Team
Paul Francis invented SpiraFlex resistance technology for NASA’s Mission Critical program to develop a countermeasure against astronaut bone and muscle loss caused by zero gravity. A NASA study proved SpiraFlex provided the same benefits as free-weights. Over 50 crewmembers have worked out with the SpiraFlex iRED hardware on the International Space Station for almost 10 years.
Francis licensed SpiraFlex technology to Nautilus Inc. and helped developed their Bowflex Revolution home gym, which has achieved sales of over $250 million.
OYO (On Your Own) Fitness was subsequently founded to incorporate SpiraFlex technology into lightweight gyms, and pioneer the next fitness revolution by providing the benefits of exercise at the convenience of the user, without need to visit the gym or fill up a room with equipment. The company’s first product was the second most funded fitness product in Kickstarter history.
The company’s pipeline of compact connected (IoT) fitness equipment will continue to change the way people get strong and lean by delivering on demand programs directly to the user. Group exercise classes are using the OYO Gym in HIIT, Yoga, Pilates and Indoor Cycling programs. Companies are providing OYO Gyms to employees for fitness breaks at their desk that can be tracked and rewarded.
OYO is one of the fastest growing brands in the fitness industry, now expanding international distribution.
GRAHAM RIPPLE
COO
“I work alongside Paul and the OYO team to take the vision of On Your Own fitness and create a deployable strategy. I then help manage the team and resources so the strategy comes to life. I am an engineer turned entrepreneur having successfully launched two companies serving in the nutraceutical and healthy, prepared meals spaces.”
NICK BOLTON
FITNESS DIRECTOR
“I am a personal trainer in Overland Park, body builder and former firefighter. I developed the workout and nutrition programs for the OYO Personal Gym and work with OYO Fitness as a virtual personal trainer for our workout videos. I also developed and ran the 10 Week Challenge program where participants lost an average of 17lbs and 19 inches.”
LEROY CHIAO, PH.D.
OYO FITNESS ADVISOR,
FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT
Leroy Chiao has vast experience in both the public and private sector. In addition to his human spaceflight experience at NASA, he has also worked extensively in academia, government laboratories and in commercial ventures and technology startups. Leroy exercised with SpiraFlex technology for 6 months on the International Space Station and returned stronger than when he left.