Sometimes we see things and wonder if there is really a need. In the case of the Invisible Bike, which was designed by creator Jimmy Kuehnie, we almost didn’t see it. While not technically invisible, the bike is made of transparent “bullet proof glass.” Only the chains, bearings, and wheels can actually be seen.
We like the idea of concept bikes as much as anyone else, but we think there remains a problem that most drivers have a hard enough time seeing us on bikes. Why should we give them any help?
We’ve seen (and even used) those “total gym” sliding exercise machines and remain dubious about the claims the manufacturers tend to make. At the same time we’ve begun to question how much of a workout the cardio trampolines really provide. But then this week we found a new trend in horizontal machines that utilize a trampoline as well. These are marketed under various names but use the same basic concept.
Perhaps there is some fitness benefit, but these cardio/pilates exercise machines cost anywhere from $800 to $1,300! That’s a considerable amount of money to slide back and forth on one’s back and kick off a trampoline. It reminds us of the disclaimer “actual results may vary.”
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for missing the mark in health related products.
As soon as we heard about the OfficeGym – a standard desk chair with a few springs added to make it appear to be a piece of exercise equipment – we immediately thought, “we’ve heard that line before.” The concept is actually a good one, create something that encourages people to work out and get some exercise.
The problem is that this one – like most exercise chairs – is that it still offers just a limited number of exercises. While this one is better than such past (Mis)Shifts as the GymyGym exercise chair, it actually could encourage users to do just enough to make them feel like they’re working out. Plus, we can’t imagine that the chair is actually comfortable for the time spent actually working when compared to other high-end office chairs.
We don’t expect anyone to work up a real sweat in the office, and probably just taking a walk at lunch might be closer to actual exercise.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for missing the mark in health related products.
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.
The video above pretty much sums up why we think the Laufradeln is one to laugh at, expect that it looks like something that could cause serious bodily harm.
And even if the “rider” doesn’t somehow break his/her neck we don’t know if we see the fitness benefits of coaster bike.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits
There is the old saying “sink or swim,” but frankly the Aqua-Xtracycle is all wet. Seeing it in action sort of evokes a greener version of the jetskis from Waterworld. In the future if the world is covered by water we probably will let our bike sink and we’ll grab things like tomato plants or just bags of dirt since it seems to be worth more than gold in the post-apocalyptic wet lands.
Now the concept itself isn’t bad. You need to cross water, here is a way to do it. But this doesn’t really seem all that safe, or efficient. It is one of those novelty things that just is looking for a solution where a problem doesn’t really exist. During World War II there were systems designed for floating a Jeep as well – but they proved just as impractical. Our bigger concern is that if this isn’t used correctly it could result in a bike at the bottom of a lake – and we just hope it doesn’t take a rider with it.
This one just gives us a sinking feeling.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits
We have nothing against the concept of motorized skates, but then again we have to wonder why anyone would want to spend nearly $700 on these things? Well, unfortunately that’s what the spnKiX will set you back. Originally the company, which raised money via Kickstarter to bring these strap on skates to market, were going to sell for $375, but apparently production didn’t quite work out as expected.
The result is a very expensive set of skates for those weighing less than 180 pounds and want to travel a short distance. In other words these aren’t practical for most commuters, take up to five hours to charge – and only support 500 cycles –and don’t appear to be the easiest things to use. In other words, might we suggest a pair of roller skates instead?
We’ve heard some companies state they have the “Cadillac of bikes,” and while we even noted that there are such things as the Lamborghini and Ferrari branded bicycles the folks at Becker Cadillac Escalade ESV have introduced an Escalde with a bike inside! Basically in the Cadillac Escalde SUV there is a stationary bike so riders in the car can spin during their ride.
We see this is probably better than just sitting in the SUV, but frankly this is a true Kinetic(Mis)Shift. If you want to spin, save some gasoline and ride a bike to the destination!
No one likes to get wet while riding a bike, but we’re not sure how the Nubrella – which is part umbrella and part over-sized (clear) hat – will actually keep you dry. It won’t stop spray from the road, and will only protect the wearer from rain that isn’t blown in the wind.
Worse, it seems like it could actually impair vision and not be all that easy to wear with a helmet. A poncho would probably be a better solution and won’t look nearly so ridiculous!
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits
As a way of generating power we think the exercise wheel in the video is actually an interesting idea. But as a way to escape taking Rover for a walk we see it as a Mis(Shift) and given that so many people will go to great lengths to avoid work – this one simply makes us nervous. So maybe not a full-blown Kinetic(Mis)Shift we think there might be better ways to generate some power.
There is no promise of health benefits with the game controller that Ben Hecks came up with, but we’re calling it out as a Kinetic(Mis)Shift for just taking gamers in the wrong direction. Instead of encouraging gamers to get up and get moving, Hecks created the Hot Pockets extruder that attached to a game controller – allowing a player to eat without having to actually stop playing. It features a manual slider to even push food forward – thus making it a true step backward at least as far as fitness and gaming goes.
We’ve seen many devices that make us do a double take. Some convince us our first impressions were wrong, but then there is Free Flexor and we just can’t shake those first impressions. AS CBSNews reported this week several personal trainers questioned the device’s effectiveness. Actually we think it is effective, just not for fitness. It is very effective in making us laugh at the infomercial. This one could sit nicely on the shelf with the Shake Weight.
It has been called “possibly the most undignified musical instrument ever,” and we are inclined to agree. It is the hipDisk, which was designed to by Danielle Wilde of the ANAT Emerging Technology Lab workshop, as a wearable hula hoop type musical device. It is designed to be used as a 12 notes chromatic scale where shaking the hips essentially creates the music.
The concept is that it is both mentally and physically demanding, especially to play actual tunes and songs. But we can’t help thinking that it is undignified, and there are so many better ways to move to the beat.
Sometimes we see things and wonder if there is really a need. In the case of the Invisible Bike, which was designed by creator Jimmy Kuehnie, we almost didn’t see it. While not technically invisible, the bike is made of transparent “bullet proof glass.” Only the chains, bearings, and wheels can actually be seen.
We’ve seen (and even used) those “total gym” sliding exercise machines and remain dubious about the claims the manufacturers tend to make. At the same time we’ve begun to question how much of a workout the cardio trampolines really provide. But then this week we found a new trend in horizontal machines that utilize a trampoline as well. These are marketed under various names but use the same basic concept.
As soon as we heard about the OfficeGym – a standard desk chair with a few springs added to make it appear to be a piece of exercise equipment – we immediately thought, “we’ve heard that line before.” The concept is actually a good one, create something that encourages people to work out and get some exercise.
We’ve heard some companies state they have the “Cadillac of bikes,” and while we even noted that there are such things as the Lamborghini and Ferrari branded bicycles the folks at Becker Cadillac Escalade ESV have introduced an Escalde with a bike inside! Basically in the Cadillac Escalde SUV there is a stationary bike so riders in the car can spin during their ride.
No one likes to get wet while riding a bike, but we’re not sure how the Nubrella – which is part umbrella and part over-sized (clear) hat – will actually keep you dry. It won’t stop spray from the road, and will only protect the wearer from rain that isn’t blown in the wind.
There is no promise of health benefits with the game controller that Ben Hecks came up with, but we’re calling it out as a Kinetic(Mis)Shift for just taking gamers in the wrong direction. Instead of encouraging gamers to get up and get moving, Hecks created the Hot Pockets extruder that attached to a game controller – allowing a player to eat without having to actually stop playing. It features a manual slider to even push food forward – thus making it a true step backward at least as far as fitness and gaming goes.
