Exercise | Evolving Consumer

Mel B Puts on the Weight

Former Spice Girl Me B is packing on the pounds. But not as you would think. While many aging rock/pop stars let themselves go, the once Scary one has become a healthy lifestyle advocate. As we previously reported Mel B is also working with video game accessory manufacturer BLAZE on a line of Fitness First licensed products.

The newest announced product is the Wii Fitness First Wrist and Ankle Weights that will let users get a little more impact on their console-based workout, while still leaving hands free to take control with the Wii-mote. The BLAZE wrist and ankle weights are designed for use with a variety of fitness games. The are made of soft, cushioned fabric, and weight approximately 520 grams, which is considered an ideal weight to add resistance without being too heavy.

The BLAZE Fitness First Mel B Wrist and Ankle Weights will be available in October.

BLAZE Fitness Official Site

Will Fonda Reach Her Prime with Two Workout Videos?

She coined the term “workout” in the 80s with her highly acclaimed fitness video in 1982. Actress and two-time Academy Award winning actress Jane Fonda hopes to capture the magic again with her Prime Time videos geared toward baby boomers and older.

The so-called fitness queen made a huge impression in home video with the original workout. But sometimes technology isn’t kind. Fonda’s big hair and Freddie Kruger-esque black and red-striped leotard was one thing with the soft focus of the early 80s video. Now Jane Fonda: Prime Time Walkout and Jane Fonda: Prime Time Fit & Strong won’t necessarily be in high definition, but they will be in the sharp focus of DVD, and on widescreen. The audience, on the other hand, may not have a problem with larger-than-life aged Barbarella.

Carrera Introduces New Ski Helmets and Eyewear

The Italians take fashion seriously; there is simply no denying that fact. And although it is also a well-established fact that the Italians really like to keep their hair well styled, they also are taking safety on the mountains quite seriously these days. But just because you need to protect your eyes and your noggin on the slopes doesn’t mean you can’t look good at the same time.

This is especially true with Carrera’s new line of ski products that include new helmets with eye-catching colors, fine details and exclusive graphic effects. Among the new products for the 2010/11 ski season are the Bullet Rosso Line of lightweight, but still durable fiberglass ski helmets that ensures users an excellent fit with an aerodynamic design. The helmets feature a special “dry wave” inner lining that will absorb moisture and provide better comfort – unfortunately it can’t promise unkempt looking hair after a day in the powder, but that’s probably why the Italians eat dinner so late. Continue reading Carrera Introduces New Ski Helmets and Eyewear

Nintendo Summer 2010 Competition Draws to a Close

Nintendo Wii Championship — Photo: Casey Rodgers / AP Images for Nintendo of America

Today marks the end of summer for many people, but Nintendo made sure to have one last summer weekend bash with the Labor Day Wii Games: Summer 2010 Competition championships in the Los Angeles area. The X-Games it was not, but it did show attendees that video game doesn’t have to be a completely sedentary activity, and that gamers can (and we think should) get off the couch from time to time.

Approximately 200 finalists from around the country, who were joined by family, friends and spectators, took to the field in Redondo Beach, California to get in the game. Tournament play included game sessions with Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, as well as the new Super Marios Bros. Wii and Mario Kart Wii. Olympic Gold Medalist and Wii Games: Summer 2010 Ambassador Shawn Johnson was on hand to help with a warm-up session with “Hula Hoop Activity” from the Wii Fit Plus.

Wii Games Summer 2010 Official Site

Garmin Once Again Gives Cyclists a Real Edge

This week cycling in unfamiliar territory may have just gotten a little easily thanks to the newly released Garmin Edge 800, a feature-packed touchscreen GPS device that builds on the industry-leading Edge 500 and Edge 705 models. In additional to tracking statistics for riders, the Edge 800 adds an intuitive touchscreen interface, allowing users to pull up the Garmin BaseCamp route planning, and get access to its BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. The BaseCamp functionality allows users to plan and even preview routes, including elevation changes along the way, and this information can be sent to Edge 800, Edge 705 and Edge 605 devices – meaning you’ll never have to pass out a ride map ever again.

The Edge 800 is truly a biking computer that will appeal to cyclists of all levels, from the casual riders looking for a new route on their weekly group ride, to those who like to go cycle touring and explore distant roads and trails far from home to those looking to wear yellow on the podium. Continue reading Garmin Once Again Gives Cyclists a Real Edge

Get Fit Through Little Bits of Activity

Every step you take, every move you make, the Fitbit will be tracking you – and it will keep track of calories burned, steps taken and distance traveled. And unlike a traditional step counter, which needs to be worn at just the precise spot on your waist to be accurate, the Fitbit can be placed on your waist, in your pocket or even tucked away. This sleek device contains a 3D motion sensor – which the company claims is just the one found in the Nintendo Wii, except this one won’t help your score on Mario Brothers.

It will instead track your movement in all three dimensions and then converts that movement into easy to understand information on your daily activities. So it can track all your physical activities, as well as track how long it took you to fall asleep and how often you woke up. Thus it can give a 24-hour picture of your entire day, not just the time you’re going for your power walk. Continue reading Get Fit Through Little Bits of Activity

Zen to the iPad with All-in Yoga HD

For less than the price of a yoga class you can get customized routines on your iPad or iPhone with the All-in Yoga HD app from Belarus-based Viaden Media. The company has developed many apps, most of them gambling, which may inspire the name “All-in Yoga.”

While deciding to buy the app for $4.99 for the iPad may seem like a gamble versus all the other yoga apps in the iTunes store, it appears to be comprehensive. The software promises 200 poses and yoga classes to enhance both mind and body. It offers a database of asanas (poses) recommended by professional yogis and highlights the most popular. If you’re not sure of the sun salute routine or any number of other positions, there’s detailed how-to’s, photos, video and male voice guidance to instruct yoga classes and tutorials. Continue reading Zen to the iPad with All-in Yoga HD

Taking the Board Off-Road

Vertrax-Electric-Skateboard — How long do you think this board will stay white?

Over the years there have been attempts to take skateboarding off road, with bigger tires, more tires but now Bryson Lovett has taken the board in a new direction. With his unique Vertrax Electric Skateboard he’s essentially ditched the traditional wheels, and in place utilizes a tread system – much like you find on a tank or tractor.

Thus instead of needing the typical flat and smooth skating surface, the Vertrax can tackle sand, snow, dirt, worn concrete or even grass quite well. There have been suggestions that it could be used in military operations, such as for transporting soldiers across rough terrain, and because the tracked skateboard is electric it runs quietly without the traditional exhaust of similarly small vehicles.

Given that a rider still has limited options for holding on the Vertrax is probably best on flat terrain as well, but it should be able to tackle conditions that would riders carrying their traditional skate deck.

Byrson Lovett Official Site

Montague Cycles Knows When to Fold Them

: Montague’s Boston Single Speed Folding Bicycle

Folding bicycle manufacturer Montague Cycles has announced a new line of 700c road bikes, including its first ever full-sized single speed. The Boston model includes a flip-flop hub, allowing to transform the bike from a traditional free-wheel single speed to a track ready “fixie.”

It features a 42x16t drivetrain, which is considered ideal gearing for city riding. Designed more for the urban canyons than off-road, this bike still offers the durability that has become a Montague signature. The Boston model features the Cliz quick release and the company’s patented folding system, which allows for a conversion from full-sized ride to trunk-worthy bike in just about 20 seconds.

Continue reading Montague Cycles Knows When to Fold Them

Fitness Journal: Joining a Gym, Sign on the Dotted Line

When it comes time to joining a gym, you need to sign on the dotted line. In this way gyms and cars are a bit alike. As with cars, it begins with sales. Membership at many gyms, particularly larger chains, is handled by salesmen. Unfortunately, like their auto counterparts, gym salesmen are viewed as deceptive. While many salesmen are hardworking and honest, there seems to be many that are willing to meet a sales quote at any cost, even if it means lying or omitting information; then there are those who just don’t know anything and end up giving the wrong information.

Most likely you’ll sign up without a hitch. At the affordable no-frills gym I joined, there was no salesman involved, just the front desk. The process required filling out one page of paperwork, signing a one-year contract, and handing over a credit card—done. At the second, costlier but full-featured gym I joined, I worked with a salesman on signing up for the membership. Although the process seemed routine, I ended up having to deal with unresolved problems that, unfortunately, the salesman no longer wishes to deal with. Without going into details, there are some things to remember before and after you join. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Joining a Gym, Sign on the Dotted Line

Fitness Journal: To Gym or Not to Gym

There are several questions you should ask yourself when it comes to deciding on whether or not to join a gym.

Can you achieve the same results from working out with some weights at home or taking a run or bike ride?

I know many people who are healthy, lean, and fit, but never or rarely step foot inside a gym. They achieve this by either working out at home using simple weights dumbbells or barbells or through a physically strenuous activity like biking, running, or walking, plus proper nutrition. While every individual’s body is unique and respond differently, keep in mind that there are other ways to get fit without having to go to the gym.

Of course, if you’re looking to bulk up and work specific muscles, a good gym offers plenty of machines and free weights for that purpose. Plus, many gyms have indoor amenities like a swimming pool and racquetball and basketball courts to cater to those types of activities, and, should you wish to pay for one, a trainer.

But a gym can also feel “soulless” and boring. Imagine biking on a forest trail or through an urban jungle like New York City and crossing over the George Washington Bridge into a more leafy New Jersey, all while experiencing the sights and sounds of a mini adventure. You can never get that type of exercise experience from a gym. Continue reading Fitness Journal: To Gym or Not to Gym

Fitness Journal: Should You Join a Gym?

I have only heard someone say “I love my new gym” once, and that came from someone who had too much disposable income to spend on an outrageously pricey workout facility. Exercise and staying fit should be an accessible and affordable (and, dare I say it, fun) activity, but as times have changed and we have traded working in the fields for the office, gyms have become an expensive but necessary evil in our modern sedentary lifestyles. But working out in a gym should be rewarding and enjoyable, right?

Well, unlike said person just mentioned, gyms are for the most part expensive. Most gyms are inconvenient and unless you live in Manhattan where everything is accessible, gyms involve driving to (oh, the irony). But even more excruciating is the actual joining of a gym, from shady business practices to dirty facilities.

Before you join a gym, read on about what you should be aware of. Much of the advice comes from personal experience and working at a fitness magazine with trained experts, and you may find them useful. Although there are many common-sense “duh” tips, there are some that even experienced gym-goers tend to forget when they join a new gym. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Should You Join a Gym?

Electra Bicycles Get a Flat (Foot)

This week Vista, California based Electra Bicycles was awarded US Patent #7740262 for its revolutionary flat foot technology bicycle design. This forward-pedaling design was developed in 2003, and has been featured on several Electra bike models including the Townie, Cruiser and Amsterdam collection. This unique design allows riders to place their feet flat on the ground while still sitting in the saddle.

This technology was accomplished by something rather simple; so simple in fact that it is one of those things that we ask why no one thought of it before. Basically by moving the crank forward of the set tube, thus is created a forward pedaling ride position that is comfortable and stable. The result allows riders to sit in an upright position in the saddle with proper leg extension for pedaling. This should also help reduce tension in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and wrists. Continue reading Electra Bicycles Get a Flat (Foot)