VERSATILE INNOVATIONS LLC

•   challenge
  
  • Given the busy pace of modern life, the fitness products industry is emphasizing more personal products that allow users the flexibility to work out whenever and wherever. The XDrifft exercise product, invented by a personal trainer (Charlottesville, VA), is a revolutionary device for functional exercise — using the body's own weight and resistance to strengthen and tone muscles. In turn, the XDrifft allows each user — whether novice or athlete — to tailor their workout to their own individual level of fitness.
    
    The fitness training provided by the portable XDrifft addresses and isolates the most basic, everyday muscles of the body and builds joint strength, allowing both beginners and pros to benefit. In essence, the XDrifft mimics natural sports movements by allowing users to gently glide on a floor surface to stretch their limbs and abdomen, thus working every muscle in the body while protecting joints.
    
    
•   solution
  
  • Versatile Innovations approached SPARK with a rough proof-of-concept model of the basic XDrifft concept that defined a method of exercise, but not a fully-realized device. SPARK then collaborated with the inventor to transform the concept into a functional, marketable product, including numerous, value-added features:
    
    Developed the XDrifft proof-of-concept by defining a project design criteria, producing concept sketches, providing expert guidance and qualifying contract manufacturers.
    
    Designed the XDrifft handle to freely rotate and to reverse its orientation from front to back to accommodate both hand and foot grips for pushups, muscle stretching and toning, and leg exercises.
    
    Engineered a solid, molded, plastic handle with blown structural foam to achieve the necessary support strength (without metal) to accommodate a range or weight loads and stress.
    
    Designed the XDrifft handle bar with an over-molded, elastomeric material for a more comfortable and secure grip, plus the over-center, handle bar latches with positive, tactile feedback for secure attachment.
    
    Designed the product with a smooth, plastic, slide-able, bottom surface to allow ease of movement on most floor surfaces.
    
    
•   result
  
  • The XDrifft was successfully completed to the client's satisfaction and is now being manufactured and is available on the market. Learn more about the XDrifft at www.xdrifft.com.