[Review] Bluetens: the smart health connected electro-stimulator, to slip into your pocket

[ad_1]

Bluetens is one of the first smart health connected devices to tackle TENS, a category of accessories well known to athletes. The French startup hopes to seduce you with this pocket electro-stimulator, which offers Fitness, Care, Relaxation programs. We tested the object for 6 weeks. Verdict.PresentationThe principle ofelectrostimulation faithfully reproduces the processes involved in muscle contraction controlled by our brain. For muscle building purposes, excitement is produced directly on the motor nerve by perfectly controlled and coordinated electrical impulses to guarantee the efficiency, safety and comfort necessary for the user.Bluetens is the first startup to embark on miniaturization ofa TENS (in English Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), a muscle electrostimulation device. Since, the Cur startup has undertaken the same project, but is less advanced.UnpackingThe Bluetens is delivered in a blue cardboard packaging –pretty pretty –, which gives a more "playful" than "medical" aspect to the object –but we will not complain, on the contrary-. The design of the logo, fonts and product are in line. Bluetens does not pretend to treat you (although there is a category of care programs, we’ll come back to that). The materials are pleasant and the organization of the box is very studied. It's a great unpacking experience waiting for you and a pleasant moment that will delight the person to whom you will give it as a gift.The case itself is tiny and has only a very discreet dotted logo (too discreet?), a central button (which broke very quickly in my case) and a notched wheel which encircles it. The explanatory leaflets are well studied, clear and concise: a flawless one.The cardboard hatches contain small individual bags containing the connectors: a micro-USB charging cable and a split cable to connect the 4 self-adhesive electrodes to the Bluetens box. The hat also contains a storage pocket and 3 sets of excellent quality self-adhesive electrodes.At this point, the impression is excellent. Everything is there, well thought out and pleasant to take in hand. We just have to download the mobile application, to "patch" in the places recommended by small diagrams and off we go!In useI tested Bluetens extensively, which is regular use (not necessarily every night) for almost 6 weeks. The good and bad side of it is that I see things that a 2 hour Review will certainly miss.Long updates: On first use, you will need to do –as usual– updating the object's internal software. That of Bluetens works wirelessly, but not without difficulties. I blocked for a long time at this stage … and luckily I had several smartphones on hand.Choice of a program: I will come back to this in the next section, but the box only has two controls: the wheel for the intensity of the electrical stimulation and the button as a switch ‘On Off', it is therefore via the mobile application that you can choose the desired program, its duration and the muscle group concerned.The application: At health home, it’s complicated to make a 32-minute program without ‘bugs’, which most often results in a disconnection and a restart of the counter to zero. It is all the more difficult to admit that I was sold " the accompaniment of a physiotherapist "At the start and adapting the duration and intensity of the programs to the needs of the body. Clearly, I have rarely had the opportunity to do a session all at once without a hitch. And believe me, it’s quickly painful.

The broken button: from my fifth session and by simply pressing it normally, I broke the blue button which is used to start and stop the programs. Normally, however, the product is robust because it has been subjected to resistance tests. But mine was the wrong number ? It didn't bother me in my use, but you can see in the photos that he disappeared …The play in materials: After a month, I started to feel that the electronics of the case started to wiggle more and more inside the plastic case. Which didn't happen at the start. Again, this does not prevent the product from operating normally, but it gives an impression of quality below my initial impression.Autonomy: It’s the good surprise because I was worried about the autonomy of this small device. Even if I have not measured the duration to the minute, the autonomy of the Bluetens is important. I have recharged it far less than once a week, and it takes a few hours to charge.The programs : Bluetens' electro-stimulation programs are grouped into 3 groups: Fitness, Care and Relaxation. If the term ‘Care’ is largely exaggerated I think and obviously cannot replace a real physiotherapist (of course) they have the merit of existing and being the subject of useful tips within each recommended program. The relaxation sessions are very enjoyable : after a good day of living in the smart health connected Conference last month, I loved.However, I mainly focused on the programs of ‘fitness‘, Separated between‘Enhancement‘Or‘ Endurance ’for levels‘beginner‘,‘intermediate' or 'confirmed. Well there, as well be clear, if you hoped that the product would help you build muscle while watching TV… Ahem … stop dreaming and go back to the gym tomorrow! Bluetens does not muscle, at most it helps if you already do bodybuilding and eat properly. No miracles ?Mobile appThe mobile app is a black spot in my opinion. Its original appearance (two large selection wheels, like on the Bluetens) with its blue color and its drawn shapes does not make it very intuitive. In addition to my problems during sessions, we grope a lot in this application even when the functions are there and it is not that provided. On the other hand, the possibility of save your favorite programs and of schedule multiple sessions per week are well seen!Reviews & PricesThe Bluetens is not perfect, but it brings together the functions essential for anyone who wants to try electro-stimulation at health home, without risk either for his body or for his wallet. Indeed, at 175 €, Bluetens is probably 2 to 3 times less expensive than a ‘pro’ electrostimulator among the big names in the segment (like Compex).However, the mobile application is as disappointing as the packaging is pleasing. Buguée, it tarnishes the good impression that I had of the product in general. Because the Bluetens offers an incomparable advantage: it accompanies you everywhere and all the time, with a very respectable autonomy for its size !Our photos

[ad_2]

AB SMART HEALTH health home & BUILDING REVIEW