Welcome to the Gravity Ball website! Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Mark Chavez. I practice family medicine in California and am the creator of the Gravity Ball.
This whole journey began as a way to regain my declining health. After years of working overnight shifts in a busy emergency room and eating an unhealthy diet, I was fatigue, out-of-shape, and unhappy. I originally wanted to create something that provided me with the ability to obtain a high quality workout without needing to join a gym or use traditional strength training equipment, which I find limiting and unappealing. I decided to create a fun, compact, and highly versatile tool for exercise that I could use inside of my one-bedroom apartment. The Gravity Ball was born.
This whole journey began as a way to regain my declining health. After years of working overnight shifts in a busy emergency room and eating an unhealthy diet, I was fatigue, out-of-shape, and unhappy. I originally wanted to create something that provided me with the ability to obtain a high quality workout without needing to join a gym or use traditional strength training equipment, which I find limiting and unappealing. I decided to create a fun, compact, and highly versatile tool for exercise that I could use inside of my one-bedroom apartment. The Gravity Ball was born.
Testing out an early version of the Gravity Ball.
In May 2011, I began building and testing handmade Gravity Ball prototypes using torn apart medicine balls, miscellaneous strap materials and sand taken from the beach to provide the weight. I built the prototypes whenever I wasn't working shifts in the emergency room. I also began to run again after a long hiatus, and set a goal for myself to complete a marathon.
Three months later, I quit my job as an emergency room physician to work full-time on developing the company. My longtime friend Dr. Gregory Taylor moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles to become the Chief Financial Officer and help build the company. Operations were based out of my apartment, where we worked on developing the Gravity Ball method and testing the Gravity Ball's design. Nicole Tolmie also joined the team as the company's first operations manager. She worked closely with me to begin creating new and interesting exercises using the Gravity Ball.
Three months later, I quit my job as an emergency room physician to work full-time on developing the company. My longtime friend Dr. Gregory Taylor moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles to become the Chief Financial Officer and help build the company. Operations were based out of my apartment, where we worked on developing the Gravity Ball method and testing the Gravity Ball's design. Nicole Tolmie also joined the team as the company's first operations manager. She worked closely with me to begin creating new and interesting exercises using the Gravity Ball.
Myself with my good friend and CFO, Dr. Taylor.
By March 2013, our three person team was selling a small number of duct-tape Gravity Ball prototypes to family and friends. The Gravity Balls were handmade, and we used this time period to collect feedback and continue to refine our product. I decided to begin working as a doctor again, this time in family medicine. This provided me valuable insight into the cause and treatment of common chronic diseases. I realized that the Gravity Ball would be even more effective if used for therapeutic and wellness, than for fitness. We decided to change the focus of our mission and redesign our product.
Our first shipment is arriving at the end of 2015. We will be distributing these prototypes to select individuals in our target marketplaces, including consumers and physical therapists for field testing and collecting feedback. We are exciting out our new direction and are eagerly prepared for what lies ahead.
Our first shipment is arriving at the end of 2015. We will be distributing these prototypes to select individuals in our target marketplaces, including consumers and physical therapists for field testing and collecting feedback. We are exciting out our new direction and are eagerly prepared for what lies ahead.
Myself with the staff at the family practice clinic where I work.
Since creating the Gravity Ball in 2011, I have had the ability to integrate this focus on health into all aspects of my life. I have completed five marathons and qualified to run the Boston Marathon.
Of course I rocked my Gravity Ball logo shirt while running!
Since 2011, Dr. Taylor has gotten married, moved into a new home, had two beautiful children, and continues to work as the medical director for Keck USC Downtown.
Dr. Taylor with his adorable daughter.
From the bottom of our heart, we thank you for being a part of this journey with us!