Venture investors are more upbeat than in recent years, with startup funding in fitness and wellness exceeding $3.6 billion in H1 2026 and a projected third‑higher total for the full year. The surge is driven by a handful of outsized deals: Whoop raised $575 million in Series G, Devoted Health secured $366 million in Series F, and Solace pulled in $130 million in Series C. Hardware alone is less favored; the pandemic‑era giants Tonal and Hydrow have seen no new investment in over three years.

Instead, investors seek devices that continuously collect data and use AI to deliver personalized guidance. New entrants such as Eight Sleep ($50 million Series D) and Ultrahuman ($44 million Series C) exemplify this trend, alongside Temple’s $54 million seed round for brain‑centric wearables. Looking ahead, funding will likely target AI‑driven wellness, longevity, mental health, sleep, and athletic performance, while large home‑gym gadgets remain a lower priority.

Potential IPOs include Whoop, Oura, Spring Health, and Fountain Life, though the sector may see more M&A activity than public offerings.