Orca Communications Client Spotlight – Plankpad
Welcome to the Orca Communications PR client spotlight. Each month our clients tell you in their own words why they do what they do and provide tips for other growing small brands and businesses.
Plankpad is the world’s first app-supported total body trainer that combines workouts with games. Instead of just fighting the clock, the app (available for iOS and Android) motivates intense workouts through varied games. Simply place your smartphone or tablet on the board, lean on it in the plank position, and control the games through your movements. The games challenge your playful ambition and distract you from the strenuous workout. You focus on the game and keep up the forearm support quite incidentally – and significantly longer. The app can also be streamed to any smart TV. We talked with the owner, André Reinegger, about the ingenuity behind the product.
The questions were answered by Plankpad founder, André Reinegger.
Make exercise a game – a simple concept, but I’m sure this wasn’t an easy product to develop. How difficult was it to design this product?
We had to create many different prototypes to find the perfect size. The wood needed to be the best quality, very durable, and good looking, that is why we ended up with maple and walnut wood because it should also fit into any living room like a piece of furniture. We also had to try different foams. The foam had to be comfortable, sweat resistant, and long-lasting and the phone should not slip on it while moving the Plankpad.
I have to ask… of all exercises, why planks?
I had back pain for many years. I tried everything, from physiotherapy, acupuncture, medication, and injections, until I ended up starting planking. In the end, it was the only thing that helped. Planking is a very effective exercise to prevent back pain, but it is also the most boring one. To make it more fun and appealing, the idea of Plankpad was soon born.
What’s your favorite game to play with the Plankpad?
Of the 10 games we have on the Plankpad App, Fruit Splicer is one of the favorites, but we are working on more games to keep the challenge high.
Turning to the business side of things – physical products like this can be tough to bring to market. What has been the biggest challenge and how have you overcome it?
You are facing many challenges when you bring a product to the market, even when the product is launched you will face more challenges. One challenge of course was to communicate our product to another country. For the U.S. market, we found Orca.
What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur who wants to create a fitness product?
Find a niche and create a strong brand around it. Develop high-quality products and listen to the customer’s feedback.
Now for a question I ask all of our clients. Name one thing you like about working with Orca Communications.
We like the fast and uncomplicated communication with Orca, and the results of course.
Are there any specific projects or designs you’re working on right now that you’d like to share?
We are working on more products that are fitting into the Plankpad world. Products that can be used perfectly together with Plankpad. This year we will launch a few new products.