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Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

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Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#251

Sounds cool. Can I sum it up as Aviron is the peloton of the community and Hydrow is the Zwift? The difference being Zwift caters to people who are already vested and more hardcore in some ways where as peloton is the general public who want to try and get a quick good workout? Also - if you are following the peloton model - how are you going to build out the celebrity following for your athletes? I think that is one…

I would reverse the two. Hydrow is closer to peloton. They both have instructor led classes. Our content is focused around shorter, intense workouts, in the form of video games, live races, and strength programs. Neither Hydrow or Aviron cater to the avid rower. Our team is much smaller than you think and so celebrity following isn't on the roadmap yet - but hopefully one day! We are slightly less expensive than Pelo…

Got it. Zwift it is. I would say zwift is pretty fun but after awhile its the group events that keep me engaged and give me the extra boost.

If you're still building out the roadmap put a little bit of resources (or thought spent) around the ability to add in live instructor classes further on down the line. That way you can bring that market along with you instead of the situation that Peleton and Zwift have that is an either or situation (different hardware considerations there, but annoying you are locked into one option). Different model and capital allocations - but worth considering.

Best of luck!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is a great machine - I have one too :)

sweet. If you develop an app that integrates with the C2, I will be your first paying user to try it.

You won't be our first paying user (there are thousands of them) but we'd love you to download asensei which connect seamlessly with your Concept2 and lets you follow programs and workouts from 4x Olympians to Studio Rowing instructors.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/asensei/id1335539383

You can try a free trial with Eric Murray (one half of the famous KiwiPair) before committing to a purchase.

If anyone wants to purchase an annual membership, the code HN20 is good for 20% off until the end of the weekend.

And when you're ready to get coaching on your form/technique, or mix in strength, TRX and mobility training alongside your rowing, our new smart (app)arel coaching will give you real-time feedback on your technique and form as you're guided through structured training programs.

Our personal coaching program opened last week here: https://asensei.com/products/personal-coaching-apparel

And you can see what the coaching experience will be in the video at the foot of this page here: https://coaching.asensei.com/

Good luck to the team at Aviron with the launch. When you're ready to bring form and technique coaching to the product to ensure people are rowing safely and correctly, feel free to reach out to me to understand how you can incorporate asensei Connected Coaching in your product for your customers!

Best,

Steven CEO, asensei

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#253
post #183

I love the idea and I wish you the best of luck. I was on crew in college and "form" is always one of the most important things. I feel like a short intro on how to row - at least so as not to hurt yourself - is probably in order. I can't tell you how many times I've been to the gym where there is a concept2 and watch probably 9 out of 10 people just hack away at if its a chainsaw. NB: After reading this I watched a…

I also 100% agree. We have 2 learn how to row videos on the rower and provide live feedback during workout programs to help users workout properly and correct their form. I'm sure there are other things we can do. Thanks for commenting!

Andy - I posted further up the thread and don't want to hijaack yours, but when you're ready to introduce real-time form coaching to your customers, reach out to me at asensei.

Our (app)arel technology and connected coaching platform allows you to provide real-time coaching and correction on technique and form (in any sport) but specifically in rowing.

Good luck with the launch! Founder to founder, it's no small feat bringing a hardware product to market!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#254

Long time high level rower here. Why make a new rowing machine when Concept 2 is the calibration standard all athletes use and has a relatively open USB interface? For those not in the know, rowing machines all have different calibrations. C2 is the standard because they're very consistent across machines and are by far the best made allowing for many thousands of hours of use without failures. Most experienced rower…

Not only does the C2 has an USB interface, but recent models have Bluetooth as well...! (I'm a happy C2 owner) I found an example project some time ago of a web site using Chrome's Bluetooth JavaScript API to recreate a rowing monitor and filed it away in case I would ever get to that side project :-) In case someone's interested to collab: I would build a 3D world through which you row. I know apps/games like these…

Btw, Web Bluetooth is not only supported by Chrome, but also by Edge, Samsung Internet and others. More on supported browsers on https://caniuse.com/?search=web%20bluetooth

The source for the PM5 / Bluetooth integration is here: https://github.com/GoogleChromeLabs/rowing-monitor/

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also 100% agree. We have 2 learn how to row videos on the rower and provide live feedback during workout programs to help users workout properly and correct their form. I'm sure there are other things we can do. Thanks for commenting!

Andy - I posted further up the thread and don't want to hijaack yours, but when you're ready to introduce real-time form coaching to your customers, reach out to me at asensei. Our (app)arel technology and connected coaching platform allows you to provide real-time coaching and correction on technique and form (in any sport) but specifically in rowing. Good luck with the launch! Founder to founder, it's no small feat…

Hey Steven! I'm familiar with you guys and actually recommended you in one of the posts. Love what you are doing. We are both helping more people enjoy the benefits of rowing.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#256
A late reply here, but fwiw I want to buy a strength machine with:

* Your electric resistance motors

* Weaker concentric than eccentric movement (forced negatives)

* In a precor chassis

* With no screens or TVs, just an embedded controller with some minimal controls.

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