Peter Suciu | Evolving Consumer

Finding the Right Elliptical Machine

They seem like the ideal machine at the gym, especially for beginners. The elliptical seems like a low impact workout machine that is pretty straight forward. Every gym and health club has one, in fact they provide have several. The machines are also steadily making their way to homes as an alternative to exercise bikes and treadmills.

The problem for buyers is that most people have no idea what to look for, what are key features and what separates a good machine from one that isn’t so on the level. Steven Merusi has launched a website designed to help users – new and experienced – understand the benefits of the machines, while making sure to make a wise purchase. Continue reading Finding the Right Elliptical Machine

Smart Workout Apparel in Development

Currently, we are seeing workout attire that breathes better, doesn’t retain that foul gym smell and even helps provide extra “squeeze” to compress muscles. That’s all good and clever, but truly “smart” clothing is now being developed that could change the way we work out.

Reebok and start-up MC10 have partnered up to develop apparel that would utilize stretchable silicon electronics. Reebok would utilize the flexible electronics from MC10 into its sportswear, resulting in clothing that can actually monitor a user’s health and performance during training and post-workout cool down. Continue reading Smart Workout Apparel in Development

NFL Stars to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with Wounded Warriors

There is an old question, why climb a mountain? The answer has typically been, “because it is there.” But for the Wounded Warriors Project climbing a mountain will mean so much more. Having served in uniform for our country, it is our military veterans that our warriors, our heroes.

And to show their appreciation for what the soldiers have done, former NFL players Ken Huff and Joe Demielleure will join several wounded warriors and head to Africa to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as part of a 10-day expedition called the Boots and Cleats on the Summit Experience. From New York City to Tanzania, Africa, the group will take part in a seven-day climb of Africa’s highest peak. This professionally-guided trek approaches Kilimanjaro from the south along the Machame Route, through dense tropical rainforest all the way up to the mighty snow-capped summit at 19,341ft for simply breathtaking views from the roof of Africa. Continue reading NFL Stars to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with Wounded Warriors

Skis that Will Take You Down, Fast

We know K2 as the second highest mountain in the world, and the second deadliest to climb. But K2, the maker of skis and ski related gear, is really second to no one. For this season the company has taken its Rocker technology that was developed for powder skis to hard snow with the K2 Rictor, a true speed terrain ski.

These high performance skis aren’t meant for the bunny slopes or those who stick to them. This high performance expert level ski is build however, for any condition you might encounter. The Rictor offers the All-Terrain Rocker technology with mountain versatility. The skis feature unique Metal Laminate Hybritech construction with a progressive sidecut to allow users to perform well in soft powder or hard icy conditions.

From the early reviews, we hear these skis will rock the mountain.

K2 Skis Official Site

Rock Out With New Arbor Snowboards

Snow board maker Arbor is working “The System” and hopes it will get riders rocking out this season on the white stuff. The concept of a rocker snowboard – with no added camber or flat zone – is to deliver a wide range of performance benefits including improved turn initiation, more fluid spins, slides, presses and butters. The problem is that a lot of snowboard makers didn’t do this right, and meant that at speed these could hard to handle. So Arbor has worked it out with “The System” design for its 2011 models.

Unlike other makers that put camber back into the nose and tail, the designers at Arbor thought this resulted in a design that sacrifices much of the benefits of riding a rocker in the first place. So instead with its boards, Arbor has stayed true to the rocker snowboard concept while making it easy to control. Continue reading Rock Out With New Arbor Snowboards

Best Buy to Get Into Health and Fitness

It is hard not to love Best Buy. As a guy I love everything Best Buy, from the huge TVs to mobile phones, computers to even the appliances. But the truth is that Best Buy has also sort of been one of those stores that made me feel a little guilty too. It has so much stuff that I love; but yet very little “active” type products for on the go. While there are plenty of digital cameras, GPS devices and now tons of video games that claim to inspire fitness, the truth is that Best Buy remains about those big, big TVs that draw you in, where you just want to sit back on a couch and let the day pass you by.

However, the retailer has announced a new national rollout of health and fitness products at 600 Best Buy stores across the country as well as online at Bestbuy.com. This is truly a good thing, as it should help inspire – dare we say “guilt” – visitors to do something besides sit on a couch whilst enjoying Blu-ray and HDTV. This also comes just in time for all those New Years’ resolutions that we hope readers will keep.

“We were encouraged by the enthusiastic response we saw from our customers during the initial pilot of these health and fitness products,” said Chris Koller, vice president of the Portable Electronics Solutions Group at Best Buy. “We clearly tapped into a desire for Best Buy to provide the latest and greatest technology to enhance health regimens, and to help people discover how they can integrate these devices with other personal technology to monitor and share their progress, and to stay motivated.” Continue reading Best Buy to Get Into Health and Fitness

Is it the End for Wooden Hockey Sticks?

If you ever played floor hockey in school you probably used a cheap plastic stick. But the wooden sticks aren’t just missing in gym class; they’re pretty much gone from the big leagues too. According to a story from The Montreal Gazette last month the last of the holdouts of wooden sticks has switched to the composite variety last season.

This is an interesting turn of events, as just 20 years ago wood was all the rage and hardly anyone used composite materials. But as leather skates gave way to other materials, so wood has left the ice. This isn’t the only example where composite, or other so-called “space age” materials have replaced the tradition. Just 20 years ago steel was still widely used in high-end road bikes and now virtually every pro rides on carbon fiber, while golf clubs have gone from steel to titanium and other materials. Continue reading Is it the End for Wooden Hockey Sticks?

Nike Hits the Field with Air Zoom Alpha Talon

While it seems late in the season – given that the playoffs are just around the corner anyway – for Nike to introduce new equipment. But enter the Air Zoom Alpha Talon shoes. These feature a fully adaptable traction system, with retractable cleats on the interior of the forefoot. These extend when pressure is applied, giving the player more traction at times when it is needed, and then retracting afterward. The cleats also utilize Nike’s new Flywire technology, which provides lightweight support for sideways movement, and to help cushion the foot the Air Zooms further provide Pro Deflex padding. The new shoes will hit the gridiron this weekend and will be used by a variety of NFL players. Continue reading Nike Hits the Field with Air Zoom Alpha Talon

Rugged Convertible Notebook for World Travelers

Planning a trip around the world, or just need to update your Facebook page while you’re off hiking? Either way the GammaTech D12C rugged notebook will survive the journey. This convertible notebook does the transformer thing, going from a traditional notebook to a tablet in a blink of the eye. It features a 12.1-inch Touch Screen display, along with a Web cam and HD stereo audio.

It is drop and shock resistant and tested to stringent MIL-STD-810G requirements. It further features a unique spill resistant design protects it from accidental spills, utilizing a C-face that helps protect the area around the keyboard, touchpad, speakers and wireless and power switches. When off in the wild the D12C is practically air tight as all input/output ports are fully dust resistant as well. Continue reading Rugged Convertible Notebook for World Travelers

Ski Helmets Help Reduce Injuries, But Advanced Skiers Still Most Likely to Face Serious Injury

Ski helmets are finally catching on, but like cycling helmets it is only slowly gaining momentum. No doubt many people feel that the white stuff is fluffy and soft and thus not so bad in a fall. The truth is that hard packed snow can be deadly, as can rocks, trees and other obstacles. All this makes a “brain bucket” all the more important to wear.

However, common sense – as in using what’s inside the helmet – can be a key to staying safe. This week The Wall Street Journal noted that shorter skis and helmets have reduced ski injuries, but added that the average number of people who die on the slopes in America has remained about the same. The other disturbing fact is those who are more likely to die are intermediate or advanced skiers, who are often wearing a helmet. Continue reading Ski Helmets Help Reduce Injuries, But Advanced Skiers Still Most Likely to Face Serious Injury

LifeSpan Praised by Doctor and Professor

A doctor and a professor agree; the LifeSpan TR1200i folding treadmill is a great product. And by a doctor we mean retailer Treadmill Doctor, which named the product the “Best New Treadmill” in its 2011 fitness equipment review. The TR1200i, which is made by PCE Health and Fitness, was also named “Best Treadmill under $1000” by Fitness Professor Review.

The folding treadmill earned high marks for its quality construction, walking area and value, while Fitness Professor offered that the “all new TR1200i offers the quality consumers are looking for in an affordable package plus LifeSpan’s wonderful Fitness Club software.” Continue reading LifeSpan Praised by Doctor and Professor

Snow Won’t Stop the Bond Bike

While mountain bikes can handle reasonable amounts the white stuff, usually deep snow means it is time to hit the rollers or exercise bike instead. Two wheels and thick packed snow just don’t mix. But the British Environmental Transport Association (ETA) might have an alternate solution with a special bike kit that utilizes a caterpillar track-driven snow bike.

BikeRadar.com reported that the bike, which was designed as a proof of concept device for the Cycle Show 2010 in London, actually found use following the recent snow fall in Britain last week. The concept converts any existing 26-inch mountain bike (hard tail or full suspension) into a snow bike by replacing the front wheel with a single ski and using a rubber track setup with the rear wheel. This solution allows the rider to retain the use of the gears and rear brake. Super villain and Bond girl not included.

[Via BikeRadar: Taking the ‘Bond bike’ for a spin in the snow]

Let it Blow, Let it Blow, Let it Blow

If you have a long driveway or need to go anywhere the white stuff isn’t so much fun after a while. On the other hand if you’re running a ski resort or like to hit the slopes you probably wish for the snow to fall. The problem is that Mother Nature doesn’t always like to play along. The solution has long been to simply make snow, but unfortunately making snow takes a lot of energy and consumes a lot of power.

This year many resorts might just introduce a new “aireless” snowmaking system that allows more snow to make with far less energy. Roundtop Mountain Resort in central Pennsylvania recently added nine new Techno Alpin automated snowmaking towers to its snowmaking system, which is networked to a weather station so it can let it blow, let it blow, let it blow as soon as the air temperatures allow. The system further monitors the air’s temperature and humidity levels and can adjust accordingly to produce the absolute best snow possible. And there is that old saying about fooling mother nature – what about doing mother nature one better!

It is also worth noting that traditional systems use an “air/water” mix, but the fact that compressed air is expensive and comes out hot means lost energy. This new airless system basically cuts out the air – so you can there is no hot air with the Techno Alpin solution.

Roundtop Mountain Resort