Houston’s First Whole Body Electromyostimulation Fitness Studio, Refreshed and Under New Ownership and Plans for Expansion
Houston’s flagship Manduu, located on the edge of River Oaks, is under the ownership of Manduu mavericks and high-profile Houstonians Elizabeth Petersen, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and swimsuit designer, and Hines Global Head of Marketing and Communications George Lancaster. The duo has recently completed a refresh of the River Oaks studio and onboarded a highly-engaged team of professional trainers.
In Europe, EMS workouts have been popular for decades, but in the US, the concept of harnessing involuntary contractions elicited by electrical current applied to the muscle for health and wellness purposes is relatively new. Manduu, which was the first – and until recently the only – FDA-cleared EMS workout in the country, distinguishes itself with highly efficient, 15-minute sessions using the European-made E-Fit EF-1280US device, a benchmark in the industry.
Petersen, the daughter of a retired college and NFL head coach, and Lancaster, whose cousin, CEO of Manduu America Jason Ritzen, introduced the Manduu brand to the US, both fell in love with the concept and became avid participants well before pursuing the purchase of the Houston franchise rights. In addition to the positive changes they were seeing in their own bodies, they were also drawn to the appeal and effectiveness within different lifestyles.
“In my case, Manduu paired with limited cardio is the extent of my exercise regime, and I’ve never been happier with the way I look and feel,” said Petersen. “George, on the other hand, is more of a fitness buff and is in the gym several days a week for cardio and weight training. That combination with Manduu has optimized his more muscular physique, noticeably enhancing areas like the glutes with results that he couldn’t accomplish in the gym alone.”
Petersen notes their clients come to Manduu with an array of starting body types, from skinny and heavier set to toned and muscular, typically with the goal of either kickstarting a healthier routine, targeting trouble areas seemingly immune to workouts, or reclaiming time spent in the gym. One new client, who previously avoided exercise at all costs and describes herself as “skinny fat”, came to Manduu at the suggestion of a doctor who had witnessed a rapid and impressive recalibration in the body composition of a senior citizen with a similar lack of fitness goals and a troubling fat to muscle ratio.
Each Manduu session includes a full-body scan using InBody™ technology to measure skeletal muscle mass, total body fat, visceral fat, metabolic rate, and other key body composition metrics with clinical accuracy. By assessing and tracking their body composition, clients can quantify and measure their fitness results. There’s no guessing with Manduu, and each low-impact session – gentle on joints, muscles and tendons – is customized to the client’s fitness level and goals. Additionally, the electricity provides resistance instead of using heavy weights, so there’s less risk of injury.
“Something else that our clients love about Manduu is the intimate nature of their time here,” adds Petersen. “There are only two participants at a time, and you really have the attention of the trainer– benefits for newbies who may at first feel intimidated or self-conscious.”
The two are beginning to scout Bayou City expansion locations, including Tanglewood, Katy, Sugar Land, Clear Lake and The Woodlands.
Manduu River Oaks is located at 3733 Westheimer Road.
To learn more and schedule your free session, visit Manduu.com.