What happens when innovation meets necessity in the fitness world? For James Curley, founder of Tyger Fit Lab, it led to the creation of a groundbreaking product that’s transforming how we measure progress in suspension and resistance training.
James always knew he wanted to build a company. But the inspiration behind Tyger Fit Lab was born from his work as a personal trainer. In every client session, he relied on suspension training, but there was no way to accurately track the intensity or progression of the exercises. That’s when the idea for the Tyger Mat came to life.
“I developed the mat out of necessity,” James explains. “I needed a way to measure TRX and elastic band exercises, and I knew others did too.”
After securing a patent, James officially launched Tyger Fit Lab in 2018. His mission was clear: to equip athletes, trainers, and fitness enthusiasts with the best tools to quantify and optimize their workouts. Unlike other brands, Tyger Fit Lab focuses exclusively on measuring the intensity of suspension and elastic-based movements, where traditional weights don't apply.
But entrepreneurship came with challenges. “I didn’t know how to start or scale a company,” James admits. Fortunately, guidance from Matt Wade. his go-to mentor, helped him dive into competitor research, networking, and building a business plan. When growth plateaued, he pivoted by recruiting interns, forming a team that elevated every aspect of the brand, from email marketing to affiliate partnerships.
Function always comes first at Tyger Fit Lab. Whether it’s the original Tyger Mat or the expanded Bengal, each product is meticulously designed for clarity and safety. Features like laser-etched lines, precision measurements, and built-in alignment tools don’t just look good, they serve a real purpose.
Community also plays a huge role in the company’s evolution. Through social media outreach and collaborations with trainers and suspension exercise influencers, James collected invaluable feedback that directly shaped product updates. A key partnership with AnchorPoint Training’s Chris Severs even led to the creation of the Bengal mat, built for larger training rigs.
Looking ahead, Tyger Fit Lab is working on a new product that will bring even more accurate measurement tools to the world of suspension and elastic training. “It’s being developed right now,” James shares. “It could usher in the next stage of our company.”
From garage trials to five-star reviews, Tyger Fit Lab stands as a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets real-world training needs. For those looking to train smarter, not harder, Tyger Fit Lab delivers tools that make progress measurable and workouts more meaningful.
