Author: KineticShift

Workout App Gets the Beat Up

Running requires a nice steady pace, and to help you keep it steady Upbeat Workout Apps has launched the Upbeat Workouts for Runners, a next generation app that makes your music keep up- or slow down- with you. The idea of this app is that it can match the song’s beats per minute with a runner’s steps per minute. Think of this as the ultimate “keeping in time” too.

The Upbeat Workouts for Runners also includes three coached workouts from world class running coaches, so you can get the option of personal training sessions on demand. The app is available for the iPhone and iPod Touch from the Apple App Store for $2.99.

Upbeat Workouts

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Where’s the Rope?

We’ve seen these for a while now. We get the idea; it is like jump rope but with the rope. Instead of a rope the JumpSnap uses little balls on a short string and this “simulates” a jump rope. The device counts your jumps, timing and calories. That’s all good, but the counting part is easy enough to do already, the timing part of jump rope is sort of the point and any heart rate monitor will count the calories. And while the video says “in less time,” we wonder, does not having a rope really speed up the exercise somehow? About the only thing we see as a benefit is that you can’t have a misstep and somehow trip yourself – but if you’re that uncoordinated you probably have bigger issues to deal with it.

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

Great American Smokeout: There is an App for That

There is no denying that there are some pretty useless mobile phone apps on the market, but this week one app that was released could really do some good.

Today is the Great American Smokeout, and now comes the UCSF/SFGH Stop Smoking application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It is the result of a joint effort from the San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (SFGH) and the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), and it is aimed at helping smokers quit by including mood among the triggers for smoking . The app uses a successful cognitive behavioral therapy program developed at SFGH and is now available for purchase from iTunes

Proceeds from UCSF/SFGH Stop Smoking – which serves English and Spanish speakers – help fund further online and mobile health research at SFGH and UCSF. The launch of this new tool coincides with Great American Smokeout on November 18 – a national day to encourage smokers to quit.   Continue reading Great American Smokeout: There is an App for That

Biggest Loser Arrives for Kinect and Wii

It is official, there is no reason not to want to be a loser, and by that we mean a big loser, as in The Biggest Loser. Based on the hit reality series The Biggest Loser health and fitness games for the new Kinect for the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii have arrived.

The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout for Kinect for Xbox 360 features a dynamic routine of exercise moves that are adjusted to how well the players do. And The Biggest Loser Challenge for the Nintendo Wii offers its own challenging ultimate workout that uses resistance bands as well as a stability ball. Players – if players is actually accurate considering that the idea is to get a workout – can work out with a friend in 4, 8 and even 12-week programs, which can be customized from more than 125 exercise moves, including cardio boxing.

Since working out alone won’t keep you in shape, both titles include a library of 50 recipes and a wealth of valuable nutritional tips to keep up a healthy lifestyle.

The Biggest Loser for Kinect and Wii

OptumHealth Debuts Fitness App for Windows Phone 7

OptumHealth, one of the nation’s largest health and wellness companies, announced this week that it will release its OptumizeMe mobile application with exclusive features for the new Windows Phone 7 mobile smartphone platform. The app is designed to help people pursue their health goals through their own online social networks, where they can track their progress and issue fun fitness challenges to their friends, family and coworkers. Continue reading OptumHealth Debuts Fitness App for Windows Phone 7

Hit The Links at TPC Scottsdale via aboutGolf’s PGA Tour Simulator

If you can’t make the trek to Arizona, you can still feel like you’re on the course at TPC Scottsdale, as the course is now exclusively available for aboutGolf’s PGA TOUR Simulator as part of its partnership with the PGA TOUR. All 18 holes on the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, including the famous 16th hole stadium green and challenging 11th, a 469-yard par 4, are fully 3D rendered, which is critical to realistic play. The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is the second course released as part of the aboutGolf exclusive TPC Collection, which also includes TPC Sawgrass, released May 2010, and TPC Louisiana, which will be released early 2011.

“TPC Scottsdale is a perfect blend of challenge and playability,” says Tim Hawes, Senior Vice President of Retail Licensing at PGA TOUR. “aboutGolf has once again masterfully brought a TPC course to life on the PGA TOUR Simulator, making TPC Scottsdale accessible to more golfers.”

aboutGolf’s PGA TOUR Simulators use 3Trak, the most advanced machine vision golf tracking technology available in the world and advanced 3D golf-software design. aboutGolf’s graphics lead the industry, featuring highly-detailed terrain, reflective water, varying weather conditions, tee signs that can be read (and hit), and moving clouds, grass and flags that blow in the direction and intensity of the wind. The simulator uses data that is based on Global Positioning System (GPS) information and photographic survey data enabling rendering accuracy to within two inches. The TPC Collection retails for $1,500 and is now available online.

aboutGolf Pro Shop

CyclingForums.com Announces 2010 Product Review Contest

Our friends at CyclingForums announced  a new contest that will run from this coming Sunday, November 15, through December 31. The 2010 Product Review Contest is help the premier cycling website showcase its new product review feature.

The 2010 Product Review Contest will feature more than $12,000 in prizes. It will offer readers a chance to win some of the best gear in the industry, including products from Guru and Bellweather. Readers are encouraged to write a review of their favorite products, and every review will count as an entry – with winners being selected at random at the end of the contest’s run.

CyclingForums.com

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Bladder Problems

Camel Back, good. BeerBelly, bad. Not much else needs to be said about this product, which is apparently marketed to allow people to sneak  alcohol into the ball park. The truth is that most users probably already have put on more than a few pounds before even using this product, and we suspect they also have a true beer belly. With this on their gut they’ll probably look downright obese.

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

Panasonic In the Heart of It

This week Panasonic announced that it will sponsor for the 2011 World Heart Day that will take place on September 29, 2011. Currently, according to the World Health Organization, heart disease and stroke remain the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year. World Heart Day was created by the World Heart Federation in 2000 with the goal of informing people around the world about the risk of heart disease and stroke.

“We are thrilled to welcome Panasonic, as a new sponsor of World Heart Day in 2011, said  Kathryn Taubert, Senior Science Officer from the World Heart Federation. “Their support will mean we can further raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, and educate people on the steps they can take to lower their risk.”

Earlier this year Panasonic changed its subsidiary name form Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Company to Panasonic Healthcare Company. It also has announced the formation of CardioNexus Corporation, an initiative to enter the application-specific device market and a step toward establishing a leadership position in the field of Personalized Preventive Medicine through early disease detection and home healthcare.

 “Panasonic strives to be a leader in Personalized Preventive Medicine and by sponsoring the 2011 World Heart Day – we want to help emphasize the importance of living healthy lifestyles, and understanding the risks associated with heart disease,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Working together with the World Heart Federation, a global entity, makes this a powerful platform to educate the world with medical facts, as well as participate in local activities.”

To further the company’s commitment to Personalized Preventive Medicine and the importance of heart health, Panasonic will exhibit at the 2010 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions show to be held in Chicago from November 14 – November 17, 2010 at booth number 1831, to unveil the company’s flagship diagnostic technologies. 

World Heart Federation

Panasonic Healthcare Co. Ltd.

The Kids of Red Team Are Alright With Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge

This week it was announced that the Trips for Kids (TFK) and its “Red Team” of supporters won the CLIF BAR 2 Mile Challenge, a nationwide, six-month long campaign to fight climate change by encouraging people to ride a bike instead of driving a car, especially for trips of two miles or less.

The friendly competition of young riders in the Clif Bar 2 Mille Challenge further resulted in Trips for Kids receiving a bonus grant of $25,000 following the initial grant of the same to each of the three non-profits that support the event. A portion of the awarded funds to Trips for Kids will go to chapters in good standing so as to purchase needed equipment and to create information sharing and program materials, while funds will also be used to create new TFK chapters. Continue reading The Kids of Red Team Are Alright With Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge

Half Moon Bay Golf Links Joins With Naval Special Warfare Foundation

Following the success of the inaugural “SEAL Tribute Celebration and Golf Tournament,” which was held on October 4 and raised more than $500,000 for the families of U.S. Navy SEALs and their support personnel, the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, Half Moon Bay Golf Links and The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, have already announced the second annual event for 2011.

This year’s event featured guests including Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant (SEAL) Michael E. Thornton (ret.), Vice Admiral (SEAL) Albert M. Calland, III (ret.), and Rear Admiral (SEAL) Thomas R. Richards (ret.). The exclusive golf tournament took place on Half Moon Bay Golf Links’ Ocean and Old Courses, with sponsors playing and interacting with members of the SEAL community. The event concluded with more than 200 participants attending a Gala Dinner in the ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, with addresses by Lieutenant Thornton, Admiral Richards, and Ms. Krissy Rankin, whose fiancé was a Navy SEAL and died in the line of duty.

“It was invigorating and inspiring to watch Americans rally on behalf of the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, the SEALs and their loved ones,” says Mark Kendall, SEAL Tribute Event Chairman and President of Kenmark Golf Management, who operates Half Moon Bay Golf Links. “Despite the economy and downturn in large events and outings, golf is still a unifying game that brings people together over a shared cause.”  

Opening ceremonies for the event began on October 4 with the U.S. Navy color guard and a Half Moon Bay High School trio singing the national anthem. A brief presentation followed with the retirement of an American flag recently flown in Afghanistan by a U.S. Navy SEAL team. Next year’s event will be held on September 30 and October 1.

For more information:

Half Moon Bay Golf SEAL Tribute Celebration and Golf Tournament

SRAM Joins With the Advocacy Advance Partnership

This week bicycle component Sram announced its continued support for the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking & Walking. This is part of a new, three-year campaign to double federal funding for bicycling and walking by 2013. SRAM is backing this Advocacy Advance initiative by awarding up to $1.2 million to the League and Alliance over the next three years to unite active transportation advocates across the nation, and to give them tools and resources to secure even greater increased funding from existing federal transportation programs for crucial bike and pedestrian projects. Continue reading SRAM Joins With the Advocacy Advance Partnership

LIVESTRONG.COM and LIVESTRONG Make Good Partners for Cardio Training

It might seem a little ironic but LIVESTRONG.COM has announced a partnership with LIVESTRONG Fitness. The former is actually a Demand Media property and website destination for nutrition and fitness-related information. It will now partner with LIVESTRONG Fitness, part of Johnson Health Tech, to introduce a new brand of cardio products include treadmills, elliptical machines and even bicycles with personalized programming designed by Peter Park, Lance Armstrong’s strength and conditioning coach. Continue reading LIVESTRONG.COM and LIVESTRONG Make Good Partners for Cardio Training