Tag: Swimming

Swimsuit Drama Continues

There hasn’t been this much drama over swim attire since the bikini arrived followed World War II. With just two months until the London Olympics swimsuits are stirring up trouble. This comes in the wake of the Speedo LZR Racer Elite was banned following the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

The Speedo LZR Racer Elite was notably worn by Olympic gold metalist Michael Phelps, and after the games aquatic leaders banned all rubberized bodysuits. This was thought to be the end of the technological “arms race” that stirred up the trouble in the first place. Bob Bowman, coach of Phelps has gone on the record to say that the suit matters and helps, but that it doesn’t change the swimmer. In other words the Speedo LZR Racer Elite doesn’t make Phelps transform into Aquaman. Continue reading Swimsuit Drama Continues

E.M.I.L.Y. Watches the Beach

While this isn’t quite what most people have in mind with a lifeguard name Emily (above) that’s because E.M.I.LY. is actually a robot lifeguard that can be deployed on beaches to aid human lifeguards.

Designed by Hydronalix, the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard will be making the rounds this summer, where it can be used as a tool that can be deployed at 25 miles per hour – so much quicker than even the Bay Watch crew could likely swim. E.M.I.LY. works as a floatation system for those in trouble while they wait for the real life human life guards to arrive.

Hydronalix Official Website

BMW Motion Tracking Helping Swimmers

When we think of BMW we don’t think of the Olympics and we certainly don’t think about swimming – in fact the only time we even think of German cars and water is that scene in Risky Business where Tom Cruise goes deep with the Porsche.

But now BMW, which has in the past aided long jumpers, is getting all wet helping USA Swimming prepare for the Olympics. So how is the company involved? According to the press release:

This latest effort will provide quantitative analysis of swimmers’ starts and turns – critical to success in the sport – via a unique motion tracking system. This technology initiative is central to BMW’s comprehensive U.S. Olympic program which endeavors to advance the performance goals of Team USA while bringing communities across the country closer to the excitement of the Olympic Games. Continue reading BMW Motion Tracking Helping Swimmers

Take a Breath With Powerbreather

While many may take like fish to a water the truth is that water has a tendency to make it hard to breathe. But the Powerbreather is an advanced breathing system that is designed for both beginners and advanced swimmers, decreasing apprehension while allowing for greater focus in the water. This innovative snorkel works with an air intake valve on the back of the head, which offers a constant flow of fresh air – and allows the wearer to breathe naturally without turning the head. The device, which can be adjusted for almost all sized heads, is designed to keep water out while the air flows in. it probably won’t be allowed in competition, but it can let users swim like fishes the rest of the time. Continue reading Take a Breath With Powerbreather

Set, Track Fitness Goals with Team4Cures App

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has created a free fitness tracking app to support its Team In Training (TNT) endurance sports training efforts. Team4Cures, the new app, helps get a fitness program in action whether the sport is running, walking, swimming, cycling or hiking.

Continue reading Set, Track Fitness Goals with Team4Cures App

Heart Rate Teller

How important is information to an athlete? Today knowing details like heart rate and recovery during training can make all the difference in performance when it comes time to compete. Runners have long been told not to turn their heads as they break stride, but given the vast amount of information on the wrist it is sometimes worth taking the eyes off the course to keep the eyes on the prize.

Cyclists meanwhile compete with all sorts of information including heart rate, power output, distance traveled and much more on handlebar mounted devices. But swimmers are pretty much left in the deep end when it comes to getting the most basic information. That is about to change as the Swimmer’s Talking Heart Rate Monitor can provide that heart rate through audible cues. Additional images

OGIO Designer Bags Goes for Endurance

Designer sports bag and apparel company OGIO just released its OGIO Endurance Collection. The line has bags that address the needs runners, swimmers, triathletes, cyclists, downhill mountain bikers and other athletes in endurance sports and competitions.

The seven-bag line is built to provide organization, protection and comfort for athletes taking part in high-intensity workouts and competitions. The line is made with lightweight yet sturdy materials that protect gear, yet make it light enough to carry to a race or location to workout.

Continue reading OGIO Designer Bags Goes for Endurance

Like a Frog to Water

There is an old saying that water and oil don’t mix, and now De Soto is looking to become the first triathlon company to offer an alternative to petroleum-based wetsuits. The new T1 Wetsuits could also make it easy to be green!

“We have seamlessly replaced one rubber with another that is better,” says company founder, Emilio De Soto. “It is more buoyant, it helps you swim faster, and it lasts longer.  If nothing else were to change, we are selling a better-performing product with less detriment to the environment, which is always our goal.”

The suits are made of GreenGoma rubber that reportedly offers better stretch, buoyancy, durability and insulation. It is made of a close-cell injected construction that also makes it 98.9 percent water impermeable, but it also is lighter and dries out faster than petroleum-based wetsuits. So maybe it will let wearers take to the water… like a frog!

De Soto Sport Triathlon Company Official Website
[Via Gizmag: De Soto uses limestone for its T1 Wetsuits]

Dive in With Michael Phelps: Push the Limit

Even if the pool is closed for the season you can still dive in for a swim, at least in the living room. Michael Phelps: Push the Limit, which was developed by developed by Blitz Games and published by 505 Games, has arrived this week for Kinect on the Xbox 360. The game makes a big splash as it offers players the chance to compete against each other as well as against one of the most decorated athletes of all time, Michael Phelps. Fans play in quick matches in single player or local/online multiplayer against friends or immerse themselves in the challenging and fun Career Mode where they swim their way to the podium through some of the most breathtaking locations across the world, finally facing Michael himself in the final. Continue reading Dive in With Michael Phelps: Push the Limit

New Garmin Forerunner Goes for a Swim; Ready for Kona

Sports and GPS go hand-in-hand. That is unless you’re swimming or going off to remote areas where tracking often poses a challenge. Innovations in GPS technology now make it possible to track your workouts, and races, when swimming. Garmin is among the sport watch manufacturers to leverage this new technology.

The company’s new Forerunner 910XT is a multisport watch, an all-in-one GPS-enabled device that provides detailed swim metrics and tracks distance, speed/pace, elevation and heart rate for running and cycling. The 910XT has an on-board barometric altimeter for improved elevation data.

A smooth, low profile allows for athletes to slide tight-fitting wetsuits over the watch. This makes it possible for use with water sports. It also facilitates quick outfit changes necessary for triathletes competing in races where a wetsuit or other protective and warmth gear is necessary.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading New Garmin Forerunner Goes for a Swim; Ready for Kona

Speedo Counts Laps With AquaCoach

Cyclists rely on cycling computers to track speed, distance and even cadence, while heart rate monitors can track calories and workout intensity. Now Speedo and Pool-Mate swimming computer Swimovate are partnering to develop the AquaCoarch watch, which can provide swimmers automatically detect not only laps, but also the strokes used, along with distance, speed and number of strokes, as well as calories burned during a workout.

This watch is water-resistant (but of course) to 100 meters or 328 feet, and can work in any pool over 15 meters (49 feet) long. It can remember up to 50 swim sessions too, so users can compare their latest workouts. The key to this device is that it features an accelerometer along with custom algorithms that can count individual strokes while keeping track of laps by detecting the pauses that occur when swims do the flip thing to change direction.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading Speedo Counts Laps With AquaCoach

A Look at BH Group

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8g5kaszKMY&feature=player_embedded

Though you may not be familiar with the name, the BH Group has been around since 1909. The Spanish company has many different product lines that fall under the BH name; BH Fitness, BH Bike and BH HiPower to name a few are all dedicated to producing bicycles, fitness equipment and gear for all levels of athletes.

Recently BH has created a website to help people get into the sport of triathlons and guide those who all ready compete achieve their goal of performing better. BH’s website  is full of information regarding the gear required for a triathlon; training techniques; BH sponsored events; training programs; race results; videos; and much more. The website is for both amateurs and professionals in mind, with one goal in mind – to help you achieve your tri-goals!

Along with the triathlon website, BH also has an online group named Club BH Tri where users can participate in discussions, enter contests and be notified of upcoming events. The only shortcoming of the BH Triathlon website is that you might have to brush up on your Spanish… though most of the information is in English; there are still quite a few sections and buttons in Spanish.

BH Official Website

E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room

There are some games that just make instant sense, and then there are the games like Michael Phelps: Push the Limit. In this one players get to try to go for the gold and beyond in a swimming game – pool not required, not included and not compatible.

A swimming game for the living room? That’s right. The idea behind this motion control game is that players simulate swimming, moving their arms to simulate the motion of swimming in the water. The upcoming game utilizes Kinect for the Xbox 360 and from the scenes on the show floor it could get gamers’ hearts pumping. It features a variety of unique settings – but it isn’t exactly the career path that Phelps took. We figured he swam in school pools, city pools and Olympic pools, not in outdoor pools on icy mountain ranges. But that’s artistic license.

This is one that could be hit or miss, or dare we say sink or swim. Michael Phelps: Push the Limit is out now exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360 from 505 Games.

Video after the jump: Continue reading E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room