Author: KineticShift

Movea To Get Motion Moving

The key to the convergence of fitness and technology is often times the development of new technology. This week we heard about the new MotionPod hardware from Movea, a leading developer of motion technology. This new gizmo is a wireless miniaturized, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that uses MEMS sensors to accurately measure 9 Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) motion with a PCB module that is only the size of a small watch.

This patented hardware solution for motion sensing incorporates a 3-axis accelerometer, as well as a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis magnetometer in a single package that further includes built-in software and a wireless interface. As an off-the-shelf component it is ready to be used in a variety of applications including fitness, sports and gaming – or a competition of the three. Continue reading Movea To Get Motion Moving

Antigua Brings Fashion to the Fairway

Fashion on the fairway this fall will be about a lot more than just plaid. And while it might be hard to consider that the fall golf season is just around the corner – especially given that for a lot of us it still feels like winter – it is never too early to think fashion forward.

We’re hearing about Antigua’s fall based outerwear, which is created to function in various climates and will incorporate the trend that focuses on layering. As the weather changes – and do we know it can change – clothing needs to be able to be taken off or put on, to adjust to comfort and function. This year Antigua is layering up beginning with base layers that can be combined with wind resistant or water resistant wind shirts and jackets as well as worn with fuller weight outerwear pieces to function against more inclement weather, and feature a proprietary Desert Dry moisture management technology. These are constructed with a hyper-micro poly fleeced backing against a super soft interlock face which has enough weight to be worn alone and is light enough that it layers remarkably well. Continue reading Antigua Brings Fashion to the Fairway

Ride the Tour of California With Strava and AEG

There are a few ways to ride the Amgen Tour of California. You can train hard, win local races, get picked up by a team and ride with the pros. Or you can ride it virtually with Strava, creator powerful Web and mobile applications for avid athletes, and AEG, one of the leading sports and entertainment providers. The two companies have announced that Strava will power social fitness for next month’s Tour. The three-year partnership will bring Strava’s event maps to the Web and mobile platforms. Strava is further supplying complimentary premium memberships to all race participants and will also offer training and race-day challenges.

“We are excited to partner with AEG to bring the sport of cycling even closer to the fans,” said Michael Horvath, CEO of Strava. “Strava’s GPS maps and online competitions allow avid cyclists to follow their favorite pros, compare and compete, and gain deeper insight into their own training.” Continue reading Ride the Tour of California With Strava and AEG

Hex Jumps on Sport Watch Band Wagon

Hex, the designer and manufacturer of technology fashion accessories, has gotten on the sports watch band wagon, with it new Sports Watch Band. Set to be available later this month, the band will be compatible with Nike+ and offer fitness enthusiasts a simple solution for listening to music, whilst tracking their workouts. Each HEX Sport Watch Band features an easy pop-in, pop-out design that holds user’s iPod nano Gen 6 for a quick music playing option during workout sessions at the gym or outdoors.

This watch combines fashion and function, offering a breathable and vented band, with five bright colors to chose from including green, blue, red, black and white. Continue reading Hex Jumps on Sport Watch Band Wagon

Sony MOVES A Lot of Move Controllers

Last week Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. (SCEA) today that more than 8 million units of the  PlayStation Move motion controller for the PlayStation3 system have been sold worldwide as of  this month, and retailers are seeing green.

“Due to the demand for the PlayStation Move motion controller, we’ve been struggling to keep units in stock in our U.S. GameStop stores,” said Bob McKenzie, senior vice president of merchandising for GameStop. “With big franchise titles set for release throughout the year for the PlayStation Move, we expect the remainder of 2011 to be a period of continued sales growth for PlayStation Move.” Continue reading Sony MOVES A Lot of Move Controllers

Swing Like a Pro… an aG Balance Pro

While not everyone can be a golf pro, aboutGolf will let you get the pro treatment with aG Balance Pro, a new dual force plate technology that the company introduced this week. This new platform, which features Perform Pro software that can be integrated with any 3Track-powered aboutGolf ball tracking including the aboutGolf simulator and aG Studio, uses dual force plate technology that provides detailed analysis of weight transfer during the swing.

“With aG Balance Pro, it is now possible to specifically understand the impact of balance on the golfer’s swing,” says Chuck Winger, aboutGolf’s Vice President of Performance Products. “For the first time, we can see force distribution on the front, back, right and left of each foot, helping us better assess the impact of balance on the golfer’s performance and provide proper instruction.”

aG Balance Pro’s data is presented in easy-to-understand visual graphics, as well as detailed data tables to support scientific analysis. All swing/balance data is time stamped and synchronized to the swing motion from backswing to follow-through, including a clear indication of weight transfer and foot forces at the time of ball impact. The Perform Pro software also supports integration with the optional aG Flix module, providing time-synchronized swing video for analysis side-by-side with aG Balance Pro. Continue reading Swing Like a Pro… an aG Balance Pro

Garmin Off and Forerunning Again

Serious runners will now have a serious time piece to add to their wrists. Garmin International Inc. announced this week the Forerunner 610 sports watch, a slim and robust water-proof touchscreen solution for serious runners. This watch can stand up to rain, sweat and splashes, yet is responsive enough that it can be operated with running gloves.

“Running with Forerunner 610 is like having a coach with you every step of the way,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “From giving the basics such as pace, distance and time to monitoring your effort through heart rate, creating interval workouts and racing a friend on the other side of the world, Forerunner 610 becomes a necessary partner for all serious runners.”

The watch has already won the Red Dot Design Award, which is a compliment to its marriage of style and functionality. The Forerunner 610 uses a vibration motor for alerts such as heart rate, pace and distance when audible tones cannot be heard (heart monitor included in some bundles or available separately). Continue reading Garmin Off and Forerunning Again

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Heelys Not Just For Kids – Really?

We’ve heard that the folks over at Heelys have gotten requests for shoes in “larger sizes,” and the company has decided to accommodate those requests. Heelys, for those not in the know, have been popular shoes for the tween crowd and are the shoes with the build in skate wheel in the heel. No doubt marketed at those without nice hardwood floors, the shoes have been the bane of existence of schools and shopping malls since they were introduced.

According to a story from MSNBC.com back in 2007, there have been some tragic accidents as well: “From September 2005 through December 2006, one death and at least 64 roller-shoe injuries were reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

We hate to be a “Negative Nelly” about the shoes, but we question whether any teen other than Urkel from that TV show with Urkel would be caught dead wearing shoes with wheels in the heel. Now the company is looking to go extreme, with larger size shoes and even the new Nano that stays connected to the wearer’s shoe. In the video below it does look kind of cool – but notice the disclaimer says “performed by professional stuntman.” That sort of says, “Don’t try this at home, “which really defeats the purpose. In the end, would any adult really need wheels in their shoes?

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Ubisoft and Gatorade Work It Out for Your Shape

This week video game publisher Ubisoft along with sports drink maker Gatorade announced a new new partnership to deliver a workout series designed specifically for fitness athletes for Ubisoft’s popular video game Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, which is available exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360video game and entertainment system

Gatorade has enlisted the talents of celebrity-trainer Gunnar Peterson to develop a workout series created around the G Series FIT, their new line of innovative products for fitness athletes. The Gatorade-inspired workouts are now available as a free download from the Xbox LIVE marketplace. The ‘G Series FIT Workout with Gunnar Peterson’ offers personalized training sessions with one of the country’s top celebrity and athlete trainers and the workout plan is designed to inspire and fuel the inner athlete in everyone. The downloadable workout plan includes a 30-minute full-body toning program, and introduces new exercises including jumping jacks, squat raises, lunges, and other new moves that integrate free weights and dumbbells.

After the workout gamers can recharge with a Gatorade, because we think they’ll have earned it!

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved Official Website

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Reformer Like Medieval Torture Device

During the Late Middle Ages there was the Reformation, Counter-Reformation and of course the Spanish Inquisition. These saw non-believers “punished” in a variety of ways – and here is where the name “Pilates Reformer” comes to mind.

According to Well+Good NYC, 1,500 exercisers went to the ER because of equipment-rated accidents (source: Consumer Product Safety Commission). One product mentioned is the “Reformer.”

While not a true Kinetic(Mis)Shift, we think there is a concern with devices such as Pilates Reformer. So our word of wisdom is to be sure to read the instructions, or ask for guidance prior to using any new equipment. More importantly know your limits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Woo Hoo, Wahoo Brings ANT+ to Android

From insect to robot, or rather ANT+ to Android, that’s the news that hit last week as Wahoo Fitness announced the release of the first ANT+ application program interface (API) that connects Google Android smartphones to Wahoo Fitness products as well as any ANT+ compatible equipment. This ain’t just for iPhone anymore, as Android API joins Wahoo Fitness’ line of products tailored for the iPhone, broadening the pool of users able to use their smartphones as a fitness training and tracking tool.

“Wahoo’s technology is a perfect complement for anyone interested in better understanding the true results of their workouts, whether they are a casual exerciser or an elite athlete,” said Chip Hawkins, CEO, Wahoo Fitness.  “The availability of our Android ANT+ API allows a new wave of fitness enthusiasts to benefit from Wahoo Fitness products by enabling them to them to monitor and manage their workout information on a device they use every day.” Continue reading Woo Hoo, Wahoo Brings ANT+ to Android

Interbike 2011: Key Brands Returning

As we head into spring that means we’re at about the “half way” point to another Interbike, the the cycling industry’s annual flagship trade event. This year the show hits its 30 year mark, and is quickly selling out as exhibitors large and small lock up their space for the September 14-16 show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

“Interbike 2011 is already shaping up to be one of our biggest shows ever,” said Show Director Andy Tompkins. “The mix of established brands that exhibit every year and companies new to the cycling industry or just new to the show provide retailers with the opportunity to see the latest offerings from every corner of the cycling world, something that can only happen at an event as broad based and well-attended as Interbike.” Continue reading Interbike 2011: Key Brands Returning

Catch It For the Month of June

As baseball season opens, Rawlings Sporting Goods Company announced this week a new initiative to get kids out from in front of the TV. Time to put the joysticks down and pick up a ball, as Rawlings announced the creation of “National Play Catch with Your Kids Month,” a new platform to promote kids’ physical activity during the summer months. This effort is further designed to encourage families to come closer together through the game of playing catch.

“As the exclusive supplier of baseballs to Major League Baseball and the glove of choice for more pros than any other brand, Rawlings has truly owned this activity that evokes childhood memories for both fathers and sons, and has for years,” said Kurt Hunzeker, senior director of brand marketing for Rawlings. “Our mission is to enable participation in the game, even in its simplest form of playing catch, but the bigger goal is to provide a new avenue to promote daily physical activity.”

The month-long celebration will begin this June with Rawlings pitching in. This includes a national cause marketing effort, with the announcement last month of its Rawlings Replay gently-used equipment trade-in program, and its continued activation efforts within communities across the U.S.

National Play Catch with Your Kids Month