Kabata Sets Price for AI-Powered Dumbbells, Plans To Ship This Year
Capitalizing on the twin trends of AI in fitness and the rise of strength training, Kabata is looking to reinvent one of the oldest – and most trustworthy – pieces of workout equipment
Kabata, a fitness tech company that’s raised $5 million for adjustable dumbbells that use artificial intelligence (AI) to track reps and analyze form, has set an aggressive new pricing strategy as it plans to begin shipping its inaugural product later this year.
Through a campaign set to launch on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo this Wednesday, customers can purchase a set of Kabata dumbbells for just $599. Once the early-bird campaign period ends in four weeks, the dumbbells will retail for $999.
Customers who put down a deposit ($59) during the campaign period will also receive one year of complimentary access to the Kabata app, which offers personalized strength training programs in conjunction with the dumbbells. Those who already put down a $59 deposit before the campaign opened will receive free lifetime access to the app.
However, the Los Angeles-based company says that if the campaign tops $1 million in sales, everyone who places a pre-order will receive free lifetime access to the app, including those who purchase through Indiegogo.
Those who already placed their dumbbell pre-orders on the Kabata website will be grandfathered into the $599 special pricing, the brand adds. The early-bird pricing had previously been set at $799.
“Launching our first crowdfunding campaign is an exciting milestone for Kabata,” said Kareem Aly, co-founder and CEO of Kabata. “Making our unique platform available to more people to understand the benefits of strength training, while taking the guesswork out to maximize results quickly and more efficiently, is what’s unique to Kabata.”
Capitalizing on the twin trends of AI in fitness and the rise of strength training, Kabata raised $5 million in May in a pre-seed funding round led by Menlo Ventures with participation from Courtside Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners, Wildcard Ventures, MVP Ventures, AIR Ventures, Alumni Ventures and former NBA player Zaza Pachulia.
Kabata offers a set of adjustable dumbbells (between 5-60 lbs on each side) that uses AI to count reps, track velocity and analyze form in real-time. The dumbbells send haptic feedback to users as they’re performing movements, vibrating as sets and reps are completed or if a form correction is required.
With the Kabata app, users get access to personalized strength training programs that adapt over time as they use the dumbbells. The app also tracks advanced metrics like velocity and symmetry, giving users unique insights into their strength training performance.
According to Kabata, it offers the world’s first AI-powered dumbbells. Aly has told Athletech News that the dumbbells took several years of rigorous research and development to bring to market.
“Not only are dumbbells statistically the most used piece of fitness equipment, they are also arguably the most recognizable and iconic to strength training – yet they’ve remained the same for decades,” Aly said following the funding round in May. “In my experience as a personal trainer, I see more people starting to understand the benefits of strength training and wanting to incorporate it into their routines, but it’s often difficult to get started.”
Kabata says it expects to begin shipping its smart dumbbells this December. Shipping will be available in the United States, Canada and select international countries, according to the brand.