work side-by-side with the customer to understand what data is important to them, how the business is run, how they can improve, what challenges they face and more, and we build all of the features around these things,” says Green.

TeamUp has helped over 3,500 customers in 30+ countries for over a decade in this way.

“We develop and maintain a close relationship with every customer and work to help them succeed at every level of their business,” Green explains. “And ultimately the output – the elevated experience they deliver to their members – drives their success and that’s what drives us.”

Delivering the Ultimate Member Experience 

“The fitness consumer experience is driven by all of the touchpoints they interact with,” explains Green. “Typically facilities get some of those touchpoints very right, such as the quality of their classes or their branding, and they get some wrong, such as technology.”

Green says TeamUp’s purpose is to improve the consumer experience by making every touchpoint flawless.

“The way we perceive it is the little details and the infrastructure provide a vastly different experience when you get the data that underlies it right,” Green explains.

He says that within every element of fitness management software, there are nuances that matter greatly to the consumer, and these translate to brand value. 

“Performance, speed, reliability, security, etc., all help boost the experience for the member at critical moments. It’s about getting all of these things exactly right – that’s what elevates the brand and creates brand loyalty. It’s tech that drives this, and it’s vital to the outcome.”

Features That Grow Membership

Green says TeamUp has hundreds of features, many of which solve the same business problems as other platforms, but in unique ways.

“TeamUp offers the most powerful membership-building system of any platform,” he says. “Studios and gyms can completely tailor offerings in a single place and do unique things, such as offer hidden packages shown to specific groups, create different permission levels and develop priority groups.”

TeamUp also accepts multiple payment methods, has a wide range of unique marketing components including customer acquisition, customer referral and promotional opportunities, and offers innovative use of AI within its “Community Happiness” feature. 

“Members typically want to help by providing reviews, but they don’t like writing them,” says Green.” So we put it on autopilot for them with the ability to use AI to generate a review quickly. It takes one click. We’ve been seeing incredible results from this.”

In the vein of TeamUp’s tech-first approach, the platform offers a wide range of enterprise-grade features including advanced user access, information security, API controls, SSO and white-label branding.

“We always say TeamUp is the brain of the company, how we utilize it and how our franchisees jump onto the platform,” says TeamUp customer, Vicky Woolnough, COO of Ferdinand Football UK.

In the end, TeamUp endeavors to be the best in the industry with a tenet to elevate customer and user experience with intuitive software that grows with the client.

“I recently had a customer draw the comparison between TeamUp and other apps by saying that TeamUp is a Michelin Star restaurant and other apps are carryout joints,” said Green. “To this, I say that I’m very proud that what makes our product different is the extreme attention to data-driven details in our development and execution and the exceptional outcome.”

The post TeamUp Uses a Tech-First Approach To Change User Experiences appeared first on Athletech News.

iFIT and Dish Network have reached a definite settlement in a legal dispute over streaming technology patents, according to a joint filing in a Delaware federal Court.

The agreement follows a feud that began in 2021 between the satellite television company and fitness equipment brand where Dish Network accused the Utah-based iFIT of infringing on its streaming technology patents with its bicycles and ellipticals.

In addition to iFIT’s NordicTrack equipment, Dish took aim at Peloton’s bikes and treadmills, arguing that the fitness equipment brands infringed on its patents that cover adaptive bitrate streaming technology, allowing users to stream content in real-time at a high quality.

The case had escalated to the U.S. International Trade Commission, which banned imports of video-streaming fitness devices made by Peloton and iFIT after a judge determined they infringed on the Colorado-based Dish Network’s patents last March. Peloton agreed to pay Dish $75 million in a one-time settlement payment last May. 

The settlement filing between iFIT and Dish states that the fitness equipment maker and TV network are in the process of memorializing the terms in a written settlement agreement and anticipate that they will be able to complete the process and file a joint stipulation and order of dismissal within 60 days.  The two entities have requested the court grant a stay of proceedings until April 22, 2024.

An iFIT spokesperson declined to comment on the financial terms of the settlement.

Aside from its squabble with Dish, the health and fitness company has leaned into artificial intelligence with last month’s launch of AI Coach, which helps fitness enthusiasts hit their goals with personalized and adaptive training plans.

The post iFIT, Dish Settle Lawsuit Over Fitness Streaming Tech appeared first on Athletech News.

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.