Initial Findings of Study Show Pvolve's Functional Fitness
Method Measurably Improves Strength, Balance, and Flexibility
in Women 40+
NEW YORK - Jan. 17 – Pvolve, the omnichannel
fitness company with an innovative, science-led method that
pairs functional movement with proprietary resistance equipment,
today announced the initial findings of a clinical study to
investigate and compare Pvolve’s low-impact, resistance-based
workouts against standard fitness routines in women 40+. The
Healthy Aging Study, conducted by Professor Francis Stephens’
research group at the University of Exeter, a leading university
in research of sports medicine and sports science, aimed to
address the gap in women’s health research by comparing the
Pvolve Method to standard exercise and its impact on women in
the 40-60 age demographic.
While women make up a large portion of the $100 billion global
fitness market, they have historically been underrepresented in
consumer research. A recent study looking at the sex data gap in
clinical research found that in medical studies published
between 2014 and 2022, women made up only 34% of participants,
and when it came to sports science, only 6% of studies have
focused on women1. In its Healthy Aging Study, Pvolve specifically addressed the
physiological changes in aging women and the need to provide
them with tailored exercise programs. The limited fitness
options for women 40+ represent both a missed commercial
opportunity, given their substantial spending power and the
enduring desire to stay fit and healthy as they age, and a
societal issue as the population of older adults is projected to
outnumber that of children under ten by 20302.
Beginning in their late 30s, women experience a 3-8% decline in
lean muscle mass per decade, and yet most workouts are not
designed to address these rapid changes in their bodies. Culture
has historically emphasized high-impact routines and
cardio-based workouts. However, an effective exercise routine
for women over 40 should include a combination of strength
training with heavy weights to boost metabolism, short cardio
circuits for brain, heart, and bone health, and resistance-based
training that focuses on balance, mobility, coordination, and
stability to mitigate common age-related changes such as loss of
strength and risk of falls. When engaged in a workout like
Pvolve’s functional approach, the University of Exeter observed
that women can experience many benefits.
Initial findings from the Healthy Aging Study’s 12-week clinical
trial showcase the effectiveness of the Pvolve Method for
improving muscle function, strength, body composition, and
quality of life in women 40-60 throughout various phases of
menopause. Among its impressive outcomes, the women in the study
reported experiencing a 19% increase in hip and lower body
strength and a 21% increase in full-body flexibility after
adopting consistent exercise routines through Pvolve’s method.
The research also indicates that Pvolve’s low-impact,
resistance-based method may influence other parts of whole body
health, including lower blood lipids, improved lean muscle
without increasing total body mass, improved hip function and
lower body strength, and balance, mobility, and stability. These
early but groundbreaking findings are increasingly important for
women as they age because they can help offset the natural
age-related physiological changes women experience, such as loss
of lean muscle mass.
Summary of results:
Researchers found participants3
who consistently engaged in the Pvolve Method compared to a
standard exercise routine4
noticed:
Improvements in:
-
Hip function and lower body strength (+19%)5
-
Full-body flexibility (+21%)6
-
Balance, mobility, and stability (+10%)7
-
Overall quality of life (+7.2%) and lower fatigue (+23%)8
Positive health results:
-
Increase in lean muscle without increasing total body mass9
-
Lower blood lipids10
The Healthy Aging study was conducted by the University of
Exeter, which recruited 72 women aged 40-60 years old. Test
subjects followed either Pvolve’s program or standard physical
activity guidelines of 150 minutes of exercise per week.
Participants were monitored through 12 weeks and assessed by
objective measures for strength, muscle function, balance,
mobility, flexibility, body composition, and blood health
markers. Subjects were also assessed by validated subjective
measures for quality of life and enjoyment of exercise.
For more details about the study, please visit:
http://www.pvolve.com/method
Dr. Nima Alamdari, Pvolve Clinical Advisory Board Member,
Harvard-trained Physiologist, and Honorary Professor of Sport
and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, shared:
“Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is particularly
important to counteract by women over forty because muscle mass
and strength of women in their thirties already trends lower.”
Adding, “The Healthy Aging Study is a first-of-its-kind,
underscoring the efficacy of lower impact, functional fitness on
women’s health outcomes, not only protecting and improving
physical strength but enhancing women’s quality of life and
wellbeing.”
World-renowned actress, producer, and director
Jennifer Aniston, who officially partnered with Pvolve in June 2023 after
falling in love with the method as a member, shared: "The Pvolve
Method has been transformational for me, so I’m excited about
this research that shows how Pvolve can help women improve their
physical strength and overall well-being at any age.”
“As women age and go through various phases of menopause and
other hormonal changes, they can experience a slowing
metabolism, Sarcopenia, and the natural decline of strength. It
can be frustrating when trying to counterbalance things like
weight gain or muscle loss, with a workout routine that is not
producing expected results or is counter-productive,” said
Antonietta Vicario, Chief Training Officer at Pvolve. “Pvolve
addresses the needs of women by understanding how to pair
fitness with their life stages. We’re proud to share initial
research results and provide an effective, science-backed
program that supports women's overall health-span, especially
given that research has historically focused on men or younger
athletes.”
Pvolve can be experienced through a streaming membership that
offers over 1,300 on-demand classes, a two-way, live virtual
studio online, and targeted series, all available via the
web and mobile apps. In addition to digital programming, Pvolve
has physical studio locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles,
and franchises across the US and Canada, with more than 35
locations in development. For more information, please visit
www.pvolve.com.
About Pvolve
Pvolve is an omnichannel fitness company with a science-led
method that pairs low-impact, functional movement with patented
resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body
while enhancing mobility and flexibility. After being introduced
to functional fitness in 2017, founder Rachel Katzman was
determined to help others experience an approach that respects
the body's holistic needs while making you look and feel great.
The Pvolve Method is supported by a Clinical Advisory Board of
doctors, as well as highly credentialed trainers, to offer
effective workouts that help you break a sweat, not your body.
In June 2023, world-renowned actress, producer, and director,
Jennifer Aniston, officially partnered with Pvolve after falling
in love with the method as a member. Through its hybrid fitness
model, Pvolve can be experienced through a streaming membership
that offers over 1,300 on-demand classes, a two-way, live
virtual studio, and targeted series, all available via the web
and mobile apps. Additionally, Pvolve has physical studio
locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and franchises
across the US and Canada, with more than 35 locations in
development. For more information, please visit
https://www.pvolve.com/,
https://pvolvefranchise.com/.
About University of Exeter
The University of Exeter combines world-class research with
excellent student satisfaction, from our campuses in the South
West of England, in Exeter and Cornwall. We are one of the very
few universities to be both a member of the Russell Group and
have a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF),
evidence of our established international reputation for
excellence in both teaching and research. Our success is built
on a strong partnership with our students and a clear focus on
high performance.
Foot notes:
1 - Souce: Cowley, Emma & Olenick, Alyssa & Mcnulty,
Kelly & Ross, Emma. (2021). “x. 29. 1-6.
10.1123/wspaj.2021-0028.
2 - Source: Austad SN. Why women live longer than men: sex
differences in longevity. Gend Med. 2006;3(2):79–92.
3 - The 12-week clinical trial conducted by the University of
Exeter and Pvolve included 72 women ages 40-60 years old,
comparing 4 Pvolve workouts per week of 30-55 minutes in length
to standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per
week.
4 - Subjects in the control group followed physical activity
guidelines of 150 minutes per week consistent with guidelines
and recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine
(ACSM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
American Diabetes Association (ADA), and American Heart
Association (AHA).
5 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72
women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in hip flexion
strength and an increase in hip abduction strength for study
participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55
minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity
guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from
baseline with no changes observed in the control group.
6 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72
women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in “sit and reach”
mobility, indicating an overall increase in hip, lower, and
upper body flexibility for study participants following Pvolve
method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs.
standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week.
Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in
the control group.
7 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72
women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in lateral reach
and medial reach, and an increase in anterior reach and combined
reach, resulting in a total increase in hip and lower body
mobility and stability for study participants following Pvolve
method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs.
standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week.
Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in
the control group.
8 - Preliminary results from a survey conducted as part of
a 12-week clinical trial of 72 women ages 40-60 show a
significant increase in quality of life and energy/fatigue for
study participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week,
30-55 minutes in length per session vs. standard physical
activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are
presented from baseline with no changes observed in the control
group.
9 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72
women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in lean mass,
measured by a body composition (DEXA) scan, for study
participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55
minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity
guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from
baseline with no changes observed in the control group.
10 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72
women ages 40-60 show significant decrease in cholesterol levels
and triglycerides for perimenopausal study participants
specifically, measured via bloodwork, following Pvolve method 4
times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs.standard
physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results
are presented from baseline with no changes observed in the
control group.