Xbox Will Soon Offer Excercise Tracking with Kinect Play Fit and Joule Heart Rate Monitor

Microsoft’s Kinect was designed to bring a little exercise into the otherwise sedentary world of video games, and for the most part, it’s succeeded at doing just that. Now the Internet is buzzing about a potential new upgrade for the Xbox 360 and Kinect. As reported by The Verge, Microsoft will soon launch a new fitness-based service for the Xbox 360 dashboard called Kinect Play Fit. Accompanying the dashboard upgrade will be a heart rate monitor codenamed Joule. Combined, the service and heart rate monitor will let gamers track their physical activity across multiple Kinect games letting users store metrics, achievements, and badges all in the cloud.

A major component of this new dashboard upgrade will be the Joule heart rate monitor. It will function much like a traditional wireless heart rate monitor encouraging gamers to keep their heart rate within their target goal. The Joule monitor will be compatible with most Kinect games, although it won’t be mandatory for any of the games or services provided by Kinect Fit Play. Continue reading Xbox Will Soon Offer Excercise Tracking with Kinect Play Fit and Joule Heart Rate Monitor

Health Clubs Turn to Smart Towels to Cut Down on Theft

No health club is complete without complimentary towel service. Not only is it needed for sanitary reasons, but it’s also a nice amenity that keeps gym goers happy. But what happens when towel theft runs rampant at your local gym? For many health clubs, it means turning to technology for help.

And we can’t blame them. With prices that range from 50 cents to more than $2 (depending on the size and quality of the towel), a gym can lose as much as $50,000 per year if towel theft is left unchecked, as it did in one YMCA in northern New Jersey. Continue reading Health Clubs Turn to Smart Towels to Cut Down on Theft

Made in America: Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless System Conversion Kit

Having a tire go flat on a bike is not a pleasant experience. The resulting situation can range from a minor inconvenience to a major catastrophe. A majority of the time it is just an annoyance that interrupts the momentum of a good ride or a possible chance of placing well in a race, but this problem can be virtually eliminated for less than $70.

As most avid cyclists know, the chance of getting a flat can been greatly reduced through the use of a tubeless tire system. Doing the conversion can involve the purchase of new rims, tires, tape, valves, and sealant. All of these components easily costing a few hundred dollars even before the labor cost is factored in for those who are not a home mechanic. When compared to the overall value of a bike, these new rims and tires might not be worth the investment. An option that some people might overlook is where the modern tubeless revolution started – the Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless System conversion kit. Continue reading Made in America: Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless System Conversion Kit

Review: 2012 Moots Mooto X YBB 29er Titanium Frame

Moots Mooto X YBB 29er – 2012 Model Year

Just over six months has past since writing a post regarding my 2011 Mooto X YBB bike build that ran last summer. That 2011 Moots should have been a keeper and still hanging in my garage, but shortly after the post went live, the 2012 model was announced. Year after year there really hasn’t been any major changes in Mooto X YBB model that would justify the replacement of a frame with less than 1,000 miles of riding. Unfortunately for me (or maybe fortunately for all dirt heads), the 2012 model is a bit different when compared to most other years. There are the obvious changes with the curved down tube and top tube on the 18 and 19-inch models, but it is the other changes that are not as obvious which makes the 2012 model the basis of a much different bike. There were fairly significant changes including the geometry that really made me wish that I had stalled my purchase. Then a chance arose to build a 2012 model and that opportunity was seized upon! Continue reading Review: 2012 Moots Mooto X YBB 29er Titanium Frame

Fitbit Aria Scale Blasts Your Weight to the Web

Fitbit fans have a new accessory to compliment their Fitbit pedometer. The new Fitbit Aria is the company’s modern-day take on the scale packing built-in Wi-Fi and the ability to record (and blast out to the Internets) your weight, BMI, and body fat percentage.

The scale can recognize up to eight different user profiles (all profiles are set to private by default) and once connected to your home Wi-Fi network, wirelessly beams your data straight to your Fitbit online dashboard combining your physical activity (tracked by the Fitbit) with your weight loss (tracked by the Aria). From the dashboard you can set goals, track your weight loss progress, and even earn “badges” as you reach your goals. Continue reading Fitbit Aria Scale Blasts Your Weight to the Web

Made in America: GU Energy Gel

GU Energy Gel Product Lineup

Electronic shifting. Carbon fiber. Strava. None of these will help you perform better if you bonk during a ride or run – you might as well be wearing a boat anchor around your neck. Fueling your body during an extended period of exertion is more important than whatever new whiz-bang gadget you just purchased. Just like gasoline and coolant to an automobile, if your body runs out of fuel or water, you are done.

GU Energy Labs of Berkeley, California knows sports nutrition all to well and has been involved in the industry since 1991. Their first product was a single serving gel that was fairly revolutionary at the time. While racing for mountain bike team in western Pennsylvania around that time, I remember receiving packets of GU gel to use since they were a team sponsor. The other choices at the time were chalky tasting energy bars and Fig Newtons. The GU gels were a welcome addition to the nutrition arsenal. These single-serving packets traveled well in a cycling jersey, even during events in the pouring rain. When needed, they were easy to open, consume and digest. They quickly provided the necessary fuel needed to be competitive, and as a bonus they actually tasted good. Continue reading Made in America: GU Energy Gel

Review: König Classique Jersey from Solo Cycle Clothing

Cyclists are odd people. We like to support our favorite professional racer, team or country, but many of us shy away from wearing the team jersey or kit since we do not actually race for them. This certainly isn’t the case with fans of other professional sports teams, especially football and baseball. If the local pro team is in the play-offs, it is tough to go anywhere without seeing their colors and jerseys draped on the backs of their loyal fans.

So how does a cyclist still show their support?

A number of companies are producing jerseys that are ‘influenced’ by the rich heritage of professional cyclists or regions. These jersey designs are stylishly designed and colorful without being a rolling billboard for a company or team. Since 2005, Solo Cycle Clothing, based in Auckland, New Zealand, is one such company producing these retro looking jerseys and they are introducing their wears to the U.S. market. We recently had a chance to look at their König Jersey and take it out for some test rides. Continue reading Review: König Classique Jersey from Solo Cycle Clothing

Got Chocolate Milk? An Alternative to Sports Drinks

Need to replenish what was lost after a workout? Try a glass of chocolate milk. While often thought of as a kid’s drink, low-fat chocolate milk has the nutritional benefits to help you recover after a marathon run, according to a story in The Tennessean, which reports that the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & Half-Marathon in Nashville will be offering low-fat chocolate milk for the first time in its 13-year history, alongside water, sports drinks, fruit, and energy bars.

Many nutritionists and fitness mags are advocating chocolate milk for post-workout recovery, and you’ll find plenty of chocolate-flavored protein shakes. “Chocolate milk after a workout or after a run has got protein in it for replenishing muscles and more carbohydrates in the lactose,” said Jimmy Burkhard, a licensed nutritionist interviewed in the story.

Another expert quoted, Tracy Noerper, recommends drinking eight ounces of chocolate milk within two hours after a training run or after completing a marathon or half-marathon. She says chocolate milk has the right mixture of protein to carbohydrates.

Of course, the thought of drinking several glasses of something thick like milk might turn off a lot of people, but who doesn’t enjoy chocolate?

The Tennessean: Chocolate Milk Does Marathon Runners Good

Work Your Core on Water with Paddle Board Yoga

Yoga is showing up everywhere these days, even on water. Paddle board yoga, a combination of paddle boarding and yoga, is the latest craze in Florida and with June just around the corner, could become this summer’s hot new exercise.

Paddle boarding is a form of surfing while standing up. Unlike traditional surf boards, paddle boards are thicker and more buoyant. The sport has been around for some time and provides a low impact, high-intensity workout. Combined with yoga, paddle boarding becomes a completely different kind of workout hitting every muscle in your body, especially your core which is used to keep you from falling off the board. Classes, which can be up to 90 minutes long, include everything from stretches to sun salutations, all performed on the board. Continue reading Work Your Core on Water with Paddle Board Yoga

Made in America: Vuelta USA Bicycle Chainrings

Vuelta USA Track and Fixie Chainrings

Finding a bicycle frame made in America is actually pretty easy. Though most of the big names have sent production overseas, there always seems to be a new hand built frame maker popping up. The same used to hold true for component manufacturers, but it is much harder to find companies that still make their products in the U.S.A. Chris King, Paul Components and Wheels Manufacturing are just a few of the companies that remain, but there are even fewer who still make chainrings. Vuelta USA of Pacoima, California is one of probably less than five companies that still manufacture chainrings in America and may be the only one that offers such an extension selection of sizes. Continue reading Made in America: Vuelta USA Bicycle Chainrings

Hands On: UVSunSense Monitoring Wristband

With summer approaching, we’re looking to ways to cover up and protect our skin from the harmful rays as much as we’re looking forward to spending some time in the sun. One product that helps us gauge how long we’ve been in the sun, and tells us when we’re at risk, is UVSunSense Monitoring Bands. These bands are plastic strips you put on like a bracelet, and apply sunscreen to when you apply to your skin. This strip then works as a timer to let you know when to reapply, and simply when you’ve had enough time in the sun. Continue reading Hands On: UVSunSense Monitoring Wristband

Are the Days of ANT+ Numbered?

You may not realize it, but there’s a small war brewing in the sports and fitness industry. The combatants are ANT+ and the newer Bluetooth Smart technology. Since it’s introduction in 2010, ANT+ (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Garmin) has been the technology of choice for various fitness gadgets ranging from heart rate monitors to foot pods. The technology allows for the collection, automatic transfer, and tracking of sensor data. In other words, it’s the reason the heart rate strap on your chest can communicate with the heart rate monitor on your wrist.

However, Bluetooth Smart, which uses less power than ANT+, is quickly gaining traction and according to a recent report from IMS Research, it will overtake ANT+ as the technology of choice for fitness gear by 2016.

We’ve already started seeing gadgets using the new technology. Among the heavy hitters supporting Bluetooth Smart are Wahoo Fitness, Motorola, and Nike. Smartphones are also expected to side with Bluetooth Smart (the Motororla DROID RAZR and Apple iPhone 4S are among the more popular handsets.) Continue reading Are the Days of ANT+ Numbered?

Made in America: SilverSport

Most of us who frequent the gym know that it can be a place with some ‘funky‘ smells. Not because the attendants do not keep it clean, but because some of the materials in the equipment like vinyl, rubber and plastics can be difficult to rid of smells. The warm and humid climate, along with the human contact is the perfect breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria to grow and thrive. This is where the company SilverSport saw a need and they have developed a line of products to help your workout be as clean and odorless as possible. Continue reading Made in America: SilverSport