This week we received the Polar RCX5 Tour de France GPS heart rate monitor, the “Official Tour de France Training Computer.” The box pretty much sums up our immediate first impressions, “Yellow is Everything.” Unlike other heart rate watches this one doesn’t try to go low key – it goes straight for yellow.
While it will likely take a lot more than the RCX5 on your wrist to get in yellow, it certainly could help you train better. Over the years we’ve tested a fair share of heart rate monitors and this one is also more than just clock, calorie counter and pulse meter in a flashy package. Read the rest of this entry »
From Runner’s World: Running v. Walking: How Many Calories Will You Burn?
Two weeks ago, I began planning an update to a Walking v. Running calorie-burn article that I had written for Runner’s World magazine in 2005. When that article subsequently appeared on the RunnersWorld.com website, it attracted a lot of interest and comments. Some of those comments displayed the widespread confusion and outright disbelief that’s common to this topic. Read the rest of this entry »
While not everyone always knows where they are going, with MapMyFitness -the health and fitness technology portal – now offers several new features to help you find your way. These the new Courses, advanced integration of Google Maps API for Business and even a new look and feel. The Courses span five primary categories including cycling, running, walking, hiking and winter sports – with hundreds of subcategories and specialties such as cross-country skiing and unicycling!
“As the largest online fitness social network community with more than 9 million users, we are excited to expand the functionality of our product portfolio to our rapidly growing base,” said Richard Jalichandra, chief executive officer of MapMyFitness in a statement. “Our goal is to enable athletes in the 40-plus sports supported by MapMyFitness to benefit from this enhanced level of product capability and functionality.” Read the rest of this entry »
You can spend all you want on your running shoes, but once you come back from a workout and slip on a pair of sandals or flip-flops, all that support goes away during crucial recovery time. Orthaheel is working on that issue with its Vionic line. These sandals and flip-flops offer support to prevent pronation. The five models are designed with a triple-density midsole; a high-traction Vibram outsole and a biomechanically contoured, motion controlled footbed. Read the rest of this entry »
A great deal goes into the design, engineering and producing of flashlights, probably more than most of us realize. Princeton Tec, the makers of lights for SCUBA, outdoor use, biking, industrial and tactical activities just released a video that shows some of the process. Read the rest of this entry »
Heads-up display system Sportiiiis, from 4iiii Innovations, just got more affordable. The company just adjusted the price of its visual display system to $149 for a basic model. The heads-up display attaches to any pair of glasses, and sunglasses, to provide visual context to data such as heart rate, pace and cadence while running or cycling. If there’s a signal, the heads-up display will show you readings so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road ahead.
On a hot day, especially race day, it’s difficult to stay motivated and focused on a run. There’s a number of new products out there that help you stay cool, and now HeadCoolie joins those offerings. Read the rest of this entry »
The trend in track and field attire has been “less” as in less fabric over all. But now Nike is going another direction with skin tight suits that could give runners an edge. The Nike Pro TurboSpeed is a newly designed track uniform that offers aerodynamic techniques that have been used on golf balls – with the idea that it could shave millisecond off a sprinter’s time. And with races that close it can make the difference at the finish line.
The suit features dimples on the shoulders, arms and calves – parts of the body that create resistance when running – and these dimples or “surface architectures” as Nike calls them create a turbulent rather than laminar layer of air molecules. With golf balls this holds the surface more efficiently than it would with a smooth surface. Read the rest of this entry »
The shoes are reportedly beloved by Katy Perry, David Beckham, Lionel Messi and others. And from what we’re hearing what’s not to love. The Adidas CLIMACOOL Seduction Shoes offer 360-degrees of ventilation to help evaporate sweat and keep the feet cool. The Coolever mesh upper manages heat, while the lining and molded perforated midsole provide comfort and lightweight cushioning. The adiWEAR outsole further offers high-wear durability so these can go the distance. More images and video after the jump
The average sock is made from synthetic fibers. But a good, premium sock is often made from wool, and preferably merino wool. The truth is that synthetic fibers are constructed to mimic the properties of natural fibers, often wool. A good wool will provide cushioning, where intended, and wick moisture from your skin.
Those are some of the properties Point6 counts on when it constructs its premium wool socks. The company adds durability among its claims, too, and they’re made in America. Point6 just released details for its fall 2012 line, and we thought we’d share some of the goods coming out in the fall. Read the rest of this entry »
The most-funded Kickstarter project to date is the Pebble smartwatch, and it landed its first app partner this week – working-tracking app RunKeeper. Users will still have to wait until fall for the release, but when it arrives it will be able to interact with an iPhone or Android device, and with the RunKeeper app will provide data straight to the wrist. Users can take control of their handset, which can remain tucked away in a pocket or pack. Read the rest of this entry »
When a well-recognized publication gives a company accolades, that company would want to publicize it to the world, of course. That’s what Saucony did when Runner’s World named the $140 Hurricane 14 as “Best Update” in the magazine’s 2012 Summer Shoe Guide. Both shoes are part of Saucony’s Geometry of Strong collection, in which another pair, the Guide 5, recently earned an “Editor’s Choice” in Runner’s World 2012 Spring Shoe Guide. Read the rest of this entry »
This week we received the Polar RCX5 Tour de France GPS heart rate monitor, the “Official Tour de France Training Computer.” The box pretty much sums up our immediate first impressions, “Yellow is Everything.” Unlike other heart rate watches this one doesn’t try to go low key – it goes straight for yellow.
While not everyone always knows where they are going, with MapMyFitness -the health and fitness technology portal – now offers several new features to help you find your way. These the new Courses, advanced integration of Google Maps API for Business and even a new look and feel. The Courses span five primary categories including cycling, running, walking, hiking and winter sports – with hundreds of subcategories and specialties such as cross-country skiing and unicycling!
Heads-up display system 
On a hot day, especially race day, it’s difficult to stay motivated and focused on a run. There’s a number of new products out there that help you stay cool, and now HeadCoolie joins those offerings. 
The trend in track and field attire has been “less” as in less fabric over all. But now Nike is going another direction with skin tight suits that could give runners an edge. The Nike Pro TurboSpeed is a newly designed track uniform that offers aerodynamic techniques that have been used on golf balls – with the idea that it could shave millisecond off a sprinter’s time. And with races that close it can make the difference at the finish line.
The shoes are reportedly beloved by Katy Perry, David Beckham, Lionel Messi and others. And from what we’re hearing what’s not to love. The Adidas CLIMACOOL Seduction Shoes offer 360-degrees of ventilation to help evaporate sweat and keep the feet cool. The Coolever mesh upper manages heat, while the lining and molded perforated midsole provide comfort and lightweight cushioning. The adiWEAR outsole further offers high-wear durability so these can go the distance. 
The average sock is made from synthetic fibers. But a good, premium sock is often made from wool, and preferably merino wool. The truth is that synthetic fibers are constructed to mimic the properties of natural fibers, often wool. A good wool will provide cushioning, where intended, and wick moisture from your skin.
The most-funded Kickstarter project to date is the Pebble smartwatch, and it landed its first app partner this week – working-tracking app RunKeeper. Users will still have to wait until fall for the release, but when it arrives it will be able to interact with an iPhone or Android device, and with the RunKeeper app will provide data straight to the wrist. Users can take control of their handset, which can remain tucked away in a pocket or pack. 
When a well-recognized publication gives a company accolades, that company would want to publicize it to the world, of course. That’s what Saucony did when Runner’s World named the $140 Hurricane 14 as “Best Update” in the magazine’s 2012 Summer Shoe Guide. Both shoes are part of Saucony’s Geometry of Strong collection, in which another pair, the Guide 5, recently earned an “Editor’s Choice” in Runner’s World 2012 Spring Shoe Guide. 
