In alignment with the trend toward
digital fitness, many cult-favorite boutique spots—like
Pure Barre and cult-fave AKT—have made it possible to train at home for all those moments when there's just no time to make a studio visit for a much-needed sweat sesh. Even
ClassPass is onboard. And now Aaptiv, one of the highest ranked online fitness apps, is about to make at-home workouts even better using a $22 million investment from big-name companies.
Aaptiv recently raised the major Series C funding from a slew of investors, including the Amazon Alexa Fund and Disney, according to a press release. This puts the app's total funding at more than $52 million—and it's no wonder those super investors are so interested. The trainer-led audio workouts have skyrocketed to popularity since the app's 2016 launch; its fitness classes have been streamed more than 14 million times. What's especially notable about this latest investment, though, is that it will likely lead to exciting fitness developments with Amazon and Disney.
Voice-based training tie-ins with Amazon's Alexa and Echo devices are expected, and there's potential for including the fitness options in the Amazon Prime membership.
Having a relationship with Disney means Aaptiv will get access to the company's significant resources, particularly on the creative front, according to WellToDo. Also, exciting voice-based training tie-ins with Amazon's Alexa and Echo devices are expected, and there's potential for including the fitness options in the Amazon Prime membership. (As if you needed yet another reason to invest in the subscription.) "Connected fitness is emerging as a compelling new domain for consumers. We’re excited about Aaptiv’s voice-first approach to personal training and look forward to helping them explore innovative ways to bring that experience to Alexa," says Paul Bernard, director of Amazon’s Alexa Fund.
In other words, it may not be long before your go-to personal trainer is none other than Alexa. Let's just hope she's just as good at guiding you through a HIIT routine as she is talking you through your favorite recipes and brewing your morning cup of coffee.
Here's everything you should know about Peloton's new app. Or, find out what fitness studios of the future could be like.
