Issue No. 326: Stay Ready

Movement health is misunderstood.

Affecting athletes and office workers alike, musculoskeletal (MSK) dysfunction runs rampant, yet approaches to exercise, injury prevention, and rehab have remained stagnant.

As AI-powered tech and mind-body science demystify biomechanics, movement health is nearing a paradigm shift, with implications for consumer fitness and wellness.

The Business of Movement Health

MSK companies have raised $4.2B+ over the past 15 years, with funding for digital solutions nearly doubling from ’23–’24.

But the opportunity in movement health stretches far beyond PT — spanning smart gear, performance analytics, regenerative medicine, new fitness modalities, and more.

From pelvic care to motion analysis and neuromuscular training, the industry is evolving.

What it means: Bridging mental and physical aspects of MSK function, an integrative movement health model could change how we think about exercise, recovery, and well-being for good.

Teaching somatic intelligence and kinesthetic literacy, next-gen solutions will reconnect consumers with their bodies. Meeting the moment, gyms, clinics, and trainers will leverage preventative monitoring tools to keep clients injury-free.

Why it matters: Affecting half of Americans, MSK issues are a $420B burden on our healthcare system — costing more than diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and any other chronic condition.

Supporting holistic well-being, MSK function is fundamental to healthspan, but Americans are losing the plot. Exercising too rigidly or not at all, obesity and injuries are mounting, along with unnecessary and expensive surgeries.

Looking ahead: More than max reps, the future of movement health revolves around fluidity, adaptability, and mind-body connection — training for life rather than training to train.

Read the full report → Why Movement Health Needs A New Model

The Class founder Taryn Toomey discusses designing a somatic exercise methodology.

Launched over a decade ago, The Class has evolved into a cult-favorite, cathartic workout combining sound, breath, and heart-opening practices for deeper connection to self.

We also cover: The Class’s digital platform evolution, balancing spiritual integrity with business growth, and returning to the founding vision.

Listen to today’s episode here.

💪 Life Time plans wellness super app

Upgrading its LT Digital app, the health club operator is becoming an integrated wellness platform.

Home screen. The free app delivers on-demand workouts, nutrition programs, meditation content, and wellness challenges. Already counting 1.7M non-club member users, Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi projects 3–4M total users by year-end and tens of millions within five years.

Pocket guide. Enhancing its digital ecosystem, its AI wellness companion L.AI.C (pronounced “lay-see”) will soon act as a specialized Life Time concierge — offering class recs, personalized workouts, health data tracking, and event registration from one central hub.

Add to cart. The app doubles as a storefront for Life Time’s LTH supplement line, which Akradi expects to be a $1B+ revenue business. Extending to other products, there’s potential for an expanded wellness marketplace.Power play. A tiered strategy, Life Time acquires non-members with free content to drive scale, while 812K club members access L.AI.C and gym perks — laying the foundation for a “super app” spanning fitness, education, supplements, and health tracking.

Punchline: Thinking beyond brick-and-mortar clubs, Akradi sees AI and supplements as integral to Life Time’s evolving ecosystem.

🛁 Bathe readies immersive bathhouse

The Austin-based social bathing concept will debut this April as a private club, ahead of a 2026 launch.

Texas two-step. A phased rollout, an outdoor garden featuring Harvia saunas, Fjord cold plunges, and heated soaks soft-opens this month.

Early next year, Bathe will complete its 11K-sq-ft development with in-ground mineral pools, event sauna, halotherapy salt cave, sound therapy beds, and spa treatments.

Otherworldly. Inspired by European sauna culture and Burning Man festival, co-founders Danyl and Lisa Magick envisioned an immersive, art- and plant-filled wellness experience.

Prohibiting phones and alcohol, Bathe opts for live DJ performances, nonalcoholic adaptogenic drinks, and health-focused eats.

Community-led. Social club members will vote on programming and modalities, while an open crowdfunding round will accelerate Austin’s completion and further expansion.

Punchline: Social wellness concepts are scaling fast, and consumers can’t get enough. As brands like Bathe scale up, bathhouses are having their boutique fitness moment.

📰 News & Notes

• Hinge Health files for IPO.
• Bandit plans LA running shop.
• Therme Group targets 10 US wellness resorts.
• Health data startups connect wearables, healthcare.
• Headspace pilots mental health program with US Navy.
• FluidLogic debuts smart hydration pack for action sports.
• Abbott launches prescription-free Lingo CGM on Amazon.
• Health & wellness PR agency Jack Taylor opens UK office.
• EGYM unveils smart squat machine, upgraded business suite.
• Technogym prioritizes preventative health, opens HQ in New Jersey.
• Startup Q&A: Steppin co-founder Paul English on social media addiction.
• Bodybuilding.com relaunches private-label supp brand with six new SKUs.
• STRONG Pilates accelerates US expansion with Momentic Studios partnership.
• Hiring? We can help. Connect with exceptional candidates from the Fitt community.

💰 Money Moves

US 🇺🇸 / Canada 🇨🇦

Junction (fka Vital), a health data interoperability platform, secured $18M in a Series A round led by Creandum.
More from Fitt Insider: Our conversation with Junction CEO Maitham Dib

Cold plunge and contrast therapy brand Plunge opened a community funding round.

Vori Health, a value-based MSK care platform, added $53M in a Series B led by NEA.

Better-for-you snack brand GoodSAM Foods secured $9M in a Series A round.

Ria Health, a care platform for those with alcohol use disorder, closed a Series B round.

Nervonik, makers of a chronic pain relief device, landed $13M in a Series A round.

Europe 🇪🇺

Citizens of Soil, maker of small-batch olive oil from regenerative farms, secured £1.8M ($2.3M) in a seed round.

Sugar, a health and fitness-focused social media platform, raised an undisclosed sum from FoodLabs, Giant Ventures, and Calm/Storm Ventures.

UK-based better-for-you energy drink maker MISSION raised £2M ($2.58M) from F1 driver Pierre Gasly and others.

Pelotan, makers of sunscreen for endurance athletes, secured over £120K ($155K) in crowdfunding.

German mental health platform HelloBetter secured €6M ($6.5M) in financing led by Mutuelles Impact and will enter France.

German club operator LifeFit Group acquired Munich-based premium gym Sports & Health, rebranding it to Fitness First BLACK.

Asia 🌏

Indian wellness and beauty brand Beautywise raised Rs 3 crore ($345K) from boAt co-founder Aman Gupta on Shark Tank India.

Indian ayurvedic skincare brand indē wild secures $5M in a round led by Unilever Ventures.

Snap Fitness parent company Lift Brands reacquired the master franchise for Snap Fitness in the UAE.

Australia 🇦🇺 / New Zealand 🇳🇿

Australian corporate well-being platform Sonder raised A$40M ($25M) in a round led by Blackbird and SEEK.

Latin America 🌎

Brazil’s Sunrize, maker of plant-based protein supplements, raised R$2.5M ($433K) and will open brick-and-mortar cafes.

Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Anthony Vennare, Joe Vennare, Ryan Deer, and Jasmina Breen.