4 minute read

Balanced: The Health start-up secured $6.5 Million for senior fitness

February 15, 2022

Introduction:

Because of the Pandemic, digital and virtual platforms have grown and developed. One example is virtual health and wellness platforms, which allow people to keep track of their health and fitness from the comfort of their own homes. We may be familiar with the names of numerous apps and virtual platforms that track the health and fitness of younger or possibly middle-aged generations, but there are very few such applications that focus on the well-being of older generations and have personalized plans to help them with their physical and mental health well being. The wait is over because this article only discusses one such fitness app that does not overlook seniors. Let’s get into the specifics of this health tech startup.

The relation of Fitness and Aging:

According to the theory, fitness has nothing to do with age. One can be fit and healthy at any age, whether 16 or 56, or 86. But, in practice, is this true? Are people paying attention to this? We believe that the relationship between fitness and aging is not so sweet because of some false beliefs about them. As a result, one should seek information and professional assistance to break the chains between health and old age. With the proper guidance and personalized exercise and diet plans, anyone can eventually achieve their goal of becoming healthy and fit. We can modernize workouts and health for older adults by using apps that focus on seniors’ lifestyles and well-being.

Balanced- The Senior Focused Digital Fitness:

Balanced, a digital fitness app for older adults, has received $6.5 million in seed funding from Founders Fund and Primary Venture Partners. We define seed funding as money used to start a business or a start-up. Seed funding means investment by family members, friends, and angel investors in exchange for a stake in the company.

For a $20 monthly subscription, this digital fitness app offers live and on-demand fitness classes, whether cardio dancing or streaming the training, everything tailored to seniors. The app asks general questions such as your information, weight history, health conditions, injuries, personal goals, and workout preferences. After answering them, one can receive personalized programs based on their health and fitness. Unlike antiquated programming aimed at adults in their golden years, Balanced provides a modern community with motivating content from energetic trainers who are well-trained to keep their bodies moving.

This platform considers everyone is unique and the bodies of older adults move differently than those of younger people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CEO Katie Reed and co-founder Kelly Froelich noticed a variety of digital-first workout options, but many were focused on general or high-performance workouts.

Those fitness options aren’t suitable for everyone. “‘Fitness for older adults,’ I used to say. This isn’t senior fitness. It’s not a matter of age, “Reed stated. “It’s just about the modifications someone requires because older adults have a diverse profile: they’ve accrued chronic conditions, injuries, and surgeries, all of which simply necessitate a different type of workout.”

With the additional funding, this startup intends to hire more trainers and, as a result, create more fitness content so that the recommendations for users can be made more personalized. After bringing Balanced out of beta in November, Reed stated that they would initially offer this digital platform to consumers directly, but that they hoped to eventually partner with Medicare Advantage Platforms. They intend to pursue those partnerships now that the platform is operational.

“Our product is now available. We’re getting responses. We’re constantly improving our classes based on content, length, and the type of trainer who resonates with our audience “She stated. “And now it’s time to start scaling it up so that older adults don’t have to pay out of pocket to keep their health.”

Everyone wishes to age gracefully, in good health, and in good shape. As a result, digital platforms such as Balanced or workout classes and fitness bands by Amazon or Bold, a digital health and wellness community for seniors, or Rosita Longevity, a healthy lifestyle app for seniors, among others, have undoubtedly brought about a change in the fitness world, particularly for older adults, which was not well-developed before the pandemic.

As a result, the $6.5 million in seed funding for Balanced will help achieve the goal of fitness in older adults, as well as the goal of establishing partnerships with Medicare Advantage organizations and risk-bearing providers, which will help make their exercise programs available to users for free.

Conclusion and Take Home Message:

As a result, we can safely conclude that the era of neglecting or un-tapping older adults in the world of fitness has officially come to an end. Balanced, without a doubt, instills hope in adults and makes them feel observed and addressed.

Myths and false news about the relationship between age and fitness will be easily busted now, and thus the goal of aging well according to your lifestyle will no longer be unattainable.

Finally, if you know what you want, if you know your health and health problems well if you know how much you can and should push yourself if you are well aware of your well being and risk factors, consequences, and results, then platforms like Balanced will be a helpful factor in achieving your fitness goals.

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