Plankpad: the interactive bodyweight trainer

Ordinary fitness training and strengthening is a thing of the past. Today, the magic word is digitalisation. This trend is taking over the world – and with it, planking. The plank is one of the easiest and most effective exercises. It trains many muscle groups at once: abdomen, triceps, shoulders, back, chest and leg muscles.

What's the point of an app?

In combination with the app for iOS and Android, this fitness device combines workouts with games on your smartphone or tablet. Here’s the manufacturer's marketing video:

I recently tried out this interactive full-body trainer at a sports trade fair. So much for «time flies». After three minutes, I had enough of the Plankpad. Despite games with funny names such as Snow Cruisin, Meteor Madness or Wave Rider. But I'm not really their target audience, to be fair. This product is aimed at members of the Y and Z generations, who can’t do anything without staring at a mobile phone.

My first impression

It's a life full of apps. And downs. Pun intended. And as I said, I'm not the target audience. I have a mixed impression of the Plankpad and app. If I’m going to do the plank, then I’ll just do it. What do I need an app for? But I can understand that the games make it easier for some couch potatoes to put away the bag of crisps, turn off Netflix and get a bit fitter while playing a game. From this perspective, the product has its justification.

Balance cushion

Plankpad Bodyweight trainer app

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Balance cushion

Plankpad Bodyweight trainer app

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In my opinion, the workouts and ways to use the Plankpad as a balance trainer are much more interesting. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to try it out at the fair, but I certainly will if I have the chance to. However, at 100 francs, the price is quite high. There are more affordable balance trainers out there.

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