From wellness spas, stress-relief music, neurofeedback wearables and smart home devices, non-invasive mental health treatments offer new options for consumers

The phrase “mental health is health” has become prevalent in the post-pandemic era. While talk therapy platforms may have transformed greater accessibility to seeking treatment, emerging in-person experiences and advanced technology are making it easier than ever to tune into the mind.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), mental illnesses are one of the most common health conditions in the U.S., with more than one in five adults living with a mental illness. Certain mental health conditions can also negatively impact physical health — such as depression increasing the risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Luckily, public figures have contributed to the destigmatization of mental health  by sharing their personal struggles or becoming the face of mental wellness platforms, as seen with Olympians Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, singer Selena Gomez and rapper Megan Thee Stallion. 

The topic of mental health has also evolved from a rarely-discussed subject to a leading corporate wellness offering, with platforms like Wellhub providing employees with access to mental well-being apps. Fitness brands, such as CorePower Yoga, have also brought attention to mental health.

The growing wellness landscape has become an ideal fit for mental health services and products that take a holistic, non-invasive approach — and the possibilities appear endless.

Centers for Healing

California-based Neuro Wellness Spa, a mental health clinic with a spa-like atmosphere, has just opened its tenth location in the Los Angeles area.

The clinic’s co-founder, Dr. Martha Koo, says Neuro Wellness Spa is more than a medical clinic but a sanctuary for patients seeking advanced, personalized and non-invasive mental health treatments. 

The clinic offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (TMS), a non-drug and FDA-cleared neuromodulation treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses for those suffering from depression, anxiety and OCD, psychiatric assessments and tailored treatment plans, talk-based therapy and medication management. There’s also an emphasis on creating a tranquil setting with aromatherapy and calming spaces.

credit: Neuro Wellness Spa

“Our goal is to provide a comprehensive approach to psychiatry that combines the latest evidence-based advancements with a focus on holistic wellness and individualized care,” Dr. Koo said.

While Neuro Wellness Spa caters to a wide demographic, others are targeting high earners. Highlands Recovery opened this year in Australia as a luxury program for CEOs, celebrities, athletes and politicians to receive treatment in a private setting.

“As incredible as this may seem, this is an under-serviced area of the market,” Highlands Recovery’s clinical director, Resh Joseph, told Athletech News. “Some of (the) needs of high-net-worth individuals are quite different from other areas of society, and some of those needs can be a real challenge for an organization to meet. What we have done at Highlands Recovery is to create an organization that is supple and expansive enough to wrap around the unique set of needs that such individuals have.”

Canyon Ranch, which just debuted a new $20,000 longevity-focused stay at its Tucson resort, has integrated mental health into its four-day program, which includes a private mind-body practice and sessions with mental health, wellness and spiritual therapists.

Sounds like Healing

In addition to in-person mental health treatment, wellness music has emerged as a new way to encourage mental well-being.

Sensate, a personal wellness tech startup centered on stress regulation, partnered this month with Frank Fitzpatrick, Apple’s former music and health specialist and a Grammy-nominated producer, to unveil music that enhances well-being. The collaboration will bring two calming tracks released exclusively on Sensate’s app before joining Spotify.

“Our collaboration with Frank Fitzpatrick exemplifies our mission to offer our users unparalleled wellness experiences through innovative music and technology,” Sensate CEO Anna Gudmundson said. The startup has raised $3 million since its launch and includes venture capital investors TenOneTen and Unlock.

credit: Park City Song Summit

Using music as a bridge to discuss mental health is also the foundation of Park City Song Summit, a Utah music festival that headlines wellness and recovery. The event offers concertgoers “recovery hangs,” meditation, yoga sessions, biking, guided hikes and other wellness activities.

“We’re contributing to a new way of looking at artists, at our audience, [and] embracing de-stigmatization of mental health,” Park City Song Summit founder Ben Anderson told Rolling Stone.

Wearables for Mental Health

Wearable tech is no longer reserved for fitness trackers and CGM monitors, but also mental health and improved performance. 

Alphabeats, makers of a neurotech wearable with two former Spotify executives on board, have created an EEG headband that helps people easily enter a flow state. While beneficial for creativity, recovery and focus, the mind training technology also improves reaction time and motor coordination, making it ideal for athletes. This month, the startup launched a mental fitness initiative with USA Triathlon’s Project Podium to help train top athletes with its neurofeedback technology over a three-month period. 

“Mental resilience is a crucial component of triathlon success, especially at the elite level,” Project Podium head coach Parker Spencer said. “We look forward to seeing how our athletes can benefit from Alphabeats’ technology in areas like focus, recovery and overall mental preparation.”

Another wearable, Apollo, promises to calm the mind, improve sleep, reduce stress and boost productivity and mood by using calming vibrations that align with the nervous system. The device also employs a proprietary AI platform that analyzes health data such as sleep quality, stress levels, HRV and heart rate to create a personalized stress-relief plan for users.

credit: Apollo

Created by neuroscientists and physicians, the wearable wellness tech company recently announced a business division for pro and college sports teams, healthcare organizations, the military and more.

“While wearables have been available through managed healthcare plans for organizations, the data alone doesn’t improve health outcomes,” Apollo Neuroscience CEO and co-founder Kathryn Fantauzzi said. “With our Apollo for Business program, we’re able to provide a mental health and wellness tool that proactively improves sleep and lowers stress, helping teams feel more rested and focused.”

Smart Home Devices, Improved Mental Health

Mental health devices could also soon become part of home decor. Earlier this year, health tech company Baracoda introduced BMind, an AI-powered smart mirror that identifies mood and provides exercise and activity recommendations for those who gaze into the device.

credit: Baracoda

The mirror uses AI and language processing to analyze facial expressions and voice tones before adapting to an individual’s needs with light therapy, self-affirmations and guided meditations.

“Technology that can monitor for subtle changes in health has the potential of improving the quality of millions of lives,” Baracoda CEO Thomas Serval said. “Our mental state exerts a strong effect on our sense of physical well-being. Including mood in our daily wellness check-ins creates a fuller picture that represents a powerful step toward redefining preventative health.”

The post Mental Health Goes Mainstream in the Age of Wellness   appeared first on Athletech News.

Elevate bodybuilding from routine to remarkable, ensuring every workout translates into tangible gains.

In the competitive world of bodybuilding, the quest for sculpted physiques drives people to push their limits. However, the cornerstone of athletic progress often gets overshadowed—recovery. 

Understanding and implementing effective recovery strategies is key, transcending the simplistic equation that more training yields better outcomes.

This common misconception not only stalls progress but can also kickstart a counterproductive cycle of overtraining and injury, derailing ambitions and hard work. Recovery is where the magic of bodybuilding truly happens. 

By shifting the focus from the quantity of training to the quality of down time, personal trainers can help bodybuilders unlock their true potential, achieving aesthetic goals alongside improved strength and endurance.

Bodybuilding Muscle Repair and Growth

The muscle recovery and growth process is a fundamental aspect of bodybuilding. Understanding the science behind muscle repair and how the body responds to various recovery techniques can empower clients and trainers.

Muscle growth, or hypertrophy, occurs as a result of the body repairing the microtears in muscle fibers caused by intense weight training. This process is known as muscle protein synthesis, where the body uses amino acids to repair and build muscle fibers, making them stronger and larger than before. 

The role of rest in this process is crucial; without adequate recovery time, the body cannot complete the necessary repairs, potentially leading to overtraining and injury rather than muscle growth. Studies have shown that for optimal hypertrophy, muscle groups should be allowed 48 to 72 hours of rest post-workout.

credit: Jacob Lund/shutterstock.com

Physiological Response to Recovery Techniques

The body’s response to recovery techniques varies, but the aim is to accelerate the repair process, reduce muscle soreness and enhance overall performance. Here’s how the body responds to some commonly used recovery methods:

Cryotherapy: Exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for a short period can reduce inflammation and muscle soreness. A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that cryotherapy can significantly reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

Compression Therapy: Compression garments have been shown to aid in recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage by potentially improving the rate of muscle function recovery and reducing the severity of delayed onset muscle soreness. This suggests that wearing compression garments may enhance blood circulation, facilitate the removal of waste products like lactic acid from muscle tissues, reduce muscle soreness, and expedite the recovery process.

Contrast Water Therapy: Alternating between hot and cold water baths can help in reducing muscle soreness and improving recovery. This technique is believed to work by causing the blood vessels to alternately dilate and constrict, enhancing blood flow and helping in the removal of waste products. Research has found that contrast water therapy to be effective in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Red Light Therapy: Red light therapy helps in significantly lowering inflammation markers such as creatine kinase, which is often elevated after strenuous muscle activities typical in strength training. This suggests quicker muscle recovery and reduced muscle damage.

Infrared Sauna: Infrared saunas use light to create heat, penetrating deeper into the tissues than the warm air of a traditional sauna. This deeper penetration can enhance muscle relaxation and recovery by increasing circulation and promoting the removal of toxins from the body. The heat from an infrared sauna can also lead to a slight increase in heart rate and sweating, similar to the effects of a mild workout, which can further aid in recovery by promoting cardiovascular health.

Incorporating a scientifically backed recovery strategy into a program is as crucial as the training itself for achieving bodybuilding success.

credit: Xponential Fitness

Bodybuilding and Injury Prevention

Gains don’t come as quickly when dealing with nagging injuries. Injury prevention, therefore, is a critical component of a good bodybuilding program. Implementing effective strategies can help avoid setbacks and maintain a consistent training schedule. Here’s a closer look at four key strategies:

Proper Warm-up Routines

Studies have shown that dynamic warm-ups can improve performance and reduce injury risk by preparing the body both physically and mentally for the demands of the workout ahead. Dynamic warm-ups increase blood flow, enhance flexibility and activate the nervous system – reducing the risk of strains and sprains. 

Strength and Flexibility Balance

Achieving a balance between strength and flexibility is key in preventing injuries. While strength training increases muscle mass and power, incorporating flexibility exercises, such as stretching and yoga, ensures that muscles and joints retain their full range of motion. 

This balance helps prevent strains and injuries by ensuring that muscles can withstand the stresses placed on them during lifting. Research indicates that athletes who maintain an optimal balance between strength and flexibility are less likely to get injured.

Technique Refinement

Continuous refinement of exercise techniques can stave off overuse injuries. By focusing on proper form, bodybuilders can ensure that they are engaging the correct muscle groups and distributing stress evenly, minimizing risk. 

Additionally, working with a knowledgeable coach or trainer can provide valuable feedback, correcting form issues before they lead to injury. Studies stress the importance of technique (particularly proper core bracing and training) in reducing the incidence of overuse injuries and enhancing overall training effectiveness.

Periodization Training

Periodization training involves systematically varying the intensity and volume of workouts over specific time periods. This approach helps prevent overtraining by ensuring that the body is not subjected to constant, unvarying stress. 

Through periodization, trainers can plan phases of higher intensity and volume with phases of lower intensity and recovery, allowing muscles time to recuperate and adapt. Research supports the use of periodization in improving performance outcomes, making it a valuable strategy for long-term training success.

credit: Foodie Factor from Pexels

Integrating Recovery into Training Programs

Incorporating active recovery days into training programs is vital for muscle repair and overall well-being. Examples include light jogging, swimming, yoga or walking. These activities help in flushing out toxins, reducing soreness and promoting flexibility. 

Fitness technology aids in recovery as well. Devices that track heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality and activity levels give real-time insights into the body’s readiness for training. By analyzing these recovery markers, personal trainers can tailor workout intensity and duration to optimize training. 

Finally, nutrition plays a very important role in muscle repair and recovery. Key nutrients, such as protein for muscle repair, carbohydrates for energy replenishment, and omega-3 fatty acids for reducing inflammation, are helpful. 

Jessica Issacs, a registered dietitian who specializes in performance nutrition for elite athletes, says to optimize recovery and prepare for your next workout, remember the three Rs: Repair, Refuel and Rehydrate. 

“Repair muscles with at least 10 grams of leucine-rich protein, aiming for 15-20 grams total,” she says. “ Refuel with a 3:1 ratio of carbs to protein, translating to 45-60 grams of carbs if you’re consuming 15-20 grams of protein. Finally, rehydrate by replacing the fluids and electrolytes lost during exercise.”

Miss these, Issacs says, and you risk increased fatigue, soreness and subpar performance.

A Stronger Body

Recovery is not just a passive phase in the bodybuilding journey; it’s an active component of training that enhances performance, prevents injuries and secures progress. By prioritizing recovery, personal trainers ensure their clients achieve their fitness goals safely and sustainably. This holistic approach to training and recovery maximizes performance and fosters a healthy, balanced result.

The post Bodybuilding: Recovery & Injury Prevention Beyond Rest Days appeared first on Athletech News.

Fit Bike offers fitness professionals a tool to enhance client engagement and motivation through advanced technology and immersive, game-driven workouts.

The Aviron Fit Bike isn’t a typical stationary bike. It’s part of Aviron’s strategy to redefine at-home fitness by incorporating gaming into the workout process. Unlike standard exercise bikes, the Fit Bike allows users to participate in multiplayer games, live races and guided scenic rides—all designed to keep them motivated and entertained.

“The Aviron Fit Bike is about more than just adding another piece of equipment to your home gym,” says Andy Hoang, CEO and Founder of Aviron. “We’re transforming the way people approach their workouts by making them fun and engaging. This is fitness that you’ll actually look forward to.”

What’s New?

One of the standout features of the Aviron Fit Bike is its advanced electromagnetic resistance system, which offers 160 levels of resistance. The bike’s freewheel design mimics the feel of outdoor cycling, so users will have a more authentic riding experience. This design allows for more realistic and varied training sessions, which can enhance a client’s workout experience by simulating real-world cycling conditions. There’s also a 22-inch HD screen with front-facing speakers and a camera.

The Fit Bike also prioritizes comfort, with a four-way adjustable seat, six-way adjustable handlebars, and a reinforced steel frame that supports up to 350 pounds. This makes it an inclusive option for fitness professionals working with diverse client bases.

Credit: Aviron

The launch of the Aviron Fit Bike comes at a time when the home fitness market is more crowded than ever. According to the Global Home Fitness Equipment Market Outlook, the global home fitness equipment market is projected to achieve a substantial multimillion-dollar valuation by 2032, demonstrating an unexpected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) throughout the forecast period of 2024-2032, when compared to data from 2018 to 2023.

The Aviron Fit Bike is straightforward to set up, with a 20-minute assembly time, and comes with a 10-year frame warranty. It has a compact design that fits well in smaller spaces. Additional accessories, such as a resistance control remote, a more comfortable seat, a mat, dumbbells, and clip-in pedals, are available to customize the bike for different user preferences.

See also: IKEA Enters Fitness With At-Home Workout Collection

The post Game-Driven Cycling: Aviron Fit Bike Brings Immersive Training to Home Fitness appeared first on Athletech News.

From Lawyer to The Little Gym, one Franchisee tells her story of building a career and a community

After graduating from New York Law School, Danielle Sporcic, driven and ambitious, began a career in the securities regulation industry. However, after becoming pregnant and giving birth to her son, her perspective on her future drastically shifted. During her maternity leave, she realized she no longer wanted to return to a job that would keep her away from her family for long hours each day.

Meanwhile, she attended a Mommy and Me class with her infant and had an epiphany. She thought to herself, “I can do this better.”

She went on to sign her son up for multiple children’s fitness and activities events to check them out, and the idea took hold. She wanted to bring something to her community that would help children learn, move, express themselves and become well-rounded individuals.

Having been a competitive cheerleader most of her life, she remembered that a teammate’s parents were Little Gym owners. She reached out and the communication with them sealed the deal.

“They are such a great example of what The Little Gym is – a business filled with love and families and community. As a new mom, I knew I wanted to be a part of that, and the Little Gym eventually became my village.”

She signed a franchise agreement in 2018 to open a location in Jersey City, New Jersey, and would come to realize that beyond nurturing children, she’d also be providing meaningful work and ‘adventures’ for her team and joining a vast and supportive network of business owners – the Little Gym Family – who would always be there for her.

Why The Little Gym?

When asked why she chose The Little Gym versus other franchise opportunities, Sporcic says there was never really a decision to be made after trying the other options.

“There was a huge difference to me between The Little Gym experience and all the others,” she said. “As someone who did competitive sports, I wanted to work within an environment where kids are free to express themselves and learn through movement, interaction and play. That’s the magic of The Little Gym.”

Upon opening in the Spring of 2019, the business quickly became profitable and the location was on track to become the fastest-growing franchise at that time. And then COVID hit.

“I felt devastated, but the corporate office was amazing, and the franchisees came together and we pivoted and we got through it by implementing creative ways of doing things,” she said. “I can’t imagine starting a new business and not having that support, and the pure professionalism in how it was handled.”

Another reason Sporcic chose The Little Gym and what sets it apart is the diversity in programming.

“Beyond the classes, The Little Gym offers camps, Birthday parties, monthly themes, story times and more,” she said. “It allows us to get creative as a team and find fun ways to make memorable moments for our community. On the business side, it’s also an opportunity to create more revenue streams.”

credit: The Little Gym/ Danielle Sporcic

Now, with six years under her belt and a second child, Sporcic says that The Little Gym franchise ownership has ultimately given her the freedom to be with her family and kids more.

“I have the flexibility to volunteer at the kid’s school, attend events and so forth,” she said. “Beyond that, my kids love The Little Gym and it’s an amazing environment for them to grow up in.”

Doubling Down

If actions speak louder than words, Sporcic’s prove that she’s happy being a franchise owner, as she’s about to open her second location with a partner who is a long-time Director of another Little Gym location in New Jersey.

“My family eventually moved to Floham Park and I realized there is nothing in the area  for children like The Little Gym,” said Sporcic. “So starting one there became a no-brainer.”

The new space features two gyms versus one and Sporcic sees great opportunity in this.

“I can maximize the weekends and run multiple types of programming at once,” she said.

She also says the partnership serves to underscore The Little Gym culture.

“My partner in this venture has worked with The Little Gym for a long time and has a lot of love for the brand, as most team members and me,” she said. “The fact that she has developed the desire to own a franchise after being a long-time employee speaks volumes and I’m thrilled to have this unique opportunity to build something great together.”

When asked what advice she has for those looking to develop a children’s gym business, she responds with three things.

“First you have to love kids and want to be a part of this magical thing that allows you to help children master physical, emotional and life skills,” she says.

credit: The Little Gym/ Danielle Sporcic

“Next, this is a relationships business and you need to build a community and also team culture, she goes on to say. “I taught classes for the first nine months and was working full-time developing the business for a year. Now I have been able to take a step back a bit.”

“And lastly, have fun,” she says. “Make it a home away from home for the kids and the team and the community. I’ve had kids ask if the staff sleeps here, which makes me giggle and warms my heart to know that we provide such a comfortable space.”

What’s been the most rewarding aspect for her? Beyond the growth of the business, it’s the kid’s growth.

“It really is amazing to see kids growing over the years and building their confidence in our classes,” she said. “Becoming independent and not afraid to take risks and learn new things. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their development benefit so much from our classes.” 

In the end, Sporcic says what has made the biggest impact on her life is the huge family she’s gained as a Little Gym Franchisee.

“It’s hard to put into words just how supportive this network is,” she says. “It’s what makes the business so successful, and also ultimately makes my life more meaningful.”

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