Toronto-based startup PUSH wants to be the first fitness tracking device that measures strength not steps. The device is designed for athletes and serious gym goers to optimize training by analyzing and tracking force, power and velocity during physical activity. The water resistant and antibacterial armband uses its motion and orientation sensor to collect data and send it wirelessly to a paired mobile app or web portal.
We first covered PUSH back at the end of August when the team was busy wrapping up their crowdfunding campaign video and were making some decisions on which platform they would be working with. At that time, the team had just launched PUSH Labs, an application-based program aimed at getting beta testers. The program was forced to close just after 24-hours due to an overwhelming 1,000 applications received for the limited 150 spots. A selection of these participants will be receiving their units this Winter.
It looks like Indiegogo is the crowdfunding platform of choice for PUSH. The PUSH Indiegogo campaign quietly went live last Friday to those that expressed interest on their site as well as to family, friends and the Indiegogo community. Today marks the official launch of their crowdfunding campaign. The campaign aims to raise $80,000 to go towards manufacturing, marketing, growing the team and completing some product development.
“We’re seeing incredible interest from the elite and pro-sports segment, but we’re also excited about getting our product into the hands of gym-goers too,” Co-Founder Mike Lovas told BetaKit. “Crowdfunding is a great way to get the word out to these people. The timing is right because we’re just about ready to start manufacturing, so having crowdsourced capital to put toward this will help immensely”.
Right now PUSH is offering backers the ability to get a device and the PUSH app for $139 before it hits the stores. This package has limited quantities and is expected to ship April 2014. PUSH has also partnered with BioForce HRV to provide a PUSH BioForce backer option for $259. BioForce HRV is a heart rate variation monitor which wirelessly plugs into your smartphone to measure readiness and fatigue. The system is already on the market.
“Joel Jamieson (creator of BioForce) has supported us with incredible advice for months, and since we have complimentary products, we thought it would be great to team up on a perk,” Lovas said of on the partnership. “Both products are about helping quantifying an athlete’s training in order to ultimately perform at their peak in their sport”.
PUSH continues to show its commitment in making this device as scientifically sound and reliable as possible. Back in August we reported that PUSH was working with University of Toronto’s Varsity Strength and Conditioning Coach, Adrian Lightowler, as their advisor. Lovas told BetaKit that they have added Swansea University to the mix and that they are in talks with four other university labs in Canada, UK, and Australia.
PUSH is also offering a Coach backer perk for $699 which gives coaches and trainers five PUSH bands and three months free access to the exclusive PUSH Portal. The web portal will give coaches the ability to manage schedules, motivate athletes, review performance and optimize routines based on the data collected by the wireless armband. The individual user app that pairs with the PUSH device will be free to download and use.
Indiegogo has proven to be a successful crowdfunding platform for connected health and fitness projects. Smart shirt, Hexoskin, from Montreal, has already surpassed their $100,000 goal for their respiratory and heart tracking clothing with nine days remaining. And it looks like PUSH is seeing the same traction. At the time of this article, the campaign has already raised nearly 60% of their funding goal (or $47,249+) with 41 days to go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGH_ak54Dc