Comparative Research
UpRight GO focuses on helping those who want to live a healthier lifestyle by working on their posture. They designed a compact, wearable device that provides real-time feedback for user monitoring. Users attach the device to their upper back using adhesive strips, and the device gently vibrates when it detects slouching, encouraging an upright posture. In addition, the UpRight GO mobile app offers personalized training programs and progress tracking for users who want to help their posture beyond just reminders. This product primarily targets individuals who spend extended periods sitting, such as office workers, students, and those experiencing back discomfort due to poor posture. By promoting better posture habits, Upright GO addresses the market need for non-invasive, user-friendly solutions to prevent back pain and enhance overall well-being.
Strengths:
- Non-invasive device that comes with a mobile app that gives people gentle reminders on posture.
- Device is not that heavy and can be worn on a day-to-day basis without problem.
- Feedback plans are adjustable and the device is waterproof and has a long-lasting battery life.
Weaknesses:
- Physical device needs to be charged after a couple of hours and the only way to track posture progress is through the mobile app.
- Device is meant to be worn in the back of one’s neck and can be bothersome and visible to others which might not be ideal for users who care about style and the way they present themselves to others.
- Device also relies on a vibration mechanism for posture reminders which can be tedious after a while or even not felt by many after they develop insensitivity to it.
Product Improvements: Our product should not disturb a person’s style and should not cause pain to the user.
2.Perfect Posture & Healthy Back Workout App
The Perfect Posture & Healthy Back app is designed to help users improve their posture and alleviate back pain through a variety of features. Available on both iOS and Android platforms, the app offers over 150 yoga and Pilates exercises tailored to promote spinal health and flexibility. Some of its key features include:
- Diverse Exercise Library: The app includes a wide range of exercises which allows users to choose the ones that suit their needs the best.
- Structured Programs: Users can engage in various programs, such as a 30-day challenge aimed at maintaining perfect posture, plank routines, and scoliosis treatment programs.
- Customization: The app allows users to create custom programs, replace or reorder exercises, adjust rest times, and select workout durations ranging from 5 to 50 minutes, depending on the chosen difficulty level.
Additional Features: Voice coaching, high-quality video tips, dark mode, cloud synchronization, Apple Health integration, BMI calculation, workout statistics, daily reminders, and informative articles about maintaining good posture and a healthy spine.
Strengths:
- App presents a variety of content that users can choose and pick from to improve their posture and back health.
- The app’s customizable features and clear video instructions make it accessible for users of all fitness levels.
- The app doesn’t just focus on improving posture, but also enhancing overall flexibility and strength through yoga and pilates exercises.
Weaknesses:
- Unlike some posture correction devices that provide immediate alerts when users slouch, this app does not offer real-time posture monitoring.
- The effectiveness of the exercises relies on the user’s ability to perform them correctly without external monitoring, which may lead to improper form if not executed carefully.
Product Improvements: Our product should not be entirely reliant on a user’s ability to perform an exercise correctly–should be more accessible to people of different fitness levels.
3.Chiropractors (Stanford Chiropractic Center)
Stanford Chiropractic Center is a chiropractic clinic that focuses on posture correction, spinal health, and pain relief. The clinic provides in-person chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and holistic wellness plans to help clients improve their posture and overall musculoskeletal health. Patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their conditions, followed by a personalized treatment plan that includes chiropractic care and other therapeutic options tailored to their needs.
Target audience: People experience musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and have medical insurance coverage
Strengths:
- In-person evaluations and treatments of patients’ conditions allows doctors to correct patients’ postures in real time and hear about their symptoms directly
- Chiropractic services are proven to help realign the spine, and therefore reduce pain and discomfort
- Can treat musculoskeletal pain anywhere in the body, not just in the back
- Treatments are performed by licensed chiropractors with specialized knowledge of spinal health
Weaknesses:
- Chiropractic services require in-person visits, making it less convenient compared to digital solutions like posture apps or wearable devices
- Many chiropractic services, including the Stanford Chiropractic Center, only accept medically insured patients, making it less accessible
- According to GoodRx, the cost of a single chiropractic visit can range between $60-200, depending on the provider’s location and type of treatment. This is especially inaccessible considering some patients will need multiple visits.
Product Improvements:
- Our app should be more accessible to a diverse range of people, not limited to only people who have insurance coverage or who can pay for treatments
- Our app should offer some way to improve posture in real time throughout the day, not just at specific moments (specific visits every once in a while)
- Our app should not require our users to go to a specific location in person in order to use it
4.Strava
Logo:
App Pages:
While not specifically posture related, Strava is a health and fitness app that aims to increase movement. We chose to research Strava as a competitor because we wanted to explore how Strava leverages its community features and other features to encourage a habit related to health. Strava is a mobile app that allows users to track a variety of physical activities, such as running, and share their performance with friends.
Target audience: People interested in fitness and who want to share their progress with friends.
Key features:
- Syncs with devices (phone, smart watch, heart monitor) to record GPS location and metrics related to performance
- See activity of friends and followers on your Strava feed (races, workouts, etc) and share your own activity, including photos
- Users can give kudos (seems similar to liking) and leave comments
- Join/form clubs, such as groups of friends, run clubs, brands, etc
- See popular stretches of roads or trails that other Strava users have been to before
Strengths:
- Strava allows people to socialize with their friends and larger Strava community through fitness
- Competitive features like challenges and leaderboards can encourage people to set goals and improve their performance
- Allows users to easily track and see metrics they might be interested in (speed, elevation gain, etc)
- Easy for users to locate new trails/runs to go on
- Gives users positive encouragement (as shown in the example screenshot, the AI feedback congratulating the user on a challenging run)
Weaknesses:
- Strava has a free and premium version ($11.99/month). It seems like the Premium version supports live tracking on Strava segments and real time performance stats. You can also only be ranked on a leaderboard or access certain safety features with a subscription.
- Some users report Strava draining battery life due to GPS tracking
- Strava mostly supports fitness activity tracking and social feature, but does not suggest specific workouts or have any coaching components
Product Improvements:
- If our app involved all day real-time tracking, it should not drain battery life
- If relevant, it may be helpful to sync to a wide range of devices to allow tracking of different metrics
- We can leverage user’s social communities and celebrate accomplishments to encourage goal setting and positive reinforcement
- We could potentially incorporate competitive elements to encourage posture improvement
- Our app should be entirely available for free
This is a non-wearable, app-based solution for posture awareness and improvement that targets people with chronic back pain or posture-related issues. Some features:
- Posture correction app that uses smartphone cameras to analyze posture.
- Provides exercises and reminders to improve posture.
- Tracks progress and offers personalized recommendations.
Strengths:
- No additional hardware needed for this.
- Affordable and accessible.
Weaknesses:
- Relies on manual camera setup, which can be inconsistent.
- Limited real-time feedback compared to wearables.
Possible insights to be applied for our product
- Integrate wearable technology for consistent, real-time feedback.
- Offer more advanced analytics and personalized exercise plans.
Massage centers usually focus on targeting muscle tension, postural imbalances, and chronic pain while promoting emotional well-being. Massages help not only the physical strain but also creates a calming experience, and helps with the emotional toll poor posture can take on their confidence
Strengths:
- Personalized in-person massage therapy sessions allow practitioners to target tension and get feedback from the client.
- Indirectly aiding posture correction by alleviating the strain that leads to permanent bad posture
- It helps in reducing stress-related tension, usually caused by poor posture.
Weaknesses:
- Inconvenient for clients with busy schedules
- Often requires regular sessions for sustained benefits, which may be costly
- frequent visits are inaccessible for some clients
Possible insights to be applied for our product
- A more accessible way to help users track their posture improvement over time.
7.Copper Compression – Next Generation Posture Corrector for Men and Women
Copper Compressions posture brace is designed to improve posture and provide comfort during daily activities. Featuring a figure-8 design, it offers targeted support for the upper back and shoulders while promoting proper alignment. The lightweight and breathable material ensures all-day wearability, making it ideal for exercise, work, or leisure. This posture brace is perfect for those looking for a comfortable, non-intrusive solution to support their posture and reduce discomfort. The brace targets active individuals who need support for posture during exercise or daily activities, and those experiencing general discomfort from poor posture. This product fulfills the growing market need for practical, non-invasive solutions to improve posture, especially for those spending extended hours sitting or engaging in repetitive activities
Strengths:
- Helps improve posture by gently encouraging proper alignment and reducing slouching
- Suitable for a wide range of activities, including exercise, work, and everyday tasks.
- The lightweight design allows for easy, all-day wear without causing discomfort or restriction.
Weaknesses:
- The one-size-fits-all design may not be suitable for all body shapes and sizes.
- While breathable, extended use could still cause some discomfort for individuals with more sensitive skin.
- It may provide temporary relief, but users may need other interventions for more significant posture correction or long-term back pain relief.
8.AI Posture Reminder App
The AI Posture Reminder App uses your camera to track your posture in real-time and give reminders when you’re slouching. It learns your posture habits and provides alerts to help you maintain good posture throughout the day. The app prioritizes your privacy by analyzing your data on your device so that none of your information is shared. It’s an ideal tool for people who want to improve their posture in a simple, tech-based way, without worrying about their data. This product addresses the increasing demand for technology-driven posture solutions.
Strengths:
- Uses machine learning to continuously track your posture and provide reminders when needed
- No personal data is shared or stored outside of your phone, giving users peace of mind.
- The app sends instant notifications when you’re slouching or have bad posture
- The app can be used during daily activities like work, study, or even exercise, making it easy to integrate into your routine
Weaknesses:
- You’ll need to have your device with you at all times to get the full benefit
- It may use a significant amount of battery, especially if you use it for long periods
- The app needs time to learn your posture patterns
Description: This device is essentially a stuffed animal that is meant to be placed in between the user’s abdomen and the desk or table in front of them. Since it requires the user to be sitting forward in this position in order to keep the stuffed animal from falling, it reinforces this particular posture of keeping your back straight.
Target Audience: Students and adults who work a sedentary desk job; particularly with an emphasis on students (since they’re younger) and adults who like stuffed animals already
Market Need/Uniqueness: It uses something as cute as a stuffed animal and is an aesthetically pleasing solution that seems inviting, as opposed to other available solutions.
Strengths:
- Very comfortable
- Can also function as a stuffed animal
- Not a very obvious intrusion (as opposed to a brace that’s very clear to others what it does)
- Can be seen as less intimidating compared to other physical devices
- Works anywhere as long as you have a desk
Weaknesses:
- Effectiveness depends on how the user uses the posture pal
- Very easy to just remove the stuffed animal and not use it
- Not a scientific or very medical solution (if someone has actual back issues)
- Not a free solution (costs between $20 and $35 depending on the brand)
- If desk is not at appropriate height (with it lining up at abdomen), it may not reinforce the correct posture
Description: Lumo Lift is a wearable device that can be attached to your shirt and reminds you to adjust your posture by vibrating whenever you hunch over. It comes with an accompanying app that allows you to track your posture throughout the day, customize when you want it to vibrate, and to set up goals to help further your progress over time.
Target Audience: Individuals who sit for a large portion of the day (office workers, students); individuals experiencing back and neck pain as a result of their posture; anyone who wants to improve their posture
Market Need/Uniqueness: It was the first wearable device to help with posture and influenced other trackers like UpRight GO.
Strengths:
- Recommended by physical therapists
- Very small and light device that isn’t very intrusive or uncomfortable
- Provides immediate feedback and reminders based on posture
- Connects to an app that allows for better tracking
- Customizable reminders and vibrations for each user
Weaknesses:
- Discontinued
- Rather expensive (upwards of $50)
- Requires charging
- Primarily only addressed slouching and back curvature in bad postures
- Attachment didn’t work too well; would always fall off of shirt
2×2 Grid
Why these Axes:
When considering potential competitors, we found that these were the variables that were changing the most. We also wanted to identify things that would matter most for a consumer other than things that just varied. For one, we have a wide range of solutions that are both physical or applications, so we wanted to address that since these solutions vary a lot. However, we noticed some of these are rather expensive or might not be easy to find. Additionally, we also wanted to describe accessible as being something that’s very easy to begin using in their lives without too much additional overhead.
Rankings: Ranked based on effectiveness specifically for improving posture
- Chiropractors – uses professionals to address the issue over a long period of time
- Upright GO – real-time feedback and alerts to
- Lumo Lift – similar to Upright GO but is discontinued (so no updates or maintenance of device and not easily possible to buy)
- Copper Compression Posture Brace – allows for physical adjustment of posture constantly but can be uncomfortable and socially awkward
- AI Posture Reminder – Also constantly provides feedback but is online and can feel a little distant than a physical reminder; users may also not like that the camera has to constantly be on
- PostureZone – similar to AI Posture Reminder but you choose when you want to check on your posture which is not good for people who run out of willpower
- Posture Pal – very easy to incorporate into life, but only specific audiences may like the aesthetics and can easily be put away
- Perfect Posture & Healthy Back app – workouts to help strengthen back overtime to support posture, but doesn’t actively focus on posture
- Massage Center – reduces pain from poor posture but doesn’t address poor posture
- Strava – a good app but not for fixing posture (we wanted to analyze its social features)
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