Category: Health and Wellness

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Health and Wellness Kids/Babies

BrushyBall stays a head by teaching kids how to brush teeth

Getting kids to brush their teeth is another one of those parental challenges, and it’s one that has the potential to make for some very long nights.

In order to motivate kids to brush their teeth and take the mundane routine out of it, BrushyBall  was created. As noted in Episode 6 of the Backerjack podcast, the battery-operated personal tooth brushing coach for kids has teeth that light up in a specific sequence of six sections. The toothbrush training toy, designed by a dentist, teaches kids by having them follow along with the flashing lights. Music and verbal cues are a part of the thorough process that lasts for about two minutes.

The plastic Muppet-like head isn’t too intimidating, and the developer would ideally like to license well-known characters to keep kids more engaged, but it seems to take up a fair amount of countertop space. Backers looking for a way to encourage kids to floss might want to check out Gummy Floss. This campaign seeks to raise 50,000 by April 5, 2015. For $20, backers get one product with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Health and Wellness Wearables

Electrode-studded InBody Band quantifies the self

Every new fitness band released to the market tries to one up everything else by including something that would make it worthwhile for someone who is considering wearing one day in and day out. The InBody Band does just that by taking the familiar and adding four electrodes in order to measure the body’s composition. By doing so, a more complete picture of the body can be created to more accurately inform users of their needs.

The four electrodes work in tandem by measuring bioelectrical impedance, which is often used to measure the body’s water composition, from which fat and muscle content can be derived. Together with the ability to track heart rate, steps taken, and sleep, the InBody Band is able to create a very detailed picture of the body over a period of time. In addition, it can also create call and SMS notifications for added convenience.

The InBody Band is extremely versatile, and able to take cues from other products that measure body composition like the MyBiody Balance sensor in order to create a more powerful wearable system. Although the iOS/Android app is able to sync to a user’s contact list and compare stats with others, it unfortunately doesn’t interface with either of the platform’s health apps, leaving the wealth of information stuck within the app. The product’s lack of size options and interchangeable bands may turn others off, as well. The product does make an attempt at differentiation, but it may not be enough to make a splash.

The $159 InBody Band is estimated to ship in March of this year if the campaign reaches its goal of $50,000 by March 13.

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Health and Wellness

Headoc offers alternative treatment for headaches, migraines, mood

The pain from a headache, and especially a migraine, can make it impossible to function. The frustration of having one’s day interrupted brings additional stress and sometimes anxiety. Headoc was created to bring some relief during these times.

The gadget includes three types of therapy, one of which is Red Light Phototherapy. This option is touted as being able to heal wounds faster and accelerate skin regeneration. The second is negative ions, which purportedly improve physical and mental health by relieving headaches, as well as influencing mood and improving memory. Thirdly, vibration-massage therapy brings pain relief and reduces muscle contraction, reducing stress, fatigue and anxiety.

Headoc works on an internal battery and can be charged with a USB charger or external charger. It seems like a potentially effective alternative way to deal with headaches, migraines and mood issues. Other interesting options that backers might like to check out are the Sleep Sensei and the Body Echo.  Where fevers come in, IDo and iTherm might also help.

This campaign seeks to raise $10,000 by March 10. Early bird backers get 100 Headocs for $50, with an expected delivery in July of this year.

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Health and Wellness

Reach For Me does more than just alleviate your itch

One of the most annoying things is an itch on one’s back that is perfectly positioned to be completely unreachable.

Reach For Me offers an option that functions as more than just a back scratcher or shower brush. It has multiple attachments that also allow it to be used as a cream and sunblock applicator, exfoliating pad, massager, mirror, foot file, hair remover and fake tan applicator.

Since it folds up, it stores well and travels well, and the telescopic feature allows it to extend to the ideal length to suit one’s needs. This seems like a useful product worth checking into further, especially for those who do a lot of traveling. Jet setting backers might also want to check out NeXstep, Toiletries Bathroom Travel Case, PentaBox, and Flip Clip.

This campaign seeks to raise €40,000 (~$45,400 USD) by March 6. For €30 (~$34 USD), backers get one product with an expected delivery in April of this year.

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Connected Objects Health and Wellness

Track bites instead of calories with the Count Bites connected wristband

Counting calories is a drag. Common methods are usually pretty cumbersome, and apps don’t help as much as it seems. Plus, who likes having to do math every time they eat?

The Count Bites band and app aim to shift the user’s focus from calories to bites instead. While no one method is inherently superior, bites are far easier to track than hundreds of daily calories. Both the Bluetooth wristband and companion app feature a single button for tracking purposes, so dieters can use it to set goals and monitor portions over time. The campaign is looking to raise $25,000 by March 3, and have the $30 band shipped out in June of this year.

Although the campaign does admit to the potential of cheating, it insists that beginning a diet by focusing on reducing the amount of food rather than micromanaging the type of food being consumed is far more beneficial for those with a BMI over 25. Instead of other fitness bands like the Jaha or Arcus that keep fit people fit, Count Bites seems like it could be a good fit for a larger swath of the population that doesn’t have the healthiest of habits.

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Apparel Health and Wellness

Vivir clothing uses heat to burn calories, increase metabolism; makes the wearer look and feel hot

Many go to saunas in order to relax, enjoy the heat and burn some calories while they’re at it. Heat is good for the body, after all. Not only does it get blood flowing, but it can also increase one’s metabolism.

Now, all of those heat benefits can be had by just wearing clothes. Vivir is a battery-powered top/pant combo that delivers far infrared heat directly to the body. With such an outfit, one can do hot yoga at home, as the campaign shows. It’s also possible to gain heat benefits by just taking a walk around the block. Vivir’s clothing line is black, features the Vivir logo, and comes in both men’s and women’s styles. The lithium-ion battery seems to be worn directly on the person, but the campaign doesn’t make this too clear. On its highest setting, the battery only lasts about an hour. Both the pants and shirts are hand washable—upon removing the battery, of course.

Vivir joins the market of products that claim weight loss and crazy health benefits by just sitting on one’s butt. Much like the Cold Shoulder, a vest that uses cold exposure to burn calories, Vivir elicits some skepticism. If it actually works, great. If not, though, it seems a little unsafe to be wearing a high temperature outfit. In addition, the battery doesn’t even last very long.

Everyone wants to look hot, but not actually feel too hot. Unfortunately, the photos of guys in lab coats on the campaign page aren’t enough to convince. One pant/top set will cost backers a whopping $489 for delivery in May of this year. Vivir is looking to raise $22,500 on Kickstarter by March 4.

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Health and Wellness

Fever Reliever lets you wrap your head and keep some cool

A migraine headache or a fever can be pretty debilitating. And if one’s child has a severe fever, it can be scary and challenging trying to get them cooled down.

Fever Reliever is a cooling head wrap that easily holds ice packs on one’s head so that they don’t fall off. The opening in the back of the gadget allows the user to slide cold packs into the front and back of the headband, and then secure the wrap on the head. It fastens via Velcro connectors, which are positioned toward the side of the head. The product can be used for either children or adults. A high fever means that staying hydrated is also very important, so backers might want to check out Square Bottle and Cirkul.

This campaign seeks to raise $16,000 by March 4. For $15, backers get one product with an expected delivery in April of this year.

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Fitness Health and Wellness

Pitt Sportbelt lives on the waist, offers suspension training wherever

Suspension training is the latest thing in fitness. Basically, a series of cables and handles let the user harness their own body weight for resistance.

patent-claimed Pitt Sportbelt is one such suspension training system. With adjustable straps, the Pitt actually lives around the waist. So, when one is out running or cycling, they can whip the Pitt out whenever they choose. The campaign video does a great job of showing how this product mimics gym equipment, but can be used outside instead. It’s made from black nylon with orange handles and is completely washable. The system also comes with a door anchor to make working out at home easier.

As stated above, the suspension training trend is at an all-time high. People are looking for ways to get that kind of workout, and Pitt is one such method. It’s especially excellent for those who abhor the gym. Backers can have their own for a donation of €129 (~$146) with delivery in July of this year. Pitt Sportbelt is looking to raise €25,000 (~$28,200) in funding by March 3.

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Health and Wellness

Diabeto makes diabetes easier to manage by syncing glucometer with smartphone

Diabetes affects many people, but the way to manage the disease is fairly basic. Those afflicted must constantly watch their glucometer to make sure they’re safe.

Now, like many other afflictions, diabetes can be monitored with a smartphone. Diabeto is a small device that transmits readings from a glucometer to a smartphone app, Web app, or Pebble smartwatch. That information is then stored in the cloud to make the data accessible from anywhere, which can be “useful for remotely monitoring children’s diabetes by parents or [a] healthcare practitioner,” as the Indiegogo page notes. The app allows one to track their mood, activity, carbohydrates, insulin levels and blood glucose. It was designed to be easy enough for children to use, and is small enough to look almost like a children’s toy.

Backerjack has seen many smart devices that focus on health, such as the Wishbone and Fever Smart. Diabeto joins a successful market and will certainly be useful to those with diabetes. Of course, as with all such devices, accuracy is super important, and if Diabeto errs, the result could be dangerous. Still, Diabeto’s compatibility with both Web apps, smartphone apps and the Pebble watch set it apart from similar products that only work with smartphones. For their own, backers must donate $59. Diabeto is hoping to raise $10,000 on Indiegogo.

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Connected Objects Health and Wellness

Sophia puts the humble jump rope through a 21st century makeover & name change

Over the ages, skipping rope has continually proven to benefit the body in a myriad of ways. From working out and toning a variety of muscle groups to improving balance, it’s surprising how such a simple idea can do so much.

Like any simple idea nowadays, smartening it up with some connectivity instantly makes it applicable in a whole new way—something the Bluetooth LE-enabled Sophia jump rope proves. The halves of the leather-gripped handles lock together and come apart when needed, incorporating an OLED display when in use to keep users informed on the number of jumps performed without having to stay stuck to their smartphone. Its tough polymer cord and sweat resistant design makes sure it stands up to the most demanding of users.

Sophia’s companion app for iOS and Android communicates with HealthKit and GoogleFit to integrate relevant information into a user’s overall workout regimen. In addition, users can track jump records, go through Sophia’s arcade mode, and challenge others as well. All this functionality is accessible for up to 15 hours on a single charge. Sophia will cost €39 (~$45) and is expected in May of this year. The campaign is looking to skip its way to a successful €28,500 (~$32,300) campaign.

Other connected devices, like the STABALLIZER, Loop, and Glyder, have recently sprung up as examples of unions between the tech and exercise worlds, but none have been as elegant as Sophia. Its affordable price will surely attract not only exercise nuts but everyone else as well, positioning it well as a new device.