StepBet is a platform that blends personalized step goals with group competitions and financial incentives. Operated by WayBetter, which specializes in behavior change games, the company believes this innovation can drive long-term behavior change in the fitness landscape. Kerri Walsh, Chief Business Development Officer at StepBet, spoke with Athletech News about how gamification can foster consistency, community and motivation in fitness.

StepBet tailors daily step goals to individual activity levels and incorporates a financial component that makes staying active more engaging. The company has paid out millions of dollars in winnings to users.

“B“By making fitness a rewarding habit rather than a chore, we help individuals stay motivated,” Walsh told ATN. “Our platform is designed to tap into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation—people love the satisfaction of hitting their goals, but the financial incentive gives them that extra push to stay committed.”

Research has shown that financial rewards can be a strong motivator for behavior change, but StepBet wants to ensure that these incentives lead to sustained engagement rather than just short-term participation.

“Our challenges typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, striking the perfect balance between immediate motivation and long-term habit formation,” Walsh said. “We want people to start a challenge and feel that sense of accomplishment, but the real goal is to create a stepping stone for a more active lifestyle.”

She added that StepBet’s dynamic goal-setting model ensures that the challenges remain accessible yet effective. “We take into account a person’s past activity levels and gradually push them toward improvement, making the experience both achievable and rewarding.”

The platform’s setup, where friends invite friends, also helps strengthen engagement and foster long-term participation. This ecosystem makes movement more enjoyable and habitual.

“Community is at the heart of StepBet,” Walsh explained. “Our in-app social features allow users to share progress, exchange motivational tips and hold each other accountable. The camaraderie built through these challenges is what keeps people coming back.”

Beyond motivation, Walsh also sees StepBet as a tool for reshaping how people perceive fitness. “Many people think of exercise as something they ‘have’ to do, but we’re changing that mindset,” she said. “StepBet reframes movement as something fun, social and rewarding.”

Looking ahead, Walsh foresees continued advancements in wearables, AI-driven personalization and interactive social connections shaping the future of fitness.

“We are committed to investing in these areas to stay ahead of the innovation curve,” she stated. “Technology is evolving rapidly and we see a future where fitness platforms like ours become even more adaptive, intuitive and integrated into people’s daily lives.”

She emphasized that StepBet is designed for a broad range of users. “Whether you’re just starting out, a seasoned fitness enthusiast, or simply looking for a new way to stay motivated, StepBet is for everyone. Movement should be accessible, fun and rewarding for all.”

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Receipts has developed a way to incentivize workouts by offering access to top brands and experiences, aiming to tackle the ongoing health crisis and rising healthcare costs.

It’s a concept that researchers say has promise, with a 2024 study revealing that gamification and rewards can boost motivation.

The new fitness rewards app has launched its first challenge and brand partner as part of its new Collective Moment Series, a monthly challenge featuring a shared fitness goal while giving a stage to a brand partner each month.

The Receipts app links to fitness trackers, rewarding individuals with points for “intensity minutes”—defined as minutes spent exercising at an elevated heart rate. Athletes can then redeem the points for gift cards, perks and experiences with Receipts’ brand partners.

As of now, Receipts supports Apple Watch, Garmin, Coros, Whoop and Oura Ring, but plans to integrate directly with more wearables in the future.

For the challenge, Receipts teamed up with sports equipment and apparel brand Salomon. Participants are challenged to collectively achieve 50,000 intensity minutes to earn gift cards, running shoes, running vests and bonus points. Prizes are released if participants collectively move for the 50,000 intensity minutes, according to a post on Instagram.

Receipts users can also compete with friends on weekly leaderboards, track their week-over-week progress, and share photos and videos of workouts. The app recently introduced Streaks, which allows athletes to earn bonus points for maintaining weekly streaks and Goals, a feature that prompts athletes to set fitness goals and put points on the line as collateral.

Users who refer friends can earn 25 bonus points after their first workout — and their friend gets the same reward.

Another upcoming feature—Drops—will offer a new way to redeem points, giving brand partners a chance to spotlight upcoming product releases through exclusive experiences.

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Virtuix Studios, which raised more than $5 million in 2023 for its gamified platform, has officially launched Treks—an immersive fitness tourism experience that takes players on virtual adventures using the company’s Omni One full-body VR system. The system allows users to not only walk and run, but also crouch, kneel, jump, strafe, and even backpedal within virtual worlds.

The first release of Treks, $29.99, features guided tours through the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, New York City and Saudi Arabia, taking players on an immersive journey. According to Virtuix, an hour of walking in Treks can burn roughly 500 calories.

“With Treks, you’re not just watching these destinations—you’re moving through them,” Virtuix CEO Jan Goetgeluk said. “It’s a great way to stay active while exploring some of the world’s most iconic places. Fitness and adventure go hand in hand, and Treks brings that to life in a whole new way.”

Virtuix’s system includes a treadmill-like platform that lets players wearing a VR headset walk or run safely in any direction, secured in an adjustable support vest attached to a metal arm, allowing for 360-degree movement within a virtual world.

Last month, Virtuix added several new VR games and fitness experiences to the Omni One store, such as Arizona Sunshine Remake, Arizona Sunshine 2, Into The Radius and new games such as Thief Simulator VR, Everslaught Invasion, Totally Basketball and Motion Soccer. 

“The excitement around Omni One has been tremendous, and with these new additions, we’re giving our players an even larger variety of experiences to stay active and fit while playing video games,” Goetgeluk said.

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​​A Colorado-based startup is giving coaches a powerful new tool with its blend of Olympic-level coaching methods and AI-powered programming: WhichWeight.

Born out of Kinesis Integrated in Boulder, Colorado, a well-known training hub for elite athletes, WhichWeight gives coaches and athletes a smarter way to approach strength training.

The startup recently unveiled its new website and several new partnerships, arriving at a time when endurance training is gaining momentum and in-person events from brands like Hyrox and CrossFit are drawing serious fitness competitors. 

“Endurance athletes have long struggled to maximize their performance due to one key missing piece…effective strength training,” WhichWeight co-founder and CEO Chris Lee said. “When I coach Olympians, how well they can move their bodies outside their sport is clearly the ultimate game changer. Our platform guarantees athletes seamlessly integrate the right training at the right time, with their overarching goal in mind…setting a PR!”

The AI-powered platform’s strength programs update in real-time based on athlete data and performance and gives coaches the ability to instantly assign individualized strength phases that align with the entire season. A coaching dashboard also tracks progress and flags potential injury risks.

So far, WhichWeight has been quickly endorsed and adopted by elite endurance coaches and teams. In the last year, the brand has named several partnerships, including ones with Katie Cope Running, Jessica Schnier, Blue Collar Endurance Training, MultiSport, BigMetz and Coach Kallup at Lions Den Fitness.

“Speed usually comes at the cost of precision. Not with us,” WhichWeight CTO Jacob Carlson said. “We’re giving them a scalable, Olympian-backed tool that enhances how they train endurance athletes in a fraction of the time.”

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Aescape, a lifestyle robotics company pioneering AI-powered massage for recovery, has secured $83 million in a strategic funding round led by Valor Equity Partners. With this latest investment, Aescape’s total funding reaches $128 million to help with national expansion and operational growth. The round also saw continued investment from firm Alumni Ventures, as well as NBA Champion and All-Star Kevin Love.

Aescape first introduced its AI-powered automated massage technology in select Equinox locations across New York City. Equinox then extended its partnership with Aescape to 60 locations nationwide and is now the first fitness brand to integrate AI-driven massage technology at scale.

“Aescape immediately resonated with our members, offering a private, effective and highly personalized massage experience—on their time,” said James Gu, Sr. Director of Spa at Equinox. “This partnership reflects our commitment to providing the most advanced recovery solutions available and we’re excited to bring it to more locations across the country.”

Beyond Equinox, Aescape has secured partnerships with major hospitality and wellness leaders, including select locations of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton properties across North America. It also recently partnered with World Spa in Brooklyn, a luxury spa with Eastern European banyas, Finnish saunas and Moroccan hammams. The expansion comes as the $19 billion massage therapy industry faces a labor shortage, with over 29,000 unfilled therapist positions.

“Aescape has demonstrated remarkable growth in just six months since its launch,” said Jonathan Shulkin, Partner and Co-President at Valor Equity Partners. “Their AI-driven approach is unlocking new possibilities in data-informed, personalized care, driving revenue for partners while delivering precision-tailored experiences. Eric and his team are creating an entirely new category of robotics-powered wellness and we’re delighted to continue to support their expansion.”

Aescape has bolstered its leadership team with key hires from Apple and The Economist Group to support its rapid expansion. Kimberly Miller joined as Chief Marketing Officer, bringing over two decades of experience in scaling high-growth brands. Eswar Priyadarshan, formerly of Apple and Adobe, has been appointed Senior Vice President of Engineering.

Aescape has also introduced a new tiered B2B model, allowing small and medium-sized businesses to offer AI-powered massage experiences. The model includes Aescape Essential, for general wellness businesses and Aescape Lux, for high-end wellness centers and premium hospitality partners, with exclusive features and premium app customization.

“Our first six months focused on strategic partnerships and introducing fully autonomous robotic massage to consumers, driving high utilization and repeat usage rates,” said Eric Litman, Founder and CEO of Aescape. “Now, we’re doubling down on deepening relationships with existing partners, onboarding new ones and expanding our library of massage offerings as member needs evolve.”

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Meta is sunsetting Move, an app that tracks physical activity and calories burned across games and apps on Meta Quest.

The news came in an email notifying users that the app will be discontinued on March 31. The tech company explained that Move relies on legacy technology, limiting its ability to introduce new innovations for Quest users.

The app allows users to set calorie-burn and Move-minute targets to match their personal goals, with the option to display live Move stats without leaving their game or app, like Beat Saber and Supernatural. Calorie estimates are generated using an algorithm that factors in basal metabolic rate (age, weight, height and sex) along with data from headset, controller and hand movements. Users can also choose to rely on average estimates instead. 

“This transition will allow us to deliver more advanced and exciting features to enhance the Quest experience,” the email continued. 

According to Meta, the discontinuation of Move won’t affect any other fitness features built within individual apps. 

For some Quest fitness users, the decision comes as a new blow. Meta had just killed off Scoreboards, an app that consolidated leaderboard data in one place, allowing users to view their placement and compare their ranking against followers, in December 2024

In a thread discussing Meta’s decision on Reddit, many Move users indicated that while the app’s accuracy in tracking calories based on movement versus heart rate was lackluster, they did appreciate its ability to track daily headset usage and keep them motivated. Still, the disappointed from some are apparent: “So sad Meta is still not getting it – Quest 3 is a fitness gadget…” one poster shared. The decision also has some Quest fitness users considering purchasing a smartwatch or wearable fitness tracker.

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As the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series approaches, the League has introduced the NHL Watch Comms App, developed by Presidio for Apple Watch. The app will provide the league with real-time, in-game situational updates directly on their wrists.

For the first time in an outdoor NHL game, referees and linesmen can use the NHL Watch Comms App to receive notifications, including game clock countdowns, penalty clock updates and information on penalized players. The app is designed to improve game management without glancing at arena scoreboards.

Unlike traditional indoor arenas with large overhead scoreboards, outdoor venues pose additional challenges for officials in tracking games. The NHL Watch Comms App aims to bridge this gap by providing referees with haptic notifications that deliver real-time alerts to manage penalty situations and game timing. The NHL Watch Comms App has over 90% adoption across the League.

The NHL partnered with Apple and Presidio to develop this custom application, ensuring integration with Apple Watch’s capabilities. The league is already exploring further applications for the Watch Comms App, including direct communication between the four on-ice officials, arena-based officials and the League’s Toronto operations center. Future iterations may also include communication between officials and coaches, broadening the scope of in-game technology to enhance strategic decision-making.

The NHL and Apple have previously collaborated on game-enhancing technology. Since 2017, Mac and iPad have helped coaches and players by providing real-time videos for in-game adjustments.

The post NHL Watch Comms App on Apple Watch Enhances On-Ice Officiating appeared first on Athletech News.

Life Time has attracted more than 1.7 million non-member subscribers to its free LT Digital app, all without any marketing efforts—and the number is expected to reach three to four million by the end of the year, Life Time founder and CEO Bahram Akradi told investors this week. 

The high-end country club operator’s complimentary app was a key focus during its earnings call with investors on Thursday, where the company reported an 18.7% increase in revenue to $663.3 million for Q4 2024, and an 18.2% increase to $2.62 billion for the full year.

Life Time opened LT Digital to non-members last year, providing free access to on-demand fitness classes, nutrition and exercise programs, meditations, podcasts and more. Shortly thereafter, the club operator announced a partnership with Microsoft to launch L.AI.C, an AI-driven companion for members to answer basic questions about their home club, with broader plans to have it offer tailored workout programs and more. By the end of 2024, Life Time added 100 new on-demand classes on the app and introduced LTH, a line of supplements and wellness products.

While freebies often fizzle out, Life Time continues investing in its app for non-members, recently launching wellness challenges—one of which is a protein reset. 

Some free LT Digital subscribers will eventually convert to paying Life Time members, Akradi says, he remains focused on the bigger picture—as he alluded to connecting LT Digital to growing demand for LTH’s nutritional supplements. The product line is extensive—there are protein offerings, vitamins, pre-workouts, specialized kits and more. Consumers can shop by health needs or take a two-minute quiz to personalize their routine. 

On a personal note, Akradi shared with investors that he takes somewhere between 80 and 90 supplements a day. 

“With the month-over-month growth we’re seeing, we expect that business to be a billion-dollar revenue business in the years to come and the LT Digital with tens of millions of subscribers on it over the next four, five, six years—will become an easy, natural foundation for the people to find the LTH products and be able to just easily buy it. L.AI.C. will help them answer any questions they have about any products, coupled with the understanding of who they are and their activity levels.”

Akradi also indicated that a bigger reveal will come—perhaps in early August—regarding other asset-light opportunities that the brand has been working on for several years. Life Time plans to open 10-12 clubs this year and its second Miora clinic—focused on longevity and performance—will open next week.

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In the latest episode of Athletech News’ Unscripted podcast, Robin Thurston, the founder and CEO of outdoor lifestyle company Outside Interactive, joins co-hosts Edward Hertzman and Eric Malzone to break down the business of media in the digital age. 

Thurston, Hertzman and Malzone discuss how traditional media companies can position themselves to compete amid the rise of modern-day tools such as social media, streaming services and artificial intelligence (AI).

Thurston also shares how Outside Interactive is working to stay ahead of these trends by creating an integrated platform that extends beyond traditional media and into verticals like real-time tracking apps and online booking platforms. Watch this episode of “Unscripted” for unfiltered takes on the following:

• The threat (and opportunity) platforms like TikTok and Instagram pose for traditional media companies
• Is paywalled content a viable revenue strategy in 2025?
• Creating content that keeps people engaged in an era of dwindling attention spans

Key Talking Points:

• (0:00 – 8:29) The vision and mission of Outside Interactive
• (8:29 – 17:00) Evolution of the media business
• (17:00 – 21:31) Navigating the challenges of modern media
• (21:31 – 29:43) Subscription models and consumer engagement
• (29:43 – 32:24) The rise of social media and streaming services
• (32:24 – 36:07) Future trends in health and wellness

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Onvy HealthTech Group has secured more than $2 million in a seed extension financing round that will fuel the expansion of its AI-based health coaching platform. 

Voloridge Health, LLC led the round. 

The Munich-based Onvy is in the business of precision wellness with its AI Health Coach app that integrates more than 320 wearables, environmental data, health sensors and behavioral data to make health recommendations and provide instant feedback on important metrics.

Last year, the startup was recognized by Statista and Newsweek as one of the world’s best digital health companies of 2024. 

Onvy founder and CEO Adrian Kochsiek is personally invested in advancing human health prevention, sharing on LinkedIn that he’s a cancer survivor and that his experience was the driving force in creating proactive solutions, beginning with his first startup, MitoCare. 

In one post on the career networking site, he noted that DNA doesn’t equate to destiny, writing, “your genes load the gun, your lifestyle pulls the trigger” – a notable phrase, as new research indicates that a range of environmental factors have a greater influence than genetics when it comes to aging and premature mortality.

“The future of health is real-time, hyper-personalized and AI-driven,” Kochsiek said. “Yet, the industry still relies on outdated, delayed and one-size-fits-all approaches. At Onvy, we are changing that. Our platform transforms raw health data into instant, tailored guidance—empowering users to take action when it matters most. With this investment, we are scaling AI-driven precision health to revolutionize how individuals and businesses engage with well-being.”

The new capital will also advance Onvy’s B2B endeavors in the “AI Health Coach-as-a-Service” realm and respond to rising demand, where corporate partners can increase customer engagement, retention and health outcomes with custom AI health solutions.

Competitive sports are also a target market for Onvy’s capabilities, where the platform can help athletes maintain peak performance, optimal recovery and mental fitness.

“AI is revolutionizing healthcare, and Onvy is at the forefront of this transformation with its cutting-edge approach to real-time health intelligence,” Voloridge Health co-founder David Vogel said. “By seamlessly bridging the gap between raw health data and real-world action, Onvy is shaping the future of precision health, setting a new benchmark for proactive, personalized health coaching. Their ability to turn complex biometric and behavioral data into meaningful, actionable insights enhances both individual well-being and corporate health strategies, delivering measurable outcomes for businesses and consumers alike. We are excited to support their journey as they scale.”

The post Onvy HealthTech Secures $2M+ To Scale AI Health Coaching appeared first on Athletech News.

The smartphone era has its ups and downs. We’re more informed than ever, but many people struggle to break free from their devices, stuck in a vicious cycle of doomscrolling and other time-wasting activities. 

Paul English, the co-founder of travel booking platform Kayak, is fighting back. Through his firm Boston Venture Studio, English has launched Steppin, a mobile phone app that forces people to walk a certain number of daily steps before they’re able to access popular apps like TikTok, Instagram or YouTube. 

“We want to fight the algorithm,” English tells Athletech News. “If you want some entertainment, it’s okay, but make sure you break away from the screen every day to get outside and get some fresh air. It’s good for your mental health, good for your physical health, and it just keeps things in balance.”

Launched in January, Steppin essentially makes people earn their screen time by walking. Once they download the app, users can configure their phones to block distracting apps until they reach a pre-set daily steps goal. For example, you can program Steppin to block access to Facebook until you walk 5,000 steps (users can override Steppin to access blocked apps if they choose). 

English might have made his name and fortune as a tech entrepreneur by selling Kayak for $1.8 billion, but he admits there’s a downside to too much screen time.  

On a recent family trip to Spain, English’s fiancé, Rachel Cohen, and his son, Mike, realized the group was spending too much time on their phones and not enough time enjoying their Mediterranean surroundings. They got the idea for an app that tied screen time to daily steps. 

“We looked at the market and we couldn’t find anything that correlates steps to screen time,” English recalls. “We just thought it was a very obvious thing to build.”

The Race to Reduce Screen Time

Is there a big enough market for an app that encourages people to walk for their screen time? Some data says yes. Around 21% of Americans used a smartwatch or fitness tracker in 2019, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Meanwhile, another survey found that the average American checks their phone 205 times per day, and that 43% of Americans admit feeling addicted to their phones.

“We’re not inventing new types of users,” English notes. “If you look at the intersection of people who already track their steps and think they’re addicted (to their phones), it’s a huge number.” 

Screen-time reduction apps have become fairly popular in recent years. Opal, which allows users to block distracting apps for a set period of time – during the workday, for example – reported that it has over 500,000 users and 100,000 paying subscribers.  

But those apps don’t incentivize movement in the way Steppin does. For English, prioritizing daily steps is what makes Steppin stand out from the crowd. In theory, this will make the app more engaging for users over time and lead to long-term behavior change. 

Sharing a personal use case, English reports that he deleted X (formerly Twitter) from his phone after one week of using Steppin, realizing how “toxic” the social media app was after he was able to take a break from it. 

“I still have TikTok on my phone, but I use it much less because I have to walk in order to earn it,” English adds. 

Other users seem to be seeing similar benefits. Steppin saw “thousands of downloads” in its first week after launching, the app confirmed to ATN. 

“We’re getting (great) feedback from users, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to build this out,” English says.

Weighing Pricing Options

To keep users engaged for the long haul, Steppin is leaning into gamification. The app just introduced a “streaks” feature that rewards users for consecutive days they stick to their screen-time goals. A “leaderboard” feature is coming soon, which will allow friends to compete with each other to see who can earn the most screen time per day by walking. 

For now, Steppin is available for free with no monthly or annual subscription cost. Steppin hasn’t decided on an exact pricing structure yet, but English says the app will cost significantly less than competitors like Opal, which charges $100 per year for an annual “pro” subscription. Steppin will likely remain free for college students, English adds. 

English is quick to note that while Steppin might prove to be lucrative, he’s not in it for the money alone. The Kayak co-founder has high hopes that the app will make a serious difference in people’s lives, reaching millions of users and sparking a revolution in the way we interact with our screens and ourselves. 

“This is going to sound ridiculous, but I wouldn’t mind if Apple looked at our app and said, ‘That’s a really good idea,’ and they built it themselves and put us out of business,” he says. “My goal is to get as many people as possible managing their mental health and physical health by doing a bit less social (media) and a bit more exercise. So it’s really a mission-driven company.”

The post Is Steppin the App That Will Finally Get People Off Their Phones? appeared first on Athletech News.

BioCharger, the whole-body recovery platform, approaches wellness from more than one direction — and all at the same time. By weaving together PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic fields), light, frequencies and harmonics, and voltage, the brand goes where no provider in its field has gone before via its approach to cellular health. 

“It’s the only platform in the world that applies all four of these proven energies simultaneously and touchlessly,” said Jim Law, CEO of BioCharger, “The BioCharger activates your body’s natural ability to heal and recover.”

The BioCharger journey began when Jim Girard, who leads the brand’s research and development team, noticed an abundance of energy practitioners providing one of the four energies the BioCharger produces, the positive effects each brings out and the absence of something tying them all together.

“If you look at the mechanisms of action of each of the four energies, they’re all unique, but simultaneously, they all contribute to optimal cellular performance,” said Law. “So his vision was, why not create a device that could combine all four?”

35 years removed from that epiphany, Girard’s vision is present and concrete, with the BioCharger becoming smarter and more cost-effective than ever. 

Giving Back to Yourself

While the BioCharger may sound advanced from a conceptual standpoint, the way it’s used is anything but. 

To experience the four-in-one energy experience, users only need to sit or stand approximately 3-5 feet from the device for 12-15 minute sessions to receive the emitted energy forms. Users simply relax, let the machine do the work and then experience the benefits after the fact. 

“The key to success for any wellness business or fitness business is that your client or members feel or look better when they leave compared to when they walked in the door,” said Law. “Just experiencing the BioCharger and adding that 12 to 15 minute session to any protocol is going to improve the outcome.”

While the BioCharger helps individuals feel better on the surface — it also restores the energy our bodies have been missing for years. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that humans spend 90% of their time indoors, leading many to miss out on the natural energies essential for overall well-being. 

“It provides four proven, scientifically-backed energies that exist in nature, that our bodies need desperately and are being blocked due to our modern lifestyles and spending,” said Law. “Without the proper energy at the cellular level, our body can’t regenerate and heal itself.”

Franchising Implications

PEMF, light, frequencies and harmonics, and voltage represent a winning formula for brands looking to integrate advanced wellness solutions and harness the benefits of multi-energy technology as well. 

Thanks to the BioCharger’s approachability, up to six users can enjoy the innovation at once, meaning sites often only need one, effectively making the device easy to integrate across multiple locations. The BioCharger being a modular tool, not requiring extensive staff oversight nor cleaning between sessions adds to its scalability as well. The same factors also allow the product to generate ROI in under 10 months, according to the brand. 

“The throughput is amazing compared to some of the other things from a profit margin standpoint,” said Law. “It is the highest margin, lowest operational cost device that you’ll find in any of these facilities.”

OsteoStrong, a wellness franchise focused on muscular and bone health, represents just one of the many clients currently benefitting from BioCharger’s franchise-friendly elements. The brand now boasts around 180 locations with help from BioCharger, which found eight different ways to monetize their service for them, contributing “massively” to their bottom line, according to Law. 

Capitalizing on Trends

The positives brought out by the BioCharger’s multi-user capabilities extend from the financial arena to end-user satisfaction as well. In the wake of the pandemic, more individuals are seeking community-building health and wellness experiences. With it serving as a wellness option that simultaneously introduces six people to each other at once, the BioCharger makes any gym or studio a platform for that sought-after camaraderie. 

“Today, more than ever, people don’t want to sit in their basement on a Peloton,” said Law. “We’re social beings. What we found with our clients, especially some of the larger, multi-site ones, is that it actually became a social point, and people collectively not only enjoy it but they get the benefits even to a greater extent as a group.”

This, coupled with the simultaneous increased demand for wellness by fitness consumers makes sites that house BioChargers more likely to spur higher retention rates — in some instances even bringing individuals through doors entirely on their own. 

“The movement has also had a huge impact on retention,” said Law. “Some of our larger customers, who measure that stuff maniacally, have seen that not only does it help retain, but it helps bring up the average member revenue. It can introduce new audiences that wouldn’t typically come to that business in the first place if it weren’t for the BioCharger.”

Evolving Through AI

BioCharger also continuously updates its machines, all of which are attached to a cloud network, with what it calls “recipes.” These “recipes” are energy and frequency programs designed for a specific outcome, such as assistance with a headache or recovery from a certain shoulder injury. 

Now, with over 1,400 recipes loaded, BioCharger’s next steps are being taken with artificial intelligence (AI). 

“We’ve got AI looking at our large language model and customizing design recipes on the fly based on a user’s need,” Law explained. “So if my HRV and sleep scores have been low, I can now enter that and it’ll custom develop a recipe you can run 30 seconds later.”

Law also added that BioCharger intends to assist more individuals dealing with chronic diseases in the near future, calling it one of the “hottest” areas where BioCharger technology has been embraced to help individuals recover in ways Western medicine hasn’t been able to.

The post BioCharger Makes Recovery Efficient & Fun With Four-in-One Energy appeared first on Athletech News.

Level Zero Health, a female-founded startup centered on continuous hormone monitoring, has landed $6.9 million in a pre-seed round for its health monitoring wearable that eliminates the need to head to the lab to get blood drawn.

Swiss VC firm Redalpine led the round, which included several other venture capital and private equity firms. 

“Hormones are critical to our health across our whole lifespan,” the startup shared on LinkedIn in a post announcing the funding. “Our objective is clear: enable access to a wealth of data that hormonal patterns give us—from clinical applications to wellness and beyond.”

Level Zero Health has honed in on developing a minimally invasive wearable device worn on the arm that provides data correlated with blood readings through interstitial fluid. The device then offers real-time updates on hormone levels.

Behind Level Zero Health are co-founders Ula Rustamova, a former enterprise tech lead at Palantir and Irene Jia, a bioengineer who worked for Philips in research and development. 

“I have to pinch myself that this is indeed what we are getting closer to every single day – a breakthrough technology that will have a ripple effect on healthcare for years to come,” Rustamova, Level Zero Health’s CEO, posted on LinkedIn. 

She noted that while the funding broke the record for Europe’s largest pre-seed round for a female-founded team, she’s conflicted: “It’s an example of what’s possible, and these stories should be highlighted. But I also hope one day, almost every article doesn’t have to highlight that we are indeed female,” Rustamova wrote.

As of now, continuous monitoring is commonly associated with glucose—a technology Rustamova credited with revolutionizing diabetes care during a presentation at Entrepreneur First’s Summer ’24 Demo Day, where she noted that leading names and experts from Harvard and Mount Sinai have joined the team.

“The company that makes CGMs makes $4 billion revenue and that’s just from glucose,” she pointed out. “And we’re addressing markets much bigger than that, starting with IVF and low testosterone, where clinics know the pain, and they’re lining up to work with us.”

The startup told TechCrunch that it intends to have its wearable patch cleared for prescription use next year for intermittent hormone testing associated with medical use cases such as fertility and low testosterone and hopes to have the device brought to market in 2028 to continuously measure progesterone, estrogen and testosterone.

“Hopefully, this year we want to show some level of correlation [between levels of hormones the wearable patch can detect and levels detected via a blood draw] — that’s the promise I want to deliver with the pre-seed money,” Rustamova told the publication.

“For too long, hormone testing has relied on invasive blood draws that capture just a single moment in time,” Redalpine shared on LinkedIn. “Level Zero Health is changing the game – their wearable will enable real-time, remote hormone monitoring, transforming care for IVF, menopause, testosterone therapy and beyond. With precise engineering and software, and impressive speed to execution, Level Zero Health is the perfect example of deeptech meeting real-world impact. As Philip [Kneis], investor at Redalpine and board member of Level Zero Health, puts it: We did it for blood pressure, and we will do it again for hormones.’”

The startup is now focused on expanding its London operations and is on the hunt for a founder associate, as well as six other roles, including a head of research and development and biosensor research scientist.

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The wellness industry is expanding rapidly, driven by consumers’ growing interest in health and their desire for greater control and transparency. As more health spending shifts beyond the doctor’s office to direct-to-consumer products and services, there is a critical need to bridge the financial gap between health and healthcare. Flex, an HSA/FSA solution provider, is at the center of this unification.

“Consumers are increasingly taking control of their health journey, leveraging technology and at-home solutions to monitor and improve their wellbeing through diagnostic tests, wearables, apps and lifestyle interventions,” said Sam O’Keefe, Flex CEO. “Our goal is simple: to make HSA/FSA payments available wherever consumers spend on their health.”

Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) present a sizable revenue opportunity for fitness and wellness brands. With over $150 billion available in these accounts, consumers have substantial funds to invest in their well-being.

Alternative payment methods have already proven to be powerful drivers of growth — whether through buy now, pay later options in e-commerce or ACH payments in fitness studios. These solutions not only attract new customers and members but also improve retention over time. Flex empowers brands to harness these payment innovations, unlocking new revenue streams and turning up customer engagement.

Clearing Complexities

Flex provides a seamless, expert-driven solution for fitness and wellness brands looking to accept HSA/FSA payments. The platform not only enables eligibility at checkout but also simplifies the entire process, offering expertise in compliance, reimbursement and required documentation.

Flex supports eligible payments, letters of medical necessity, reimbursements and more — all while ensuring smooth transaction completion. Getting started is quick and hassle-free, with no scheduling required. Instead, users can complete a chat-based telehealth visit with a licensed healthcare provider to obtain the necessary documentation for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

“We start by conducting a thorough review of your products and services,” explained O’Keefe. “Through this audit, we determine which items can be automatically approved and which require a Letter of Medical Necessity to comply with IRS guidelines. Based on these findings, we customize your HSA/FSA integration to create the smoothest possible checkout experience.”

Flex then facilitates payment through a single, streamlined checkout flow designed to maximize conversion rates. Its real-time analytics dashboard also gives brands clear visibility into their HSA/FSA transactions, enabling them to manage and optimize these channels effectively.

Beyond payments, Flex actively connects its community of high-intent HSA/FSA buyers with partner brands through the Flex Market, newsletter and social media channels. This not only keeps both businesses and consumers well-informed but also helps drive more sales and savings.

The HSA/FSA Difference

Flex reports their partners have attracted new customers, higher average order value and boosts in subscription retention. Consumers also benefit by saving 30–40% on purchases made with their HSA/FSA, Flex says. 

“By accepting HSA/FSA payments, businesses can attract this growing segment of health-conscious customers who actively manage their wellness journey,” said O’Keefe. “The ability to use HSA/FSA funds makes wellness products more accessible and affordable.”

More is Coming

As HSA/FSA adoption accelerates across the health and wellness industry, Flex is experiencing rapid growth, bringing its payment solutions to an expanding network of partners. The platform is already powering payments for leading brands such as Echelon, Kineon, iFIT, Trainwell, Ultrahuman, Ampfit and others, helping them unlock new revenue streams through HSA/FSA eligibility.

Since launching this partnership [with Flex], we’ve seen significant growth in HSA/FSA transactions, benefiting both our customers and our business, “ Echelon founder and CEO Lou Lentine said.

“We’re constantly expanding our capabilities — whether that means integrating with new platforms or refining our checkout process to maximize conversion rates,” added O’Keefe. “Every improvement we make is focused on one thing: helping our partners succeed.”

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Welltory, an all-in-one wellness app gearing up to launch AI-driven personalized health journeys and journaling prompts, has secured a spot on Deloitte’s 2024 Technology Fast 500, ranking #31 in the San Francisco Bay area and #202 in North America. 

The firm’s annual list acknowledges the crème de la crème of fast-growing tech companies in North America, selected based on their fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023 and ranked by percentage growth rate. The list includes entities from several sectors, including technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech and energy tech.

The California-based Welltory, founded in 2016, has attracted 10 million users to its wellness app and reported 70% year-over-year revenue growth in 2024.

“Health and wellness in the 21st century must be more data-driven, personalized, and actionable than ever,” Welltory CEO Jane Smorodnikova said. “At Welltory, we’re building an ecosystem to drive this transformation, and Deloitte’s recognition validates our approach. The demand for meaningful, science-backed insights continues to rise, as demonstrated by Welltory’s user base and revenue growth, as well as the app’s 54% YoY increase in session time. We remain committed not only to providing advanced biomarker analytics but also to making insights truly actionable—helping millions of our users easily build great habits and improve their health and wellbeing.”

Last year, the wellness app launched several new tools: the Today Screen, an AI-powered dashboard that turns Apple Watch data into actionable insights, Sleep Flow, an AI-generated bedtime story feature and a sleep analysis tool for Apple Watch users.

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Hims & Hers has acquired Trybe Labs (also known as Sigmund NJ LLC), a New Jersey-based at-home lab testing facility—a move that expands the health and wellness platform’s offerings to include at-home blood draws and supports its plans to enter new areas, including low testosterone treatment and perimenopausal and menopausal support.

The service uses blood lancets instead of traditional needles, allowing members to test for various health metrics, including hormone levels, cardiac risk, stress markers, cholesterol, liver and thyroid function and prostate health. Based on the results, Hims & Hers healthcare providers create personalized treatment plans encompassing nutrition, lifestyle changes, supplements and medication recommendations.

The at-home testing is expected to roll out to Hims & Hers customers over the next year.

“The healthcare that customers expect and deserve today is on-demand care with treatments designed specifically for them,” Hims & Hers chief medical officer Dr. Patrick Carroll said. “This next generation of healthcare is what we’re building at Hims & Hers by providing the best information and set of options to each customer that comes to our platform so they can access precisely the care that is best for them.”

Hims & Hers plans to use de-identified lab data to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly MedMatch, which was launched in 2023. The system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help healthcare providers determine optimal treatment plans and dosages for each patient. 

“Access to richer data allows us to deepen the insights that providers can use on our platform to guide their clinical decisions for each individual patient,” Dr. Carroll said. “At-home lab testing is one more exciting step towards elevating the personal, comprehensive care customers in this country should expect.”

Earlier this month, Hims & Hers also announced two new programs: the Hims & Hers Health Collective and the Hims & Hers Community Member Council. The Collective, an application-based program, gives customers a chance to connect and support one another and comes with the perk of being among the first to learn about new products. The Council serves as an exclusive group of 15 hand-selected Hims & Hers members who will help influence the platform’s future and its products, services and experiences.

“At Hims & Hers, we’re successful when our customers are,” chief commercial officer Mike Chi said. “The long-term success and well-being of each individual customer is at the center of everything we do. By partnering with and listening to our customers’ needs, we are able to make even better improvements to their experience and care. We are not just changing how healthcare works—we are helping to build a system that truly serves the people it was meant to help.”

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Funxtion, the digital fitness content platform, and EGYM, a fitness technology and corporate health innovation company, have announced an expansion of their strategic partnership. Together, the companies aim to bridge the gap between traditional gym experiences and digital offerings.

The heart of the partnership is the integration of Funxtion’s FX POD with EGYM’s ecosystem. In April 2023, the brands initially collaborated to embed Funxtions content into EGYM’s Trainer and Member apps. The companies have since collaborated with operators like Fitness First, World Gym, the Gym Group, and YMCA facilities.

“Our partnership with Funxtion aligns perfectly with our vision to make the gym experience more connected, efficient, and effective,” said Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, CEO of EGYM. “Integrating Funxtion’s content with our Member and Trainer Apps not only unlocks new business opportunities for our enterprise customers but also elevates the end-user experience.”

Funxtion’s FX POD offers curated content that integrates with the broader gym environment, designed to improve individual and small-group training sessions. As part of the partnership, Funxtion will also develop an extensive library of digital fitness content, including single exercises and how-to videos covering equipment from leading manufacturers. Egym will also replace its exercise animations with Funxtion’s single exercise library.

“We are thrilled to take our partnership with EGYM to the next level,” said Ernst de Neef, CEO of Funxtion. “By integrating our FX POD with EGYM’s open ecosystem, we’re creating a fitness experience that is smarter, more personalized, and more engaging for users. At Funxtion, we believe in delivering innovative digital solutions that help operators boost member engagement and increase retention, and this collaboration allows us to do just that in an even more impactful way.”

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ABC Fitness, one of the fitness and wellness industry’s largest software providers, has hired SweatWorks founder Mohammed “Mo” Iqbal as its chief strategy officer, the company announced Tuesday. 

In the newly created role, Iqbal will establish a strategic consulting practice within ABC Fitness to advise the company on partnerships, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and general innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI). Iqbal will work closely with ABC Fitness chief product officer Finn Hegarty in the new role, the company said. He’ll be based in Arlington, Virginia. 

“Mo brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to the fitness industry, leveraging his expertise in strategy, partnerships and technology, “ ABC Fitness CEO Bill Davis said of the appointment. “ABC Fitness is already helping over 30,000 fitness operators around the globe, and with Mo’s leadership, we will establish a strategic consulting practice that will help support our customer’s increasingly specialized needs and the wellness industry as a whole.”

Iqbal comes to ABC Fitness with high-level experience in digital innovation, consulting and entrepreneurship. He founded SweatWorks in 2012, a digital agency specializing in fitness technology that’s worked with top brands including EGYM, Flex and Pvolve.

Iqbal has served as the CEO of SweatWorks since founding the agency in 2012; he’ll now transition to a chairman role, advising SweatWorks on strategy and vision.

“There are only a few companies in the world I’d consider joining, and ABC Fitness was certainly at the top of that list,” Iqbal told ATN, praising the software firm for its large client roster of gyms and studios, and its commitment to establishing long-term partnerships with fitness operators.

In his early days on the job, Iqbal will focus on setting up the strategic consulting arm within ABC Fitness, with a particular eye on partnerships, M&A opportunities and driving innovation around AI. 

“ABC Fitness is going to be diving heavily into AI in various capacities,” Iqbal said. “We already have some good partners in the AI ecosystem, and AI is going to be something you’ll be seeing and hearing a lot from ABC Fitness over the next year.”

As fitness and wellness brands race to integrate AI into their digital offerings, Iqbal believes ABC Fitness has a leg up on the competition thanks to data – the software firm’s products serve around 40 million members and over 30,000 fitness businesses across the world. 

“In order to build truly good AI that’s structured in the right way, you need data,” Iqbal said. “The scale of ABC Fitness allows us to innovate in ways – especially leveraging AI – that no other company in our category can today.” 

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Five-time Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas has joined Amazfit, a global smart wearables brand under Zepp Health, as an ambassador through a four-year partnership.

She is one of several high-profile figures who have been named brand ambassadors in the health and wellness space recently, alongside model Ashley Graham for supplement gummy brand Olly and Super Bowl champion Cooper DeJean of the Philadelphia Eagles for Renpho, a recovery and wellness tech brand.

Thomas, a U.S. track and field athlete, will wear Amazfit smartwatches during training, competition, and sleep—tracking her recovery and sleep health while using the device’s analysis to enhance her performance.

“I’m really excited to partner with Amazfit because, for me, the little things make all the difference,” Thomas said. “As an athlete, this is the exact type of partnership that will help me continue to get better. It’s so important to have objective data on my body—whether it’s tracking my heart rate during a workout, seeing how well I’ve recovered, or understanding how much quality sleep I’m getting. Having a reliable smart wearable brand like Amazfit in my corner is a game-changer.”

Thomas will also collaborate with Amazfit’s development and design teams, providing insights and feedback on product features and styles.

She joins other Amazfit athletes, including Hyrox world champions Meg Jacoby and Hunter McIntyre, padel star Bea González, and Olympians Morgan Pearson (triathlon) and Yemaneberhan “Yeman” Crippa (5K & 10K).

Last fall, Hyrox announced a two-year partnership with Zepp Health, where Amazfit will serve as the competitive racing company’s official wearable and timekeeping partner and support its 300,000 athletes per season across the U.S. and Europe.

“We are honored to have Gabby join the Amazfit team,” Zepp Health founder and CEO Wayne Huang said. “Her remarkable athletic career and passion for style align closely with our mission to unlock the limits of human potential to ‘Discover Amazing.’ Through this partnership, we will continue to empower athletes to unleash their full potential by rewriting the record books utilizing our advanced smart wearables ecosystem.”

In addition to Amazfit’s product line of smartwatches, the wearable company also offers open-ear earbuds and the Helio Ring, a subscription-free wearable ring that tracks health metrics and recovery.

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For decades, the fitness industry operated under a well-known but counterintuitive model: expecting 70% to 80% of gym members who purchased a membership to rarely show up. Operators planned for this, forecasting attendance rates that assumed most members wouldn’t consistently engage.

But the landscape is shifting. A new generation — particularly Gen Z —  is upending expectations. They’re not just joining gyms; they’re using them. And they expect results, personalization, and innovation that evolves with their needs.

So, the challenge becomes: How do gyms shift their models to accommodate? How do operators design and manage spaces that engage people not just for weeks, but for years? How do they introduce training solutions that grow with each member’s fitness journey, adapting to their changing goals, lifestyles, and abilities?

Most gyms today simply aren’t built for this level of long-term personalization.

Meet EGYM Genius.

EGYM Genius is an unprecedented, AI-powered, adaptive workout platform that creates hyper-personalized workout plans, learning from each member’s progress over time.

By analyzing over 8 billion workout data points and 500 million assessment data points, EGYM Genius continuously refines training recommendations – bringing a level of intelligence, precision, and adaptability that has never existed in fitness.

With EGYM Genius, fitness isn’t just about getting people through the door. It’s about keeping them there — and keeping them committed —  for life.

The Impact of EGYM Genius: Transforming Fitness Engagement & Operations

Since its launch in October, EGYM Genius has been reshaping the way gyms engage members and operate efficiently. General Manager of EGYM North America, Dana Milkie says the response from both gym-goers and operators has been overwhelmingly positive, with early data already showcasing its ability to enhance retention, improve efficiency, and drive deeper member engagement.

“First, the ‘ah-ha’ has been around not just the level of personalization that Genius provides, but its ability to learn,” he explains. “Rather than following a static plan, users experience dynamic training programs that evolve in lockstep with them, creating a sense of progression and sustained motivation.”

This level of personalization has already contributed to a 10% reduction in churn among early adopters, proving that members who feel supported in their fitness journey are more likely to stay committed.

Second, gym operators and trainers see Genius as not just a tool for engagement but a powerful efficiency driver. “Traditionally, crafting personalized training plans for members could take up to 30 minutes or more per person and with Genius, that time is reduced to 10 minutes or less,” says Milkie. “With the help of Genius, trainers can pair their own expertise with the data and create better plans, faster.”

Additionally, the onboarding process for new members has become at least 20% faster, further streamlining productivity.

Beyond efficiency, Genius is also redefining how members interact with the gym floor. Instead of falling into the routine of using a single piece of equipment —  such as hopping on a treadmill for thirty minutes and then leaving —  members are being exposed to various workout modalities as their training plans evolve, including strength machines, free weights, cardio equipment, and more.

“The members who only stick to one routine are the most likely to churn,” Milkie explains. “Genius ensures they explore different areas of the gym, which we know creates stickiness.”

And last, Milkie points to differentiation as a significant benefit.

“Integrating AI-driven personalization in this way allows gyms to deliver cutting-edge fitness experiences that members can’t get at the competitor down the street.”

How Genius Stands Apart

One of Genius’s greatest strengths is its flexibility – it seamlessly integrates into various health and fitness club models.

• For staffed gyms, it acts as a powerful tool for trainers, enhancing efficiency and providing a structured baseline training plan that evolves as members evolve.
• For low- or no-staff facilities, it guides members through optimized workouts even when no trainer is present, creating a huge value-add for members.  

“It’s all about putting the member at the center of their fitness experience,” Milkie says. “Genius adapts to what the member needs.”

Unlike many fitness tech solutions, EGYM Genius is an operator-focused solution that enhances the in-gym experience.

“Our mission at EGYM is to help operators deliver the best version of their brand,” Milkie explains. “We aren’t here to pull members outside the gym; we’re here to make their gym experience smarter, more engaging, and results-driven.”

Beyond that, Genius caters to a broad fitness spectrum. Whether it’s beginners seeking guidance or experienced athletes looking for structured progression, the platform provides an intelligent, evolving fitness partner.

When asked how EGYM Genius fits into the future of connected fitness, Milkie says it’s poised to be the central hub that ties it all together.

“We’ve been very purposeful in building an open ecosystem,” Milkie says. “This allows us to seamlessly integrate with wearables, cardio machines, and strength equipment – even turning traditional equipment into smart, data-driven tools.”

For instance, if a beginner were told to begin a workout with dumbbell curls, he or she would likely not know how many reps to do, what weight to use or even what the correct form is.

Genius uses data to recommend ideal weight and rep counts, and even provides video tutorials to show the user exactly how each exercise is done. “It bridges the gap between traditional gym equipment and cutting-edge digital fitness,” says Milkie.

In the end, EGYM Genius is more than just AI-driven programming —  it’s a revolution in how fitness is delivered and experienced. With its ability to personalize, adapt, and integrate across gym operations, it sets a new benchmark for engagement, retention, and efficiency.

“This isn’t just an incremental improvement —  it’s a fundamental shift in how fitness is approached at the gym level,” Milkie concludes. “We’re not just keeping members coming back —  we’re redefining what a gym experience can be.”

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