Skulpt Aim: A New Workout Measurement Tool
A wrist band there, a smartwatch here, maybe a sensor in your shoe. Connected health devices have an evolving — and growing — place in our world, and as unique as they are, they tend to measure the same things. Heart rate, distances, sleep and such things are all incredibly helpful, however with the Skulpt Aim device, that is all left behind. Aim is a device that measures muscle quality (MQ) in specific muscle groups, up to 24, and by measuring biceps, triceps, abs and quads it gives a total body fat percentage as well as MQ score.
To quantify the muscle gains, Skulpt Aim utilizes 12 sensors and a technology called Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM), developed by Seth Rutkove, MD, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. EIM applies a small current of electricity through the muscle to accurately quantify muscle and fat, as each reacts differently when a current is sent through it.
The MQ is measured on an index, the higher the score, the better the muscle quality. With each measurement you can track your fat percentage going down while the MQ goes up, ideal for focusing on specific areas where you think you’re lacking.
With Skulpt, quantifying your training is far beyond simply looking in the mirror or even stepping on a bio-impedance scale. Each measurement with the Aim takes less than one second and the results are displayed on the device itself, no need to pair it with a wireless device for immediate feedback. It is currently compatible with iOS devices (iPhone 5 and later) and will be available for Android (4.3 and later) soon in order to keep a running total of measurements.
Skulpt’s website boasts comparable muscle measurements to hydrostatic weighing, the most accurate and expensive method. The Aim device also claims to be three times more accurate than caliper based measurements. It is available for pre-order at $199 USD and is also available for varying prices in Canada, U.K. and Australia. With a battery that lasts two months a single charge and is splash proof, the Skulpt Aim appears to be a must-have device for any serious trainer, regardless of the sport. Skulpt’s intro video can be found below and a number of how-to measure videos are available on their website.
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I’m interested, but for $200, I’m definitely going to have to wait for some reviews.
“With a battery that lasts two months a single charge” – I believe its stated as two weeks somewhere in their literature. I have the “Gold Edition”, which lasts just about two weeks with a few measurements on all 24 muscle groups and sync-ing.
As far as the Aim itself goes, it’s really a great device. The software could use a number of enhancements, which will hopefully come over time.
Overall, I find the Aim helps me focus on the areas I need the most improvement and can already see the difference over the first 3 weeks. Quite motivating.