The Fitterfirst Pro Fitter 3D Cross Trainer may require some balance and coordination, but it was developed to provide 20 different upper body, core and lower body workouts. With these users can achieve that better balance, coordination and overall agility, while working on core strength and stability. The makers also promise that it can help reaction skills, while allowing users to work on cardiovascular endurance and even awareness – all of which can reduce the risk of sports injury.
Category: Home Fitness
Wahoo Takes Strava Routes to Trainers
Winter is on the way and for those who will hit the stationary bikes soon that means riding in place, but now Wahoo Fitness will offer riders the chance to duplicate Strava segments on the KICKR stationary trainers. The Strava segments are section of real roads that riders can compete on via the Strava website and app along with a GPS device.
The app controls resistance on the KICKR to match the grade of the climbs and descents in each Strava segment. The KICKR is a rear-wheel-off trainer with a large flywheel to simulate real world riding conditions. Power is even measured at the rear hub.
There are nearly three million segments worldwide so that should really let riders mix it up this winter.
Kinetic Keeps Rolling
Kinetic Trainers have helped us get through those long cold winters, and for 2014 the company has revamped the line – the first time since 2007. This included greater 29er compatibility, enhanced ergonomics and best of all lighter weight. The new line up even comes fully assembled so you can take these out of the box and get rolling.
The Kinetic Trainer also replaced the cantilever design of its flagship model, the Rock and Roll, with a design that centers the pivot point and rider weight over the elastomer stack, reducing rider-induced bounce and sag and allowing lower bolt tension to give a more active side-to-side motion. Continue reading Kinetic Keeps Rolling
A Little Bit Gym
It has been a while since we heard from BitGym, a technology that can transform a typical cardio machine into an interactive experience. Now the company is looking to Kickstarter to offer ways of making workouts a bit more interesting.
The device works by using any monitor device – including tablet or mobile smartphone – that offers a front-facing camera. The software utilizes the built-in accelerometer that can sync with movement, so you can watch the screen but feel you’re a million miles away. Video after the jump
Shower Power
While it is nice to have an outdoor shower by the pool or just for a way to clean up after a messy bike ride, run or even just yard work the truth is that many would find this to be a waste. However, the Viteo Shower might be the answer.
Designed by Danny Venlet, this portable outdoor shower is actually more portable water fountain/sprayer. Instead of standing under the shower, this is one you stand on top of. Water streams up around 13 feet before falling down on the user. Water can be supplied via a hosepipe, so it could mean refreshing – not to mention cold – showers. Continue reading Shower Power
Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Paper Boy Game
We like the idea of technology that combines video games and fitness, and we’ve heard about a few efforts that are under way, but the PaperDude VR has us scratching our heads. Yes, it is a game combined with a bicycle and it even utilizes virtual reality.
But it is sort of the like an old episode of The Simpsons where Bart plays a virtual yard work simulation after doing everything he could to get out of actual yard work. What’s the point in other words? Aren’t video games about saving the world or at least the princess, and with all due respect to those who wake up early to deliver the paper – is this really that compelling of an “adventure?”
So perhaps this isn’t really a full-blown Kinetic(Mis)Shift but we somehow think this technology could be used for so much more. Video after the jump
Finding Zen(sorium) Through Tinké
The iPhone can help users reach their inner peace thanks to the Tinké with Lightning connector. This uses optical sensing technologies to capture blood volume changes and quantifies the user’s fitness and relaxation levels into indexes for easy comparison.
The Vita Index can help users keep track of fitness levels, even during times when not engaged in physical activity. At rest the Tinké can be used to measure, monitor and trend heart rate, respiration rate and even blood oxygen level; while the Zen mode can be helpful for practicing mindful breathing to energize and calm oneself during stressful situations.
Built for today’s fast paced lifestyle, Tinké’s Zen measurement enables users to breathe better and measure your level of relaxation at the end of a 60-second practice.
Plug in, tune in and peace out.
Zumba Kids are Alright
Majesco Entertainment’s popular Zumba Fitness video game franchise keeps on going, and this holiday the latest version will arrive for the younger crowd. Zumba Kids will arrive later this year on Kinect for Xbox 360 and the Wii, and feature a range of dance styles, creative mini-games, customization and chart-topping hits from Justin Bieber and Willow Smith. It is based on the global dance-fitness brand, but is aimed at kids aged seven to 12, providing that “exercise in disguise” gameplay. Continue reading Zumba Kids are Alright
Fitness Hero
The makers of Guitar Hero are looking to do something very different. Kai and Charles Huang, the founders of RedOctane – the company that inspired a generation of gamers to rock out on plastic guitars – have announced a new venture to launch an interactive fitness company called Blue Goji.
The company’s mission is reportedly to transform the cardio exercise experience through immersive gameplay, track activity towards personal fitness goals, and create a social workout experience with friends. The Blue Goji platform combines innovative software and hardware with the portability and power of tablets and smartphones to make cardio exercise routines an entertaining and rewarding experience. We like what we’re hearing.
“Our goal is to help people lead healthier and more active lives by providing anyone across all fitness levels with a fun way to work out, one that is accessible and compelling to use,” said Kai Huang, Blue Goji co-founder and CEO. “With Blue Goji, we’re developing a platform to support a variety of entertainment content that enables people to immerse themselves in their workout routines for a more enjoyable and social experience.”
We’ll continue to watch for this new venture. If Blue Goji can do for fitness games what RedOctane did for music games than perhaps there is hope that games can truly get the world fit.
An Object in Motion
While the Wii was a huge hit with casual gamers – including those who wanted to get off the couch – the Wii U hasn’t exactly delivered for Nintendo. Instead it could be that Apple TV could fill the void with games such as Motion Tennis, which utilizes an iPhone for a controller. The game takes advantage of the iPhone’s magnetometer, gyroscope, and accelerometer to accurately interpret your movements.
For those who want to go from Mii (the onscreen characters on the Wii) to I – as in the iPhone, then Apple TV might get you there.
Ride in the Peloton From Home
Being able to go the distance in the peloton is what sets apart a rider, but now the Peloton Bike will allow riders of all levels to put in the miles and do so from the living room. This indoor cycling trainer delivers both live and on-demand indoor cycling classes, along with competition and even video chats.
The training bike is now being developed through a Kickstarter project, and the best part of about putting in the miles on this bike is that it means you’ll never be dropped by the group and have to ride home alone. Video after the jump
Weekend Reading List (05.18.2013): Home Fitness, Training Surfaces, Board Ban
Home Fitness
From Giz Mag: JF-Kit House makes you pedal for your breakfast
The JF-Kit House, by Spanish-based Elii Architecture, is an off-grid home concept which envisions occupants using exercise to offset their energy needs. To its credit, Elii Architecture makes it clear right off the bat that the JF-Kit House isn’t intended to be considered as suitable for human habitation yet. Rather, the architects did some brainstorming and imagined how our homes may evolve in a future of rapidly decreasing fossil-fuel resources. This was then used this as a jumping-off point to let imaginations run wild. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (05.18.2013): Home Fitness, Training Surfaces, Board Ban
Desk Work(Out)
We have seen quite a few desk-based fitness solutions that incorporate a treadmill or cycle trainer in the mix. We know it is good to keep fit and that too much sitting isn’t good for you, which is why Professor Jim Martin, a specialist in exercise science at the University of Utah, has created the Active Desk. He is currently trying to launch his project through the crowd sourcing site Rocket Hub.
This one utilizes a recumbent trainer and is focused on a more casual burning of calories – about 300 to 800 through gentle pedaling. The advantage with Martin’s design is that users can keep the legs moving without the need to worry about losing balance or tripping – as could happen with the various treadmill-based designs. This design instead lets users sit back and just go through the motions in a very good way. Video after the jump