Artificial intelligence is becoming a factor in more and more areas of society, including the health and fitness industry.
When Lisa Benson, co-owner of Pause Studio at Avenue East Cobb, recently sent out media invitations to try out an AI-generated robotic massage, it stoked my curiosity.
And also a little bit of concern. What in the world would that look like? More importantly, what would it feel like? So I went over there last week for a demo, and to learn more about what it all entails.
Benson and her husband Evan—he’s a former Pope High School football player—opened Pause late last year. She said one of the motivating reasons for her behind the business was wanting to get a better handle on her own health coming out of COVID-19, and to try an holistic approach.
Pause specializes in a variety of spa and wellness services, including float therapy, cryotherapy, IV medical therapy,cold plunge, sauna, and LED light therapy
So when she heard about the robotic massage device developed by Aescape, a New York company that uses AI to aid massage treatment, she got curious too.
(Here’s another football footnote—former New England Patriots quarterback great Tom Brady, a longevity fanatic extraordinaire, is Aescape’s chief innovation officer.)
The device has been available in some health facilities in big cities, and when Benson went to try it out, she was convinced Aescape would be a good fit for her studio.
“This is nothing more than filling in the gaps,” Benson said about the utility Aescape, which is meant to complement human massage and extend body recovery.
“It’s not meant to be a replacement.”
Benson helped me get situated in the typical head-down posture for a massage. What you see is an electronic screen in which you control what happens—settings for pressure, target areas, duration and even music.
I selected a low-pressure setting targeting my upper back—it gets a little tight—for about 15 minutes. By the time I was wondering whether I would survive this unknown experience, I had forgotten about the music.
In a few moments, the device was up against my back, putting a little too much pressure. So I lowered it, as it moved its way around, and down, my back region.
The application was smooth and consistent, and while you knew there weren’t human hands there, the effect was similar.
After 15 minutes, I felt as good as I can recall having had a massage for that duration. My session was decidedly mini in nature; the sessions available at Pause are 30 and 60 minutes.
Benson says Pause is the first suburban health studio in the Southeast to have the Aescape machine, and it blends in to an objective for her growing business to have “everything under one roof.”
“Bringing this technology here means local families, athletes, and professionals can now access world-class recovery right in their own community,” she said.
For more information about AI robotic massage at Pause, click here.
Business birthdays
This weekend will be a busy one for a number of East Cobb businesses throwing birthday bashes.
For Atlanta Swim Academy (732 Johnson Ferry Road) it’s a really big celebration—the swim school’s 40th anniversary bash from 2-4 p.m. A free public party includes food, giveaways, games and activities, face painting and even a dunk tank, but note—there won’t be any swimming classes going on.
Check the graphic below for more information, and there’s no need to sign up. Everyone’s welcome.
At Inspire East Cobb, a fitness and wellness studio at Paper Mill Village, festivities for its 4th anniversary start at 10 a.m. Saturday with a community yoga class at the plaza area of the Avenue East Cobb, followed by refreshments from nearby Round Trip Brewery at 11 a.m.
If you’re taking part in the class, you’ll need to bring your own yoga mat and some water.
There also will be raffle prizes from local businesses, and other fun and activities. Here’s a link to purchase tickets.
Also on Saturday, Soma Power Yoga (137 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 2130 ) will mark its second anniversary with free classes from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., but you’ll need to sign up at this link.
After the classes, there will be free treats from Playa Bowls. See the graphic below for more.
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