From USA Today: Dr. Oz likes apps that get you moving
Mehmet Oz, known as TV’s Dr. Oz, is a heart surgeon, writer, TV host and major gadget fan. We met him during a recent trip here to talk about using apps and devices to live a healthier life. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.09.2013): Oz Apps, Treadmill Fun, Armstrong Faces Jail, Anywhere Workout
Multipurpose rooms – such as those at schools and recreational centers – have a hard time hiding the fact that one purpose is a basketball court. Even if the hoop and backboard can be moved you’re still essentially stuck with the lines on the floor. But now the ASB GlassFloor system could revolutionize this, as it offers lighted lines that are only there when you need it.
The floor is made of glass, ceramic and aluminum – so not exactly the wood floors that we’ve come to know and love/loathe – but this material allows LED lights to be installed as marking lines, and thus make it easy for a floor to change from basketball to volleyball to floor hockey without piling on the lines. And unlike the use of tape for line markers there is no worry about someone tripping on the lighted lines.
The New Year means New Year’s resolutions. According to the 2013 Outlook Survey organized by TD Ameritrade, Inc., 42 percent of Americans are making health-related resolutions this year. That’s compared to 32 percent opting for financial-oriented goals. Kendal Perez, frugal fashionista and bargain shopper, offers hassle-free ways to save money. And for the New Year Perez offers some tips on keeping those fitness resolutions. Continue reading Frugal Fitness Advice
Nike Free isn’t the same as “sugar free” but it unfortunately does have that ring to it. But rather it isn’t about being without Nike but about being free. We’ll stop trying to figure it out and move and say trainers aren’t just for running, and that’s where the Nike Free Trainer 3.0 will come in when it comes out in January. This lightweight shoe will offer a Free outsole, an upper mesh with polyurethane support and a Dynamic Fit system to cradle the midfoot and provide a snug fit. Hence these shoes still provide freedom along with support. We don’t know what these will cost, but it will be something more than free we’re guessing.
From Men’s Health: How the Gym Makes You Smarter
Put in the time at your university’s gym and it might provide more than physical benefits. A new study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research shows that the more often you go to your rec center, the more likely you’ll be passing calculus. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (12.08.2012): Smart Workouts, Ethiopian Track Center, Fitness Instead of Sports, Millions for London Cycling
Schwinn Fitness is taking a backseat to the elliptical trainer. Well, that is they’ve created the Schwinn 520 Reclined Elliptical machine. This combines the recumbent-style seat with the fluid motions of an elliptical trainer. Continue reading Recline on the Elliptical
Last month we profiled the OfficeGYM as a Kinetic(Mis)Shift and compared it to products such as the GymyGym exercise chair. However, we misunderstood how this product worked. It isn’t actually a “standard desk chair with a few springs added,” but rather a piece of equipment that could be attached to existing office chairs to get in a bit of workout while at the desk.
We’re still not sure we’d want to attach this to our Aeron Chair or other high-end office furniture, but the company did make us take a second look, and we do agree it could offer a way to stretch the arms after hours spent in front of the computer. It might be just as easy to have a few free weights in the office too, but we do like that OfficeGym provides an alternative.
The new iPod Nano is a great workout accessory. It’s small enough to take on a run or any workout, but has enough of a screen to run apps in addition to music. You can set up Nike+ or other fitness apps to power and track your workout. But bringing your new Nano on the trails or to the gym puts that player in jeopardy. Continue reading Nano Clip-It
One of the most annoying and sometimes dangerous situations that can occur will cycling is to have sweat, laced with sunscreen, drip into one or both eyes. This is especially true while descending some of the canyons around Colorado at over 50- miles per hour. Just that split second of time not focusing on the road can mean the difference between riding home on your bike and never making home again. The pads inside a helmet do a decent job holding the sweat back to a point, but once they become saturated, the sweat just continues to run down the forehead and into the eyes. A terry cloth and bandanas can also be used, but they too will become soaked with sweat leading to the same problem.
There exists another solution for managing the sweat that doesn’t involve a fabric band that can ultimately become saturated with perspiration. The Sweat GUTR is an ingenious little invention that does exactly as the name implies – it acts like a rain gutter for sweat. The thin, non-absorbent band is worn across the forehead, just as a terry cloth sweatband is worn; but instead of soaking up the sweat, it channels the sweat from the forehead to fall down the face between the ears and eyes. When a workout is over, simply remove the Sweat GUTR, wash it with soap and water, and let it dry. Continue reading Take the sting out of your eyes with Sweat GUTR
With October being breast cancer awareness month we’re seeing several promotions and campaigns to raise awareness and to highlight the important role exercise plays in reducing the risks. This includes the Fourth Annual Cybex Pink Ribbon Run.
The maker of premium exercise equipment is partnering with fitness clubs, and other organizations to install special-edition pink treadmills throughout the country. For each mile logged on every new qualifying pink Cybex treadmill during October the company will donate 10 cents to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. More than $100,000 has been raised in the first three years of the Pink Ribbon Run, with this year expected to surpass previous years.
This past summer we noted the Climblock Rotor Wall, a rotating climbing wall that was ideal for those with big bucks and bigger space. While the Climblock could see its way to gyms and fitness clubs it just won’t work in most homes.
But the Treadwall could be the answer. This machine offers a 4 foot wide climbing area and works much like a treadmill – except that it is vertical instead of horizontal obviously. It is still 10 feet tall, so probably not ideal for those with low ceilings. The M4 Base model comes as a vertical only unit that is affordable but can be used against a wall, while the M4 PRO even offers a +5 to -20 degree angle to up the challenge.
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Maybe we’re missing something here with the Fit Wet? A bike jacuzzi is what this essentially is, and the makers claim that it “combines the effects of biking, water resistance, & jets to improve results 10 times faster than an average bike.” It also costs $18,000, which seems just a little high to use for such exercise equipment. It also essentially means that the water is dumped out after each ride, which seems like a huge waste as well. At least it is made in Florida!
We’ll see if we can get some answers as the company will reportedly be doing demos at the Health + Fitness Business Expo taking place in conjunction with next week’s Interbike trade show. Until then this one seems all wet!
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for missing the mark in health related products.
Kinomap Trainer has just announced a major update of its app, which key features including new equipment configuration page, search by location on a map, new Facebook connectivity and even Apple TV/HDMI display mode within the map.
We first heard about Kinomap back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show, and this cycling and running training app lets you hit the road from the gym or living room offering, while sharing of routes with users remains key. We’re looking forward to seeing Kinomap in action at Interbike in two weeks. Video after the jump