It takes a lot of effort to go to the gym. The time commitment and financial investment creates a mental hurdle between you and the treadmill.
But if you have enough motivation to sit in front of your computer, forget the gym. Get fit while you sit with HOVR, a remarkably simple device that replicates the motion of walking as you sit at your desk.
HOVR launched an Indiegogo campaign on April 12, and within days had blown past its initial goal of $30,000.
What’s the product?
“HOVR is a health and fitness device—tested thoroughly at both the Mayo Clinic and the University of Illinois—that allows you to unconsciously burn calories while at work or sitting down anywhere, really,” says WeWork member Sinat Giwa, the company’s New York representative.
HOVR was founded by rehabilitation specialist Ron Mochizuki, fitness expert John Godoy, and self-described “workaholic” Jun Harada. There are currently 10 others on the team, including Giwa.
What was the inspiration?
Giwa says research shows that working out even three times a week isn’t enough to offset the adverse effects of sitting at your desk for eight or more hours a day.
“We knew that something had to be done,” Giwa says. “We decided then to develop a product that solved the problem of the absence of movement in the daily work day and desk activity. Five years later and after several field tests, HOVR is ready for production.”
How will it change the world?
Giwa says HOVR will promote a “healthier and more focused workday.”
“HOVR is going to change the way we work forever,” Giwa says. “It will introduce the most valuable asset that has been lacking from our long, sedentary work days to date—movement!”