brands we love: hyperice
How was the company founded?
About ten years ago, founder Anthony Katz set out to create a design driven brand that would focus on improving athletic performance by enhancing an athletes’ ability to recover faster from training or competition. At that time, athletes were not really implementing technology into their recovery–they were mostly doing things like ice baths, manual massages and icing their joints. The technology that was being used back then was more for injury rehab and came in the form of medical devices that were thousands of dollars and generally administered by the training or medical staff–not the athlete themselves. For the brand to work, we needed to create a suite of products that would be innovative, user friendly, portable and accessible to as many people as possible. We needed to democratize recovery technology by putting technology in people’s hands and empowering them to take care of their own body in new and better ways.
What problem were you (or are you consistently) trying to solve?
Hyperice has successfully leveraged 'in-game' tech (on court, on field, in dugouts and on course) to authenticate recovery technologies via pro athlete alignment, allowing Hyperice to move from the training room, onto the field and into the living room. In August 2020, Hyperice introduced a fully connected data-driven ecosystem with the ability to curate recovery routines by leveraging physiological data from Apple Health and Strava (HyperSmart and Hyperice App), and in November 2020 launched a new consumer focused recovery device for the everyday athlete (Hypervolt GO).
With Hyperice’s latest evolution to a modern, high-performance wellness brand, it will allow Hyperice to serve a broader audience of athletes. The new Hyperice features a reimagined brand identity and the launch of the brand’s largest global brand campaign to date: “Do What You Love. More”.
In July 2021, Hyperice made a bold and timely move into the mental wellness space with the strategic acquisition of Core, a mental wellness company that invented the first meditation training device and data-driven app of its kind. Alongside the acquisition, Hyperice also created a new Mind Technology division further highlighting Hyperice’s commitment to mental wellness as a critical pillar to overall health, performance, recovery and self-care.
Can you tell us more about the actual products themselves? What are the differences between them?
Core is the first meditation training device and data-driven app of its kind. Powered by the Core app, the purposefully designed Core Meditation Trainer uses biometrics to encourage breath control and focus for those navigating meditation techniques. Users enhance their meditation practice from home or the office and track progress within the app. Core Premium subscribers also receive access to a robust library of instructor-led meditation sessions. Subscribers can select Core Essential, Core Premium or a Combination annual package.
Following the acquisition of Recover X in January 2021, Hyperice recently launched a new pinnacle of innovation - the world's first portable contrast therapy device. Hyperice X contrast therapy creates a localized cycle of alternating heat and cold to the area for recovery and rehabilitation, bringing together the best of both worlds with all the benefits of icing and therapy of heat in one device. Designed to temporarily numb pain and relieve inflammation (cold) and soothe stiff joints and relax muscles (hot) in the treated areas, Hyperice X does it all with no ice, cords, or water in under 60 seconds.
Hyperice also introduced refreshments to its wildly popular Hypervolt and Vyper lines featuring lighter-weight designs, digital dials and a more powerful, efficient technology for their batteries. These product updates coincided with the launch of new digital platforms including a re-designed global website and an update to the Hyperice App that matches the streamlined evolution. Powered by HyperSmart™, the Hyperice App’s refreshed UX and revamped proprietary algorithm features enhanced data and a deeper interpretation of the user’s physical activity while connected to the new Bluetooth® enabled devices.
If you each had to pick your favorite Hyperice product, what is it and why
That would have to be the Hypervolt 2 and Normatec 2.0 Legs. The Hypervolt 2 helps alleviate soreness, relax stiff muscles, improve range of motion, and promote better blood circulation to accelerate warm up and recovery time so it's a perfect addition for before or after a workout.
Normatec 2.0 Legs uses dynamic air compression to make for the most restorative massage session. It's perfect after a long day and can be used in the comfort of your own bed or couch.
How do you see Hyperice continuing to grow in the future? What’s next?
With a global footprint in more than 60 countries, Hyperice is experiencing dramatic global growth driven by an extensive athlete-investors roster, as well as global partnerships in China with the NBA and Leagues of Legends Pro League, the New Zealand National Rugby Team All Blacks, South Africa National Rugby Team Springboks, the Mexican Football Federation, and the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in London.
We’ve also expanded into the mental wellness space with the acquisition of Core in July which highlights Hyperice’s commitment to mental wellness as a critical pillar to overall health, performance, recovery and self-care.
