The crowdfunding charts: Resistance fitness wear, affordable VR & more

The range of new technology emerging on a daily basis never ceases to amaze us. This is especially true in today’s world, where crowdfunding campaigns such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo give anyone who has a great idea the opportunity to make that idea a reality. Although this might be a bold or risky endeavor, it is difficult to truly fail if the product you are providing is something people need. From new fitness wearables to an affordable VR headset, check out all the different startups we found this week.

What campaigns hit crowdfunding this week

Intrvl Band on Kickstarter

Started: August 10
Goal: $21,000
Raised As of August 15: $12,190

Personal trainers can change your life, but they come with a hefty price tag.  Intrvl Band is the solution. Retailing at just $35, this new startup from Salt Lake City is going beyond your average fitness band by personalizing your workouts with intervals (short, intensive exercises followed by calmer periods), allowing you to optimize your time at the gym.

Don’t worry about Intrvl Band dying in the middle of your workout–it has a battery that lasts for four days, and it only takes two hours to fully charge. It’s also adjustable to any wrist size and totally sweatproof.

VUDE VR on Indiegogo

Started: August 10
Goal: $11,000
Raised As of August 15: $891

Virtual Reality has got to be one of the coolest trends in wearable technology right now. Still, for two college students with a small budget, obtaining a good VR headset seemed impossible. That’s why they invented VUDE VR, a low-priced, high-quality VR headset that can be used with any smartphone.

That’s right. Any. Smartphone. It’s not just meant for the VR gaming apps on your phone, either. VUDE VR can also be used to watch videos in 360 degrees (which are becoming more and more popular thanks to YouTube and GoPro). Additionally, VUDE VR has a removable face plate so you can use the headset with augmented reality apps. The possibilities with are endless.

What campaigns are hot this week

Zondo and Astec’s self-heating gloves and insoles on Kickstarter

Started: August 7
Goal: £10,000 ($15,614)
Raised As of August 15: £31,072 ($48,515) (goal reached!)

Sometimes, the best technology isn’t powered by a battery, but by the person using it. The new collaborative project between Zondo and Astec are the first-ever natural heat generating gloves and shoe insoles. How nice would it be to not buy those little hand-warmer packets all the time?

England-based companies Astec and Zondo created a fabric that uses materials previously developed by the German military. The fabric draws in energy and reflects the heat from your body. Whether you’re outside in cold weather or suffer from poor blood circulation, these gloves and insoles are sure to help.

RXACTIVE on Indiegogo

Started: August 11
Goal: $30,000
Raised As of August 15: $49,336 (goal reached!)

Reaching your fundraising goal on crowdfunding websites in just four days seems nearly impossible, but not for RXACTIVE. That’s due to the fact that this range of smart clothing with built-in resistance for higher workout efficiency was undoubtedly needed in a market where workout clothes seem to be increasingly aesthetics-oriented.

The results of RXACTIVE are undeniable. The clothing line was tested at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, with findings showing that using RXACTIVE resulted in a 14% increase of burned calories and a 23% increase in key muscle group activation. This could cut your workout time from 30 minutes to 20, and in a world where time is money, this is huge.

Now that it’s fully funded, RXACTIVE anticipates to start shipping and delivering its products in early December.

What campaigns could use some love

GoMote on Kickstarter

Started: July 23
Goal: $110,000 CAD ($84,852)
Raised As of August 15: $625 CAD ($482)

We have remotes for all kinds of devices, like our TVs and sound systems. Don’t our smartphones and tablets deserve a remote, too? GoMote hopes to be the answer. GoMote is a small remote with three buttons that you can wear on your finger. These buttons can control volume, as well as play, pause, and skip songs.

GoMote doesn’t work with one particular app, so it can be used for a range of music apps, from Spotify to YouTube. The ring-sized remote connects to your smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth connectivity, so no wires required (unlike your pesky earbud headphones). Early bird donors can get a GoMote for only $19.