Strength-training fitness device Activ5 arrives in Apple Store

Activbody's Activ5, a portable fitness device designed to aid in strength training, is now available directly from Apple.com and select Apple Stores.

Activbody, Inc.'s flagship smart fitness device, the Activ5, is now available directly from Apple, either online or in select Apple stores.

The Activ5 is a small orange puck equipped with a sensor that measures more than 200lbs of muscle force. A user simply incorporates the puck into resistance training using their own body weight and strength. Activbody states that it increases strength by an average of 30% in just six weeks.

Activ5's companion app helps to coach users through using the device, as well as provides more than 100 seated and standing workouts. These workouts are often short, about five minutes in length, and can be performed anywhere. Activ5 is designed to be used by a wide range of users, regardless of age.

The Activ5 App also includes integrated games that can be controlled by using the device as a controller, effectively gamifying your workout.

Activ5 now features the adoption of HealthKit and an Apple Watch app. This allows users to get quick feedback on their wrist, such as heart rate and energy burned, while being able to view the data collected within Apple Health.

Activ5 is available at Amazon for $139.90, and is now available at Apple.com and in select Apple stores.

5 Comments

StrangeDays 12961 comments · 8 Years

About 5 years ago

Not as effective as a barbell.

entropys 4303 comments · 13 Years

StrangeDays said:

Not as effective as a barbell.

True. But a hell of a lot better in your carry on luggage.

Still, I don’t see the value of it. USD$139 plus tax?

welshdog 1897 comments · 22 Years

"He thinks dynamic tension must be hard work" - Dr. Frank-N-Furter

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

AppleInsider said:

...
Activbody states that it increases strength by an average of 30% in just six weeks. ...

... These workouts are often short, about five minutes in length, and can be performed anywhere.
....

Ok, a 30% increase in strength in 6 weeks doing 5 minute workouts.

Got it.

If it can transform this 69 year old body into a 20 something beach body then I'm buying! Otherwise, I'll have to stick to slogging through 6 hours a week of running and lifting heavy objects.

aknabi 211 comments · 13 Years

GeorgeBMac said:

AppleInsider said:

...
Activbody states that it increases strength by an average of 30% in just six weeks. ...

... These workouts are often short, about five minutes in length, and can be performed anywhere.
....

Ok, a 30% increase in strength in 6 weeks doing 5 minute workouts.

Got it.

If it can transform this 69 year old body into a 20 something beach body then I'm buying! Otherwise, I'll have to stick to slogging through 6 hours a week of running and lifting heavy objects.

Indeed... I'm a distance runner and body builder and have the Activ5... it's "okay" (and handy for travel) for getting a bit of tone and at least some form of a muscle workout in... but if you think you're going from a chip munching, Netflix binge-viewer to the photos in the app with this device alone forget it... And that 30% in 5min a day in 6 weeks would have to be for someone who must have atrophied to a stick.

Oh and the app UX sucks... they clearly didn't find a decent interaction designer for the app (or just didn't have one).

Here's some additional info from the Mayo Clinic on isometric exercise (emphasis added by me):

"Isometric exercises are contractions of a particular muscle or group of muscles. During isometric exercises, the muscle doesn't noticeably change length and the affected joint doesn't move. Isometric exercises help maintain strength. They can also build strength, but not effectively.
Because isometric exercises are done in one position without movement, they'll improve strength in only one particular position. You'd have to do various isometric exercises through your limb's whole range of motion to improve muscle strength across the range. In addition, since isometric exercises are done in a static position, they won't help improve speed or athletic performance. They can be useful, however, in enhancing stabilization — maintaining the position of the affected area — since muscles often contract isometrically to aid in stabilization.
Isometric exercises may be helpful to someone who has an injury, which could make movement painful. For instance, if you injure your rotator cuff, your doctor or physical therapist might initially recommend isometric exercises involving the group of muscles that helps stabilize the shoulder to maintain shoulder strength during recovery.
Isometric training may also be helpful to someone who has arthritis, which could be aggravated by using muscles to move a joint through the full range of motion. As people with arthritis perform isometric exercises and their strength improves, they may progress to other types of strength training. Strength training may help reduce pain and improve physical function.
Studies have shown that isometric exercises may also help lower your blood pressure. However, if you have high blood pressure, exercise at a lower level of intensity. Exercising at a higher level of intensity can cause a dramatic increase in your blood pressure during the activity."