myTREK Treks Over to iPhone and iPod Touch

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Want to monitor your pulse but want to ditch the bulky chest strap? Scosche Industries has released its myTREAK pulse monitor and app for for iPhone and iPod touch. The Scosche myTREK, an International CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree, allows users track their pulse, calories burned, distance, speed, pace, store past workouts and much more.

“At 24 Hour Fitness, we know that fitness tools can be very useful in helping people achieve their goals; whether it’s to lose weight, run a faster marathon or to get healthier,” said Bill Quinn, senior vice president of merchandising, 24 Hour Fitness. “We are excited to be a Scosche launch partner for the new myTREK pulse monitor and offer our members another option to support them with their fitness journey.” Continue reading myTREK Treks Over to iPhone and iPod Touch

Made in America: Vectra Fitness

Trying to get into shape or maintaining your fitness level is no easy task. For most people, it takes a few hours each week working out just to stay at a certain level. Going to the gym can add time to a workout that some people just do not have in their busy day. If you have the discipline to use one, a home gym can allow you to squeeze in a workout whenever you have the time.

For almost 25 years, Vectra Fitness has been manufacturing high-end compact multi-station weight gyms for home and institutional use. Founded in 1987 and based in Kent, Washington, three of the four original founders are still owners today and actively involved in the business. Doug MacLean, Bob Rasmussen and Buell Ish have combined their engineering principles with unprecedented and creative designs resulting in approximately 30 patents being issued to Vectra innovations over the years. Most of these innovations are not obvious to the user, but one that will please most people is the fingertip release lever. Available on most Vectra models, the feature allows easy adjustment of exercise handles with the flip of a lever – no more struggling with pins to adjust the arms of the machine. Continue reading Made in America: Vectra Fitness

Not so Trashy Swimsuits

We live in a disposable society, no doubt about it. Last year’s fashions end up piling up until they’re donated or thrown away. But what if you could send your swimsuit to the composite pile?

That’s the idea behind designer Linda Loudermilk’s new design, which made its debut at the Haute Natured sustainable-swimwear show during Fashion Week in Miami recently. While the show featured swim attire from several designers, reportedly being made from recycled plastic bottles, wood pulp and even parachutes (how 1980s sounding), Loudermilk’s design is made from plant starch, so it will biodegrade.

The suits reportedly can break down in about 180 days when buried underground, so it should be fine for a season in the sun and pool. It gives a whole new meaning to trashy swimsuit.

[Via Cnet: Compostable swimsuits make a splash in Miami]

IDEA: NewYu Helps Users Get Fit to a New You

This week at the IDEA Show in Los Angeles attendees were given a chance to see a product that could help make a “new you.” The NewYu Connected Fitness Monitor and Services is a comprehensive system for monitoring and managing wellness goals all day long. It tracks exercise and everyday activities, providing wearer’s with information on how many calories were burned.

It utilizes motion detection and advanced pattern recognition technology that detects and identifies specific body movements, the small and lightweight NewYu easily clips anywhere on the torso or to the pocket. It can monitor basic activities including walking and running, but also more complex fitness workouts with bikes, elliptical and step machines, and even keep track of activities like cleaning, cooking and shopping. The result is a complete picture of calories burned throughout the day – not just while working out. Continue reading IDEA: NewYu Helps Users Get Fit to a New You

When a Governing Body Stifles Technology

Recently I was sent James Thomas’s article from Bicycledesign titled, “Is TJ Tollakson the Graeme Obree of triathlon?,” regarding the use of a carbon fiber 1996 Zipp beam frame triathlon bike by T.J. Tollakson in numerous triathlon wins including Ironmans. Tollakson has been experimenting with different riding positions and use of materials, some non-cycling, to come up with his winning combination. The beam design that he chose has not been utilized for some time now due to its design not falling with the International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations, but this style of frame is still legal by the regulations of USA Triathlon.

As Thomas notes the UCI wasn’t nearly so kind to Graeme Obree, also known as “The Flying Scotsman,” when he created his bike “Old Faithful” using parts from a washing machine. As Tollakson used soccer shin pads to aid the unique design, we’re left wondering if the UCI would approve. But this is just part of the issue.

I remember when the double triangle rule was implemented by the UCI and thinking that it was the end for real innovation with road bike frame designs. Continue reading When a Governing Body Stifles Technology

Multiuse Headlight

As summer comes to an end dusk comes a little earlier. This means night time riding is picking up as well, and here is where a little illumination can ensure that you get home safely. River Rocks Designs has introduced a new affordable wearable light for cycling, hiking or even for spelunker helmets.

The TecTrek Headlamp is hands free and compact. It features a weather proof O-ring polycarbonate casing, with a l125 lumen LED light that is ideal for dark inside and outdoor activities. The light features multiple color modes – including red for night vision retention or emergency use, blue for fluid tracking, and green for night map reading. The red can also be switched to repeat to be used as single light.

The headlamp also allows for an adjustable focus, from long range to wide field soft light, and can be dimmed when the brightest light isn’t needed. It can run on full power white light for more than four hours, or low setting for over 20 hours, and green for greater than 100 hours! About the only downside is that it runs on AAA alkaline batteries, but at $34.99 it still sounds like a great deal and a good way to shed some light on your nighttime activities.

River Rock Designs, Inc. Official Website

Trek Bicycles Syncs With Online Sales

Some products are easy to buy online. A book, a DVD, even some basic clothing can be bought without a visit to an actual brick and mortar retailer. But some products, such as bicycle accessories, are better when bought at a retail outlet, where size and feel aren’t just important, they’re crucial.

The downside for many retailers is that it is difficult to carry endless models of every product available. But now Trek Bicycle has announced that it will be helping qualified brick and mortar retail shops get the best of both worlds. The manufacturer has launched “Trek Sync” and fulfillment services, where Trek will warehouse and fulfill aftermarket product orders placed on Trek retailers’ websites. To ensure a seamless transition to ecommerce, retailers will have access to Trek’s network of warehousing facilities, professional distribution staff, and logistics expertise while remaining the point of transaction. Continue reading Trek Bicycles Syncs With Online Sales

MapMyRun Takes On Marathons

MapMyFitness is an online training tool that uses social networking to track and discuss your workouts. The company offers tools for “MapMy” run, ride, walk, tri and hike. The MapMyRun segment is offering marathon tracking, according to some reports. The app is adapted with the MapMyRun software, RFID and GPS tracking to follow runners on race day.

Once runners are being tracked, friends can follow their competing friends, and watch the progress of other runners on the course. MapMyFitness tested the app at the New York City Marathon last fall, and the San Francisco Marathon, which took place last month.

A free version allows runners competing in the marathon to be tracked and later review results. A paid app ($1.99) lets spectators track their friends and other runners. Runners can post updates, though we think they might want to keep their mind and bodies on the course.

The basic version shows event info, the course map, participant listings and “buzz” which is likely Tweets and other conversational aspects on marathon day.

MapMyFitness and its free Marathon app on iTunes and Android

Tip a Canoe – Make that Fold a Canoe

There are two words that don’t seem to sound right together, and those are “folding canoes,” but yes they exist. In fact they aren’t really all that new. There are many fitness devices that fold up, but then again most don’t have to float. And yet, canoes can do both. The problem is that most don’t pack up to be all that small or light weight. They’re only really portable in the sense that they actually fit in the car or truck.

But an Israeli designer has created a canoe that folds up to be compact enough to take on the go, and weighs in at just nine pounds! And it floats too – that latter point being the really important one of coure. Designer Ori Levin is the creator of the Adhoc, a single-passenger canoe that features a carbon fiber frame and outer hull made of aramid fabric, the same material used in racing sails.

As the video below shows, setup is easy as custom-made locking mechanisms hold the framework together. The whole thing can be stashed away in a backpack and still assembled in about five minutes. So far this is still a very much still in the concept stage rather than being commercial available.

So now you can tip a canoe or fold one too.

[Via DesignBoom: ori levin: adhoc folding canoe]

Video after the jump Continue reading Tip a Canoe – Make that Fold a Canoe

Panasonic Gets Tough With New Tablet

Tablet PCs maybe great for taking on the go, you can do some web browsing, snap and view pictures and even use it as a GPS device. But the iPad and other tablets are so delicate that taking out in the backyard is roughing it. For real adventures you need something that can stand up to a bit of dirt, dust and all the other things the great outdoors has to offer.

Panasonic has introduced such a device in the Toughbook H2 tablet, which runs Windows and has an Intel Core i5-2557M vPro processor running at 1.7GHz. It weighs in at 3.5 pounds so it isn’t feather light, but it is still compact enough for those long treks. More importantly it offers 6.5 hours of battery life and has a fast charging hot swap battery option. Panasonic puts 4GB of RAM inside by default and it has a 320GB HDD for storage. The machine can also be fitted with a 128GB SSD. Best of all, the machine features aTransReflective Plus 10.1 inch screen that can be seen even in backlit, and it supports dual touch with a digitizer and works as a touchscreen.

This is more of a business machine for field workers, but we could see it making its way to the “civilian” market too. It offers GPS, 2MP camera and even an RFID reader. The biggest downside now, besides the hefty price of $3,559, is that the H2 is only available with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as Gobi 200 3G, but 4G will be available later this year. But this very much could be the beginning of truly rugged tablets.

[Via Geeky Gadgets: Panasonic Toughbook H2 Rugged Tablet Computer Debuts]

Magellan Adds DigitalGlobe to Help eXplore the World

Adventure travelers and those who like to get off the beaten path and see the world will now know where they’re going, even when doing exploring in distant lands. Magellen GPS has announced a new series of worldwide satellite and aerial imagery-enhanced maps for its Magellan eXplorist and Magellan Triton handheld GPS units. These new maps provide Magellan handheld GPS users with high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery from DigitalGlobe, a leading provider of earth imagery solutions.

Globe trekking travelers can now get detailed and precise overhead pictures of their surroundings while on the go, and this is meant to help users discover nearby environmental features during outdoor activities. This can be used for hunters for pre-season scouting, and for identifying game funnels, while anglers can use to locate new fishing holes. Geocachers can spot obstacles before encountering them, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can get a preview of surroundings to make sure they don’t miss something truly special.

The DigitalGlobe images are available to Magellan users for virtually any area on the planet, from well-traveled parks and sites to more remote and rarely visited locations. The new DigitalGlobe-enhanced maps are compatible with the following Magellan handheld GPS units: eXplorist 310, eXplorist 510, eXplorist 610, and eXplorist 710; and Triton 400, Triton 500, Triton 1500 and Triton 2000. Continue reading Magellan Adds DigitalGlobe to Help eXplore the World

Speedo Counts Laps With AquaCoach

Cyclists rely on cycling computers to track speed, distance and even cadence, while heart rate monitors can track calories and workout intensity. Now Speedo and Pool-Mate swimming computer Swimovate are partnering to develop the AquaCoarch watch, which can provide swimmers automatically detect not only laps, but also the strokes used, along with distance, speed and number of strokes, as well as calories burned during a workout.

This watch is water-resistant (but of course) to 100 meters or 328 feet, and can work in any pool over 15 meters (49 feet) long. It can remember up to 50 swim sessions too, so users can compare their latest workouts. The key to this device is that it features an accelerometer along with custom algorithms that can count individual strokes while keeping track of laps by detecting the pauses that occur when swims do the flip thing to change direction.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading Speedo Counts Laps With AquaCoach

HTC Hangs Up Pro Cycling

Last week High Road Sports announced that the team was disbanding. Team manager Bob Stapleton noted that Team HTC-Highroad would dissolve at the end of the 2011 season after a failure to find a new sponsor. Title sponsor HTC’s contract had ended.

We at KineticShift are sad to see the team break up, but it has been an interesting ride for High Road, but also for the partnership between mobile phone makers and carriers and professional cycling. HTC is just one example, and from 1991-2003 was actually Team Telekom, after the Deutsche Telekom. From 2004-2007 it was T-Mobile-Team, and then after a period of non-phone sponsorship it called up HTC in 2009 when it first became Team Columbia-HTC followed by Team HTC-Columbia before this year’s HTC-Highroad. Continue reading HTC Hangs Up Pro Cycling