Barefoot Winter Shoe
Time and tide wait for no man and when the snow falls you can either wait until spring or hit the treadmill to get in a run. Or you can add some layers and endure a run in a winter wonderland. But what if you prefer the barefoot running? That doesn’t seem to mix with ice and snow.
But Vibram FiveFingers still has your feet covered while offering that minimalist style with glove-like fitting shoes designed for the winter. The Lontra feature a multi-layer laminate upper with fully taped seams to provide insulation and water resistance, while the micro-pile fleece liner is soft against the skin. The neoprene heel cuff will keep out snow and debris as well. Read the rest of this entry »
If Elton John were just a bit more like Michael Jackson perhaps he’d install a Fast Track on the grounds of his country estate (we assume Sir Elton has a country estate). The first such Fast Track – or trampoline road – was constructed recently in Nikola-Levivets, Russia. This particular pathway runs for about 51 meters (167feet). Why we don’t know, but it certainly allows people to bounce along.
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.
Having a barbell – also known as a dumbbell – around isn’t a dumb idea. Doing a little lifting during the day can keep arms toned up, help utilize muscles to reduce repetitive stress and reduce mental stress as well. But you don’t need to have an ugly weight lying around when you can have the Alias Barbell to lift. Designed by Philipp Starck this could make a nice paper weight for those times when it isn’t being lifted!
The holidays are around the corner and it’s very easy to give into temptation and make unhealthy food choices. Dr. Wayne Andersen, co-founder of Take Shape for Life, has provided the following five tips to outline the simple actions we can take to encourage great weight loss before the holidays. 
We like to call out products that offer no real fitness value as Kinetic(Mis)Shifts but the Misfit isn’t one of those, despite the rather misleading name. The Misfit is actually a wireless activity tracker that goes beyond what similar devices do. First off we were caught by how small this one is, but then were really impressed that the all-metal device appears like it could stand up to real activity, which could include cycling and swimming. To sync with an app all that is required is laying it on the phone. The company is currently engaged in an Indiegogo fund raising project and we think this is going to be one to watch. 
You can add insult to injury but a better option is to add ice to an injured joint. Yes, a bag of ice or even frozen peas will do the trick. But there is another option, the Hyperice, a recovery device that utilizes ice compression to treat pain, soreness and even speed up recovery time. The developer has created specific packs that are available for just the right spot such as back, knee and shoulder, as well as utility model that works with ankles, elbows, feet, hands and wrists. For serious pain there is Hyperice.
This week Nike announced that the Nike+ FuelBand is now available at Apple Stores nationwide, as well as in Canada and the U.K. Two new colors, including Black Ice and Black Steel, have been added as well. The Nike+ FuelBand was launched earlier this year and allows users the ability to track various fitness and activity metrics throughout the day including steps taken and calories burned. Activity is tracked and the NikeFuel score assigned based on efforts, while users can even share and compare progress with friends.
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.
