Patient invents an innovative workout machine to stay in shape when time is short

Aly Orady graduated from college at 19 and pursued a successful career in tech but he was neglecting his health. Aly developed type 2 diabetes and was suffering from sleep apnea. After he reached a breaking point, in 2013 he quit his job to focus on his health. He started by losing weight, in nine months he lost 70 pounds. "It transformed my life in more ways than I could ever explain," Aly says. When it was time to go back to work, he had to find a balance between his working out schedule and his job, that is when, in 2015, he came up with the idea of Tonal.

Tonal is a fitness machine that can be hanged on the wall in the house, it does not use physical weights. The resistance is managed through algorithms. Compared to other products in the market that mostly focus on cardio training, “We're the only ones doing any sort of connected fitness with strength training," Aly says.

The machine offers on-screen coaching through pre-recorded videos and motivational instructions. The workouts are based on a first 10-minute assessment and the person’s goals (build muscle, lose weight, etc.). The main innovative feature of Tonal is the electromagnetic resistance, controlled by algorithms, that adjust itself based on the ease or struggle the person is feeling.

Aly’s startup is still in a launch phase shipping in the Bay area, but he has been thinking about a nationwide expansion. "If I had this five years ago, I might never have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I might never had been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I might not have had to quit my job. It would have given me everything I needed."

Adapted from: https://www.inc.com/kevin-j-ryan/founder-invents-digital-weight-equipmen...

More information: https://www.tonal.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b9Bh_aPJB0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b9Bh_aPJB0