Controversy in Spain by magnetic bracelets
Balance bracelets are called Power has sold about 300,000 units of the “new method” to regain the lost energy by radiating magnetism. Some famous brands pay for the look, as do Ignacio Gonzalez (vice president of the Community of Madrid), the Infanta Elena, the players of Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul, and even participants of Fame and Big Brother reality.
The major newspapers in Spain, World aware of this phenomenon and explain that several consumer associations have criticized the product.
Thus, the Consumers” Association Facua reported to health authorities and the National Consumer Institute (under the Spanish health ministry) sent a directive to the communities (who have the power to prohibit the sale or not ) warning that engage in misleading advertising.
The origin of the bracelets. According to the newspaper El Pais , it all started in 2007. Troy and Josh Rodarmel, two brothers in Orange County, California, released the Power Balance Bracelet. Josh himself explained the invention to the sports magazine “Slam”: “We have introduced in frequency holograms that react positively to the magnetic field of the body. Gt; Everything has a frequency, like mobile phones, wifi, radio waves and stuff like that, and all react together. There are frequencies that react adversely with the body, but others do it positively. We have discovered how to put them in a hologram which, in contact with the body, gives you balance, strength and flex1000ibility. “
To promote his invention, the brothers Rodarmel, amateur surfers, 50 000 bracelets distributed among those attending an action sports trade show in San Diego. He also gave copies to some friends, like Mark Sanchez, the American football team New York Jets. Then they hired more athletes, including basketball player Shaquille O”Neil or the Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello. And the bracelet began to move from wrist wrist.
A million dollar business. Making a piece of silicone or neoprene these bracelets in Spain does not cost more than one euro, but its retail price between 32 and 43 euros. Therefore, several companies signed up to sell “miracle bracelet” to ensure the same technique holographic: EFX, Equilibrium, Ion Balance, Powerplus, Power equilibrium, Trion-Z, Energy Balance, Harmony Zen.
The cheapest cost 15 euros, the most expensive 70. Antonio Lopez, a Spanish specialist in brands and consumer trends, believes the price is just one of the reasons for their success, “they are expensive enough to show signs of credibility and cheap enough to be accessible, probably was the hardest thing work by the creators. “
Doctors opposed. Asked by El Pais doctors did not speak well of this product. “It”s a way to draw attention without any basis,” says Peter Manonelles, Secretary General of the Spanish Federation of Sports Medicine. “They have no scientific basis. Only benefit those who sell them do not admit of any other consideration. It is the usual chatter.”
“My view is reduced in one sentence: they are a real bluff “says Cosme New, head of complementary therapies Spanish College of Physicians. “No support at all, is a simple business and I think unprecedented success. It is a fashion, as when they took those magnetic bracelets. Do you know anyone who wears now? What happens, what effect they stop suddenly ?”.