Archive for May, 2010
Written by Enid Burns on 28 May 2010
Boston is hometown to many sports. Beantown is home to the Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles crew boat race and the annual college hockey tournament Bean Pot (hence the name Beantown). This week the city played host to the sixth annual Games for Health Conference. The conference is part of Games Beyond Entertainment. At the show there were demos of exergaming using the Nintendo Wii and other gaming systems, a study for a fitness-themed virtual world, and training for therapeutic disease management.
It looks like there were demos of a few music games such as Guitar Hero, and surprisingly the players (guitarists) sat down to play. Kinetic Shift encourages playing Guitar Hero, Rock Band and other games in the category. However we advocate playing them while standing. Most games on the Wii are difficult to play while comfortably seated by design, and that is true for virtual strumming of the guitar. We hope other game demos set better examples for active gaming.
Tags: Nintendo Wii, Video Games, video games for health
Posted in Exercise, Research, Software, Video Games | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 27 May 2010
Adults want to have fun too
When we think of “play” too often we think of child’s play, as in something only a child would do. Adult games are typically considered the sort that deserve a rating with at least one X. But in the past few years video games, board games and other outlets have convinced us that there is a need for “playtime” for adults too – in a clean and fun sense.
This has been reinforced in a column over at Gamercize, another company that realizes that video games don’t have to be a stationary activity. In fact, the authors at ExergamingAustralia offer an interesting take, noting that “PLAY” is often a four letter word. This is stressed by the fact that exercise is often called “workout” and few say “I’m off to the gym to play.” So kudos to another site for helping promote the same message that we’ve been suggesting, which is that you can be active and still be found of your gadgets and technology.
Gamercize website
Tags: Fitness, Gamercize, Play, Video Games
Posted in Exercise, Gym | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 26 May 2010
The heart rate monitor and GPS device is no longer personal for world football players. Australia’s World Cup players are picking up data via satellite for each player’s workout. Teams get competitive data on their own performance, and their competitors, according to “Socceroos go high-tech to gain an edge over rest of the world,” an article published in The Sydney Morning Herald.
Players down under were able to compare their training to that of their Russian counterparts. Team coaches also use the data to provide support for their players. “We’re analyzing the players’ volumes of sweat and composition so we can accurately predict how much fluid they’ll lose during a game and at training,” Australia’s strength and conditioning coach Darren Burgess told the paper. “We want to have a rehydration strategy for each player.”
It will be interesting to see what other teams and leagues pick up this method of training. Will it lead to real-time data access to personal workouts instead of uploading details upon return from a run?
Tags: football, GPS, heart rate monitor, Soccer, World Cup Soccer
Posted in Pro Sports, Research | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 25 May 2010
- FitbyFun.com
If you don’t have a Nintendo Wii but want the same basic coaching with your workout, power up the PC (chances are if you’re reading this it is already on), and go to FitByFun.com. The site offers the same Mii styled characters that you’d get on the Wii, and this game offers motions that you can copy.
There is no controller to track your movements however, so it is more a monkey see and monkey do thing, much like the old video workouts. But an online fitness instructor will give you directions, and based on the workout you choose the game’s display will tell you how many calories you’ve burned. This is again more game that true workout routine, but as a game it feels a lot less like a “routine.” And unlike many other games this one can keep track of your workout, so you can actually review your progress over time.
What makes this website workout really work checking out is that it is web-based (obviously), and as such can be done via a laptop – so this is good for those road warriors who can’t take along a Wii. And since it is designed like a class, it is a bit like hitting the gym, even when your’e traveling.
It won’t replace other workouts and as it is interactive you’re only going to get as much out of it as you put in. But if you’re looking to get started, and like to spend time in front of the computer, this one does offer some fun to your fitness.
FitByFun.com
Tags: computer, Fitbyfun.com, Gym, Mii, Nintendo, website workout, Wii
Posted in Exercise, Gym, Software | 1 Comment »
Written by Peter Suciu on 24 May 2010
Polar FT1 Heart Rate Monitor
One problem for many people when they first use a heart rate monitor is that there is just too much to understand. Many heart rate monitors can track so much of a workout that the learning curve for new users is difficult – and this can result in some just not bothering. That’s why the Polar FT1 and FT2 are such sound alternatives. These are designed for those who want to get fit and need a bit of motivation and exercise guidance along the way.
The FT1 is also designed for recreational exercisers, and works as a basic training computer. This means it has a large easy to see digital display. Users receive a training summary that includes information on the duration of their workout along with average and maximum heart rate. With the FT1 users can learn how to exercise at the right level, and since it is better to work out with others, it comes with a T31 coded transmitter to ensure that you don’t track your training buddy’s heart rate by mistake! The FT1 will be available in June for $69.95. The step-up FT2 adds automatic heart rate zone functionality, with visual and audible alarms to let people know when they need to slow it down or even pick up the pace. It will also provide workout summary. The FT2 will also be available in June for $89.95.
Tags: FT1, FT2, heart rate monitor, Polar
Posted in Equipment, Exercise, Gadget | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 21 May 2010
Timex Ironman 150-Lap with Tapscreen
Whether you’re going the distance in an Ironman or just want to use the various logs while working out, the Timex Ironman Sleek 150-lap watch will allow you to see the results – and get through the various screens by just taping.
This TapScreen technology allows athletes to tap the face while swimming, cycling or running instead of having to locate and push buttons. This means you can spend more time looking at the results and less time trying to get there. This watch is also water resistant up to 100 meters – not that you’ll likely need to go to those depths, but as they say, “it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” Or in this case it takes a licking and stills gives you the key facts in a digital readout, which includes large digits that offer information for 24-hour time, month, day and date display, and two time zones.
It offers a night-light with night-mode, target time pacer, dated training log with best lap, average lap and total time, 100-hour chronograph with lap and split times, 150-lap memory recall, 199-lap counter and on-the-fly lap or split recall. There are also alarms for hydration and nutrition so you don’t let those important details slip your mind. So next time you go for a training run, or are in a competition you can get all you need to know just by tapping away.
Timex Ironman Sleek 150-lap Watch
Tags: Races, Running, Swimming, Timex Ironman 150-Lap with Tapscreen, Training, Triathlon, Watch
Posted in Running, Swimming, Triathlon | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 20 May 2010
Last weekend I went to the bike shop with a friend to get a new road bike. While at the register I told him to go and get a blinkie for his bike, he thought I was kidding. OK, maybe I should have used a less toy-like name. But lights are a crucial accessory for every bike, especially when you plan to remove the reflectors. Enter Knog Frogs from Australian company Knog. They come in 12 colors, and light up in white or red, your choice. A stretch waterproof rubber housing wraps around your seat tube, handlebars, helmet, or other objects to light your afterhours workout. Two straps wrap around, no fitting, no adjustments, and no slipping. The battery supports 80 hours of burn time with the light on steady, and 160 hours if you choose the flashing setting.
With 12 colors it’s easy to match your bike and stay fashionable. I got a bright yellow that goes well with my Felt road bike. When the sun goes down and I’m still on a ride I push once for a solid red light to alert cars on my tail, I push a second time for a blinking light — hence the “blinkie” reference. These lights are available at most bike shops. My friend didn’t buy a blinkie on Saturday, but does plan to pick one up soon.
Knog Frog
Available at many bike shops, including Trophy Bikes in PA for $15.
Tags: blinkie, Cycling, Knog Frog, safety light
Posted in Cycling, Equipment, Gadget | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 19 May 2010
Dumbbells are just not intelligent. You have to lift them, lower them, and know how to use them in order to get results. The Shake Weight is one part gimmick, one part intelligence for your workout. It’s shaped like your typical dumbbell, but has an accordion gasket on each of the weighted ends to give you Dynamic Inertia, which claims to increase muscle activity by as much as 300 percent compared to traditional weights. A Shake Weight workout is also completed in six minutes compared to half an hour of toning and sculpting.
Pick up the weight, give it a little jolt and hold it while you jiggle the Shake Weight in one of a number of positions. Hold the weight with both hands in front of you and tone your triceps, biceps, and chest. Weights come with a DVD that shows you several moves to tone your targeted areas such as your upper arms. Other workouts such as the firm — with controlled, slow movements, promised to do more for your fitness in the past. This one may also overpromise. But it’s a but welcome to see an update to the classic dumbbell.
Shake Weight
Tags: dumbbell, shake weight, tone, weights, Workout
Posted in Equipment, Exercise, Gadget, Home Fitness | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 18 May 2010
- RL-85 HID Magnalight
If you don’t live in the land of the midnight sun, chances are there are times you just still feel like you’re left in the dark. This can be troublesome at times, namely those late night hours when you need to do some work, or are out where you can’t just flip a switch to add a little illumination. In those case, the handheld RL-85-HID Magnalight spotlight will do more than just brighten your pre-dawn day.
This lightweight, ultra rugged and ergonomic device offers 2.5 consecutive hours of light that can be used after just four hours of charging time. It can work as a spot or flood light via a long life 35-watt High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulb that should operate for 4500 hours of life. The reflector and lens configuration in this bad boy produces a 2800-foot beam in spotlight mode, which equates to a 15 million retail candlepower rating. This one, which is designed for work, security, hunting and spotting, also is lightweight, coming in at just 3 pounds, 6 ounces. It is also durable, with the handle and lamp housing made from high impact nylon, while the polycarbonate lamp housing offers extra support. The impact resistant lens is also lightweight, shatter resistant and thermal resistant as well, so it can take a few spills without leaving you in the dark.
RL-85-HID Magnalight
Tags: floodlight, HID, High Intensity Discharge, Magnalight, RL-85, spotlight
Posted in Gadget, Outdoors | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 17 May 2010
- Bell Citi Bike Helmet
Riding to work looking like Joe Pro probably won’t endear you to your boss, especially as you might seem more ready to hit the road than saddle up in the cubical for a day of punching the keyboard and hitting the daily grind. Likewise, the gear meant for training probably isn’t always ideal for commuting. A few companies have realized that, and Bell has introduced a helmet for the urban road warrior.
The Bell Citi is designed for commuting, just as the name suggests. It is actually a little bulkier and heavier than a race day helmet. There is even a “glow in the dark” version for those who ride either before dawn or just after dusk. There are also versions in gloss black, matt pewter and safety yellow for those who do their commuting when the sun still shines. But either way, you can stand out in the dark with reflective strips and the ability to affix a light to the back of this lid.
This helmet features the ErgoDial fit system for easy sizing adjustments, and it will protect your head with the Fusion In-Mold construction. It also offers a Blade visor to keep the sun and rain out of the eyes, and air-moving Channeled Ventilation. This brain bucket can even be used with a Flip Mirror as well, so you can see the cars even if they don’t see you. It has good style, without too much racing style, so it is perfect for commuting.
Bell Helmets: Citi
[Via BikeRadar.com]
Tags: Bell, Citi, Communting, Cycle, Helmet
Posted in Cycling, Equipment | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 14 May 2010
Franco Pellizotti
Discovery News is reporting that a new “biological passport” has been developed to keep pace (or is it pace line) with performance-enhancing drugs and those who use them. This new technology measures blood and body chemistry over time, and thus can help authorities monitor professional cyclists more closely.
Sadly, one rider Franco Pellizotti – who was a favorite for this year’s Giro d’Italia – has already been caught using performance-enhancing drugs from this new technology. The Italian rider was banned for irregular blood levels, which suggested he doped. Let’s hope this new biological passport will end doping and make professional cycling pure again.
[Via Discovery News: Biological Passport Nabs Cheating Cyclists]
Tags: Anti-Doping, Cycling, Doping, Franco Pellizotti, Giro d'Italia, Performance-Enhancing
Posted in Cycling, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 13 May 2010
The Museum of Art and Design's The Handbuilt Bicycle
Want to browse some bikes that you likely won’t be seeing anytime soon at your local shop? The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City has an exhibit running through the middle of August, which shows off the designs of six internationally renowned bicycle builders. The Handbuilt Bicycle showcases bikes that took weeks, and even months of skilled workmanship to build. Each bike of course bears the builder’s unique signature in design while showcasing their personalities through the choice of materials, forms and techniques.
The frames are metal, but these works of art show off the individual craft with graphics and other artifacts. Michael Manaram, owner of a textile company and an avid bike collector, along with Sacha White of Vanilla Bicycles of Portland, Oregon, organized the exhibit, which includes 21 bikes that were completely hand-built.
The bikes include fixed-gear, road racing, cyclocross, mountain and even commuter bikes, as well as a stripped-down randonneur, which was designed exclusively for long-distance racing. The exhibition includes bikes from Mike Flanigan of Alternative Needs Transportation (A.N.T.), Jeff Jones of Jeff Jones Custom Bicycles, Dario Pegoretti of Pegoretti Cicli, Richard Sachs of Richard Sachs Cycles, J. Peter Weigle of J. Peter Weigle Cycles and Sacha White of Vanilla Bicycles.
Museum of Arts and Design: The Handbuilt Bicycle
Tags: Alternative Needs Transportation, Bikes, Cicli, Dario Pegoretti, fixed-gear, Handbuilt Bicycle, J. Peter Weigle Cycles, Jeff Jones Custom Bicycles, MAD, Michael Manaram, Mike Flanigan, Museum of Art and Design, Richard Sachs Cycles, Sacha White, Vanilla Bicycles
Posted in Cycling, Equipment | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 12 May 2010
A month until the Tour de France begins another picturesque race pedals down the state of California. Tour of California, an eight stage race from May 16 to 23, starts in Nevada City and ends on day eight in Thousand Oaks. Top teams include Columbia-HTC, Garmin-Slipstream and Team RadioShack. Lance Armstrong is among those favored to place.
We’ll be watching Versus Sunday to Sunday next week as the race goes on, and following some of the new cycling technologies used by the racers as well as the officials to time and judge the race.
The San Jose Mercury News has a handy fact sheet on the Tour.
Amgen Tour of California
Tags: Cycling, Tour of California
Posted in Cycling, Pro Sports | 2 Comments »
