Katalyst Fitness

Katalyst Fitness offers an at-home workout system centered on Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology, designed to provide the benefits of a long workout in a fraction of the time. The company was founded in 2015 by Bjoern Woltermann, who was inspired by his personal experience using EMS to resolve chronic back pain he developed from frequent travel as a tech executive. His journey with the technology, which was recommended by his physician, led him to establish Katalyst to make EMS more accessible for consumer home use in the U.S. market, where it was not yet widespread.

The company's primary product is the Katalyst Suit, a wearable system composed of a base layer, vest, shorts, and arm straps with 26 integrated electrodes. These electrodes are mapped to the body's major muscle groups and deliver low-frequency impulses controlled by a pocket-sized "Impulse Pack" and a companion app, which is compatible with iOS devices. This system stimulates up to 90% of the body's muscle fibers during a workout, a significant increase compared to the estimated 40% activated in traditional exercise. The core offering is a 20-minute, low-impact workout that combines simple bodyweight movements with muscle stimulation, intended to replicate the results of a two-hour conventional gym session without the associated joint stress.

Katalyst's business model is a direct-to-consumer approach, selling the high-end hardware and offering access to a library of on-demand guided training sessions through its app. The workouts span various modalities, including strength, power, cardio, and recovery, and are suitable for a wide range of fitness levels. The company's initial strategy involved opening boutique fitness studios, but it pivoted to an in-home model after receiving customer feedback and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant milestone for the company was receiving FDA clearance for its full-body EMS suit for consumer use, a first in the U.S. market. Katalyst has raised a total of $33.6 million over four funding rounds, with a notable $26 million Series A round in 2022 led by Stripes and including investors like Cindy Crawford and Unlock Venture Partners. However, in early 2025, the company faced financial difficulties, leading to the dismissal of its team and the appointment of a trustee to find a new owner.

Keywords: Electro Muscle Stimulation, EMS fitness, at-home workout, wearable technology, low-impact exercise, connected fitness, strength training, fitness technology, direct-to-consumer, FDA-cleared device