Category: Health and Wellness

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Health and Wellness

Gym Handle Attachment offers cleaner workout option

Working out is one of the best stress management techniques out there. But the gym is not necessarily the cleanest place when one considers the sweat and other body fluids floating around.

The Gym Handle Attachment allows the user to keep their germs to themselves, and potentially escape contact with others. The product has a steel attachment ring and a comfort grip handle which is presumably rubber, though that is not stated. It attaches to weight machines, replaces the other attachments they usually provide.

It’s not entirely clear how convenient it is to tote a gym handle attachment around when there is portable hand sanitizer out there that seems much more practical, but the handle does appear as though it may be a quality product. Backers concerned about making sure hands are as clean and germ-free as possible might want to check out the SaniTimer and Nailbon E. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000 on Kickstarter. Backers get one product for $100 with an expected delivery of July 2015.

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Cell Phone Accessories Health and Wellness

Vitastiq smartphone pen measures vitamin, mineral levels

Keeping our minds and bodies in check in our modern times of lazy food ordering and Uber rides is a pickle. Wearables have made it so most can have access to their basic physical vitals, but when it comes the levels of other harder to measures traits, people are out of luck unless they head to a doctor and pay the associated fees with the visit.

Among other techniques, doctors currently use expensive EAV, or electroacupuncture according to Voll devices, to check up on the body. The Vitastiq is looking to make the action of checking a person’s vitamin and mineral levels a routine one by using an iOS or Android smartphone as the brains behind an attachable, stainless steel pen.

Connected to a smartphone, the pen can gather information from specific acupuncture parts on the body whose electrical levels can be analyzed to let users know where they are with the vitamin and mineral levels. This gives them clear guidance as to how to act on it, and keeps bodies healthier in the long run. The device can be had for $99 and is expected to ship in March 2015 provided it reaches its $49,000 campaign goal.

Vitastiq can be a promising device, but that depends how much the users confide in the alternative realm of acupuncture and energy medicine. Studies show that EAV devices do exhibit effectiveness in analyzing vitamin and mineral levels, but for some that just might not be enough to sway them.

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Health and Wellness

Tissue Tablet offers germaphobes more sanitized bathroom experience

Germaphobes, take heart! There is a new product attempting to make its way into the marketplace that may be just the thing to make for a bathroom experience that seems more sanitized and safe.

Tissue Tablet protects toilet paper from those nasty airborne germs that can float up the commode. And for those concerned about the conservation of toilet paper, the motorized dispenser works via the wave of a hand. It’s not entirely clear what the product will be made of, but a protective casing over the toilet paper is touted as being the mechanism that will keep germs away.

For those really concerned about this, Tissue Tablet may be just the thing for them. How dirty the product itself will get, however, is another matter entirely. Backers that are this concerned about germs and air quality might also like to check out the uHoo, Loodini, and Fresh Air Plus campaigns.  This product seeks to raise $5,500 CAD (~$4,800 USD). For $150 CAD (~$131 USD) backers get one product with an expected delivery of January 2016.

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Health and Wellness

GiftAir portable air purifier cleans air around you

The air we breathe isn’t always clean. There’s lots floating around in our homes and outside, especially for those who live in cities. Air pollutants can cause serious health complications and send us into illness.

GiftAir is a portable air purifying device. It’s not just for the home, but can be carried around. Its campaign boasts that the product cleans the air within a 22 inch radius, blocking harmful toxins using air-ion technology. Running on battery, the device uses solar panels to charge up quickly and efficiently. It is white and made of bio-plastic manufactured from plants. Best of all, GiftAir features a strong clip so that it can be attached to strollers to protect young ones from the air. With no filter, it’s easier to clean and blocks out more gunk from the air, including pollen for those allergic to just about everything when the season hits.

It’s always a bit suspicious when a product claims to do something that pretty much can’t be measured. And the human race has gotten this far breathing in this horrible air. Still, data shows that the air is becoming more dirty and it’s especially important to make sure children stay healthy. This would be a great gift for those traveling to new places where the air quality is so bad it can cause illness to those not used to it, like Hong Kong. GiftAir’s portability is what really sets it apart from similar products. However, it doesn’t provide smartphone feedback like the Table Air, something GiftAir should consider adding in the future. Backers can have their very own by March 2015 for a $129 donation, provided GiftAir can reach its $30,000 campaign goal on Indiegogo.

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Health and Wellness

Solo helps toothbrushes and razors stand up to germs

A cluttered bathroom sink is one of the realities of home life. But the creator of Solo seems to think that a minimalist design is the solution. The razor and toothbrush holder is made of aerospace grade aluminum, making it more durable than the average holder. Because the razor and toothbrush are elevated to upright positions, the product offers a more germ-free solution than what is presently on the market – even though there are plenty of products out there doing that.  Solo is compatible with nearly any razor or toothbrush, and makes the claim that it reduces bathroom clutter because the average toothbrush holder is too bulky.

Perhaps this would hold some water if Solo could hold more than one toothbrush at a time. As for razors, they tend to become rusty no matter where they happen to be, even when sitting upright. This campaign seeks to raise $7,500. Early bird backers get one product for $20, with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Health and Wellness Wearables

ECHO H2 smart patch accurately monitors body with Bluetooth

It’s now a well-known fact that the wrist isn’t the best place for fitness tracking. Between most devices unable to know the difference between walking and typing and the inaccurate relationship between steps taken and calories burned most rely on, this isn’t entirely surprising.

Instead of relying on the limited information supplied by the wrist, Kenzen’s ECHO H2 uses a person’s own sweat to more accurately glean all sorts of information from the body, from heart rate to calorie intake and burn. Since the measurements are based on biochemical processes, the results are way more accurate; it’s like having a lab nearby at all times.

The ECHO H2 is notable because it takes the form of a wireless smart patch that uses medical grade adhesive to comfortably stick to a person’s calf or abdomen for up to a week straight. Over this time, it continuously monitors aspects of the body’s functions, alerting users with buzzes and sounds when they should ease up to avoid overtraining.

Although it uses Bluetooth LE to connect with a smartphone, it fortunately isn’t necessary to bring one along, a death knell to a lot of other fitness trackers. The ECHO H2 itself stores data that later can be synced with the robust mobile app, which offers capabilities like custom notifications, reporting, and team tracking. For $89, backers will receive 20 reusable and disposable patches along with a fully unlocked mobile app, expected to ship on July 2015. The campaign is looking for $75,000.

The ECHO H2 is extremely similar to the LEO in that they both keep an eye on user’s activity through sweat, but the LEO is a lot bigger than the tiny ECHO H2. With the LEO being reusable, though, it bodes much better for the environment when compared to the ECHO H2’s disposable nature. Both are technologically impressive, and gym rats and fitness freaks will be interested.

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Health and Wellness

Cirkul Bottle filters water, mixes drinks to personalized taste

It’s true that variety is the spice of life. Especially where water bottles and beverages are concerned. Cirkul caters to both with its filter and flavor bottle system, as well as a water and filter reservoir for those times with just some fresh water is preferred. Flavor cartridges allow users to choose nearly any desired flavor and get the perfect mix according to personal taste each time. It’s also possible to start off with one flavor and finish with a completely different flavor.

There is not a clear indication as to how frequently the filter needs to be replaced in order for water to remain pure. It is hardly the first of its kind, though. Interested backers might want to check out the Square water bottle, which has a mechanism allowing for fresh fruit to be used for a natural fruit drink, in addition to filtering water. Other interesting water bottle campaigns include Aqualight and Trimr. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000. Early bird backers get one product for $23 with an expected delivery of May 2015.

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Health and Wellness Wearables

V1bes sensor ring diagnoses stress via heart rate, brainwaves

The monkey on our all our backs all the time is the one known as stress, but despite its ubiquity, most people don’t know much about what in their own lives causes it. Stress is a contributing factor in not only the sicknesses we contract but in our general psychological well being as well. Many would agree how incredibly important it is to be kept informed about the stress levels experienced day in and day out.

The V1bes sensor ring is another wearable piece of technology that also tracks heart rate, but for a good reason. Along with heart rate, it tracks brainwaves with its ability to perform an EEG, and the surrounding electro-magnetic pollution to produce personalized reports available through the companion iOS or Android app. These reports clue users in to what’s going on and offer suggestions as to how to reduce the stress currently being experienced.

One time tested approach to reducing stress is a bit of fun. To that effect, V1bes also offers enjoyable little distractions that can be facilitated with the ring. From analyzing electric activity in your muscles to “tell how strong someone is” to creating abstract looking bio-profiles from data gathered, the product can let its hair down as well. The campaign is looking for $25,000 to get the $199 product out to backers by September 2015.

The V1bes’ form factor hurts its versatility as it cannot be worn everywhere like the much more attractive Olive wristband. What it does is admirable, but there are too many moving parts and isn’t as polished something like an Olive. Look out for further iterations if you’re really interested.

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Health and Wellness Home

Shower Rock steadies feet for silky smooth shaved legs

When shaving one’s legs, doing so in a shower (as opposed to a bath) can mean leaning over into some awkward and uncomfortable positions in many shower stalls – if there is any place at all to hoist one’s foot. So Shower Rock offers a place to rest that foot in order to make it easier to get that silky smooth result. The product sticks to almost any shower and the suction base twists into place to prevent the product from falling off the wall.

These simple, but effective tools can make such a difference. The rock’s textured surface helps the user’s foot stay secure during use, and the product can double as an aid for getting in or out of the shower, useful for any older or disabled backers. Shower Rock also travels well. Backers interested in a mini-spa shower experience might like to check out Octaloofah. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000. Backers may choose from four colors and get one Shower Rock for $25 with an expected delivery of May 2015.

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Health and Wellness

Eros hand sanitizer holder keeps clean close; great for dealing with scummy public

During cold and flu season, one of the best ways to stay healthy is to frequently wash hands. But for those on-the-go times when that’s not practical, Eros provides an easy way to have hand sanitizer consistently available. The dispensing gadget can be worn on a key ring, purse strap, lanyard at work or wherever one wants to have easy access to their hand sanitizer without having to search for it in a purse, pocket or desk.

Eros is great for any kind of teacher, public servant or traveler who encounter the germ-ridden public a lot and would like to remain clean. The product is easy to refill but it’s not clear whether it comes with a clip or if one has to purchase that separately. Eros is available in several colors and styles. Interested backers may also want to check out Loodini and Screen Sock. This campaign seeks to raise $30,000. Backers get one kit for an exorbitant $250 with an expected delivery of May 2015.