As soon as we heard about the OfficeGym – a standard desk chair with a few springs added to make it appear to be a piece of exercise equipment – we immediately thought, “we’ve heard that line before.” The concept is actually a good one, create something that encourages people to work out and get some exercise.
The problem is that this one – like most exercise chairs – is that it still offers just a limited number of exercises. While this one is better than such past (Mis)Shifts as the GymyGym exercise chair, it actually could encourage users to do just enough to make them feel like they’re working out. Plus, we can’t imagine that the chair is actually comfortable for the time spent actually working when compared to other high-end office chairs.
We don’t expect anyone to work up a real sweat in the office, and probably just taking a walk at lunch might be closer to actual exercise.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for missing the mark in health related products.
With fall upon us cyclists might have some time to slow down and do some reading. VeloPress has announced two new books that are must reads for serious enthusiasts, and include the Coach Joe Friel Simplifies Power Meters with New User Guide for Cyclists and Triathletes; and Chris Carmichael’s Updated Time-Crunched Cyclist Offers More Ways to High Speed.
Come for the trade show, stay for the Gran Fondo – and do some good in the process. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) announced that this Saturday’s RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo Pinarello Presented by Vector Media will welcome more than 560 cyclists from more than 30 states as part of its efforts to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The cyclists, who prepared for the race through the organization’s Team In Training program, will join more than 1,000 other cyclists registered to participate in the event. 
The League of American Bicyclists, Endomondo and Bikes Belong announced this week that more than 30,000 Americans took part in the 2012 National Bike Challenge, with a collective journey of more than 12 million miles that spanned all 40 states.
Trainers are interesting devices. These simulate an activity, and provide great exercise but without actually doing said activity. In other words a bicycle trainer lets you ride a bike and put in miles while you go nowhere. A cross-country ski machine needs no snow, and rowing machines need no water.
There are plenty of heart rate monitors and apps that can help watch your heart rate, but the Cardiio takes health-monitoring in a new direction. It works by obtaining the BPM heart rate by simply pointing the iPhone’s front-facing camera at your face.
Ever notice how celebrities often seem in excellent shape? That’s because they have a professional trainer to help them on the way. If you can’t afford one but want to work out like they do in Hollywood a new video game might just be the thing.
Professional cyclist George Hincapie retired this past Sunday after competing in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The rider, who competed in the Tour de France a record 17 times, had been a pro for 19 years. Instead of just hanging up the cycling shoes Hincapie – who wants to spend more time with his wife and kids – will be riding in his native South Carolina foothills this October and invites anyone to join him for the Hincapie Gran Fondo. 
You probably saw it during the Olympics: the brightly colored tape peaking out from underneath athlete’s uniforms. This tape has nothing to do with injury but rather is a legal way to enhance performance by increasing blood flow and helping to engage certain muscle groups during competition and recovery.
The web is changing and evolving, but today there is the belief that 40 is indeed the new 30. Jonathan Keidan, CEO & co-founder InsideHook.com, tells how his new website can also give that InsideHook on staying fit, feeling young and living the life you’re meant to live. 
The traditional scooter requires one leg to push the device, which in our minds doesn’t provide a lot of exercise. But the SkiMotion actually requires a “butterfly leg motion” that includes the hips and upper body. This isn’t exactly a new concept and this is far from ideal for commuting – and probably will have you walking it up hill – but it is another one of those workout devices for those with a bit of money to spend. 