The maker of popular sports wristband, Power Balance Bracelets, has admitted that there is no evidence to back up some of its claimed benefits.
The £29.99 accessories have been extremely popular with celebrities and sports personalities, winning the approval of famous faces, David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Kate Middleton, rapper P Diddy and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name but a few.
In Australian promotions, the company claimed the bracelets used holograms to improve the body’s energy flow and boost strength, balance and flexibility.
Power Balance Australia has been forced to admit that the bracelets do no such thing and are no more beneficial than rubber bands. It said: “In our advertising, we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility.
“We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the trade practices act 1974.”
However, in a desperate bid to save its reputation, it added: “We have heard from fitness professionals, athletes, coaches, personal trainers and everyday users who tell us they have experienced benefits from Power Balance.”
The admittance came following an investigation by Australia’s competition and consumer commission.
Commission head, Graeme Samuel said: “Suppliers of these types of products must ensure that they are not claiming supposed benefits when there is no supportive scientific evidence.
“Consumers should be wary of other similar products on the market that make unsubstantiated claims when they may be no more beneficial than a rubber band.”
The company’s ‘misleading conduct’ has led to it offering consumers a full refund for these bracelets.
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