Author: Peter Suciu

(Sports)Band on the Run

One thing that technology has improved is the style in “sports” gear. Remember those old cassette Walkman players? The sports one was always so bulky and big. The same thing has been true more recently for headphones. Yes, durable is good, but frankly my shooting earmuffs have more style than many fitness headsets.

Jaybird SB2 Sportsband Bluetooth Headsets

Now JayBird has the word, with its line of Bluetooth headphones. The new Sportsband offers nine colors, from Limonade Green and Sonic Blue, to Snow Wite and Runner’s Red. More importantly these wireless headsets provide a high fidelity bass response so you can feel the music as much as hear it. The Sportsband headsets are also compatible with mobile phones, so you won’t have to miss a call while off on a run.

And least you think these are too much about fashion, and not enough about fitness, it should be noted that the headphones offer a lifetime warranty against sweat. The Sportsband headphones are available now for $99.

Jaybird Gear

Poseidon in the Pool

The Greek God Poseidon ruled over the water, and now technology bearing his name is being used in some YMCA pools to help monitor swimmers. CBS42.com is reporting that this technology utilizes three cameras in each corner of the pool, along with software to detect when there is no motion. This is used in conjunction with actual lifeguards.

The computer-aided drowning detection system is being called a lifeguard’s third eye that never blinks. It can analyze activity in the pool, and in water that is less than nine feet deep can work simply with overhead cameras. It can also aid lifeguards to a simmer in trouble. It uses a network of small, digital cameras that can quickly identify situations that could be life-threatening, such as when a person is motionless underwater.

Poseidon Official Site
[Via CBS42.com: Poseidon of the Pool]

Stopping Bicycle Thieves

The classic Italian movie The Bicycle Thief (1948) tells the story of how a life can be changed when a bike is stolen. While most such thefts today don’t mean the difference between life and death (or at least in feeding one’s family), bike theft remains a problem. In fact, the FBI estimates that more than 1.5 million people fall victim to a bicycle theft each year, meaning that a bike is stolen about every 20 seconds! Fortunately some companies are starting to fight back. One such example is BaitBike, which provides specially monitored bikes that are meant to be stolen.

This is sort of a type of a trap to would-be thieves, leaving a bike in an area where similar thefts have occurred. In this case the BaitBike has electronic tracking gear, which in turn allows law enforcement to find said bike and arrest the thieves. While this technology isn’t yet available to the public, hopefully soon we can see a low-jack of sorts for bikes.

But the best advice is to lock your bike if you must leave it, but the better method is to avoid the locks and just never leave your bike out of your sight!

BaitBike.com

Insect Spotted, Shields Up

Have you ever seen those Orkin bug commercials where the human size (or larger) insect comes to the door – or in one case to the hot tub? That is probably an all too familiar feeling that many people get around insects. Obviously bug spray and a professional exterminator is great for the home, but what do you do when you venture to the territory of the bugs?

Shield Repellent Apparel

One solution is to dress up, as in wear appropriate attire that will protect you from insects. Insect Shield’s line of clothing and gear repels a variety of insects including mosquitoes and ticks, and best of all this specially treated clothing has protection that is invisible, orderless and long lasting. So you can still wash the gear after trekking through the woods. The company offers a range of products for outdoor adventure, as well as simple hats and scarves for gardening. There are even products designed for kids and infants too, so you can take the young ones with you on the next hike.

For more extreme journeys there is gear for hunting, complete with camouflage patterns, as well as insect shield bug suits, head nets and bug socks. While not exactly the most stylish gear its better than scratching bug bites afterward.

Insect Shield Official Site

Wounded Warriors Rehab With Nintendo Wii

Wounded Warrior Project Rehabbing the Troops

We can never say thank you enough to our men and women in uniform who serve overseas, often in dangerous and hostile regions. Sadly our thanks are not nearly enough, and this is especially true to those soldiers who have been wounded in the line of duty. Fortunately there are programs to help, including the newly announced Rehabbing with the Troops from the Wounded Warrior Project. This project has a simple goal, to create a virtual community, called the Wounded Warrior Arena, in which soldiers can find common ground and a mutual understanding while working on their physical rehabilitation and emotional well-being.

This partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project and the USO, and sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance, resulted in Pro vs. GI Joe creating Rehabbing the Troops, which uses the concept of connecting pros and troops through video games. These include workouts with the Nintendo Wii while professional athletes act as the trainers. This project will run through the summer season, with pro trainers from the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

The 10-week season will conclude in New Orleans on August 21. Troops will complete their final workout, receive, receive awards at an AFI-sponsored luncheon and then get to watch the New Orleans Saints pre-season home opening game at the Louisiana Superdome.

Wounded Warrior Project

Air Ball

adidas World Cup Jabulani Ball

This week the California Institute of Technology gave new meaning to the concept of “air ball” as aerospace engineers at the prestigious school put the controversial new “Jabulani” football (that’s soccer to most of us Americans) to the test in a wind tunnel. The ball, which was developed by adidas, is currently being used in the World Cup, where players, coaches and fans have blamed it for missed shots. So much for blaming bad play?

According to reports two balls were put into the Lucas Wind Tunnel and exposed to wind speeds of about 10 meters per second, which is actually slower than a typical kicked ball. To determine the movement of air around said balls, a smoke machine was called in. This helped the engineers visualize the air movement. The findings actually matched some complaints from teams in the World Cup. The ball reportedly had some “bizarre trajectories.”

 Developed by the adidas Innovation Team (a.i.t.), the ball has been tested as new “match ball” for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This mean tests under the toughest laboratory conditions, but it isn’t clear if this is in fact the first time the ball went into a wind tunnel. At this point it doesn’t look as if the ball will pulled, but with more studies coming dare we say that the wind of change is blowing through.

Adiddas World Cup  Jabulani Ball at Amazon.com

[Via Reuters: Geeks give new Cup ball a wind tunnel workout]

UCI Cracking Down on Doped Bikes

After winning the Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara came under the spotlight. Not for doping, but rather for using a motor hidden within the bicycle frame. Cancellara has since laughed off the allegations, but apparently not everyone is laughing.

Cycling has taken some bad hits as many high profile riders have been accused of using – and unfortunately even caught using – performance enhancing drugs. But this latest twist is probably one no one saw coming. This week the International Cycling Union, the sports governing body, announced that “a scanner will be used from the time of the Tour de France.” Such a scanner would further bolster “measures that have already been put in place, in particular the visual inspection of bicycles.”

The UCI it has been reported has been in contact with former racers, including Davide Cassani and Chris Boardman. The formers claims that a bike equipped with a concealed motor could help a ride cheat, and that if he were using such a device at 49-years old he’d be able to finish a classic or a Giro stage. We are a bit dubious to say the least. The latter even wrote an editorial for The Telegraph, explaining how the technology could work.

While there have been endless technological upgrades to bicycles in the 100+ years since the founding of the UCI, the idea of a hidden motor to aid a racer seems to be more trouble than it would be worth. Such a motor would need a large power source – one that would add weight to the bike, although Boardman says it is a moot point since bikes come in under weight anyway – and it would need to be reliable. Boardman again offers the opinion that the energy source would be enough to power a motor that in turn could help provide riders with a way to “take a break.” But is this really enough? Riders are pretty much on camera from beginning to end, and sitting on a bike and “faking” the pedaling is a lot of work.

The proper gearing, drafting from other riders and various riding techniques are what already give riders that little bit of edge. Would a mini-motor – something else that could break down – really be worth it? That’s not to say that we encourage anyone to try, so let’s hope that the sport stays clean. And that is with both the riders and the bikes.

E3 2010: Spice Girl Does Fitness Game

Do you Wannabe in better shape?

When we first read that a former Spice Girl wanted to do a fitness game we assumed it would be Sporty Spice. Then we read it was Mel B and our thoughts were confirmed, but actually Melanie Chisholm, a.k.a. Mel C, is the former Sporty Spice. Melanie Brown, or Mel B, a.k.a. Scary Spice is the one who is actually going to be working on a title for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 Kinect and PlayStation 3 Move.

“I have always been passionate about videogames and then when I grew up my preferences moved towards fitness and wellbeing.” she said in a press release. “Today I can finally mix together my two big passions, it’s been like a dream.”

The title from Black Bean Games will feature Brown as a celebrity trainer in Get Fit. It will build on the publisher’s previous Fitness First titles and will feature six types of aerobic disciplines and more than 100 exercises. The Brown fitness game will arrive for the holidays

Black Bean Games

E3 2010: UFC as a Fitness Game

UFC Trainer will arrive for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii in January

There is no denying that anyone entering the cage to compete in mixed martial arts is ripped and probably works out a lot. And we mean a lot. Video games on the hand tend to work out a little and play games a lot. So what if you could somehow marry the two in a way? THQ is on it with a UFC-inspired fitness game for Microsoft Xbox Live Kinect, Sony PlayStation Move and the Nintendo Wii.

And in an interesting twist, unlike many other fitness games this one is actually going to be targeted primarily at men. UFC Trainer won’t actually make it in time for the holidays however, so gamers will have to find some other way to stay in shape this summer and fall, so we suggest turning off the console for a bit.

 But from the official line from THQ’s executive VP of core gaming, it should be worth the wait. “We want this thing tuned to perfection without lag. And I’m not going to ship it until it’s the coolest fighting thing in the world.”

THQ website

E3 2010: Zumba Gets You Shaking

One big problem with some workout games is that you need to be in the mood to work out. That’s why a good alternative can be to dance, and Zumba Fitness will get you moving. The company already has a full line of Latin dance and reggae flavored DVDs, and this year at E3 Majesco announced plans to bring the unique fitness program to the video game world.

In Zumba Fitness players can learn and perfect nine different dance styles, ranging from salsa to hip-hop to rumba and reggaeton. The dance game will be accessible to all ages and feature a “learn to steps” training, plus beginner, intermediate and advanced routines. The game will be compatible with Kinect for the Microsoft Xbox 360 for two player fun, plus a four player version for either the Nintendo Wii or the PlayStation 3 Move. Zumba Fitness will arrive this holidays, so get shaking.

Zumba Fitness website

Majesco Entertainment

E3 2010: Exercise Games Coming to More Platforms than Wii

EA Sports Active 2 is heading to the Xbox 360 and will be compatible with Kinect

The Wii and exercise games have made great companions the past few years. However with Microsoft Kinect on its way, the video game workout may get a whole lot more active. Electronic Arts’ follow up to EA Sports Active is expecting to add more activity to both its Wii and Microsoft Xbox Kinect versions. More activity also means ore sensors and gear however. A demo at EA’s press conference showed wireless activity for EA Sports Active 2, heart rate monitors strapped to the upper arm, and weights and bands added for strength training.

Expect more variation in workouts. The demo included an intense cycling sequence, weight lifting and boxing. The Kinect version measures movement of the entire body versus the Wii version, which measures arms and legs through holding the controller and leg straps.

An online log on EA.com is an added component. Workout data is stored so you can evaluate your progress and fitness goals.  You can also share your results and compare progress of others.

EA Sports Fitness 2

 

Phone it in to the Tour with new iPhone App

This week LIVESTRONG.COM and RadioShack have announced the official release of the Team RadioShack free mobile app for the iPhone. This could be the next best thing to heading to France for the Tour next month, as it offers users exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of Lance Armstrong and the rest of the team as they take part in the greatest race in cycling.

The free app offers instant, on-the-go updates and news, exclusive content and photos, behind-the-scenes Tour de France coverage, and video blogs from Lance himself, as well as expert commentary from the entire team. The updates can be accessed with a tap of an app, and easily shared via Facebook and Twitter.

The Team RadioShack iPhone app is available fro free download from the Apple App Store and from the LIVESTRONG.COM website.

Weigh In With Wi-Fi

The Withings Internet Body Scale

For many of us progress isn’t the distance we went, the time we spent or even the fun we had. At the end of the day, or more likely first thing in the morning, we judge our results with a scale. The problem with this madness is that the method can be flawed because we only judge what the scale tells us at that point. To get a fuller picture we need to track gain and losses with the activity we did. After all, how can you judge fat lost vs. muscle gained?

The Withings Internet-connected Body Scale ($159) lets you track your results by sending the data to a web account via Wi-Fi. The thin black-metallic scale features a backlit display to provide your pounds clearly for you, while wirelessly sending the data to a Withings Web account. Here you and up to seven others can track progress over time – and you can (when you reached a goal or mark) post the results to Facebook and Twitter. Alternatively, if you need a push you can send them to DailyBurn and RunKeeper to monitor your progress over time. Time to weigh in.

Withings Internet-Connected Body Scale from Withings.com