Ernesto Ramirez

June 14, 2015

On June 18-20 we’re hosting our QS15 Conference and Expo and we’re delighted that so many great toolmakers will be joining us to show off their devices, apps, and services. We’ve  asked each of our toolmakers to give us a bit more background information about their company and what they’re excited about. If you’d like to meet these innovative companies and the amazing people behind them then make sure to register today!

1. How do you describe Breezing?
Breezing is a mobile metabolic tracker that affordably, easily, and accurately measures resting metabolic rate through indirect calorimetry, a gold-standard method for weight management. The tracker syncs wirelessly with a mobile app, so users can track metabolic rate anytime, anywhere. It tells them the calorie intake and exercise plan they need to maintain, lose, or gain weight based on their unique resting metabolic rate.

2. What’s the backstory? How did you get started?
In 2012, we had the idea to miniaturize metabolic carts for assessment of resting metabolic rate. A researcher performing a human physical performance study at Arizona State University showed us one of the instruments at her lab. She was complaining about the cost ($35,000) and size (old desktop PC + printer), as well as the difficulty of operating it. The instrument was preventing her from moving on to more exciting studies for field-testing and free-living conditions. We decided to take on the challenge, and from there we developed the Breezing metabolic tracker.

In 2013, we launched an Indiegogo campaign to bring the Breezing metabolic tracker to early adopters. The campaign successfully raised funds to manufacture the first batch, and we distributed ~165 Breezing trackers and ~3,000 metabolic measurements around the world. Thanks to our Indiegogo users, we were able to improve the Breezing user interface, which later allowed us to validate the tracker with more than 300 measurements, using the Gold Standard method for indirect calorimetry. Today, the device has accuracy comparable to metabolic carts in the market at a fraction of the traditional cost, time, and size.

3. What impact has it had? What have you heard from users?
We have helped users understand their metabolic rate, the changes in their bodies, and their calorie intake needs. Our user base includes individuals who are clinically overweight/obese, those who have metabolic problems or hypothyroidism, and most recently, pregnant women. We’ve also helped people with fitness needs, specifically sports training and athletic activity.

In the meantime, we’ve promoted education efforts to demonstrate the need for measuring resting metabolic rate measurement in order to fully manage calorie intake balance and weight.

Our users have shared with us their success stories, and with their permission, we’ve featured some of these stories in our videos and blog. What’s most satisfying for us is knowing that we’ve finally brought metabolic rate measurements to the masses and that we’ve really helped people.

4. What are you doing next? How do you see it evolving?
We believe in creating better access to metabolic rate tracking, so everyone can measure and track their metabolic rate and caloric needs as easily as if they were measuring their blood pressure or their glucose levels at home.

5. How can people find out more about you?
Visit www.breezing.com , or stop by our booth at the Quantified Self Expo. We look forward to meeting you. We’d be happy to test your resting metabolic rate! Just be ready and prepared. Here the measurement conditions you need to meet.