Louis Ramirez | Evolving Consumer

Merrell Introducing Barefoot Hiking Shoes in 2013

Heavy-duty hiking boots may soon become a thing of the past thanks to the folks at Merrell. Inspired by the barefoot running craze led by shoe-maker Vibram, Merrell is introducing its new line of M-Connect hiking shoes which ditch the traditional high-top boot design for one that’s lighter, more flexible, and closer to a barefoot running shoe.

Available for both men and women, the M-Connect line will be designed for various outside activities, including running, training, and hiking. The shoes, which are lower and weigh less than modern-day hiking shoes, are meant to provide hikers with a natural glove-like fit and an overall light and flexible design. To reduce unnecessary weight, Merrell shaved some ounces off the shoes’ soles, allowing for better “ground feel,” greater surface contact, and better overall stability. Continue reading Merrell Introducing Barefoot Hiking Shoes in 2013

Nike+ Running Comes to Android, iOS Gets 4.0 Update

Nike is finally bringing its popular Nike+ Running app to the Android ecosystem. The app, which was originally released in 2010 for iOS, connects to nikeplus.com and lets runners track, share, and compare their runs using their smartphone.

Nike has simultaneously updated the iOS version of the app to version 4.0 and it too has assumed the Nike+ Running name. The GPS-enabled app now includes a widget option that lets you start a run from your phone’s home screen. You can also configure a list of “power songs” to start playing when you need a little motivation on the track.

Like most fitness apps, Nike+ Running lets users share their workout data on Facebook or Twitter. A new feature also lets you record the shoes you run in along with your cumulative mileage for that specific pair of shoes. Video after the jump

Pyle MP3 Player Brings Your Tunes Into the Deep

Water is every gadget’s biggest nemesis, and while there are plenty of specialized cases designed to keep your MP3 player or smartphone safe from mother nature, there are times when a case just won’t do. Enter the Pyle Waterpoof MP3 Player.

Waterproof for up to 3 meters (about 9.8′), the screen-less Pyle Waterproof MP3 Player (PSHWPMP3) is a worry-free way for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their tunes. It holds 4GB of music and features soft touch buttons that let you easily control your music. The included earphones are also waterproof and wrap securely around your ear ensuring they won’t slide off during rigorous activities like swimming or running.

The MP3 player charges via USB and provides up to 7 hours of playtime. The complete package is available now for $59.99.

[via The Gadgeteer: Make a Splash with Pyle’s New Waterproof MP3 Player]

Monster Watts Gives Your iPhone a Touch of Solar Power

Your iPhone may have a respectable battery life, but with today’s army of always-connected apps, keeping it fully charged can be a full-time job, especially when you’re on the go. Fortunately, Monster Watts’ Hybrid Solar Battery Case can harness the power of the sun to your iPhone’s advantage.

The case, which also protects your iPhone from everyday drops and scratches, sports a built-in solar panel charger along with a an embedded rechargeable 2400 mAh battery. Put the case under ambient sunlight, and it’ll replenish your iPod’s battery via the solar panel. (Alternatively, it can also be charged from any PC or standard phone charger via the built-in USB port.) There’s even an LED status indicator to inform you of how much battery life you have left. Continue reading Monster Watts Gives Your iPhone a Touch of Solar Power

New GoPro Bundle Gives Hero Cams WiFi and Remote Capabilities

Looking for new ways to use your GoPro Hero camera? The company’s new WiFi BacPac + WiFi Remote bundle is designed to give your camera remote and WiFi capabilities, all with a simple upgrade.

The WiFi BacPac is a small module that attaches to the back of your existing Hero camera giving it WiFi capabilities. The companion dual-button remote (which is both weatherproof and wearable) then lets you control the BacPac-equipped Hero from a range of up to 600 feet. Even better, the remote can control up to 50 different GoPro cameras simultaneously. Video after the jump

MotoACTV Update Brings Facebook and Twitter Support

Since it’s official debut, Motorla’s do-it-all smart watch has received a lot of love. The company’s latest software update, version 7.2, makes the MotoACTV even more desirable giving the uber watch the ability to access Facebook and Twitter feeds (as seen in the images above), along with better control of your workouts. Continue reading MotoACTV Update Brings Facebook and Twitter Support

Study Suggests Jogging Can Extend Your Life by Up to 6 Years

Good news for joggers. A new study shows that jogging — between one hour and 2.5 hours per week — can extend your life by up to 6 years.

Researchers at the Copenhagen City Heart Study in Denmark looked at a database of 20,000 joggers and non joggers, ranging in age from 23 to 93. They found that jogging, at a slow or average pace, extended the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and of women by 5.6 years. Over a period of 35 years, those who didn’t jog had a total of 10,158 deaths, while there were only 122 deaths among those who jogged on a regular basis.

The study also suggested that breaking your runs into two or three sessions over the course of the week yields the best results. Likewise, high intensity speed intervals and training till exhaustion aren’t necessary. In fact, the study suggests that the risk of death was greater for people who logged in heavy miles (sorry, marathoners) or those who ran at faster paces. (Risk of death was also greater for people who ran less than one hour a week.)

And if that still isn’t enough to get you on the track, the study also reiterated all the health benefits we already know about jogging such as the fact that it lowers your blood pressure, improves cardiac function, and helps manage your weight.

[via The Atlantic: Jog 15 Minutes a Day, Extend Your Life by 5 Years or More]

Xbox Will Soon Offer Excercise Tracking with Kinect Play Fit and Joule Heart Rate Monitor

Microsoft’s Kinect was designed to bring a little exercise into the otherwise sedentary world of video games, and for the most part, it’s succeeded at doing just that. Now the Internet is buzzing about a potential new upgrade for the Xbox 360 and Kinect. As reported by The Verge, Microsoft will soon launch a new fitness-based service for the Xbox 360 dashboard called Kinect Play Fit. Accompanying the dashboard upgrade will be a heart rate monitor codenamed Joule. Combined, the service and heart rate monitor will let gamers track their physical activity across multiple Kinect games letting users store metrics, achievements, and badges all in the cloud.

A major component of this new dashboard upgrade will be the Joule heart rate monitor. It will function much like a traditional wireless heart rate monitor encouraging gamers to keep their heart rate within their target goal. The Joule monitor will be compatible with most Kinect games, although it won’t be mandatory for any of the games or services provided by Kinect Fit Play. Continue reading Xbox Will Soon Offer Excercise Tracking with Kinect Play Fit and Joule Heart Rate Monitor

Health Clubs Turn to Smart Towels to Cut Down on Theft

No health club is complete without complimentary towel service. Not only is it needed for sanitary reasons, but it’s also a nice amenity that keeps gym goers happy. But what happens when towel theft runs rampant at your local gym? For many health clubs, it means turning to technology for help.

And we can’t blame them. With prices that range from 50 cents to more than $2 (depending on the size and quality of the towel), a gym can lose as much as $50,000 per year if towel theft is left unchecked, as it did in one YMCA in northern New Jersey. Continue reading Health Clubs Turn to Smart Towels to Cut Down on Theft

Vibrate Your Muscles into Shape with the Power Plate My7

Looking for a way to shave some minutes off your next workout? If money is no object, the Power Plate My7 might be what you’re looking for. This all-in-one home gym claims it can give you a full body workout in just 30 minutes.

It achieves this by using vibration technology to hit every muscle in your body. Users simply stand on the My7’s platform and perform their regular exercises, from push ups to squats. As you workout, the machine vibrates rapidly causing your muscles to contract as much as 40 times per second thus forcing your body to work harder. Continue reading Vibrate Your Muscles into Shape with the Power Plate My7

Fitbit Aria Scale Blasts Your Weight to the Web

Fitbit fans have a new accessory to compliment their Fitbit pedometer. The new Fitbit Aria is the company’s modern-day take on the scale packing built-in Wi-Fi and the ability to record (and blast out to the Internets) your weight, BMI, and body fat percentage.

The scale can recognize up to eight different user profiles (all profiles are set to private by default) and once connected to your home Wi-Fi network, wirelessly beams your data straight to your Fitbit online dashboard combining your physical activity (tracked by the Fitbit) with your weight loss (tracked by the Aria). From the dashboard you can set goals, track your weight loss progress, and even earn “badges” as you reach your goals. Continue reading Fitbit Aria Scale Blasts Your Weight to the Web

Despite High Awareness, Consumers Reluctant to Buy Fitness Gadgets

There’s never been a better time to get fit. Technology and the Internet have combined to make it easier than ever to record and track your health. From advanced pedometers like the Fitbit to wearable bracelets like Nike’s Fuelband, we’re living in an era where tracking your day-to-day health is as easy as updating your Facebook status.

However, a new study from New York-based NPD Group shows that while consumers are highly aware of all the latest health gadgets, many are still reluctant to purchase them. For instance, of the men and women polled for the NPD Group’s digital fitness study, only 9% have ever used a heart rate monitor. Making matters worse, nearly half of those who have used one have borrowed it from a friend or relative. Continue reading Despite High Awareness, Consumers Reluctant to Buy Fitness Gadgets

Work Your Core on Water with Paddle Board Yoga

Yoga is showing up everywhere these days, even on water. Paddle board yoga, a combination of paddle boarding and yoga, is the latest craze in Florida and with June just around the corner, could become this summer’s hot new exercise.

Paddle boarding is a form of surfing while standing up. Unlike traditional surf boards, paddle boards are thicker and more buoyant. The sport has been around for some time and provides a low impact, high-intensity workout. Combined with yoga, paddle boarding becomes a completely different kind of workout hitting every muscle in your body, especially your core which is used to keep you from falling off the board. Classes, which can be up to 90 minutes long, include everything from stretches to sun salutations, all performed on the board. Continue reading Work Your Core on Water with Paddle Board Yoga