Tag: fitness

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Fitness

WalkSlide fitness device provides low-impact workout for older folks

Many people choose to engage in jogging in order to stay in shape. However, some of the best workouts come with aching joints. For older folks, it’s important to stick with low-impact activities to stay healthy and avoid injury.

patent-claimedThe WalkSlide was created for older fitness buffs. This product is a treadmill, cross-trainer and Nordic Skier in one. To use, one must stand on the foot pads and grasp the handles on either side. The product can be used to either go uphill or downhill based on which way the WalkSlide is facing.

The WalkSlide joins scores of similar workout products that we’ve seen on Backerjack. It seems like a useful product, especially for those who need a low-impact workout, but doesn’t come with any kind of display of calories burned or time elapsed. In addition, it looks a bit unstable, like someone might be able to lose their balance easily.

For a donation of $129, backers can have one by July of this year. WalkSlide is looking to raise $50,000 in funding by March 6.

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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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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

AK Athletic Kit uses cables for suspension training, gets results without the gym

As gym memberships become more and more expensive, people are exploring new ways to work out. Instead of relying on heavy duty machines for fitness, those looking to get in shape are venturing outside with a few small workout accessories.

patent-claimedThe AK Athletic Kit is a system of handles and cables that offers a suspension training workout. Such a workout uses the body’s weight to provide resistance. To use, attach the cables to something secure and choose the appropriate handle. With the kit, hundreds of different exercises are possible including everything from squats to pull-ups. The kit comes with instructions on how to do each exercise along with guides for circuit training. On Kickstarter, AK is shown in many different settings being used for different types of workouts. One AK Athletic Kit will cost backers a donation of $100 CAD (~$80 USD) for estimated delivery in May 2015. AK is looking for $30,000 CAD (~$23,950 USD) in funding.

While there are scores of fitness products that we’ve seen on Backerjack, such as the coreXtreme, AK sets itself apart. Most of these devices usually focuses on the core, but AK seems to do it all. More importantly, it’s similar to the TRX, a suspension training fitness system that’s currently quite popular.

Categories
Chargers/Batteries Nutrition/Hydration

EFFIC mug holds coffee, charges smartphones too

For people on the go, a typical morning routine may include grabbing a coffee and checking smartphones. If that’s the case, the EFFIC mug may be the solution the connected crowd did not know they were looking for. The mug combines a traditional thermos with the utility of a smartphone charger all in one.

The mug comes in a variety of bright colors and is molded with an indent designed to hold a device with the help of a magnet. The other side of the magnet attaches directly to the smartphone. EFFIC uses an external lithium-ion battery that can fully charge a device up to three times. The inner container is made out of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic.

While it may be nice to have a device nestled in the side of a coffee mug, users may not want their smartphones right next to liquid. The company touts a leak-free lid, but most thermoses leak anyway. Pledging $5 or more gets backers the EFFIC mug for delivery in May 2015. The campaign is looking to raise at least $58,000 on Kickstarter.

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Health and Wellness

Remix lets you enjoy your shake without cup-cleaning hassle

Staying hydrated during exercise is one of the best ways to keep one’s energy level up and eliminate impurities. And those who are fitness enthusiasts often like to include protein drinks and supplements to their diet. But cleaning a water bottle or shaker bottle can be a real hassle, especially when on the road.

So Remix is offering a single-use alternative. It’s made of recyclable plastic, so the 20oz cup doesn’t have to be washed, which makes it convenient when traveling. Remix comes with a lid, strainer and cap for easy mixing of ingredients and blending via shaking.Options are available to backers who would like to have their company logo placed on the bottle.

While Remix is an interesting idea, many people would opt for a more reusable option. Disposable is so last year. Interested backers may also want to check out Go-Shake, Square, TRIMR, and Cirkul. This campaign seeks to raise $78,000 by February 11, 2015. For $13, backers get one pack of 26 cups with an expected delivery of June 2015.

Categories
Wearables

FitLinxx device keeps you fit with a thin strip of adhesive

One downside of many wearable fitness devices is that they are too bulky to be comfortable, especially while exercising. Smart watches, rings and other wearable smart jewelry solve that issue, but some people either find them unattractive or don’t want to replace watches and other jewelry they already own.

The AmpStrip from FitLinxx in Westborough, MA eliminates both of those issues. The thin, waterproof device is only 3.5 inches long, 1 inch wide, less than one quarter of an inch thick including its adhesive, and weighs less than 4 ounces. Despite being as discrete and comfortable as a Band-Aid when stuck to the user’s torso, it’s able to track heart rate and activity around the clock with accuracy, the company claims.

The device is compatible with Bluetooth LE mobile devices including smartphones and tablets, and the company’s goal is to make it work in conjunction with smart watches, too, including those from Apple and Samsung. Backers who provide $119 in financing to AmpStrip’s Indiegogo campaign will get an AmpStrip when it ships in June, along with a wireless charging station and 30 adhesives, good for 3-6 months depending on how often the user opts to replace them. FitLinxx is looking to raise $50,000 to make further innovations to the device, which marks its first foray into consumer products.

It is a crowded market, but AmpStrip’s design and comfort level should give it a leg up on rivals. Even the LEO flexible leg band appears to be more bulky than AmpStrip. But the FitLinxx product does come saddled with necessary refills. On top of the initial cost, users will have to fork up $30 each time they need another 3-6 month supply of adhesives.

Categories
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.

Categories
Sensors/IoT

MyBiody Balance sensor checks vitals, keeps you fit and healthy

Many connected fitness devices don’t provide health insights that go much beyond the number of steps being taken by the user and the number of calories burned.

MyBiody Balance from French company Biody Balance & Régime Connecté (BBRC) fully takes into account user data including age, weight, size and gender. It can be used by fitness enthusiasts, seniors, athletes, or any other consumers who would like a way to better monitor their health.

This portable device relies upon bioelectrical impedance (bio-impedance) analysis, a commonly used system of estimating body composition. The device performs an immediate body check-up when pressed against a user’s ankle, measuring and analyzing body composition accurately and in real time. In order to do this, it also takes into account muscle mass, hydration, fat mass, bone mineral content and excess weight. The data can easily be viewed on an intuitive dashboard available on smartphones, tablets and computers. The campaign seems to be missing from CrowdedRocket, but the product can still be checked out on the Web site.

MyBiody Balance may well be more accurate than many other wearable fitness devices on the market, such as SensoTRACK, Fitbit and Jawbone. However, MyBiody Balance lacks the wearable component of rival devices. Some consumers might see that as a benefit, but others, especially those who like to show off their latest tech gadgets, will see that as a drawback.  The latter camp may see this more as a medical instrument along the lines of a thermometer than an appealing new tech toy.

Categories
Fitness

coreXtreme offers a rock hard core, lets you plank on planks

Strengthening the core is one of the most important ways to get in shape. Core strength helps your posture and assists with back pain.

Coming to the core scene is the new coreXtreme, a core strengthening fitness device. The product lies flat on the ground and is designed with two long planks and a series of multi-colored fitness bands. Each color indicates a different resistance in the bands, making each workout customizable. Using this product, fitness buffs can plank and workout their arms, legs or abs.

CoreXtreme joins scores of other fitness devices we’ve seen on Backerjack like the STABALLIZER and the BodyBoardX. While this product may offer great fitness training, it’s a very awkward shape and doesn’t fold up like many other devices do. In addition, it seems a bit limited in its capabilities. One will cost backers a donation of $1,000, woah, for delivery in February 2015. This product is hoping to raise a ridiculous $1,000,000 goal on Kickstarter—good luck with that.