In a 2019 Gallup study, it was reported that 55% of Americans are stressed during the day. Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization, 1 in 5 Americans are affected by anxiety disorders. Given these numbers, it’s no wonder that there are so many anti-stress products on the market. One such product is the Moonpod. The Moonpod is a zero-gravity bean bag that promises to reduce stress and decrease anxiety.
Background
The Moonpod was created by John Fiorentino, who also created the Gravity Blanket. Both products claim to reduce stress and anxiety — the Gravity Blanket through weighted beads that put pressure on the body and the Moonpod through beads that simulate the feeling of weightlessness. While weighted blankets have scientific research to back up their benefit claims, the Moonpod does not. It’s tough to be the first of your kind.
Function
The Moonpod is designed to mimic the feeling of weightlessness experienced by practitioners of Floatation Therapy. Floatation Therapy employs warm salt water to make the body buoyant. By contrast, the Moonpod uses high-density beads to produce the sensation of suspension. In both circumstances, the feeling of weightlessness is designed to relax the body.
This Moonpod review will examine whether the Moonpod, which retails for $399, is everything it claims to be.
Design
The Moonpod is shaped like a jellybean and comes in five colors: Cosmic Ash, Moon Indigo, Rose Quartz, Neptune Blue, and Space Grey. The outer material consists of a blend of polyester,cotton, and spandex. It’s stretchy, like yoga pants, and soft to the touch. It’s also removable and can be washed in cold water and dried on low heat. The outer cover comes off pretty easily thanks to a handy zipper, but it’s a bit difficult to get back on. The inner material is not machine washable. For this reason, users should keep the pod covered when the outer cover is in the wash. Additionally, users should be careful with their liquids as the outer cover isn’t waterproof.
Pro and Cons
The inner material consists of a dual membrane made of polyester and spandex. This dual membrane contains high-density beads, which are the foundation of the Moonpod. According to Moonpod’s marketing, these beads are what give the pod its ergonomic support and feeling of weightlessness. The beads act a little like memory foam in that when you sit in the pod, and they take the shape of your body. However, unlike memory foam, the beads contour the body providing personalized support. This support is excellent for relieving lumbar and neck pain. Unfortunately, the beads don’t live up to the other half of their marketing i.e., that they simulate weightlessness. The beads do hold the body gently, in a way that is relaxing, but definitely not in a manner akin to zero-gravity.
The other problem with the Moonpod is that its quite small. The average person will find that if they want their head to rest on the pod, then their legs will dangle. The Moonpod can be manipulated into three different arrangements: laid flat, chair, and reclined. The discrepancy between the length of the Moonpod and the height of the average person is most noticeable when the Moonpod is laid flat. However, it’s not so bad when you recline or position the Moonpod upright because your feet can rest comfortably on the floor. Additionally, the reclined and upright arrangements are great for supporting the neck and back while doing leisure activities.
Another issue with the Moonpod is that it’s low to the ground. This makes getting into and out of it a challenge, especially if you have mobility issues.
The Moonpod has a unique shape, but it doesn’t clash with other furniture. If you prefer, the Moonpod easily stores in most closets. Furthermore, at only 12 lbs, it is easy to carry from room to room. Furthermore, the Moonpod’s outer cover is machine washable, which makes it easy to keep clean and pristine.
Final Words
Overall, the Moonpod makes good on most of its claims. When laid flat, you don’t feel weightless, but you do feel relaxed. In the chair and reclined positions, the Moonpod does a good job of supporting the neck and lumbar regions. This makes the pod not only a product for relaxation but an ergonomic one as well. The Moonpod is also easy to store and carry from room to room as well as providing an additional sleeping option for guests. However, there are a few flaws. The cover is removable and machine washable but challenging to get back on the pod. The pod is also low to the ground, which makes it hard to get in and out of. Finally, the pod isn’t large enough to accommodate the average person’s length, and parts of one’s body will hang off the edges.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
