Category: Kinetic(Mis)Shift

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Game Controller Not About Food Control

There is no promise of health benefits with the game controller that Ben Hecks came up with, but we’re calling it out as a Kinetic(Mis)Shift for just taking gamers in the wrong direction. Instead of encouraging gamers to get up and get moving, Hecks created the Hot Pockets extruder that attached to a game controller – allowing a player to eat without having to actually stop playing. It features a manual slider to even push food forward – thus making it a true step backward at least as far as fitness and gaming goes.

[Via Ubergizmo: Xbox 360 controller holds your snack for uninterrupted gaming]

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Free Flexor

httpv://youtu.be/H6uNTpYtacw

We’ve seen many devices that make us do a double take. Some convince us our first impressions were wrong, but then there is Free Flexor and we just can’t shake those first impressions. AS CBSNews reported this week several personal trainers questioned the device’s effectiveness. Actually we think it is effective, just not for fitness. It is very effective in making us laugh at the infomercial. This one could sit nicely on the shelf with the Shake Weight.

[Via CBSNews.com: New silly (and sexual) fitness device Free Flexor: Does it work?]

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: hipDisk – So Not Hip

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htsy_ldbOag

It has been called “possibly the most undignified musical instrument ever,” and we are inclined to agree. It is the hipDisk, which was designed to by Danielle Wilde of the ANAT Emerging Technology Lab workshop, as a wearable hula hoop type musical device. It is designed to be used as a 12 notes chromatic scale where shaking the hips essentially creates the music.

The concept is that it is both mentally and physically demanding, especially to play actual tunes and songs. But we can’t help thinking that it is undignified, and there are so many better ways to move to the beat.

[Via Gizmag: HipDisk – bending over backwards for music]

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Sit Down Water Skis

OK, who wouldn’t like to hit the lake on a hot day? Water skiing is a sport that takes a certain skill, but apparently the makers of the Ski Seat think otherwise. No skill needed, just sit down and let the boat tow you along. While we could see benefits for those individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to water ski, for the basic “just not fit crowd,” we have to ask, why not just sit in the kiddie pool instead, and leave the water skis to those who don’t mind working for it?

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits

 

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Skataz Goes Electric

http://youtu.be/KIGTyCdo31U

While we love the idea of convergence and technology, we’re not sure everything benefits from being “juiced up,” and this includes roller skates. The latest to add some power to the skates is Skataz, a new version of the iShoes. Any trust us just because a products adds an “i” to the front, doesn’t make it better.

But judge for yourself in the video. Electric skates: just a bit silly or downright dangerous? Either way, we say powering up the traditional roller skate is just a Kinetic(Mis)Shift.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Heelys Not Just For Kids – Really?

We’ve heard that the folks over at Heelys have gotten requests for shoes in “larger sizes,” and the company has decided to accommodate those requests. Heelys, for those not in the know, have been popular shoes for the tween crowd and are the shoes with the build in skate wheel in the heel. No doubt marketed at those without nice hardwood floors, the shoes have been the bane of existence of schools and shopping malls since they were introduced.

According to a story from MSNBC.com back in 2007, there have been some tragic accidents as well: “From September 2005 through December 2006, one death and at least 64 roller-shoe injuries were reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

We hate to be a “Negative Nelly” about the shoes, but we question whether any teen other than Urkel from that TV show with Urkel would be caught dead wearing shoes with wheels in the heel. Now the company is looking to go extreme, with larger size shoes and even the new Nano that stays connected to the wearer’s shoe. In the video below it does look kind of cool – but notice the disclaimer says “performed by professional stuntman.” That sort of says, “Don’t try this at home, “which really defeats the purpose. In the end, would any adult really need wheels in their shoes?

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Reformer Like Medieval Torture Device

During the Late Middle Ages there was the Reformation, Counter-Reformation and of course the Spanish Inquisition. These saw non-believers “punished” in a variety of ways – and here is where the name “Pilates Reformer” comes to mind.

According to Well+Good NYC, 1,500 exercisers went to the ER because of equipment-rated accidents (source: Consumer Product Safety Commission). One product mentioned is the “Reformer.”

While not a true Kinetic(Mis)Shift, we think there is a concern with devices such as Pilates Reformer. So our word of wisdom is to be sure to read the instructions, or ask for guidance prior to using any new equipment. More importantly know your limits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Part Workout Machine, Part Lounge Chair

Spring is almost here and that means time to take in the fresh air, and sit back and read a book on a nice day. But if you feel guilty for doing so there is always the Ab Lounge, part lounge chair and part workout machine.

Now, those things don’t exactly sound like the go together, and that’s probably because they don’t. At nearly $80 this is a lounge chair that is expensive and looks totally uncomfortable. As a workout device it seems to be far from sturdy, and offers routines that don’t seem practical.

Our advice, get in a run, go for a bike ride and then afterward settle into a real lounge chair instead.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Galloping to Better Fitness?

Where exactly did the Japanese get the idea that riding a horse made for better fitness? Strangely that is the idea behind Osim iGallop. First, this is just yet another product that is so stupid that the makers think putting an “i” in front of a generic word will make for a potentially blockbuster product – apparently if it works for Apple, it will work for everyone else!

Unfortunately, we see nothing particularly fitness worthy with this product. And the video comes off as soft core porn. Finally, what is really interesting is that this product isn’t all that new. It has been around for a few years, and has inspired dozens of YouTube videos. So while we missed it previously, we still think it is so bad it earns a Mis(Shift) Shout Out!

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: The Kangoo Jump Movement

Do a YouTube search for Kangoo Jump and you will find no shortage of videos of people using the strange bouncing footwear. The question is whether it actually does any good? While the same could be said for video games and other gimmicky devices, these could actually do some harm. According to the makers these absorb about 80 percent of the shock from jumping up and down, but that is still 20 percent of repetitive stress on angles and knees.

Worse, many of the claims say it gives a “total workout,” but how does jumping up and down like a kangaroo give a total workout? There is nothing for upper body strengthening, and little for the abs. For $299, which is what these things run – and speaking of running, for the money you could get a good pair of running shoes and some weights instead; and still have money left over to download songs such as “Jump Around.”

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Steam Bath for Your Gut

 

Way back when, when a trip to the spa meant a workout, the sauna was seen as part of “exercise.” We assume people thought the steam could “burn” off the fat, or somehow shrink you down. This same logic appears with the Belly Sauna, which asks if you are looking for six pack abs why do sit ups, diet and eat right or just anything that involves working out. Instead, the logic here is to put on this undershirt on and it will heat up the fat and turn it off.

Why break a sweat from working out when you can just turn up the heat seems to be the point. In other words, it sounds like a pointless product without any good intentions.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Kinetic(mis)Shift: Fitness Tech Bood Camp Promo Video

There are plenty of tech-enhanced video products promoted with videos on Youtube. Yet, there are so many that fall short. This promo video from Fitness Tech Boot Camp is just another one of those. Hello Fitness Tech Boot Camp, who are you? We just watched your 52-second video and am both baffled and a little turned off.

No amount of hard, angry music is going to make us want to choose you to get into shape. We still don’t know what “tech” you’re employing, other than the ability to create a 52-second video containing nothing more than a slide show. The video could have spent the time showing me what technology is employed, or actual video of sample workouts. Tell us who you are. Show us who you are. Right now, we got nothing.

And then we clicked on this video, which had slightly better music and possibly some photos of people doing the workout, but still in slideshow form.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.