Evolving Consumer: Happiness through shopping - electronics & fitness

Charter Pumps Out ExerciseTV on-Demand

Workout videos hit the scene in the ’80s with the likes of the Jane Fonda Workout and others. Later when DVD became popular in the ’90s and a little later DVD workout “videos” became more convenient for the cleaner picture and ability to skip to multiple workouts. Fast forward a little, and the new avenue for workout videos is cable’s on-demand programming.

Charter Communications just added ExerciseTV, a free fitness and lifestyle On Demand channel from ExerciseTV, a digital fitness network and part of NBCUniversal. Now when you browse through available on-demand content you can get encouragement to workout.

The on-demand channel has a variety of workouts that range from cardio to abs to yoga and dance. Programming includes content from expert fitness professionals including Jillian Michaels, Jackie Warner, trainers from Crunch gyms, Chris Freytag, Billy Blanks Jr. Other fitness gurus will be cycled into the lineup as it becomes available.

“Finding time to exercise isn’t easy between juggling work and family,” said Kara Lamberti, senior director, Video Product Management at Charter. “Motivating yourself to fit in a workout at the gym isn’t easy either and ExerciseTV On Demand makes exercise convenient, easy and fun.”

One of the benefits of exercise programs On Demand is the variety of workouts Charter offers. You can stay in the cardio section and still have a few days of different workouts, or vary the disciplines from cardio to resistance, and so on.

Over the summer this may be a rainy day solution. In the winter it easily turns your family room into a gym and lets you stay in shape in colder months.

Charter Communications Official Website

How to Transport 4 Gallons of Milk and a Pound of Butter on a Bike…

In Europe bikes aren’t just used for leisurely rides or for a commute to work. In Europe, as well as many other parts of the world, bikes are used as a main form of transportation. That might not seem like a big deal, but imagine what it means for just going to the grocery store? Hauling anything that won’t fit in a shoulder bag can be an ideal. To solve the problem innovative bike makers have added baskets to bikes, and some have looked at low-tech solutions.

The Danish company, Velorbis, has announced the release of the ‘world’s strongest’ wicker basket. If you have ridden a bike with a front basket loaded down, you might have noticed how squirrelly the handling of the bike can be while riding. The new basket from Velorbis is being advertised as being able to have 15kgs (33lbs)… or the equivalent of four gallons of milk and a pound of butter. Continue reading How to Transport 4 Gallons of Milk and a Pound of Butter on a Bike…

BioLogic Offers GPS BikeBrain

Riding with a smartphone might not let you get away from it all, but given the power that the handsets such as the iPhone now offer it would be a smart move to take them on the ride. And rather than just tucking the phone in your jersey pocket put it to work.

BioLogic’s BikeBrain app, which is currently rated 4.5 as a free app on the Apple App Store, will show what a smartphone can do your ride. This GPS-powered app offers cyclo-computer functionality. The BikeBrain Plus version, which is available for $1.99, takes it a step further with customizable programming features including intervals, zones and calories burned. It can even let users share data via Google Maps, Facebook and Twitter – plus it is compatible with MapMyRide.

“When sales of our bike-mounted iPhone cases took off, we knew a lot of people were using their iPhones on their bikes,” said Joakim Uimonen, BikeBrain Product Manager. “With the increased capabilities of BikeBrain Plus you really don’t need to buy a separate dedicated cycling computer to keep track of your rides.”

The free version, originally known as BikeBrain Lite, the BikeBrain app was launched at the beginning of April and had more than 20,000 downloads within the first 30 days. But given the functionality of the paid version, we think it is certainly worth the $1.99, making BikeBrain Plus a smart move indeed.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading BioLogic Offers GPS BikeBrain

Who or What is BBB?

If you have been watching the Tour de France, you may have noticed the three letters ‘BBB’ on the side of a few helmets worn by some of the racers. In the United States, the three letters BBB stands for the Better Business Bureau, but the BBB logo on the side of the riders’ helmets stands for something else. Based in the Netherlands, the company Bikeparts for Bikers by Bikers or BBB is a company who is sponsoring a number of top riders in the Tour including the brave King of the Mountains leader, Johnny Hoogerland who was involved in that horrific accident caused by a reckless French television support vehicle last Sunday. Continue reading Who or What is BBB?

VEA Sport Watch Does More

We’ve seen a lot of watches, and it isn’t that uncommon to have a device strapped to your wrists that can tell time, include alarms and even have a calculator (how 1980s is that). Much of this technology can now be included in mobile phones, so many people have stopped wearing high-tech watches altogether. That is until you want to work out, then the phone becomes the hassle and the watch is more useful – especially with the calorie counting and heart rate monitor functionality.

But now French-based VEA is rolling out a fitness watch that could make you want to ditch the mobile phone when you workout. The VEA Sportive Mobile Watch actually features a built-in MP3 player, pulse rate monitor, camera and even basic phone functionality. It is Bluetooth compatible, offers 8GB of storage and has an SOS button should you need to call for help.

However, you’ll have to run to Europe to get one. It will be released later this month for €399, but that price will reportedly run up to €499 in September, so if you’re a gadget connoisseur you might want to act now.

VEA Digital Official Website
[Via Engadget: VEA’s Sportive mobile watch is for those with money, calories to burn]

Magellan Introduces RV GPS Device

Getting to a good place to ride or hike might take you off the beaten path, and Magellan has you covered. The GPS maker has teamed up with The Good Sam Club to bring out a GPS unit designed for recreational vehicle enthusiasts. The RoadMate Pro 9165T GPS features an HD 7-inch touch screen with heavy duty extension mount, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling through a speakerphone and free lifetime traffic alerts.

The new GPS device combines the core strengths of Magellan, the Good Sam Club, the world’s largest RV Owner’s organization and the Trailer Life RV Parks & Campground Directory. The Directory, a must-have tool for RVers, provides over 11,700 comprehensive listings for the U.S. and Canada which includes: WiFi and internet access, pet-friendly campground locations, the Good Sam Club discount locations, Trailer Life’s exclusive triple rating system, and other points of interest specific to RVers. Continue reading Magellan Introduces RV GPS Device

Interbike 2011: Think you know style?

Clothes they say make the man, but do clothes make the rider? We’ll find out in September as Interbike, the largest bicycle trade show in North America, is once again hosting the Interbike City Style Fashion Show. This is not a show of Lycra-clad racers, but a show of stylish, lifestyle types of clothing including many entries which can be worn on the bike as well as stroller around town to run errands.

Presented by Momentum Magazine, this year Interbike show attendees will get to enjoy two shows. On September 14 and 15, at 2 p.m., both shows will happen in the Urban Lounge which is in the Hall ‘G,‘ on the street level of the Sands Convention Center. Different from other fashion shows is how the catwalk is setup…instead of pouty looking models stomping down the runway, an indoor road loop is laid out so that the models can ride around in the clothing submissions and best display the cycling apparel and bikes in action – giving each attendee a front row seat.

Even though Interbike is an ‘industry only’ trade show, companies and fashion designers are invited to submit clothing and accessories for consideration. Represented clothing, accessories and bikes will include a variety of lifestyle categories including Work, Daytime Casual, Weekend Casual, To the Gym, Semi Formal and Formal. Companies and designers interested in potential inclusion should return the completed submission Interbike Fashion Showform and clearly labeled low-res product photo to Mia Kohout at mia@momentumplanet.com or via fax at (604) 669-9870. Product submissions are due on or before August 1, with accepted companies being notified of inclusion on August 8. Below you will find a link to the submission form.

Submission Forms
Interbike Official Website

Surfboards Catch a Wave of Innovation

Surfboards might seem like simple pieces of wood – basically they are boards right? Well, there has been much innovation, and today surfboards are made of composite materials and can be highly crafted machines – yes, machines even as some new boards now include motors. Continue reading Surfboards Catch a Wave of Innovation

Look Buff in the Summer Sun

Everyone likes to get a little “buff” in the summertime, but too much time in the sun can leave you burnt and blistered instead. One solution is a large hat, or you could put on sun screen with a trowel. The other solution is to look a little Buff, as in put on a headwrap.

The Buff High UV Protection headwrap can be used as a bandana, scarf, headband, mask, neckerchief or even ponytail holder. Made of a cloth material that blocks up to 95 percent of the UV rays it will also wick sweat and features an active-odor control that actually resists odor-causing bacteria. It can keep you cool, dry and a bit fresh.

The wrap is made of a single piece of cloth, and yet is elastic. Since one size, 21×9.5 inches may fit all, but colors certainly won’t it comes in a variety of patterns and colors. And of course it is machine washable and needs no ironing. Time to Buff up.

Buff Official Website

Get the Eye of the Tiger for the PlayStation Move

While Tiger Woods may have lost the eye of the tiger a bit this season, you can still play a few rounds with the pro on the PlayStation Move. Sony Computer Entertainment America announced the availability of the limited edition PlayStation Move Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: Masters Bundle, which will tee off in stores this week. This bundle combines the PlayStation Move motion controller, the PlayStation Eye and the thrill of EA SPORTS’ Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters on Blu-ray disc ($99.99 MSRP).

“PlayStation Move was designed to enable experiences that put players directly in the game. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters is a title that takes full advantage of the realistic and immersive feeling PlayStation Move provides,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA “We’re always looking for ways to offer more value to our consumers and we’re very excited to be partnering with EA SPORTS to deliver this comprehensive bundle.”

The bundle will be available while supplies last, so you might want to get your Move on!

(Video after the jump) Continue reading Get the Eye of the Tiger for the PlayStation Move

iPING Helps You Putt

Driving is just part of golf. The other part is putting. If you have trouble getting the ball in the hole, maybe your iPhone can help. iPING has introduced an app that transforms your iPhone 4 or iPod Touch into a putting analyzer. The good news is that this means a less bulky device than traditional analyzers and the better news is that this app is free!

The app promises to be easy to work with, and just requires a cradle that can be purchased from iPING to mount your phone to the club. The PING cradle costs about $30, but can you really put a price on a device and app that will help you save strokes on the green?

(Video after the jump) Continue reading iPING Helps You Putt

Roller Skating Tries to Make a Skatement

Roller skates have been around for a long time, but in the last two decades have taken much of a backseat to rollerblades and scooters. Before that roller skates faced competition from skateboards and an earlier generation of scooters. But now roller skate industry is looking to wheel back with a new industry campaign where roller skates “Make a Skatement.”

“While we have seen some double-digit growth in certain areas of the country over the past few years, we want to ignite a national movement to make roller skating more top-of-mind with young people and their families across the country,” says Ron Creten, an industry veteran of 35 years, who is leading the effort as president of Roller Skating Rocks, Inc. “When you look at research, America’s youth like to hang out with friends, listen to music, be active and go to social events. That’s roller skating! It’s our job to remind them of that.”

Based on a 2007 industry study commissioned by the Roller Skating Association (RSA), there are an estimated 39 million active roller skaters in the USA. In addition, there are approximately 1,500 roller rinks and hundreds of roller hockey teams across the country. Roller derby’s explosive growth from 350 teams to nearly 700 in a one-year span (according to research conducted by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) continues to help the industry.

This new campaign will rely heavily on social media, mobile and digital mediums that will disseminate an exciting brand platform. The theme for the campaign is Make a Skatement – Join The Roller Revolution.

Creten is also looking for corporate partners that might interested in teaming up with the industry to gain exposure among skating’s core demographic age groups, which range from 6-29 years of age, and added that industry leaders would like to see a five percent per annum average growth rate over the next five years. “We recognize this is a journey that will take the next few years versus a quick sprint to the finish.”

That is a major skatement – or statement indeed.

Make a Skatement Official Website