Fireside Chat: ASENSEI’s Steven Webster, PowerBlock’s Mattson Towley on the World’s Smartest Dumbbells

ASENSEI and PowerBlock joined forces to add real-time weight recognition, rep counting and form feedback to adjustable dumbbells

In this latest “Fireside Chat” video, ASENSEI Founder Steven Webster and PowerBlock CEO Mattson Towley join Athletech News Founder and CEO Edward Hertzman to discuss their new partnership, which promises to take dumbbell training to new heights through real-time weight recognition, rep counting and form feedback.

Webster, Towley and Hertzman talk about the importance of using tech to upgrade fitness products without changing what already works. They also discuss how to keep purchases from being “one and done,” the importance of customization, specifically in strength training, and why the “death” of connected fitness has been greatly exaggerated. Watch the full interview for expert commentary on the following:

• How to turn the smartphone into a scale
• Democratizing strength training
• Why connected fitness is becoming just “fitness”

Key Talking Points:

• (0:00 – 1:42) Introductions
• (1:42 – 4:09) Why ASENSEI and PowerBlock work together
• (4:09 – 8:03) The technology behind the partnership
• (8:03 – 11:46) Upgrading dumbbells, not reinventing them
• (11:46 – 16:33) Engagement via results and progression
• (16:33 – 20:00) The importance of personalization 
• (20:00 – 26:00) Why connected fitness is alive and well