Kabatafitness

Kabata, Inc. develops AI-powered adjustable smart dumbbells and an accompanying mobile app for home strength training. Each dumbbell ranges from 5 to 60 lbs in 5-lb increments, with the full unit (two dumbbells, a base and a power cord) occupying less than 2 x 2 sq. ft. and delivering the equivalent of 12 sets of dumbbells. Onboard sensors count reps, capture workout metrics such as sets, velocity, volume, time under tension and power, and drive real-time form correction, haptic feedback and velocity-based training (VBT), in which rep speed determines when weight should be increased or decreased. The dumbbells change weight automatically when returned to the base, including a "Lightning Mode" that steps weight up or down for pyramid climbs and drop sets.

The Kabata app, planned for both iOS and Android, provides trainer-led and self-guided workouts, daily challenges, personalized training plans for goals such as muscle gain and weight loss, and analytics-driven coaching. The company states the app will launch with more than 30 unique dumbbell moves and targets a library of over 200. Up to five household members can use one set of dumbbells under a single membership, with each user registering a free personal account for individual tracking. The dumbbells are made predominantly of steel and iron plates with a premium overmold, and are produced in partnership with manufacturers in Asia. Kabata offers a 1-year limited warranty.

Founding story

Co-founder and CEO Kareem Aly has said the concept arose during the COVID-19 pandemic gym closures, when he concluded home and hybrid fitness would persist and observed that connected products existed for cycling and rowing but not for strength training. He focused on dumbbells as a familiar, compact and iconic piece of equipment that had not been substantially innovated in nearly a century. Working with co-founder Brian Lovera, who spent six years as a Robotic Systems Engineer at iRobot building Roomba vacuums, the team 3D-printed several prototypes in early 2021 and used an early prototype capable of rep counting and basic workout analytics to raise a first round of funding.

Business model

Hardware plus subscription: customers buy the dumbbell-and-base unit and pay for a Kabata membership required to use the mobile app and its coaching, analytics and workout content. Pre-orders are charged immediately upon order completion.

Direct-to-consumer hardware sales combined with recurring monthly or annual app memberships, billed after a 30-day free trial; the membership term begins once the dumbbells are activated or seven days after delivery, whichever comes first, and renews automatically until cancelled. Purchases are marketed as HSA/FSA eligible.

Traction

The website reports the product selling out three times and features numerous named customer reviews from buyers who have received units; pre-orders from 2024 began shipping in March 2025. The company states its design has won several awards.

Latest developments

Shipping of 2024 pre-orders began in March 2025, followed by units ordered in early 2025; the site promotes an early-bird sale and HSA/FSA eligibility, and the app is slated for release on both iOS and Android.