Category: Exercise

EA Sports Active Goes to the NFL

Even if you’re not as toned as Mark Wahlberg in the movie Invincible, you can still live out your NFL training camp fantasies. EA Sports plans to release EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp for the Wii. This new version of EA Sports Active is a collaboration with NFL strength and conditioning coaches to provide authentic NFL football drills.

The Wii game will use Total Body Tracking, which includes a heart rate monitor and wireless motion tracking to track your every move and progress. Tone up by doing over 70 drills and challenges targeted to improve strength, power and conditioning. EA is also offering an NFL 60 Day Challenge, where users can go into multiplayer mode and go head-to-head doing NFL training camp drills. Those drills include the QB Window Challenge and Field Goal Challenge. NFL Training Camp shows that EA Sports is getting creative about extending its Active brand, and providing new exercises through the Wii and other console systems.

EA Sports Active

Koko FitClub Comes to Cape Cod

Have only 30 minutes to work out? Most people would say that probably isn’t enough time, even if there are countless gimmicks, informericals and fly-by-night products that say otherwise. So can you actually get a real workout in just a half an hour? That is actually the concept behind Koko FitClub, LLC, a technology company that is reinventing the fitness franchise business. The company is also set to open its latest store in Cape Cod, with several more to open soon across the country.

Says president and co-found Mary Obana about KokoFitClub: “Traditional gyms don’t work for the vast majority of the population. They don’t have the time, and they don’t know what to do.” Sound familiar? Well, the concept with this gym is that it offers what the company calls the Koko Smartraining System technology, which analyzes each member’s unique fitness level, and then designs a customized training plan base don individual goals and ability. The system provides users with a guide to take part in high-effective workouts based on proprietary strength and cardio equipment. The idea is that users only do what they need to, and thus work out more efficiently.

Of course the key is still actually getting to the gym and working out, but those who hate the time that is spent at the gym this one might be worth going Koko over.

Koko FitClub Official Site

FitClick.com Launches App

Wouldn’t it be grand if you could just click to get on a diet and lose weight? You could click on an app, and see the pounds just fall off. Well, there is NOT an app for that, but there is a new app that will let you keep track of what you’re eating and your workouts. The FitClick Diet and Workout Tracker is the first to offer a full suite of diet and workout features. The app, which is available for the iPhone, works as a calorie counter and food journal, while it can provide customizable diet plans plus workout routines – so you can burn to earn. The tracker portion can calculate calories burned from more than 800 exercise demo videos. Users aren’t tied to one set routine either, and can instead create their own diet plans and workout routines, or if you’re looking to get straight to it, you can use one of the thousands of member-created programs that are already available.
 
The app further contains a database of 118,000 foods along with 12,000 recipes. Additionally, the FitClick iPhone App can work as a full-service companion to the FitClick website, providing real-time access to diet, fitness and weight loss programs. Users aren’t tied to one set routine either, and can instead create their own diet plans and workout routines, or if you’re looking to get straight to it, you can use one of the thousands of member-created programs that are already available.
 
The app is available from the Apple App Store now.

FitClick.com iPhone App Official Site

Hands On: Garmin 500 Edge – First Impressions

The Edge 500 fittingly on my Felt road bike, the same brand that the Garmin Transitions Team is riding in the Tour de France.

This past week we had the chance to test out the Garmin Edge 500 GPS-based cycling computer. With this on my bike I’m feeling like I’m ready for the Tour de France – that is if women actually were allowed to race in the most famous of cycling classics. But it helped me on my way for my local training rides.

The very first impression was that this one could be difficult to setup and calibrate. The problem with technology is the more it can do, the more complicated it is to use. But I was more than pleasantly surprised with the ease of the set-up and the versatility that this device offered out of the box. While not the most notable, but certainly appreciated is the fact that this device comes with several rubber loops for securing the computer’s mount to the bike. This is such a small thing, but it is so welcome, especially for anyone who can’t decide the best placement for the mounts, and only realized this after tightening the zip ties.

But the more notable point is that this is a wireless device. So there is no wire to run, making for a cleaning line on the frame, and more importantly making for one less thing to worry about. The Edge 500 can be used without a heart rate monitor, without the sensors. But the version I’m testing came with those items, and all this set up very easily and quickly too. Continue reading Hands On: Garmin 500 Edge – First Impressions

Move Your Racquet

Game, set and match… and all in your living room. This is what Ubisoft’s Racquet Sports allows users to do, with a multisport game that includes tennis, ping-pong, badminton, squash and beach tennis. While originally released with the Nintendo Wii, this get-off-the-couch game will be heading to the PlayStation 3 this fall. It will of course be compatible with the PlayStation Move so you’ll get the chance to hit the court in your living room. The game promises pinpoint gameplay mechanics that bring every serve, swing and backhand to life.

Racquet Sports features 30 rich graphical environments, and many probably look better than your local tennis court too, and are certainly places where you’d expect to get in the swing of things. These include real-world landmarks such as the beach of Copacabana, the foot of Mount Fuji and even the skyline of Dubai. These include animated backgrounds, dynamic sounds and even day and night modes. Players will further have the ability to customize their onscreen persona, and can perform with 11 different athletes, each who has a distinct personality and flair. There are 30 outfits, 30 hairstyles and even 15 different racquets available as well to keep things fresh.

Players will also have the chance to play together cooperatively or against each other, with up to four players taking the court. About the only thing missing is the chance to jump over the net, but at least you won’t have any balls to chase when this one arrives this fall!

Racquet Sports Official Site

The Wii Games: Summer 2010 Takes it Off the Couch

The East Coast heat wave has likely kept families indoors but as things cool down just a bit outside the video game competition will be heating up. Nintendo will be hosting the kickoff event for its Wii Games: Summer 2010 Competition at Liberty State Park in New Jersey on July 16. This will be the start of the first-ever nationwide Wii video game tournament, which encourages participants to get off the couch.

Olympic gold medalist and Dancing with the Stars champion Shawn Johnson will be the first official Wii Games ambassador and he’ll be on had to greet participants. While the first event will be in New Jersey, follow-up competitions will be held all summer at Six Flags theme parks and select shopping malls throughout the United States. The events are open for gamers of all ages, and qualifying winners at these competitions could qualify for a chance to compete in the Wii Games: Summer 2010 national championships, which will be held in Los Angeles in September.

Wii Games: Summer 2010 Official Site

Information on the kickoff event:

Friday, July 16, 2010
11am to 6pm

Liberty State Park
South Lawn
Jersey City, NJ
201-915-3440

(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

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

E3 2010: Kinect Fitness Games for the Kinect Launch

Microsoft is taking video game motion controls to a new level with their new accessory for the Xbox 360 called Kinect.  Kinect will allow you to be able to play video games hands free.  While the Nintendo Wii Fit definitely revolutionized fitness gaming, it had some drawbacks.  Having to hold controllers or be limited by the balance board was definitely a drawback for a true workout.  Kinect will change all of that because it will be truly free of any hindrances.  It will allow you to workout in the privacy of your own home, but also get the real-time one-on-one feedback on how well you are doing the exercises, just like you would get from a personal trainer.

Here are the Kinect fitness games that will be available during the Kinect launch or shortly thereafter:

Your Shape: Fitness Evolution is a game that will be available on the Kinect release date.  Your Shape will be able to give you a full body scan, and get your measurements in order to keep track of progress in your arms, legs, midsection, etc.  It will also provide you with a trainer who will be able to take you through daily workouts.  To not always be training hardcore, Your Shape also has mini-games that are fitness-focused, to allow you to have fun and get a good workout at the same time.

EA Sports Active 2.0 will be coming out a few weeks after the Kinect launch.  The original EA Sports Active for the Wii defined what fitness gaming should be.  This sequel takes exercise gaming to a whole new level.  It will feature a wireless heart rate monitor that you’ll be able to wear on your arm, and you’ll be able to get the result on the screen, so you can always keep your heart rate in the optimal range for fat loss.  As with all Kinect titles, it will truly be a controller (and distraction) free workout.

The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout is coming out around the same time as Kinect.  You will be able to be trainer by Bob and Jillian, giving you a solid workout just as if you were at the ranch.  It features nutrition and health tips to help you to lead an overall better lifestyle.  You’ll also be able to change up the workouts, and add some fun while working out by competing in various challenges as seen on the TV show.

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

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

E3 2010: Shape Yourself with Microsoft’s Kinect

 

Smile you're on the Kinect camera for the Xbbox 360

Exercise games on the market still require you to grab or stand on a controller to get your workout in. Yourshape Fitness Evolved, just announced from Ubisoft for the Microsoft Xbox promises a much more casual yet engaging workout. Using the video and sound controls of the game console’s Kinect, you just have to make sure  you have space to move. The camera picks up your image and presents it as a polarized image or heat map-like image of you and captures all of your movements. Select cardio, toning or other activities and get to work. Yourshape Fitness turns some workouts into a game where you can kick and punch boxes that come into range. End your workout with a calming cooldown by doing Tai Chi and other relaxing exercises.

Check back all week for the latest fitness related news from the Electronic Entertainment Expo