Posts Tagged ‘Fitness’
Written by Peter Suciu on 20 July 2010
Have only 30 minutes to work out? Most people would say that probably isn’t enough time, even if there are countless gimmicks, informericals and fly-by-night products that say otherwise. So can you actually get a real workout in just a half an hour? That is actually the concept behind Koko FitClub, LLC, a technology company that is reinventing the fitness franchise business. The company is also set to open its latest store in Cape Cod, with several more to open soon across the country.
Says president and co-found Mary Obana about KokoFitClub: “Traditional gyms don’t work for the vast majority of the population. They don’t have the time, and they don’t know what to do.” Sound familiar? Well, the concept with this gym is that it offers what the company calls the Koko Smartraining System technology, which analyzes each member’s unique fitness level, and then designs a customized training plan base don individual goals and ability. The system provides users with a guide to take part in high-effective workouts based on proprietary strength and cardio equipment. The idea is that users only do what they need to, and thus work out more efficiently.
Of course the key is still actually getting to the gym and working out, but those who hate the time that is spent at the gym this one might be worth going Koko over.
Koko FitClub Official Site
Tags: Cape Code, Fitness, Koko FitClub, Koko Smartraining System, Mary Obana, Technology, Traditional gyms
Posted in Equipment, Exercise | 1 Comment »
Written by Peter Suciu on 02 July 2010
Not enough time in the day? That’s not an excuse any longer, especially if you have a Nintendo Wii sitting there. If you have enough time to play some games, you’ll have 10 extra minutes to get your heart pumping. This week Activision Publishing and 
Anchor Bay Entertainment announced that the companies have brought the popular 10 Minute Solution workout DVDs to the Nintendo Wii.
And price isn’t an excuse either, as the workout pack is available now for just $19.99. As with the video workout version, the Wii edition offers users the choice of cardio boxing, mixed games and step aerobics at varying levels. There are nine workouts that are also compatible with the Wii Balance Board too – but this accessory isn’t required however. The game even provides health and wellness tips from fitness spokeswoman Jessica Smith.
10 Minutes Solution for Wii is rated E for Everyone, and is recommend (by us anyway) for those gamers who can’t find the time to squeeze in a workout. Now that there is this solution, you have no excuses.
Activision official site
Anchor Bay Entertainment official site
Tags: 10 Minute Solution, Activision, Anchor Bay Entertainment, DVD, Fitness, Jessica Smith, Nintendo Wii, Video Games, Wii Balance Board, Workout
Posted in Equipment, Software, Video Games | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 18 June 2010
- Do you Wannabe in better shape?
When we first read that a former Spice Girl wanted to do a fitness game we assumed it would be Sporty Spice. Then we read it was Mel B and our thoughts were confirmed, but actually Melanie Chisholm, a.k.a. Mel C, is the former Sporty Spice. Melanie Brown, or Mel B, a.k.a. Scary Spice is the one who is actually going to be working on a title for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 Kinect and PlayStation 3 Move.
“I have always been passionate about videogames and then when I grew up my preferences moved towards fitness and wellbeing.” she said in a press release. “Today I can finally mix together my two big passions, it’s been like a dream.”
The title from Black Bean Games will feature Brown as a celebrity trainer in Get Fit. It will build on the publisher’s previous Fitness First titles and will feature six types of aerobic disciplines and more than 100 exercises. The Brown fitness game will arrive for the holidays
Black Bean Games
Tags: Black Bean Games, Fitness, Fitness First, Kinect, Mel B, Mel C, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, Microsoft, Move, Nintendo, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Scary Spice, Sony, Spice Girls, Sporty Spice, Video Games, Xbox 360
Posted in E3 2010, Exercise, Video Games | 1 Comment »
Written by Peter Suciu on 17 June 2010
- EA Sports Active 2 is heading to the Xbox 360 and will be compatible with Kinect
The Wii and exercise games have made great companions the past few years. However with Microsoft Kinect on its way, the video game workout may get a whole lot more active. Electronic Arts’ follow up to EA Sports Active is expecting to add more activity to both its Wii and Microsoft Xbox Kinect versions. More activity also means ore sensors and gear however. A demo at EA’s press conference showed wireless activity for EA Sports Active 2, heart rate monitors strapped to the upper arm, and weights and bands added for strength training.
Expect more variation in workouts. The demo included an intense cycling sequence, weight lifting and boxing. The Kinect version measures movement of the entire body versus the Wii version, which measures arms and legs through holding the controller and leg straps.
An online log on EA.com is an added component. Workout data is stored so you can evaluate your progress and fitness goals. You can also share your results and compare progress of others.
EA Sports Fitness 2
Tags: EA Sports Active, EA Sports Active 2, Fitness, Microsoft, Nintendo, Video Games, Wii, Xbox 360
Posted in E3 2010, Equipment, Video Games | 1 Comment »
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 Peter Suciu on 20 April 2010
While we have long felt that video games really can’t be a substitute for “real” fitness, we do agree that the Wii Fit isn’t a bad place to start. Note the key word is “start.” And it seems that the fitness game is now the center of some interesting lawsuits. IA Labs of Potomac, Maryland is suing Nintendo over the Wii-Fit, claiming it has been “irreparably harmed” by Nintendo’s infringement of IA patents.
Harmed? Note that the company isn’t saying it got fat from a game masked as a fitness tool, but then we suppose it is claiming that it didn’t get fat in the wallet either. Even more curious is the fact that IA claims it actually had talks with Nintendo about licensing the technology to the Japanese console maker. Now the company is “fit” to be tied.
Via IGN
Tags: Fitness, Nintendo, Nintendo Wii, Technology, Wii Fit
Posted in General | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 05 March 2010
March is National Nutrition Month, a time to look at what you eat and how you exercise.
This month is National Nutrition Month, a campaign created by the American Dietetic Association to raise awareness of our diets. It’s a time to learn to make informed food choices and reinforce your physical activity habits. This is low tech, unless you want to use the Web to research exercise, nutrition, and recipes. That’s all good. But we’re all for the diet and exercise the ADA is promoting here. So see it as a time to evaluate, and learn about what you can do to increase your fitness and overall health.
American Dietetic Association
Tags: American Dietetic Association, diet, Exercise, Fitness, National Nutrition Month, nutrition
Posted in Exercise, Food, General, Low Tech | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 01 March 2010
The iPhone can do many things, and seemingly it can even be used as a running training aid. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of fitness apps for Apple’s smartphone, but among the most interesting is one call iTreadmill. OK, while the app doesn’t somehow actually let you run on the touchscreen – but it would be cool if you could somehow do so – it does however act as a digital chronometer, 
keeping track of the distance you’re doing.
This is whether you’re actually doing miles outside, walking around your house or apartment, or just running in place. Put it in your pocket and go, as this app detects the slightest movement and thus tracks the distance you’ve covered. Should you stop to tie your shoe or wait for a light, or just answer the phone, the chronometer will automatically stop. Based on what it reads it can provide you details of your average speed, distance, pace, step count, strike rate and even calories burned. It doesn’t track heart rate however, so you’ll have to stick with a traditional heart rate monitor if that’s important. However, this app includes some interesting features, including a pace setting that provides a flashing light and ticking sound to get you moving. Now if only this app could actually make running in place at a hotel a little more exciting.
iTreadmill Web Site
Tags: App, Apple iPhone, Fitness, iTreadmill, Running, Workout
Posted in General | No Comments »
