Eigen Fitness is launching AI-powered wearables called Nodes to help gym users measure their weight training progress. The launch comes as tech companies that have previously focused on tracking cardio workouts turn their attention to the strength training market.
The startup will open an Indiegogo campaign in early 2023 where the team is expecting to achieve CAN$20,000 of preorders in 30 days.
The coin-sized Nodes measure rep count, power output, velocity, ROM (Range of Motion), tempo and rep variation in real-time and issue haptic alerts to signal risk of injury. The AI analyses lifting patterns to determine the ideal, safe weight for the next set with results and progress presented to the user in an accompanying app.
“As a long-distance runner, I love that my Apple Watch tells me not only how far I’ve run, but also my pace, stride length, cadence, and heart rate, and if I’m improving or not,” said Connor Holowachuk, co-founder and CEO of Eigen Fitness. “But if I’m working out hard in the gym, how do I measure my performance? Whether I’m an Olympic lifter, or I just started lifting weights, how do I know if I’ve improved since last week? That’s where Nodes come in.”
Nodes are initially aimed at gym-going consumers – but they also tie in with the hybrid fitness trend allowing users to compare their form remotely to an instructor’s during a live or on-demand workout.
The company is planning to target other sectors in the future – the next being personal trainers and coaches, for virtual and in-person sessions. “We worked with 12 elite personal trainers in Vancouver to develop competitive training software which allows coaches and trainers to easily manage clients, while measuring important lifting metrics from the Nodes,” said Holowachuk. “Our long-term goal is to grow within the personal training market, on top of direct to consumers, assisting trainers to better measure their client’s performance and craft programmes accordingly.”
Nodes can also help physiotherapists assess a client’s progress by measuring joint angles, stretch and exercise form, as well as evaluating overall mobility. They are also suitable for supporting professional sports teams.
The wearables have been designed to minimise usage friction – for example, sets are recorded by one tap of a Node, which is detected by an internal touch sensor. The team is currently developing a ‘lift detect’ feature, which will automatically start recording when the user starts lifting and end when they finish.
Users attach Nodes with adjustable velcro bands that feature a proprietary magnetic locking system. High-grade glass-reinforced nylon helps them to withstand “drops and dings” and two hours of charge gives five hours of battery life. Sets of three, five or nine can be charged, stored and carried in the Node Charger.
Following the Indiegogo campaign, Eigen Fitness will start a pre-seed round of CAN$500k, targeting angel investors and pre-seed funds within Canada, the US and the UK. “We’ve seen a giant demand for this product in the US, Australia, and India, and will be promoting Nodes there as well,” said Holowachuk.
Eigen Fitness Nodes are currently available for pre-order starting at CAN$19.95, which enrols athletes in the six-month basic membership and comes with three Nodes, the Node charger, three straps and the Eigen Fit mobile app. Intermediate and advanced membership options are also available, which come with five and nine Nodes (CAN$31.95 and CAN$42.95 respectively).
The company was co-founded by Connor Holowachuk and Zach Higgins.
