Zachary Kadolph | Unsplash
Maintaining a consistent discipline when exercising is crucial to achieve good results. This is something that those who train surely know, but truth be told, we haven't seen significant changes in terms of technology. If technology could be adapted to a multifaceted training approach, undoubtedly a product with the potential to make a difference throughout the day could be created.
What Growl proposes is fantastic no matter how you look at it. It's a punching bag that transforms the way various activities are carried out, turning it into a personal trainer. With this, boxing classes are expected to become much more immersive while enjoying practice from the comfort of home.
Image property of Growl
Talking about its technology, which is what interests us the most, this hardware device features two infrared sensors and a speaker, located in the frame. Additionally, there is a camera positioned at the top of the frame that functions as a time-of-flight sensor. The purpose of the cameras and sensors is to calculate the impacts of punches, while the accelerometers behind the punching bag measure the intensity of the hits. All of this is followed by a projection of a human-sized trainer on the punching bag.
This projector has a 4K resolution and in addition to projecting the trainer, it also displays various metrics on the wall, offering a very interesting gamification experience. In these statistics, you can measure impact force, accuracy, number of successful hits, and a score that will place you on a leaderboard.
Image property of Growl
The punching bag itself seems to be very easy to install. It can be screwed to the wall and does not pose many complications because the bag is made of foam and covered in artificial leather. What is interesting is that it is not limited to software focused on boxing; it will also be possible to practice yoga or pilates, as well as strength training. In fact, they are working with multiple trainers to create a library that supports a wider range of activities, which is great for achieving greater versatility.
The startup has priced this punching bag at around $4,500 dollars. It seems like a high price just like the competition. However, it will be possible to finance it in monthly installments, making it a much more accessible product. Additionally, they are considering a subscription for new content that will not be more expensive than a premium subscription at a traditional gym.
Growl has a presence in Austin and Paris, with guidance from former Amazon hardware engineering vice president, Peloton, and Tonal, Sam Bowen. The startup has raised approximately $4.75 million dollars in an initial funding round, with participation from firms like Skip Capital, Kima Ventures, Teampact Ventures, as well as representatives from the boxing world who wanted to invest, such as former UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane.
This large-sized device is designed for users who prefer to practice and exercise indoors at home. I don't see why the idea of incorporating it into a top-level gym couldn't exist. This punching bag can be purchased starting from April 2025 as a pre-order, although the delivery of these units to customers may occur a year later.
- Main image edited in Canva.
- I have consulted information at techcrunch.com.
- Translated from Spanish to English with Hive Translator.