LifeWave Review: A Scam or Legitimate Health and Wellness MLM company?
Multi-level marketing companies (MLMs) have been around for decades, and in recent years, the health and wellness niche has seen a surge in their popularity. One of these MLMs is LifeWave, which markets products that are focused mainly on the use of patches. In this LifeWave review, you’ll learn who launched LifeWave and when, how it works, what products the company sells and whether they’re any good, how you can join LifeWave and what its compensation plan is, whether it has faced any complaints or lawsuits, what we like about LifeWave and what we don’t life, alternatives to LifeWave and our final verdict on whether we think it’s a legitimate MLM company.
History of LifeWave
LifeWave was founded in 2004 by CEO David Schmidt and President Dan Putnam. The company is based in Carlsbad, California and has a staff of over 50 employees. LifeWave’s first product was a patch that claimed to help with pain relief, and the company has since expanded its product line to include patches for energy, sleep, weight loss, and skincare.
Prior to LifeWave, David Schmidt was involved in several other MLM companies, including Amway, Herbalife, and Excel. He also has a background in electrical engineering. According to LifeWave’s website, Schmidt and Putnam launched the company in order to help people feel better without having to rely on drugs or surgery.
Putnam has a background in business. Prior to LifeWave, he was the CEO of two companies: a real estate development company and an internet marketing company. He is also a member of the LifeWave scientific advisory board.
The name LifeWave comes from the fact that the company’s patches are designed to work with the body’s own energy waves. The theory is that by aligning these energy waves, the body can heal itself.
What products does LifeWave sell?
LifeWave’s main product is its line of patches, which are placed on the body and are said to use light therapy to help with a variety of issues. The company also sells a skincare line that includes an anti-aging cream, a face lift serum, and an under-eye gel.
LifeWave products:
- Patches for pain relief: LifeWave’s pain relief patches are said to use light therapy to stimulate the body’s production of endorphins, which are hormones that block pain signals.
- Patches for energy: LifeWave’s energy patches are said to use light therapy to increase ATP production in cells, which is the body’s main source of energy.
- Patches for weight loss: LifeWave’s weight loss patches are said to use light therapy to help the body break down fat cells.
- Patches for skin rejuvenation: LifeWave’s skin rejuvenation patches are said to use light therapy to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Skincare products: LifeWave’s skincare line includes an anti-aging cream, a face lift serum, and an under-eye gel. These products are said to use light therapy to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
LifeWave’s products are based on the science of phototherapy, which is the use of light to stimulate certain biological processes. The company’s patches are said to use a specific type of light therapy called low-level light therapy (LLLT).
According to LifeWave, LLLT can help with pain relief, energy production, weight loss, and skin rejuvenation. The company’s website includes testimonials from customers who have used LifeWave’s products and claim to have seen results, but there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
LifeWave’s products are not FDA-approved, and the company does not sell its products through brick-and-mortar stores. LifeWave’s patches can be purchased on the company’s website or through LifeWave distributors. The company’s skincare products can only be purchased through LifeWave distributors.
How Does LifeWave Work?
LifeWave sells its products through a network of independent distributors, who are also responsible for recruiting new members. As an independent distributor, you can earn commissions on product sales, as well as recruitment bonuses and overrides on your downline’s sales.
To join LifeWave, you must purchase a starter kit, which ranges in price from $39 to $499. The starter kit includes product samples, marketing materials, and access to LifeWave’s online back office.
Once you’ve joined LifeWave, you can purchase products at a discount and sell them to customers at the retail price. You can also earn commissions on product sales and recruitment bonuses when you sponsor new members.
What is LifeWave’s compensation plan?
LifeWave's compensation plan pays distributors commissions on product sales, as well as recruitment bonuses and overrides on downline sales. LifeWave also offers rank-based bonuses, including a car bonus for those who achieve the rank of Executive Director.
To qualify for commissions, LifeWave distributors must maintain a minimum monthly order volume (MOV) of 100 PV. LifeWave's products range in price from $19.95 to $199.95, so this minimum requirement is not difficult to meet.
What is LifeWave's compensation plan
- Associate: You must maintain an MOV of 100 PV to qualify for this rank. You’ll earn a 20% commission on product sales.
- Director: You must maintain an MOV of 300 PV and sponsor two active members to qualify for this rank. You’ll earn a 25% commission on product sales.
- Senior Director: You must maintain an MOV of 600 PV and sponsor four active members to qualify for this rank. You’ll earn a 30% commission on product sales.
- Executive Director: You must maintain an MOV of 900 PV and sponsor six active members to qualify for this rank. You’ll earn a 35% commission on product sales.
- Regional Director: You must maintain an MOV of 1200 PV and sponsor eight active members to qualify for this rank. You’ll earn a 40% commission on product sales.
- National Director: You must maintain an MOV of 1500 PV and sponsor ten active members to qualify for this rank. You’ll earn a 45% commission on product sales.
In addition to commissions, LifeWave also offers rank-based bonuses, including a car bonus for those who achieve the rank of Executive Director. Here are LifeWave rank-based bonuses and how they work:
- LifeWave car bonus: LifeWave distributors who achieve the rank of Executive Director can earn a monthly car bonus. The exact amount of the car bonus depends on which country you live in.
- LifeWave leadership bonuses: LifeWave distributors who achieve the rank of Senior Director or higher can earn Leadership Bonuses, which are paid out monthly. The Leadership Bonuses are a percentage of LifeWave’s global commissionable volume.
- LifeWave Infinity bonuses:LifeWave distributors who achieve the rank of Presidential Director or higher can earn Infinity Bonuses, which are paid out monthly. The Infinity Bonuses are a percentage of LifeWave’s global commissionable volume.
LifeWave also offers Matching Bonuses on team commissions, as well as a variety of other bonuses and incentives.
Has LifeWave faced any complaints or lawsuits?
LifeWave has faced its share of complaints and lawsuits over the years. The most common complaint is that LifeWave’s products don’t work as advertised. Other complaints include pyramid scheme accusations, recruitment-focused culture, high price point of products, and difficulty earning a profit as a LifeWave distributor.
The company has also been sued several times, most notably in 2003 by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for making false and unsubstantiated claims about its products. LifeWave settled the lawsuit and agreed to pay $200,000 in consumer redress.
Despite the complaints and lawsuits, LifeWave continues to operate and is currently one of the leading MLM companies in the health and wellness niche.
What we like about LifeWave
There are a few things we like about LifeWave:
- The company has been in business for over 15 years and is a legitimate MLM company.
- LifeWave’s products are backed by science and the company has a number of clinical studies to support the claims made about its products.
- LifeWave is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) and complies with their Code of Ethics.
- LifeWave offers a variety of commissions, bonuses, and incentives to its distributors.
What we don’t like about LifeWave
There are also a few things we don’t like about LifeWave:
- LifeWave’s products are on the expensive side and may be difficult to sell.
- The company has faced its share of complaints and lawsuits over the years.
- LifeWave appears to be focused more on recruitment than product sales, which could make it difficult to earn a profit as a LifeWave distributor.
Are there alternatives to LifeWave?
If you’re interested in joining a MLM company in the health and wellness niche, there are several other companies to choose from, including MonaVie, Herbalife, Juice Plus+, and Isagenix.
- MonaVie is a multi-level marketing company that sells juices and supplements. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Utah.
- Herbalife is a multi-level marketing company that sells nutrition, weight loss, and skin care products. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Los Angeles, California.
- Juice Plus+ is a multi-level marketing company that sells fruit and vegetable juices, powders, and capsules. The company was founded in 1970 and is based in Collierville, Tennessee.
- Isagenix is a multi-level marketing company that sells nutrition, weight loss, and skin care products. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Gilbert, Arizona.
Our verdict on LifeWave
We think LifeWave is a legitimate MLM company. The company has been in business for over 15 years, has a number of clinical studies to support the claims made about its products, and is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA). However, LifeWave's products are on the expensive side and the company has faced its share of complaints and lawsuits over the years. If you're interested in joining LifeWave, we recommend doing your research to make sure it's the right fit for you.
Thorough research is crucial anytime you're thinking of joining an MLM company. Here's what to look for in an MLM:
- A company that has been in business for several years.
- A company that has a good reputation.
- A company that offers a variety of products.
- A company that offers a competitive compensation plan.
- A company that is compliant with the Direct Selling Association’s Code of Ethics.
A good place to start when you’re researching MLM companies or other online money-making opportunities is I Buy I Review. We offer unbiased opinions on these companies and programs so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to join them.
I buy and review courses so you don’t have to. Sometimes, I even find courses that are legitimate and worthwhile; and that’s how I accidentally came across one that led me to building a 6-figure business in a little under 5 years. Now, I still review courses because it’s my favorite hobby. 🙂 Learn more about me here.
