Posts Tagged ‘Treadmill’
Written by Peter Suciu on 07 October 2010
In space no one can hear you scream. That’s an old science fiction line of course, but it has truth to it because sound doesn’t travel in a vacuum. What can travel in a vacuum is you, as in you can still run in a vacuum. The question of course is why would you want to do so?
Well, the answer is that running results in pounding on the joints, and this repetitive pounding on knees, hips and ankles isn’t good. The irony is that running is great for the heart. So how do you keep the running and reduce the pounding? A trip to the International Space Station would work, but that would be pricey. The alternative is an anti-gravity treadmill.
That might sound like something out of Star Trek but the technology is around today. The Alter G Anti-Gravity Treadmill allows runners to essentially climb into a shoe shaped enclosure, which utilizes pressure regulation that can reduce body weight from 0 percent to 80 percent. Users still have to suit up with a special pair of shorts, and while not as cumbersome as a full space suit, these aren’t exactly your normal running attire either. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Alter G, anti-gravity treadmill, Running, Treadmill
Posted in Equipment, Exercise, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 06 October 2010
We’ve seen many attempts to converge technology together. Some, like the bicycle treadmill are just confusing, but the SkateCycle seems like real evolution and innovation. While it could be called a “hubless skateboard” that’s not quite the most accurate description for this deck – or rather deckles device. The FreeRider SkateCycle, which was conceived by Alon Karpman from Brooklyn Workshop with the help of Antonio Mezo, takes the basic skateboard concept, but ditches the hubs and trucks, and even the classic deck. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Alon Karpman, Antonio Mezo, Brooklyn Workshop, Freerider SkateCycle, Skateboard, Treadmill
Posted in Equipment, Gadget | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 15 September 2010
When we first heard about the Treadmill Bike we were convinced it was a joke. After all, why the need to combine a treadmill with a bike? Couldn’t you just run outside? Running on a tread to move a device not only seem counter productive but it sort of seems incredibly silly too. But in fact it is a real device, and one that has been getting a fair amount of attention lately.
The truth is that most stories about it ask the same exact questions we’re asking, which is why you couldn’t just go running instead. Apparently the benefits of the device are that it offers (according to the official website) “the benefits of running on a convention treadmill but outside.” The Treadmill Bike thus further protects “your feet from dirt and other contaminants commonly found on the earth’s surface.” Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: bike, Running, Treadmill, Treadmill Bike
Posted in Cycling, Equipment, Exercise, Outdoors | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 29 July 2010
It is hard to think about winter given that the recent heat waves, but next week is the beginning of August and that means that fall is just around the corner. While there is plenty of outdoor running left, it is never too early to think about how to keep up the miles once it gets cold outside and the snow starts to pile up. While this reporter will stick to the treadmill, our friends over at the Competitive Runner have another tip for those who need to put in some real miles in the great out doors.
The site offers tips on transforming an old pair of running shoes into some winter trainers. The solution they’ve come up with involves adding some sheet metal screws to the soles, which should certainly provide some extra traction and stability when you hit icy conditions. It is a good tip, and a great reason to save shoes that still have a few miles left in. Maybe it will get those of us who prefer to stay indoors in the winter to actually head outside for a run.
[Via Competitive Runner: Make Your Own Screw Shoes]
Tags: Competitive Runner, Running Shoes, screws, Shoes, Treadmill
Posted in Apparel, Outdoors, Running | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 22 July 2010
Staying home and playing video games probably sounds like a lot more fun than actually hitting the gym, but a research from Ohio State University is questioning whether even “exercise” games such as the Wii Fit actually do any good? The New York Times reported that researcher Derek Troyer compiled a database that looked at the chances of getting an injury while taking part in a virtual workout as opposed to actually going to the gym.
The results are actually mixed. On the one hand users aren’t at as great a risk of getting injured by staying in their living rooms – the study noted that those who lift weights at the gym are four times more likely to get hurt, while those who run on a treadmill are 1.5 times more likely to hurt themselves. On the other hand, the study did find that real exercise at the gym far outweighs the benefits of virtual exercise – “even when the risks of injury are accounted for,” notes The New York Times.
The paper further quotes Jack L. Nasar, professor of city and regional planning at Ohio State, who oversaw the research, as saying” Wii Fit is probably not a serious threat to users, but it’s also not very useful for getting them fit.”
This maybe true, but the study probably didn’t take into account that hardcore gamers aren’t exactly the type of folks to hit the bike or the gym. So the fact that people are using the Wii Fit is actually something that needs to be considered as well. The benefits might not be up there with the gym, but we have to say it is better than just another game of Mario or Metroid.
Via The New York Times: Wii Exercise Doesn’t Beat the Gym
Tags: Derek Troyer, exercise games, Gym, Jack L. Nasar, Nintendo, Ohio State, Ohio State University, Treadmill, Video Games, virtual workouts, Wii Fit
Posted in Exercise, Gym, Video Games | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 12 April 2010
Remember those 1970s commercials for the Yellow Pages that said, “let your fingers do the walking?” Well, not it is years later and American waistlines have increased while finger strength has likely increased not from walking in phone book, but from typing, dialing and texting. What if you could walk instead all day? There actually is a way to let your legs do the walking as well – with a treadmill desk! This concept, which actually isn’t new, is a desktop built around a treadmill. So instead of sitting at a desk all day, you can instead spend the day walking.
The pace needs to be lower, since you can’t actually run for hours – nor can you exactly run and type. But at a steady pace of a mile or two an hour, you can actually talk on the phone, do some typing and best of all still tone up and possibly lose some weight. Of course, you might lose weight as you’ll have to skip lunch for a month to pay for the desk. But there are some options to build you own desk. Just make sure that it is sized appropriately.
We think this is an interesting concept, although it could be difficult to convince some employers let you bring in a treadmill. And obviously this is something that is better suited for those with a house office rather than a cubicle dweller. And if you can’t get on the treadmill during the office hours, might we recommend going for a walk at lunch, or consider walking around the office if possible during a morning conference call?
Built and Design Your Own Treadmill Desk
Tags: Desk, Running, Treadmill, Treadmill Desk, Yellow Pages
Posted in Home Fitness, Running | No Comments »
