Dr. Louis Crowe. A registered medical doctor - a bit of a maverick who enjoys pushing out the boundaries. Endlessly tests and experiments to develop better treatments for patients and body hacks for everyone. His inventions have had more than a billion dollars worth of sales, been on millions of people and received FDA approval. Worked with Biotronik's think tank in Berlin.
Dr. Barry Broderick. Our electronics wizard who enjoys creating elegant solutions for the body. He devised stimulation devices for his PhD and his own vascular-product that received Medical Device Directive and CE certification. He taught in NUIG (National University of Ireland -Galway).
..and for the science-nerdy (like us!):
This exercise session was with BionicGym alone - no 'ordinary' exercise. Obviously, it was exhausting, quite extraordinary for a 46 year old!
BionicGym exercises you at a high RQ [Respiratory Quotient]. Ordinarily this happens only at intense exercise levels and cannot be maintained for long. It preferentially uses glucose/sugars as its energy source. So probably better at removing belly-fat; as you convert this metabolically more active fat to sugars.
Dr Louis Crowe (Inventor): "I've even trained for a marathon with it - with no running, no pounding the joints."
You set the exercise level you are comfortable with. At low levels (say, equivalent to walking) you can even work. Watch the video in the Gallery section - top of page) of BionicGym in use while working. At easy levels you can work at a computer, either sitting or standing. Obviously, as you increase the intensity you sweat and it becomes harder and then impractical to work. It is tough - you know you're training hard.
Also thanks to:
New stretch goal!
In the Spring of 2000 Louis would get into the cold Atlantic ocean so he could observe shivering. He noticed that as he got colder he didn't shiver faster, but more and more of him shivered at the same rate (~7-8Hz)... until even the teeth were chattering. Importantly nature's way to burn calories without moving was not dependent on generating muscle tension or moving the joints. Since then the technology has been through many iterations, improving all the time. We've developed it and researched it with companies (special thanks to BMR Ltd.) with University College Dublin and hospitals (in Ireland and UK).
The electronics need to be redesigned - miniaturized and made mass-manufacture ready. This is estimated to take two engineers eight months. Then the product needs to meet the regulations, be manufactured and shipped.
We believe it will help many millions be fitter, healthier and happier. However, we can only take the next step to design for mass manufacture with your support. 
This is a complicated product, delivering sophisticated pulse patterns. The prototype electronics and app are highly effective but it needs a full redesign- to optimize and miniaturize the electronics so that they fit snugly within the garment and be robust. But the team is experienced and confident having completed related products.
The timeframe for product delivery is tight but achievable. We estimate that it will take two engineers eight months to redo the board, test and submit it, etc. We are allowing a couple of months for slippages, etc.
This is a non-medical exercise device - as such, it should be available over-the-counter without prescription. The CEO has devised similar devices in the past. However, it is possible that the regulatory authorities (in some countries) may take a closer look at it /make extra demands - because it is highly effective.
Lastly, thank you for your time. With your help we will deliver this product, helping people be fitter, healthier and perhaps even happier! Please share and if you can pledge.
* be sensible -those with any medical condition or at high risk should consult with a doctor before starting any exercise program (including BioncGym). Exercise is absolutely necessary for your health but before embarking on any vigorous exercise program men >45 years and women >55 years, all smokers or anyone with any serious medical condition /risk factor (e.g. diabetes) should first consult with their physician. [American Heart Association guidelines].
The use of electrical muscle stimulation to elicit a cardiovascular exercise response without loading the joints. Caulfield B, Crowe L, Minogue C, Banerjee P, Clark A. Journal of Exercise PhysiologyOnline 2004;7(3):84-88.
In 1 line : "Maximal heart-rate response possible, calorie burn predictable".
Clinical application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation induced cardiovascular exercise. Caulfield B, Crowe L, Coughlan G, Minogue C. Conf Proc IEEE Engineering inMedicine and Biology Society. 2011;2011:3266-9. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6090887.
In 1 Line: "Potential to work in micro-gravity /space".
Neuro-muscular electrical stimulation training enhances maximal aerobic capacity in healthy physically active adults. Crognale D, Crowe L, Devito G, Minogue C, Caulfield B. Conf Proc IEEE Engineeringin Medicine and Biology Society. 2009;2009:2137-40. doi:10.1109/IEMBS.2009.5333972.
In 1 line : "...a viable alternative to cardiovascular exercise".
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation can elicit aerobic exercise response without undue discomfort in healthy physically active adults. Crognale D, Vito GD, Grosset JF, Crowe L, Minogue C, Caulfield B. Journalof Strength & Conditioning Research. 2013 Jan;27(1):208-15. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e318252f5e5.
In 1 line : "It is acceptably comfortable at training intensities".
Pushing out the limits of electrical stimulation. A case study in the aggressive use of an alternative to voluntary exercise. Crowe L, Caulfield B. British MedicalJournal Case Reports. 2011 Oct 11;2011. doi:pii: bcr0620114343.10.1136/bcr.06.2011.4343. [Note: only some of the techniques described are being made available at this moment].
In 1 line : "Shows-off the incredible potential of this technology".
Electrical stimulation of unloaded muscles causes cardiovascular exercise by increasing oxygen demand. BanerjeeP, Clark A, Witte K, Crowe L, Caulfield B. European Journalof Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. 2005 Oct;12(5):503-8.
In 1 line : "It's really exercise! - Department of Academic Cardiology, University of Hull, UK".
Prolonged electrical muscle stimulation exercise improves strength and aerobic capacity in healthy sedentary adults. Banerjee P, Caulfield B, Crowe L, Clark A. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2005 Dec;99(6):2307-11. Epub 2005 Aug 4.
In 1 line : "Even works for those who do not train much"
Comparative effect of a 1 h session of electrical muscle stimulation and walking activity on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in obese subjects. Grosset JF, Crowe L, De Vito G, O'Shea D, Caulfield B. AppliedPhysiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2013 Jan;38(1):57-65. doi:10.1139/apnm-2011-0367. Epub 2012 Nov 12.
In 1 line : "Stimulation mimics intense exercise even at 'lower' levels".
What is the Interval /HIIT stretch-goal program?
By popular demand BionicGym will include a pre-programmed exercise session. (Within safe, predetermined, use-controlled levels) BionicGym will alternately increase and decrease in intensity. You will experience periods of more intense exercise followed by recovery (More details in Update 4).
Is it real exercise?
Absolutely! You also get the exercise euphoria (“endorphin rush”) if you do it intensely enough.
Why do you not recommend it for women over 16 stone 224lbs /101kg?
Men tend to accumulate fat around the abdomen, women on the thighs. BionicGym sends the impulses through the fat layer on the thighs. You must be able to comfortably tolerate the impulses at an effective intensity to train. This becomes more difficult with more fat and cellulite. We hope to have a feature in the next generation product to overcome this.
Is this like those ab-toners?
No. They do not increase your heart rate, make you breathless, sweat or burn significant calories. We do share some underlining technology – using electrical impulses to interact with the peripheral nervous system.
Do the pads need to be replaced?
Yes, they are made of a hydrogel that will need periodic replacing.
I have a medical problem – can it help me?
You should seek the advice of your doctor / therapist.
Can it help me lose weight?
Yes, as part of your new lifestyle. Serious weigh tloss generally requires diet in addition to exercise. BionicGym may be better at removing abdominal fat (when used in a particular way) compared to ordinary exercise but we haven't done enough research on this to say definitively.
Can I do a marathon on the couch?
If you are healthy, yes, but you need to train with it first. You wouldn’t expect to run a marathon with no training. Likewise, you need to build up your body’s capacity to exercise intensely for long enough with BionicGym.
Can I use it at 'easy' levels?
Yes, Most people will only use it at lower exercise intensity levels. In the video I demonstrate it at high intensity so it is obvious that it is exercise.
What is the difference between Standard and PRO?
The standard BionicGym is perfect for those who prefer moderate exercise, who would prefer to go for a long walk rather than a fast run. who are older or have a medical condition, for those who would like to use it at lower levels -say working - or maybe for longer periods to help with weight-control or blood sugar levels.
PRO is great for people that are fit or want to get really fit. They want to push themselves - note this is not easy, it requires effort, strenuous effort to push yourself close to your limits. The PRO has ALL the programs and capabilities of the Standard product. In addition, it has programs that are more challenging. They are more challenging is two ways. 1) The maximum output - stimulation intensity - is higher. This means that you can recruit a greater percentage of your muscle fibers; this creates extra demand on your heart and lungs. 2) the shapes of the impulses, their pattern and frequencies are slightly different. These are optimized for higher intensity training.
What can I do to help you get BionicGym out?
Please share on social media (there are one-click shares at the top of the page). Tell your friends and, if you can, please pledge today. Thank you.