These reaction lights make improving your athleticism fun
23.2.2024
Translation: Megan Cornish
Fitness training has to be fun, otherwise I quickly lose interest. Lummic reaction lights even make squats and planks fun. They’re actually the ideal addition to my fitness routine. Unfortunately, the corresponding app has its issues.
The lights flash and beep on the ground. I try to turn them off as quickly as possible with a gentle tap, automatically doing repeated squats and lunges. After five rounds of one minute each, I’m out of breath, sweaty and extremely happy. Playing with the lights is fun.
Next, I place the lights on the floor in front of me, resting on my forearms. Now I have to keep my body tense to turn off each light with one hand. Not only is the exercise a fun workout, it also gives me a very sore stomach the next day. Without the playful motivation from the lights, I wouldn’t have lasted doing the exercise for so long.
You can see how you can use the lights in the video here:
It’s clear that playful incentives during training work. This is confirmed not only by research, but also by anyone who’s ever exhausted themselves in a tennis or paddle tennis match. Training with reaction lights also improves reaction times, as shown in this and other studies.
Possible applications for games, sports and memory training
So far, I’ve only tried the lights on my own. But you can also organise small competitions with others. The reaction lights are recommended for children aged three and up, and I can see younger players happily hitting the lights in my mind’s eye.
If you want it to be even funnier, you can turn on different sounds. The selection ranges from beeps to piano notes to animal noises. Seriously, if the grunt of a pig or the crow of a cockerel when you tap a light doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will.
In addition to quick reactions, you can also use the devices to train your hearing. To do this, I turn off the lights and only keep the sound on, meaning that I have to tap the light that produced the sound. Not that easy, I realise. According to the manufacturer, the lights are also suitable for memory training – especially for older people. The main reason I haven’t tried this is due to the hurdles when using the app. More on that later.
Quality and use
I chose a pack of four because four lights are enough for me to start with. You can also use more lights to create a more complex practice setup or include multiple players. They’re lightweight: 98 grammes each according to my kitchen scales. They can be secured to poles, benches or the floor with accessories such as suction cups and straps.
The round lights can be charged by stacking them on top of each other and only connecting the bottom one to the charging cable. This was new to me, but it works well. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, you should turn the lights off and on again before connecting to the app for the first time. Fine. But how do I know whether a light is on or off? If I press the only switch, the light briefly lights up blue – but that means I don’t know anymore. I would’ve liked a clear on or off signal here.
Source: Source: Siri Schubert
The app has shortcomings
After installing the app, I have to smile. I see the phrase «Beating begins», among other things, along with «Tourist 1» and «Slap in the face». Ouch. Do I have the wrong version? A call to the sales department confirmed my suspicions: it’s the right app, but the translation into German from Chinese is bad.
I soon work out what the terms mean. The linguistic inconsistencies are somehow charming. The connection between the lights and the app works well and the games and programmes also run smoothly. I can choose predefined tasks and determine the parameters such as duration, number of rounds and light or sound mode. There’s also the option to configure games yourself.
The exercises provided are so varied that I haven’t got bored after a few weeks. However, besides a better translation, I would’ve also liked more explanations and context in the app. It’s not totally clear to me whether I should arrange the round lights in a certain formation and what the difference is between certain games and tasks. I also think it’d be useful to specify the level of difficulty. There’s still a lot to improve here.
I also wonder how much my motivation is tied to the novelty effect of the lights. I’m still having fun and looking forward to the quick, intensive workouts. But what if I no longer find playing with the lights new and exciting? We always get used to things. That’s why I think it’d be good if the app or YouTube offered new games or development options. So far, I can find a normal and a Pro version of individual games, but I don’t know whether the «Stairs» are more demanding than the «Random» mode, for example. There aren’t enough explanations or context.
In a nutshell
The lights are fun, the app less so
The lights create effective training stimulus for reaction speeds using lights and sounds. They can be used in a variety of ways: in athletic training, in movement training for adults and children, in perception training and as memory training for older people. Training with the lights is fun and motivating. The playful aspects promote perseverance and effort in such a way that you almost don’t notice it. You can use the lights individually and as a pair.
The app, however, has shortcomings. Although the connection to the lights and the controls works well, I’m not satisfied. The instructions in the German version of the app are poorly translated and sometimes cause confusion. Because the app provides little context, it’s not clear how the lights should be arranged for some exercises and how progression can be achieved. So, I’m only giving the app three stars. However, if there’s a significant update or the UX and language professionals take another look at it, there’s definitely still something to be gained from it.
Pro
- Varied reaction and athletic training
- Versatile
- Play and the fun factor create motivation
Contra
- Badly translated app
- Not enough guidance or context
- No information about potential development
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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