Fittr, a startup backed by Suniel Shetty, addresses this by providing science-based fitness guidance
Introduction: The Indian fitness industry faces challenges due to misinformation and unscientific advice. Fittr, a startup backed by Suniel Shetty, addresses this by providing science-based fitness guidance. Founded by Jitendra Chouksey, Fittr aims to democratize health and fitness by offering accessible and credible advice.
Founding Team: The founding team includes Jitendra Chouksey, Jyoti Dabas, Rohit Chattopadhyay, and Bala Krishna Reddy. Jitendra’s personal transformation inspired Fittr’s inception. Jyoti, an MBA graduate, founded INFS before joining Fittr. Rohit started as a Fittr community member and later became a co-founder. Bala Krishna Reddy, with a tech background, played a vital role in developing Fittr’s website.
Inception and Growth: Fittr started in 2014 as a WhatsApp group, later expanding to Facebook with the S.Q.U.A.T.S group. Recognizing the need for personalized guidance based on quantified nutrition, Fittr was officially launched in 2016 with an initial investment of Rs 90,000. The platform’s success led to the 2018 launch of its mobile app, emphasizing accessibility.
Services Offered: Fittr offers personalized coaching, including customized diet and workout plans, consultations, and unique health programs like FITTR Care and FITTR Hart. The platform leverages AI tools for body fat calculators, macros calculators, and more. Fittr’s subsidiary, INFS, focuses on providing comprehensive education in health and fitness.
Revenue Model: Fittr operates on a freemium model, providing free services to a community of over three million members. Premium services, including personalized coaching with certified coaches, are offered at varying costs. Users seeking specific health goals opt for tailor-made nutrition and exercise plans, generating revenue for Fittr.
Funding and Investors: Fittr remained bootstrapped until May 2019. It received seed funding from Suniel Shetty and later secured Rs 1.5 crore from Sequoia’s Surge. In its Series A round, Fittr raised $11.5 million from Dream Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and Surge. Recently, it secured Rs 28 crore from Rainmatter, Zerodha’s venture fund.
Future Goals: Fittr aims to make 50 million people fit and create thousands of career opportunities in the fitness industry. The startup envisions becoming a leading global social platform and marketplace for fitness coaching. Over the next two years, Fittr focuses on effective employment for fitness coaches and fostering innovation in the fitness industry.
Fittr’s journey showcases the evolution of a community-driven fitness platform, highlighting the significance of science-based guidance in promoting holistic well-being.