We are squarely existing in the age of technology. Digital information makes people work and live more efficiently. The world of fitness is no exception.
Enter GOQii (pronounced go – key).
GOQii is not a product, but a system. It combines the innovation of tracking technology with the expertise of the world’s leading habit and health experts to bring a new take on fitness.
The problem
Since 2007, the emergence of digital fitness technology has been increasing as many companies enter the market. These convenient wristbands serve as a recording device, tracking information like a pedometer or a calorie counter.
But how many times have people made resolutions, or commitments that later fall through or get pushed down on their priorities list? The problem with the activity bands is that once the initial excitement of the product fades they usually end up sitting on the charger collecting dust. The solution is the GOQii Ecosystem.
The Solution
GOQii does not just track caloric intake and steps. It is a complete system geared to assist you in a lifestyle change. It includes a personal coach who helps you interpret the numbers that are collected by the band and sets reachable and realistic goals.
The gamified experience used for the GOQii is just another unique feature brought in by the founder, Vishal Gonder, who at age 16 created Indiagames. The venture was later sold to the Walt Disney Co. and is still recognized as one of the most successful gaming startups. This approach will work to engage the users more by setting up achievable goals and rewards while allowing the users to challenge themselves. This is just one more way to motivate the unmotivated.
Daily contact with the coaches through the engaging mobile app will help to encourage people to stay motivated as well as give helpful tips on living a healthy lifestyle. There’s nothing like a personal commando coach pushing you when you think you can’t go any further.
How the GOQii Lifestyle Works
GOQii Ecosystem begins with the band measuring the activity and sleep of the user. The information is sent to the mobile app which tracks nutrition, lifestyle and karma. The coach partners with the user to interpret the numerical data and set realistic goals. Collaborating with health and habit experts, the coach encourages and reinforces the user to make healthy life choices. Then, karma points are earned according to the amount of activity that is done.
With the multiple interactions at different levels, GOQii raises the awareness of unhealthy life choices. When the user recognizes the harm of those choices they can begin to change their lifestyle for the better; putting into practice the GOQii Life.
GOQii looks to create a healthy lifestyle by focusing on the mind, body, and soul. They believe, the fast paced world we live in makes it easy to neglect the body. Just like falling dominoes, this affects our energy and stress levels as well as the way we feel about ourselves.
Through karma points, that can be donated to charity, they attempt to encourage positive energy that will help sustain the users physical activity.
For less than a gym membership, GOQii could lead inactive people into the next level of fitness. Having an expert that aides in the decision making process throughout the day can help to reduce unhealthy life choices. Fitness fanatics should rejoice over the idea of not only tracking their progress, but also having someone to congratulate them on it. Everyone loves a good pat on the back.
For a person that needs a lifestyle change, it might be more difficult to motivate them to change their habits. I was not fully convinced that adding a coach to the technology was going to change the customs of an average consumer. So I decided to ask the source about my concerns. Here is the response received from a GOQii representative:
“We do realize the dropout issues with wearable products and hence we developed GOQii Ecosystem. Our coaching modules are designed to keep user motivated and engaged to avoid dropout. However, if a user still becomes less active our coaches’ look into the root cause of [the problem] and work with them to get them active.”
GoQii was designed with the idea that people would need to be motivated and engaged to remain consistent with their new lifestyle. Just like any good coach won’t abandon his player, I don’t think GOQii will abandon the user either. With their #BeTheForce campaign, GOQii will need their users to give positive feedback in order to reach mass appeal and acceptance.
Sounds simple enough. Help yourself, while helping others and feel good about it. The GOQii combines human support with mobile technology. It should be enough to keep even the less than motivated people active. At least until the battery runs out!