Playkout, the ‘first-ever’ pickleball-inspired fitness studio, is coming to Dallas » Dallas Innovates

In recent years, North Texas residents have been able to get a great workout in with pickleball, whether in sprawling indoor facilities or on their city courts. But now there’s a new way to get in shape thanks to a new “phygital” pickleball fitness studio opening in Dallas this summer.

Dubbed Playkout, the “first-ever” concept is the brainchild of co-founders Bahigh Acuna, a former Amazon tech executive who worked at Spotify, Ancestry and Postmates “during their early growth phases,” and Jorge Guerrero, who led strategy and financial planning across consumer tech, insurance and wellness.

Located at 3501 McKinney in Uptown Dallas, the studio will replace traditional cardio machines with custom-designed, proprietary pickleball stations. Using a game-based methodology, the stations are designed to “turn workouts into a game.” The solution fuses the physical energy of a group workout with “digital gamification” using advanced pickleball simulators and a custom-designed workout studio, the company said.

The high-tech simulators are located indoors in a climate-controlled environment, allowing for year-round play without the crowds that often fill large facilities like those popping up all over Dallas-Fort Worth, the company added.

Playkout’s lab in Plano found its simulators increase ‘calorie expenditure’

Playkout has a lab in Plano, where it tested its proprietary methodology in trials with “over 300 testers.” The company found that its simulators led to a 15% increase in calorie expenditure compared to traditional fitness studios.

“In addition, players felt fit and focused after training, as tracking each ball serves as cognitive training for the brain,” the company said. “Regular players, after just two sessions, noticed an improvement in their athletic abilities.”

Taking the “work” out of “training”

“At Playkout, we are redefining what it means to exercise,” said Acuna, one of the two co-founders, in a statement. “We believe in the power of movement, because the happiest and healthiest people are the ones who are constantly moving. However, finding the motivation to move can be difficult. This led us to create an environment where fitness feels like play. Our goal is to make exercise something people look forward to, not a chore. We are taking the “work” out of “workout” and replacing it with play, which is what the Playkout brand is all about.”

Its co-founder, Guerrero, says they want people to “rediscover the joy of fitness” with their innovative concept.

“We’ve created a fitness experience that combines pickleball, technology and strength training to deliver workouts that are both fun and effective,” he said in a statement. “Not only does it deliver fitness results, it also enhances skill development for those looking to improve their game. Even if you’re not a pickleball player, this is the most enjoyable workout you’ll ever encounter, as engaging with a ball is a universal joy that has united communities for centuries.”

While Playkout will offer pickleball-inspired group fitness sessions, guests will also be able to book stand-alone simulation sessions.

Expansion planned

Playkout’s flagship store in Uptown Dallas is expected to be “just the beginning” of the brand’s rollout. The company said it plans to expand to other areas “in Dallas and beyond,” offering “a total-body workout that boosts cardio, strength and cognitive performance in an engaging, community-focused environment.”

Playkout currently offers simulator booking credits, fitness session packages, and memberships. At launch, the company says it will offer a limited number of founder memberships with a “lifetime discount lock” on membership prices.

You can see a video of the workout in action on the Playkout website here.

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