Motivating and incentivizing children to exercise can be a tough challenge for any parent when it is even a chore for them to do it themselves. While based in Boulder, Colorado, one of the most health conscience cities in the U.S., the founders of GeoPalz are still aware of the challenges that parents face and have responded with a line of pedometers specially geared towards children. More than just a pedometer, the GeoPalz are actually an entire program designed to motivate children through setting goals, tracking activity and offering rewards or prizes for achieving goals. Since 2008, GeoPalz has been growing this program and adding features, but recently they announced an upgrade with their core product – the GeoPalz Pedometer.
At the core of the original GeoPalz is a 2D pendulum, and after setup, the child walks or runs and the number of steps are calculated by how many times the pendulum inside swings back and forth – think of the pendulum on a grandfather clock. This works fine, but the child needs to attach the original GeoPalz to his hip to use. If located in the correct spot on the child’s hip and if the child always moves in a forward motion, the steps are accurately recorded. How many kids do that?
Since the GeoPalz Pedometer was released, which we covered last year, GeoPalz released a second version of the device – aptly designated with a ‘V2’ behind the name of the original GeoPalz. This new version contains a three-axis or 3D accelerometer to more accurately record movement and it allows the GeoPalz V2 to be worn either the child’s hip or shoe. No more “ma, I forgot my GeoPalz at school.”
The GeoPalz Version 2 Tri-Axis Accelerometers further gauge MVPA (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity) points, and feature a built-in anti-cheat function with a unique daily alpha numeric code, internal clock and advanced calibration for accuracy. As with the previous model, the V2 models are also water resistant as well.
httpv://youtu.be/7Gb2ZnVCBVs
GeoPalz has kept the original hip-only version in its product line up offering it at a lower price point than the ‘Version 2’. The original has a retail price of $14.99 and the V2 is listed at $25.00. There are a total 12 different styles of GeoPalz, but not all of them are available in both versions. Both versions work the same with the incentive program on the GeoPalz website, just enter the number steps and track the steps taken. The prizes that a child ‘wins’ using the GeoPalz program are mere trinkets to the larger prize – a healthier life.