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Have you heard of the Activebody Activ5 fitness system? This is like a whole gym that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s an interesting concept and highly portable, but does it really live up to all its promises? Is Activ5 effective? Our Activ5 review is going to answer that question and show you what this thing can do.
It’s an interesting piece of fitness technology, but spoiler alert, it’s not for everyone. However, some people might find this incredibly useful.
What is Activ5?
OK, the very first thing we have to talk about is what is Activ5. It looks cool, like a rounded triangle that’s just bigger than your palm, but what really is it? What does Activ5 even do? And how can it replace a gym?
This device is used to monitor how much force you exert. The Activ5 isometric based exercise equipment is built for strength training without weights. That means you’ll be keeping one muscle still (such as keeping your arm bent, as if in the middle of a bicep curl), while the other arm will be pushing against that one to create resistance.
Now, you can push your arms against each other without a device, so do you actually need this? Our Activ5 reviews found that many people got better results when using this because measuring force on your own is tough. Activ5 tells you exactly how much force you are exerting (such as 20lbs, 30lbs, and so on), and it helps create workout programs for you through the Activ5 app.
The device itself measures force while the app receives and displays that data, and it creates workout programs for you. Now that you get how this works, let’s keep going and see if this workout tech is right for you.
Features
We covered what the Activ5 does on the surface, so let’s talk more about what you can do with it. This is a pressure sensor basically that monitors how much force you are exerting. The device itself is great, but you will need a phone paired with it to make the most of your experience. Otherwise, you’re just pushing on the Activ5 without knowing if you’re applying enough or too much force.
When paired with the Activebody app, this shows you exactly what to do. The app helps you develop a plan for your upper body, lower body, core, and more. It shows you exactly how much pressure you’re exerting, and it tells you when to apply more or less.
Isometric workouts have been shown to have much less impact on the joints when compared to lifting weight, yet they still help you gain muscle and stay in shape. This device is adaptive and can be used anywhere. Use it in your bedroom, living room, or anywhere else. You can even use it while watching TV (yes, there are workout programs on the app with this in mind).
While our Activ5 review found that the device has limited use by itself, it truly does become a whole gym when paired with the app. Nearly any smartphone or tablet should be able to download the app, so you don’t need anything special to get started. It even integrates with Apple HeathKit.
Exercise Programs
What about Activ5 workout reviews? There are 100+ workouts available for you. You can pick from whole routines, or select specific muscles like chest, biceps, glutes, or abdominals. There are numerous pictures to help you do the exercise properly, and you’ll also see how much pressure you should be exerting on the Activ5 device.
One of the most unique things is the fitness games. These games require you to properly adjust the pressure so that you can get a high score. For example, you might have to move your icon by pushing harder or backing off. Or, you might have to beat an enemy by attacking at only the right moment.
Gamification has become very popular in many sectors of life, and fitness is no exception. There are numerous games here that can be played with Activ5. Not only is it fun, but you’ll be progressing in your fitness while also having fun. The Activ5 results speak for themselves and you can expect to gain some muscle if you’re dedicated.
Measurements
How big is Activ5? Despite replacing a whole gym, this thing nearly fits in your palm. It measures out to 3.1 x 1.3 x 3.7 inches, or 7.8 x 3.3 x 9.5cm. Not only that, but it requires very little power. You won’t have to charge it or worry about plugging it in. You also won’t have to worry about the power dying after several uses.
Activ5 just needs one AAA battery that lasts about 6-12 months. That’s under regular use. Our Activ5 review found that extensive users might have to replace the battery more often, but you should still expect at least four or five months worth of use (and that’s if you’re using the Activ5 constantly).
How do you replace the Activ5 battery? It’s simple. Just remove the top, pop open the battery cover, and remove the battery. It should only take a few seconds to do.
Activ5 Pros and Cons
Activ5 Pros
- Replaces a whole gym with whole body isometric workouts
- Can be done literally anywhere
- Very portable and simple to carry around with you
Activ5 Cons
- Requires connecting to the app with your mobile device
- You must tap the app to move to the next exercise
Final Thoughts
Our Activ5 review found this to be a highly unique system that many people will enjoy. If you don’t want to buy and store lots of weights, or if you don’t want to hurt your joints with high-impact exercises, then Activ5 might be ideal for you. While some people might gripe about how it needs to connect to the app, the connection process is simple and the benefits far outweigh the problems.
The app gives you over 100 exercises to do, plus there are gyms and personal fitness data that can show you how much better you’re getting. Activ5 isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely a useful product and fitness tech lovers should give it a try.