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Laguna Niguel-based Power Balance defends its brand
The company says its products work and existing reports are ‘fundamentally incorrect.’
By Kristen SchottPublished: January 05, 2011 09:48 AM
In a move to tamp down claims that its products don’t perform as promised, Power Balance LLC officials are defending the brand and say its hologram bracelets do work.
"The existing reports out there are fundamentally incorrect," said Keith Kato, president of the Laguna Niguel-based company, in a statement released on Tuesday. "Power Balance did not make any claims that our product does not perform."
This comes after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised concerns about the marketing of the product as "performance technology" and its ability to improve balance, strength and flexibility by working with the body's natural energy field. In December, Power Balance acknowledged on its Australian website that there is no "credible scientific evidence" to its claims. At that time, the company withdrew the claims about the benefits and offered refunds to customers who feel they had been misled.
Now, the company "stands behind its products," despite the fact that its previous claims in advertisements were not up to Australia's regulatory standards, said Kato.
"The belief of thousands of consumers and athletes who wear our products are not wrong," he said.
The company voluntarily agreed to stop using the statements until it could provide the ACCC with its criteria of "randomized, double-blind scientific studies that support the use of those marketing phrases," Kato said.
In addition, the company notes that a recent preliminary study of the product's performance technology has found that the wristbands do provide a "statistically significant" result.
"We are committed to further evaluating the product's performance parameters so that we can continue to provide products that enhance the wearer's lifestyle," said Kato.
Founded by brothers Troy and Josh Rodarmel, who are among last year's OC METRO Hot 25 honorees, Power Balance began selling the bracelets in 2007. The product can be seen on athletes such as Alex Rodriguez, Lamar Odom, Carson Palmer and David Beckham.
Related headlines
OC METRO, November issue: 'OC METRO's Hot 25'
OC METRO, January issue: 'Working OUT'
OC METRO, December issue: 'The voyage of the Broken Compass'
Readers Feedback:
I have difficulty in the shower/bathing due to impairments as a result of a stroke. I have been in stroke recovery for two years. I purchased your power band because I an seeking to improve my balance in a number of ways. I believe in a wholistic approach. I have been wearing my power band for one week and I keep it on 24 hours a day. I have experienced better balance in the shower and while bathing. I did the small tests illustrated on the package and there was a significant improvement for me immediately. What else can I say? It has helped me and there is no denying it. Where the science has been documented or not, all I know are the results for me. It is reasonable to say that nothing works 100% for everybody.
Comment at 1/5/2011
This sounds like a colossal scam. Hologram bracelets? Come on now. Looks like a placebo effect making people think it's helping.
Comment at 1/5/2011
Well if its working for someone,what does it matter to you.
Comment at 1/5/2011
Of course this is placebo effect. It's so obvious, I just cant imagine why would someone buy this crap.
Comment at 1/5/2011
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"The existing reports out there are fundamentally incorrect," said Keith Kato, president of the Laguna Niguel-based company, in a statement released on Tuesday. "Power Balance did not make any claims that our product does not perform." This comes after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised concerns about the marketing of the product as "performance technology" and its ability to improve balance, strength and flexibility by working with the body's natural energy field. In December, Power Balance acknowledged on its Australian website that there is no "credible scientific evidence" to its claims. At that time, the company withdrew the claims about the benefits and offered refunds to customers who feel they had been misled. Now, the company "stands behind its products," despite the fact that its previous claims in advertisements were not up to Australia's regulatory standards, said Kato. "The belief of thousands of consumers and athletes who wear our products are not wrong," he said. The company voluntarily agreed to stop using the statements until it could provide the ACCC with its criteria of "randomized, double-blind scientific studies that support the use of those marketing phrases," Kato said. In addition, the company notes that a recent preliminary study of the product's performance technology has found that the wristbands do provide a "statistically significant" result. "We are committed to further evaluating the product's performance parameters so that we can continue to provide products that enhance the wearer's lifestyle," said Kato. Founded by brothers Troy and Josh Rodarmel, who are among last year's OC METRO Hot 25 honorees, Power Balance began selling the bracelets in 2007. The product can be seen on athletes such as Alex Rodriguez, Lamar Odom, Carson Palmer and David Beckham. Related headlines OC METRO, November issue: 'OC METRO's Hot 25' OC METRO, January issue: 'Working OUT' OC METRO, December issue: 'The voyage of the Broken Compass' |
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Readers Feedback:
I have difficulty in the shower/bathing due to impairments as a result of a stroke. I have been in stroke recovery for two years. I purchased your power band because I an seeking to improve my balance in a number of ways. I believe in a wholistic approach. I have been wearing my power band for one week and I keep it on 24 hours a day. I have experienced better balance in the shower and while bathing. I did the small tests illustrated on the package and there was a significant improvement for me immediately. What else can I say? It has helped me and there is no denying it. Where the science has been documented or not, all I know are the results for me. It is reasonable to say that nothing works 100% for everybody.
| Comment at 1/5/2011 |
This sounds like a colossal scam. Hologram bracelets? Come on now. Looks like a placebo effect making people think it's helping.
| Comment at 1/5/2011 |
Well if its working for someone,what does it matter to you.
| Comment at 1/5/2011 |
Of course this is placebo effect. It's so obvious, I just cant imagine why would someone buy this crap.
| Comment at 1/5/2011 |
