PNOĒ to Debut Self-Service Breath Mask for Gym Metabolic Testing

PNOĒ, a startup based in Malden, Massachusetts, is set to launch a more refined self-service version of its breath-analyzing mask on October 1. The earlier model had drawn an awkward comparison to the mask worn by the Batman villain Bane. The new design, called PNOĒ 2.0, is intended to let people at gyms assess VO₂ max and other metabolic markers within eight minutes, with no trained staff member required.

A Shift to Self-Service

The key change with the new model is that users can now run the test on their own. According to co-founder and CEO Apostolos Atsalakis, someone can walk into a gym, put on the mask, press a button, sit down, and breathe for eight minutes. "That's it. It's that easy," he said.

This matters because PNOĒ's current device requires a trained operator. A self-serve version could allow the device to be used in fitness centers that don't have dedicated staff, and potentially in pharmacies as well.

What the Mask Measures

The mask works by analyzing the gases in a person's breath. It measures how much oxygen the body consumes and how much carbon dioxide it exhales, then uses that data to assess how the body produces energy.

PNOĒ says the test captures 23 biomarkers. These include VO₂ max, which is a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness; resting metabolic rate, or how many calories the body burns at rest; and metabolic flexibility, which is how well the body switches between burning fat and carbohydrates for fuel.

Design and Hygiene

The new device is smaller and more compact than the previous version, with fewer parts. It was designed with Milan-based Design Group Italia and went through many iterations, since a self-administered metabolic testing device had not been made before.

It also addresses a hygiene concern. The electronics can be detached from the silicone mask and straps. This means multiple people can share the expensive hardware while each user keeps their own mask.

Not a Medical Device

Despite its clinical ambitions, PNOĒ is careful about what it claims. The device is not cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Atsalakis said the company does not provide medical recommendations. Instead, PNOĒ positions itself as a wellness device, similar to a body composition scale.

How It's Sold

PNOĒ does not sell directly to consumers. Instead, it partners with businesses. Clients include Equinox, Four Seasons hotels, Red Bull, the NBA, the Mount Sinai Health System, and the med spa chain Restore Hyper Wellness.

Businesses pay a monthly subscription ranging from $400 to more than $1,000. This covers the hardware, software, training, and marketing materials.