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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/14/lumo-lift-review-posture-tracking-gadget
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| Lumo Lift review: posture-tracking gadget is a straight shooter | Lumo Lift review: posture-tracking gadget is a straight shooter |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Are you sitting comfortably? That’s the question the new Lumo Lift is asking, and hoping to encourage an answer in the affirmative by training its users to stop slouching and sit up straight. | Are you sitting comfortably? That’s the question the new Lumo Lift is asking, and hoping to encourage an answer in the affirmative by training its users to stop slouching and sit up straight. |
| The posture-tracking wearable from Lumo Bodytech is a small, pebble-shaped device worn discretely under clothing and near to the collar bone. | The posture-tracking wearable from Lumo Bodytech is a small, pebble-shaped device worn discretely under clothing and near to the collar bone. |
| According to the company, having better posture results in job promotion, happiness, meeting a dream partner and possibly gaining everything one has ever wanted in life. But does it really live up to that tremendous billing? | According to the company, having better posture results in job promotion, happiness, meeting a dream partner and possibly gaining everything one has ever wanted in life. But does it really live up to that tremendous billing? |
| Calibrate and coach | Calibrate and coach |
| The Lift has two main functions: the “align” mode, which keeps a record of frequent posture throughout the day and rates it; and “coaching sessions”, which track a wearer’s position and reminds them in the form of vibrations when slouch. | The Lift has two main functions: the “align” mode, which keeps a record of frequent posture throughout the day and rates it; and “coaching sessions”, which track a wearer’s position and reminds them in the form of vibrations when slouch. |
| It also includes a pedometer, measuring the distance in steps and miles a user walks, along with calories burned and syncs with an iPhone app via Bluetooth to analyse the data. An Android app is coming in 2015 along with a web app. | It also includes a pedometer, measuring the distance in steps and miles a user walks, along with calories burned and syncs with an iPhone app via Bluetooth to analyse the data. An Android app is coming in 2015 along with a web app. |
| The Lift needs calibrating each time it’s worn with a double press of the button when in the preferred position, buzzing three times to confirm. The device recognises this position and uses it to measure how often one slips out of it. | The Lift needs calibrating each time it’s worn with a double press of the button when in the preferred position, buzzing three times to confirm. The device recognises this position and uses it to measure how often one slips out of it. |
| Tracking how often the wearer slips from the correct position, hour by hour, the Lift rates posture as “remarkable” or “slouchy” accordingly. The Lift really comes into its own with its coaching function, which attempts to train people into the habit of sitting up straight. | Tracking how often the wearer slips from the correct position, hour by hour, the Lift rates posture as “remarkable” or “slouchy” accordingly. The Lift really comes into its own with its coaching function, which attempts to train people into the habit of sitting up straight. |
| Coaching sessions work well and are triggered either by pressing and holding the Lift for three seconds, after the device is aligned, or by through the iPhone app. | Coaching sessions work well and are triggered either by pressing and holding the Lift for three seconds, after the device is aligned, or by through the iPhone app. |
| The sessions last between five minutes and four hours, with the Lift buzzing if its user slouches or leans forward. The tracker will either buzzes continuously until the wearer reverts to a good position, or can just buzz once on the first detection of slouching. | The sessions last between five minutes and four hours, with the Lift buzzing if its user slouches or leans forward. The tracker will either buzzes continuously until the wearer reverts to a good position, or can just buzz once on the first detection of slouching. |
| It will only vibrate when the user genuinely slouches and gets out of position. It isn’t irritating. Think of it as a benevolent army officer reminding a soldier they are ruining the parade line-up. | It will only vibrate when the user genuinely slouches and gets out of position. It isn’t irritating. Think of it as a benevolent army officer reminding a soldier they are ruining the parade line-up. |
| Back pain relief | Back pain relief |
| The Lift was really useful in the office at my desk resulting in improved posture and a noticeable relief from back pain. It was interesting to see how often I hunkered over a screen or slumped over a keyboard when rushing lunch, and the coaching sessions were brilliant at helping me stop. | The Lift was really useful in the office at my desk resulting in improved posture and a noticeable relief from back pain. It was interesting to see how often I hunkered over a screen or slumped over a keyboard when rushing lunch, and the coaching sessions were brilliant at helping me stop. |
| Weirdly the app’s background changes colours and flashes up cheesy motivational messages such as “this is what we like to call #winning!” or “you’re a rockstar!” when mid-session. | Weirdly the app’s background changes colours and flashes up cheesy motivational messages such as “this is what we like to call #winning!” or “you’re a rockstar!” when mid-session. |
| The pedometer is basic and on data. I wouldn’t buy the Lift if I was after a solid fitness tracker – that’s obviously not its primary purpose. It also doesn’t track sleep monitor heart rate, but it does collect distance walked, calories burnt and rates how active a person has been. | The pedometer is basic and on data. I wouldn’t buy the Lift if I was after a solid fitness tracker – that’s obviously not its primary purpose. It also doesn’t track sleep monitor heart rate, but it does collect distance walked, calories burnt and rates how active a person has been. |
| Specifications | Specifications |
| Handsome and minimalist | Handsome and minimalist |
| The Lift is handsomely designed – small, light and minimalist. It can be worn two ways. | The Lift is handsomely designed – small, light and minimalist. It can be worn two ways. |
| First with the main body is against the skin under a shirt and the square magnet clipped to the outside of a garment keeping the Lift in place. It doesn’t work well with loose clothing, but all that’s visible is the little square magnet and a slight bulge where it sits. | First with the main body is against the skin under a shirt and the square magnet clipped to the outside of a garment keeping the Lift in place. It doesn’t work well with loose clothing, but all that’s visible is the little square magnet and a slight bulge where it sits. |
| The magnet is troublesome when wearing necklaces and ends up dragging the device towards the necklace and out of position. | The magnet is troublesome when wearing necklaces and ends up dragging the device towards the necklace and out of position. |
| The Lift also comes with a clip that is supposed to allow the device to be attached to a bra strap, but it’s very fiddly and doesn’t work very well. | The Lift also comes with a clip that is supposed to allow the device to be attached to a bra strap, but it’s very fiddly and doesn’t work very well. |
| Price | Price |
| The Lumo Lift costs £80 in black, white and grey with black and silver magnets. Extra magnets in a variety of colours to suit different outfits can be purchased separately. | The Lumo Lift costs £80 in black, white and grey with black and silver magnets. Extra magnets in a variety of colours to suit different outfits can be purchased separately. |
| Verdict | Verdict |
| Lumo Lift delivers. Correct posture has become a popular issue in our office-based world – the NHS has even written an advice guide on it. For £80, the Lift is great at encouraging its wearer to take better care of their back | |
| If slouching is something literally bringing you down, the Lift is definitely worth considering. As an all round health and fitness device, give the Lift a miss. | If slouching is something literally bringing you down, the Lift is definitely worth considering. As an all round health and fitness device, give the Lift a miss. |
| Pros: attractive, good habit forming, simple to use, 4-day battery | Pros: attractive, good habit forming, simple to use, 4-day battery |
| Cons: patronising motivational messages, align mode is pointless, poor fitness tracking | Cons: patronising motivational messages, align mode is pointless, poor fitness tracking |
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