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How effective is PushupFu?

Written by Jof on 10/08/09 View Comments
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Graph imageBefore we show you the stats, let’s set the scene with a little story.

It’s November 2008 and I’m standing in a quiet basement gym with an iPhone strapped to my arm with elastic bands. On the phone is the first working prototype of PushupFu. I press the button and start squeezing out some pushups only to hear the robotic voice of the FuBot shoult “HALF” the moment I started to falter. And you know what? I actually did a load more reps! I obeyed this crazy terminator-style voice without thinking twice. It was a truly bizarre experience and at that moment I knew we had something special.

Since then I’ve clocked up thousands more pushups and put on 10kg (22lbs) in muscle. Clearly it’s worked pretty well for me, but how well has it worked for the rest of our users? Well, we’ve taken a dive into the data and the results are very exciting!

40% at least double their max reps.
15% at least QUADRUPLE their max reps.
10% can now do at least 50 reps in a go (well done!!!)
100% of active users make measurable progress.
Our 100 most active users have clocked up 230,000 reps between them.

It’s clear; PushupFu is effective! We’re extremely happy that we’ve inspired thousands of people to improve their fitness and couldn’t ask for more. But you know what else came from our stats? We know which COUNTRIES are the fittest! Stay tuned to find out which countries are making great progress, and which are slacking. Feel free to take guess in the comments :)

[Footnote: The analysis excludes data from any users who've only used the app a couple of times. Makes sense we think - no one's going to reach 100 pushups just by installing an app and not using it, right?]

Not got one of our apps yet? Don't miss out - get PushupFu, CrunchFu, SquatFu and PullupFu to start improving your health now. You can find out more about them at GymFu.com here.
  • Excellently written article, if only all bloggers offered the same content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up! Cheers.
  • OneChanceOneLife
    I have to say that this is the first time that I actually see an application designed for a cell phone that can help you with you health. I'm glad to read about this and I think that this application could be used for our youngsters in schools and not only as a competition so they can be educated in the spirit of developing a healthy life style.
    _________________________________________
    Drug Rehab WA
  • You guys did some really great stuff! Thanx!
  • amandafit
    Yeah, but if you're starting from 3 or 4 reps from most lame average people, increasing them upto 8 or perhaps 10 reps in one go, really isn't all that hard, demanding or impressive.

    If the starting point was 50 reps, and your app improved 40% of people upto 100+ reps, it would be brilliant. But I bet it doesn't do that... Does it?

    Why not publish the start / finish numbers, which give a much better indication of what your app is actually achieving...
  • Hi Amanda - thanks for your comment. It's a valid point in some respects, however..

    It was a long time ago we did this analysis, but I do remember at the time we filtered for very low reps, zeros and other extreme outliers. However, it's a difficult statistic to present in any more than headline detail as it's very time-consuming to, for example, account for the amount of time people have spent on the course, whether or not they have restarted, the reps they started at etc etc; it's a very statistically diverse population. Nonetheless, we hope that in future we will be able to delve much deeper into this data and present a more concrete, publishable and accountable record of the benefits.

    Regarding the high number you quote (e.g. starting at 50 reps), I think it's worth pointing out that this is a fun motivational aid that appeals to people looking to add a bit of activity in their lives. If you can already do 50 pushups, the chances are you already have significantly above-average fitness and would perhaps be a lot less inclined to buy a game-like fitness app in the first place. Conversely, our users seem very happy they are able to progress from relatively humble numbers and feel good about themselves whilst doing it... and if that means they feel better and more self-confident about their wellness, then that's mission accomplished :)

    All the best,
    Jof
  • marvmiller
    I love your apps! Being Deaf though, can you add a long & steady vibrate for 3 seconds for SLOW DOWN warning? Also, 3 extremely short bursts of vibrate for HALF warning? Since I can't hear the voices egging me on, these distinctive vibration patterns can help me work harder without stopping to think I've done all my reps too early.
  • I guess you guys now need to develop Jogging Fu!
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