8 Motivations to Start Up Health & Fitness

18 March 2020

The holiday season is officially over, which means it’s time to start working off some of the extra pounds you picked up at mom’s house. While people generally love the idea of looking like the dudes who do commercials for home-exercise equipment, most of us still hate working out and dieting. If you are one of them, don’t worry. There are a ton of startups offering the kind of motivation you need in the form of mobile apps. Such apps use activity tracking as well as fitness and health risk assessment apps.

Today we’ll be exercising our startup muscles by taking a look at some of these young companies and what makes them tick.

8 Motivations to Start Up Health & Fitness:

Fitness gamification is huge right now, which makes sense given that it adds a much-needed dimension of play to the arduous task of getting fit. A great example of fitness gamification is Tep, which is basically a cross between a fitness tracker and a Tamagotchi; though, in the case of Tep, the star is a niftily-designed giraffe rather than a globular cluster of black pixels.

The more a user exercises, the better the giraffe does (users can buy their long-necked pets treats with rewards points they earn from walking, running and cycling). If users slack off, though, it’s curtains for the poor creature.

According to the app’s creators, a group of five super-talented self-starters from Szeged, Hungary, «Tep’s competitive edge relies on emotional connection and the mental „threat“ that the beloved pet might suffer from the lack of proper physical activity and thus offers a solution for curve fatigue effect.»

Does that sound a little dark? Sure. But it’s for a good cause. The founding team’s goal is to help users lose eight million pounds of fat in the next three years; there’s also talk of buying a giraffe.

The founding team built Tep on their own time and dime, but are currently funded by Traction Tribe and prizes from Microsoft’s Imagine Cup.

Tep is available in beta for Android and Windows phones, with an iOS version coming soon.

Wokamon

If you like the idea of a digital workout buddy helping you toe the line, but giraffes aren’t really your thing, then you might dig Wokamon, which comes to us from Mars Zhu and Hazim Abdul Hamid of Noodum.

Wokamon features dozens of animated monsters that get bigger and stronger as you do. Since it comes with a pedometer and syncs with wearables like Jawbone, Fitbit, and Up, you can be sure that every calorie burned gets counted and fed to your growing army of critters.

Connecting with friends on social media through Wokamon earns you reward points, which you can burn on unlocking new creatures.

Noodum and Wokamon are currently being funded by an $18,000 seed investment from Manchester Metropolitan University’s Innospace Incubator.

Gamified fitness apps like Wokamon and Tep have a lot of options when it comes to future monetization. They can either take the Zombies, Run! The approach of charging for downloads (which works if you’re as niche and well-made as that app) or offer in-app purchases for things like new backgrounds, characters, or crystals and boosters for your pet monsters.

For now, though, we can take advantage of both Tep and Wokamon for free.

Teamster

Teamster is an iOS app that, contrary to its name, has absolutely nothing to do with trucking. What teamster does do, though, is help you connect with other people in your area who are interested in the same sorts of athletic activities as you.

Conveniently, users are able to identify which sports they like and their level of skill in each on a scale of 1 to 5, which means you won’t be totally outmatched when you meet up for a game with other users.

When you find another user who shares your interests and skill set, swipe right in the app to add them to your team. Sounds like Tinder is ubiquitous, doesn’t it? Users can then create activities for other users or teams to join.

Teamster comes to us from the Melbourne based duo of Henry Chan and 22-year old Sam McCallum, who has a background in competitive running, cycling, and skiing.

Actually, 2015 is shaping up to be an awesome year for apps that bring social networking logic to the gym. Take Boston-based Perspyre, for example, which is coming out soon with a beta version for Android and iOS.

The whole point of Perspyre is connecting people who love to sweat and giving them access to workouts, advice, and motivation. Users can log into the app via Facebook and take post-workout selfies, record workouts, and brag about new personal records.

Though it’s admittedly a little intense for beginners, Persypre is perfect for those who are already «motivated and dedicated» enough to willingly visit Crossfit and P90x classes.

Perspyre is the brainchild of Jason Chisholm and Jeremy Mays and has received $25,000 in seed funding from John Piret of the investment firm Newbury Piret & Co.

If Perspyre sounds like it’s right up your alley, keep an eye out for the soon-to-be-launched SternFit iOS app which also gives workout buffs a great platform for sharing pics, tips, and workouts.

Rocket Journey

If your meteoric rise to peak physical perfection is still in the launch phase, you’ll find a helpful companion in RocketJourney, which bills itself as the «smartest and friendliest way to a fitness lifestyle.»

The app’s founding trio of Carlos Ayala, Pablo Artee, and Ernesto Cambuston has received funding from 500 Startups, the seed fund and startup accelerator comprised of Google and PayPal alums.

RocketJourney tracks all of your fitness activities from cycling to yoga to lifting to competitive eating — just kidding about that last one — and verifies that you’ve actually worked out through GPS and wearables integration.

The app motivates you to stick to your fitness regime by giving you points for completed workouts and taking away points for missed ones. The same logic holds true for user-created «teams» which add the pinch of peer-pressure that it just might take to keep you on track.

You can register for updates on RocketJourney’s release on the website.

OneSet

OneSet — «Vine for Fitness» — is another promising app to stay tuned for in the months to come. Users can create 15-second videos demonstrating an exercise or «stack» other users’ videos into workouts.

Since videos are organized by muscle group or goal, it’s easy to find the right moves for you.

OneSet’s founding team is based in Waterloo, Canada, and consists of brothers Amad and Shameel Abdullah, as well as full-stack developer George Xu.

GYM radio

Sometimes all it takes to reach the athlete within is finding the right music to sweat to, or the right gym to do it in.

Though GYM radio’s online music streaming service has been around since 2013, its new iOS, Android, and Windows phone releases have made it easier than ever to get amped up and pumped up at the same time.

The app features three music settings — cardio, gym, and hardcore-tailored to give your workout the right feel. Here’s the best part: GYM radio is completely ad-free, which means your runners high won’t get interrupted by voice-actors pitching toothpaste or discount car insurance.

GYM radio also offers a premium upgrade which, for a monthly or yearly subscription, will let you listen offline, skip songs, and get access to material unavailable on the standard version.

Gymhopper

Gymhopper — «Uber for gyms»- is a Swiss startup that aims to help you find the right gym by offering its users discounted individual training passes. Gyms benefit from the app by getting a little extra exposure as well as a shot at their target market, people who are actively searching for a new place to get sweaty.

Gymhopper is currently in series A fundraising but expects an iOS release later this year.

What can fitness startups learn from RunKeeper?

Figuring out how to actually make money with your app is a problem that can plague even the biggest of startup fish. Each of the aforementioned apps will have to figure out the right monetization strategy for their product and user-base. One good model employed by the leading fitness tracker RunKeeper is to partner with other businesses to provide sponsored advertising to users.

That means Teamster’s users could theoretically get discounts on Nike products for showing up at local softball games, and Perspyre users could get 25% off gym memberships for visiting p90x classes 3 times a week.

There are a lot of good ways to get back in shape, and a lot of good startups out there creating more every day.

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Polydrug Use: What Happens When You Mix Cocaine with Heroin?

Cocaine and heroin are among the most potent and extensively used illicit drugs in the world with deeply addictive and destructive potential. When we think of these drugs, we usually think of individuals having either cocaine or heroin addiction, whereas in reality the practice of taking more than one substance at the same time - known as polydrug use - is on the rise. Individuals typically start polydrug use by combining substances to enhance the effects of one or both of them. A very common combination of drugs in polydrug use is cocaine and heroin and in fact, the practice has become so widespread that it now has its own street name: "speedballing." When speedballing, polydrug users take heroin to extend and enhance cocaine’s short-term effects to avoid the crashing come down, essentially by replacing it with opiate-induced euphoria. The Health Risks of Speed Balling with Cocaine and Heroin: Although the effects of speedballing are extremely pleasurable and compelling to users, it is incredibly dangerous. Both heroin and cocaine have significant health risks separately but when used in combination and injected at the same time, these risks are heightened considerably. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and depending on the US state studied, around 36.9% to 98.9% of heroin-related deaths involve other substances. There are few activities in life that have the potential to be more deadly than speedballing and yet it is now a significant issue. Young people experimenting with substances are increasingly being encouraged to participate in speedballing without being fully aware of the risks. Let’s take a look at the differences between cocaine and heroin when used on their own: Heroin: Heroin is made from an extract of the opium poppy and it has been used for hundreds of years as pain relief for significant trauma. The way heroin works are by flooding the brain with euphoria-creating dopamine so as to “trick” the mind into ignoring pain signals from other parts of the body. The euphoria created by heroin is considered the reason it is highly addictive, as it immobilizes the body in the most pleasant way so that the only thing a user can do is lay back and enjoy the feeling. One of the most common ways people develop heroin addiction is by becoming tolerant to its effects, which can happen very quickly after they start using the drug. When the euphoria they seek starts to wane when taking their usual amount of the drug, they will simply up the dose. After a very short while of this addictive behavior, the body will start to develop cravings for heroin every time the user comes down from their high. Some of the withdrawal symptoms emerging if cravings for heroin are not satisfied can be extremely unpleasant and so more of the drug is needed to make them go away. Cocaine: The kind of high cocaine creates depends on the way it’s taken, which is generally by snorting or injecting. The effects of cocaine are generally short-term, lasting around 40 minutes and they are quite opposite to those of heroin. Cocaine is a stimulant that makes users feel a rush of energy, often making them the life and soul of the party. Whereas heroin immobilizes, cocaine stimulates and while on a high from the drug, users tend to talk at a fast pace, enjoying everything around them in an animated way. Cocaine is equally as addictive as heroin although it has a very different kind of appeal. Some people become socially dependent on the drug before going on to developing an addiction, using cocaine as a prop to boost confidence. However, as with heroin, cocaine has a negative impact on the brain's function, which can introduce extra challenges for people seeking to overcome cocaine addiction in heroin and cocaine addiction treatment. The risks caused by speedballing with cocaine and heroin include the following: Whereas heroin stimulates the brain’s production of endorphins, cocaine prevents them from being reabsorbed naturally. This eventually erodes an individual’s ability to enjoy the simplest pleasures in life unless substance abuse is involved. Cocaine is the only drug with the potential to hyper-stimulate the body to the point where the user suffers a stroke. When used in combination in heroin, it is not possible to detect that this is happening and there is a risk of suffering a stroke without any warning and possible death. The effects of cocaine do not last for as long as heroin and so speedballers tend to use more cocaine to prolong their high. This is incredibly dangerous and places the individual at risk of a fatal heart attack. Heroin has a powerful effect on the central nervous system, slowing down its functions when a person is under influence including the heartbeat and breathing. If there is not enough oxygen reaching the brain because a person’s breathing has become shallow after taking heroin, there is a high risk of brain damage or death. Because cocaine is a stimulant, it reduces some of the effects of heroin if taken at the same time. This can mask the warning signs of heroin overdose which include: confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, body limpness, and unconsciousness. Cocaine and Heroin Addiction Treatment for Speed Balling: Addiction is an illness that can be treated so that individuals can move on from substance abuse and enjoy a life in sobriety. Although challenging, the path through detox, rehab, and recovery on a cocaine or heroin addiction treatment program introduces individuals to a world outside of substance use, motivating them to make the necessary changes to overcome their illness. Because of the potency of heroin and cocaine independently, people speedballing face significantly more risks from substance abuse than those abusing one type of drug. The effects on a person's personality, behavior, and psychological state can be extended with both substances which is why holistic therapies such as those offered at the best heroin and cocaine addiction treatment centers are now commonly available as a cocaine and heroin addiction treatment approach. Through learning skills such as meditation and yoga or becoming physically fit through a structured exercise regime, individuals can move on from the difficulties in their lives cause by heroin and cocaine addiction. Read Also: How 12-Step Works As Addiction Recovery Support Addiction Treatment: 11 Tips To Find The Best Rehabilitation Center

Do Porcelain Veneers Stain

Everyone desires to have sparkling white teeth. They do help make great first impressions. But as you age, your teeth will lose their natural brightness and start turning yellow. This could either be due to plaque buildup or staining from drinking certain food items such as caffeine, red wine, or even chewing tobacco. The dental porcelain veneers treatments are the easiest solutions for you to relieve the smile embarrassments. When Are You Going To Need Porcelain Veneers Treatments? If your natural teeth have been discolored, an easy way to cover them up is to get porcelain veneers. Veneers are quite popular with celebrities who want to flaunt a perfect smile on red carpets. But if you are paying money to cover up discolored teeth, you don't want them to stain again. So do porcelain veneers get stained? Dr. Lavoyger E. Gies, who provides porcelain veneers in San Antonio joined us to share his expertise in the situation. What Are Porcelain Veneers? Veneers are thin wafer-like shells that are attached to the front of your teeth. They are custom-made in your natural color to help blend them with the rest of your teeth. These porcelain veneers are great for hiding chipped, broken, gapped, or stained teeth. And it is a non-invasive procedure too. The dentist will first shave down some of your enamel to prepare your teeth for the veneers. And then, he will stick the veneers with the help of a special glue. Once attached firmly, the dentist will do some polishing so that their shapes and sizes are exactly! What you are looking for. The whole procedure is convenient, and results can last a really long time too. And you can get them for either just one tooth or your entire front teeth. Will My Porcelain Veneers Stain? If you are getting veneers to alter your natural tooth color, you definitely want to know if they will stain too, right? Having to replace them regularly would be inconvenient and expensive. But fret not! As porcelain veneers don’t stain as your natural teeth do. The enamel of your tooth absorbs some of the colors from the food you eat. So eventually, they start turning yellow or black(if you eat tobacco). Even your dental fillings made from the composite resin can get discolored over time. But your veneers won’t get stained anytime soon. The best part is the porcelain veneers do not stain like your natural teeth and have no chances of the cavity and other black stains. On average, porcelain veneers last a good 15-20 years. And the material is not just physically stronger than your teeth but even resistant to stains. The natural tooth enamel is far more robust than your porcelain veneers. As a result, you have been more conscious while biting up pungent foods. However, you may have to keep certain drinking habits in moderation. Over time, the veneers may start losing their natural color after continuous exposure to certain strong-colored food items such as black coffee and red wine. How To Make Your Veneers Last Long? Restricting intake of certain colored drinks and regular dental checkups will help preserve your veneers. There are also certain oral care habits that will help retain your veneer’s natural color for longer. Regular brushing and flossing will help remove any food particles or plaque stuck to your teeth. They will even help prevent any gum disease that may affect your veneers. With the right care, some patients have been able to maintain their veneers for more than 20 years too. So if you are looking for good quality porcelain veneers that will last you really long, visit Dr. Lavoyger Gies at Gies Dental Clinic. It is a family and cosmetic dentistry in San Antonio that provides excellent cosmetic procedures to improve your smile. So go book an appointment if you are looking for a perfect aesthetic smile. Conclusion: The porcelain veneers are a revolutionary treatment. As you are growing older, your teeth can turn yellow and brittle. After the treatments, you can relive the embarrassing yellow smile. The white pair of teeth are the best features on every person’s smile. Are you currently facing these types of problems? Book the appointment for the treatments and enjoy the stain-free white smile. Read Also: Treating Open Wounds – Types, Treatments, and Complications Is Surgical Treatment the Best Option to Treat Essential Tremor? Do You Suffer from Varicose Veins? How to Know if You Need Treatment

Choosing The Best Dental Care In Gramercy

The lovely Gramercy neighborhood, located in the center of Manhattan, is well-known for its old brownstones, tree-lined streets, and active community. Both locals and visitors can find comfort in the presence of top-notch dental treatment despite the busy environment. This article will examine the field of dentistry and the outstanding Dentists in Gramercy who serve the community by offering first-rate oral health care. Gramercy offers the following comprehensive dental health services: Cutting-Edge Facilities Numerous dental offices in Gramercy are outfitted with cutting-edge equipment and contemporary technologies. These facilities put the comfort of their clients first and provide a wide range of services, from standard checkups and cleanings to cutting-edge cosmetic and restorative procedures. Dentists With Experience And Knowledge The dentists in Gramercy are renowned for their skill, extensive training, and dedication to providing customized service to each patient. To guarantee that their patients receive the best care possible, they have received extensive training and continue to learn about the most recent developments in dentistry. Future-Focused Approach Whether you need preventive care, aesthetic improvements, or restorative operations, they offer complete dental care customized to a person's needs and interests. Dental offices in Gramercy commonly offer the following procedures: Regular dental checkups and cleanings: Good dental health starts with routine examinations and cleanings. Gramercy dentists provide thorough examinations, evaluating the overall health of your teeth and gums and doing expert cleanings to get rid of plaque and tartar accumulation. Cosmetic dentistry: Gramercy's dentists are experts in this field and help customers obtain the smiles of their dreams. They use cutting-edge methods to improve the looks of your smile, including porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and smile makeovers. Restorative dentistry: If you have dental damage, tooth rot, or missing teeth, Gramercy's restorative dental services can help you regain your oral health and functionality. These include root canal therapy, dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental implants. Emergency Dental Care: Painful and uncomfortable dental crises can happen anytime. The dental offices in Gramercy know the urgency of such circumstances and provide quick and effective emergency dental care to reduce pain and address the problem as soon as possible. A Focus On The Patient They place a high value on developing enduring connections with their patients, paying attention to their worries, and developing treatment regimens specifically tailored to meet each patient's needs. The dentists in Gramercy work hard to establish a friendly and welcoming atmosphere so that patients feel relaxed and at ease while they are there. Convenience And Accessibility The dental offices in Gramercy know how important patient convenience and accessibility are. Many offices provide extended hours to meet demanding schedules, including evening and weekend hours. Additionally, patients may receive the dental treatment they require more easily, thanks to online appointment booking, flexible payment methods, and convenient locations. What Is The Need For Dental Services In Gramercy? Dental services are essential for increasing the general quality of life, encouraging oral health, avoiding dental disorders, detecting concerns, and providing appropriate treatments. The best oral health can be maintained by visiting the dentist frequently and avoiding issues. The following list of factors makes dental care necessary: Oral Health Maintenance: Dental services aid in the maintenance of oral health. Tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections can all be avoided with regular dental cleanings, checkups, and preventive procedures like fluoridation and sealants. Early Detection of Dental Problems: Dentists can identify and diagnose dental diseases in their earliest stages since they are educated to do so. With regular dental appointments, dentists can identify issues, including cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and anomalies in the teeth or gums. Treatment of Dental Problems: A variety of dental problems are treated by dental treatments. Dentists can treat gum disease and conduct fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, and other dental procedures. These procedures aid pain relief, functional restoration, and enhancement of general oral health. Cosmetic Dentistry: Cosmetic dental operations that improve the look of the teeth and smile are frequently included in dental services. These procedures include dental veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, and orthodontic procedures. Cosmetic dentistry can enhance the appearance of a smile and increase self-confidence. Education and Oral Health Advice: Dentists and dental hygienists offer information and guidance on appropriate oral health practices, including proper brushing and flossing techniques and food selections. They can answer any queries or concerns about your oral health and give you tailored advice on keeping your teeth and gums healthy. The Takeaway- Selecting the most suitable dentist in Gramercy is essential for optimal oral health. To make an informed decision, it is crucial to consider various vital factors, including qualifications, experience, reputation, and patient reviews. Proficient and knowledgeable dentists can offer comprehensive dental care, personalized treatment plans, and a comfortable patient environment. Regular dental checkups and treatments prevent dental issues and promote overall well-being. Devoting ample time to conduct thorough research and choosing a reputable dentist guarantees the receipt of high-quality dental services, fostering a long-term relationship based on trust and confidence in one's oral healthcare provider. Read Also: 5 Ways To Prevent Severe Dental Problems How You Can Effectively Ease Pain Caused By Braces: Top Tips

8 Motivations to Start Up Health & Fitness