Some good vibrations might make working out a bit easier, and this is notable as vibration plates have been proving increasingly popular in fitness centers across the world. Now, UK-based JTX Fitness has announced a new addition to its range of machines with the introduction of the JTX Salon Pro. This isn’t simply a commercial grade oscillating machine built to withstand daily use either. Instead it features a wide range of speed settings and program, as well as workout straps and an impressive 1500 watt pivotal vibration motor.
The JTX Salon Pro offers the promise to bring the fitness phenomenon to an even wider range of fitness establishments, and even the home. Key specifications include a large 68 x 51cm base, 60 speed settings, 23 program, an oscillating amplitude of 12mm and a 1500w vibration motor.
Common exercises like sit-ups, press-ups and squats are enhanced when performed in contact with the plate: it is therefore a simple to use machine that demands less of inexperienced users and is suitable for gym users of all ages. It also takes up little floor space in a home or fitness centre, adding to its appeal. It doesn’t hurt that it has a space-age image either: whole body vibration therapy was pioneered to counter loss of muscle and bone mass among Russian cosmonauts. Video after the jump
Today the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the finalists of the 3rd Annual Bluetooth Innovation World Cup (IWC). The nine finalists, one of whom will be named Bluetooth Innovator of the Year, include developers and entrepreneurs who submitted market ready products and concepts for applications and devices using the low energy feature of Bluetooth v4.0.
It is quite possible that if you have been a cyclist few any number of years, you have a number of bike parts and frames hanging around the garage. Some of these frames might have been held onto for sentimental value or inherited from others, but for some reason they are still around. If the dream of building one of these back into a working bike has been inhibited by the lack of components that fit, Paul Component Engineering may have a product to come to the rescue – at least with regards to the rear wheel. Paul Component Engineering has a rear hub that offers the flexibility to fit multiple bike frames, spanning decades of production years. Not only is the Jono Hub a high quality hub, but it is accompanied by the parts needed to properly adjust the hub to the rear spacing of that ‘project bike’.
Earlier this year former McLaren Cars design engineer Richard Thorpe rolled out the Gocycle, the first generation electric bike, and soon after announced plans for an updated version. Now Karbon Kinetics Limited has released the technical specifications for its upcoming Gocycle G2, which will weigh in at a lean 32.8 pounds, and feature a German-made 250 watt electric motor with in-house controller for a top speed of 15.5 mph in pedelec or 20 mph in empower mode. The G2 will propel riders for up to 40 miles in the pedelec mode or 20 miles in the empower mode on a single battery charge, and riders should be able to juice up and go again in about three and a half hours.
If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen they say. But if you can’t stand the cold and wind as you ride or you need to better way to warm up before a competition, it my be time to for your to get some rollers. Bicycle rollers have been around for over 110 years and have stood the test of time simply due to the fact that they work. These offer a very effective way to train or warm up your muscles along with helping you improve your bike handling skills off the road. Rollers are available in all different drum diameters and drum widths, plus any number of different features including a folding frame for easier transportation; parabolic drum ends to aid in keeping you from riding off of the sides; flywheels to simulate the ‘feel’ of the road; and resistance units to make your training that much harder. The Italian manufacturer, Elite, has released a set of rollers that packages parabolic drum ends, a folding frame and a magnetic unit in a very compact and easy to transport or store unit – the V-Arion rollers.
It looks like the music won’t stop, as Majesco Entertainment has announced that Zumba Fitness 2 has arrived for the Nintento Wii. The original game was the number one fitness title of the year, selling more than four million copies, and now the sequel builds on that and promises to take it to the next level, getting gamers moving.
Last year Microsoft sold 10 million of its hands free controllers for the Xbox 360, making it a very Kinect’ed Christmas. And instead of sitting on its hands free Kinect all year, Microsoft – along with many third party developers – are offering the promise of another big season. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that by holiday Microsoft will have 75 titles that offer the promise to get off the couch for gamers. 
For the first time in its history Lynskey Performance Designs of Chattanooga, Tennessee will be offering a full suspension mountain bike frame. The company has decided to jump into the full suspension pool, and are going in head-first hoping to make a big splash. Not only is their new frame, the Pro29 FS, going to be a 29er (as the name implies), but they have designed it with 120mm of travel. This is on the long end of travel for any cross country 29er frame, especially one almost entirely constructed of titanium.
While we’ve seen various ski goggles that have featured a built-in heads up display, Recon Instruments is providing a new add-on that will allow users to add its MOD Live Package to a range of goggles. The Vancouver-based company is offering “real-time information direct to eye” for skiers and snow boarders. The MOD Live will work with “Recon Ready” goggles from Uvex, Briko, Alpina and Zeal Optics. 
While the Consumer Electronics Show is still a month and a half away, it is already awards season. Oregon Scientific, designer and worldwide marketer of person electronics, and Gaiam Inc., have announced that their button-free, touch-screen heart rate monitor the Gaiam Touch is a recipient of of the prestigious International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award in the Health & Wellness category.
