Seattle startup Katalyst has raised $5.6 million for an at-home workout experience that uses full-body electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), a training technique that’s popular in countries such as Germany, Japan and Brazil. The round was led by London-based investor Octopus Ventures, whose partner Jo Oliver sits on the startup’s board. Katalyst’s business model is similar Peloton, the maker of virtual spin classes and fancy stationary bikes that went public in September. Like Peloton, Katalyst will sell high-end hardware and a subscription to on-demand virtual workouts. But instead of guiding you on a bike ride, Katalyst will gently electrocute your muscles… Read More
After two hours of pickup basketball the previous evening, I woke up on Friday morning last week feeling pretty sore. It was the perfect segue into my next story assignment: trying out Stretch 22, a new Seattle startup that promises to make you feel better with “stretch therapy.” Indeed, after a 25-minute lower body session with Stretch 22 co-founder Ja’Warren Hooker, I felt a little looser, a little lighter, and ready to ball out again. But are these new stretch studios, part of what The New York Times described last year as the “next fitness fad,” worth the cost? At least one big… Read More
Stanford geneticist Michael Snyder’s research into wearable biosensors has turned into a case study demonstrating the promise of predictive medicine – with Snyder as the star subject. Snyder had himself and 59 other people hooked up with an array of up to seven biosensors that are designed to monitor heart rate, skin temperature, oxygen uptake, body activity and other health metrics. The continuous sensor readings were supplemented by periodic lab tests, focusing on factors ranging from blood chemistry to gene expression. It’s similar to the personalized approach to wellness that’s being pioneered by Seattle-based Arivale. “We want to study people at… Read More
