Two fitness challenges will push the health agenda at CES 2011 for health insurance agency UnitedHealth Group. Participants will compete for an iPad and Xbox 360 with Kinect over the course of the conference running from January 6-9. Continue reading CES 2011: UnitedHealth Group Plans Fitness Challenges for CES Attendees
We loved the South Park parody of the Shake Weight. But then we saw the real commercial and frankly, that’s funnier than anything Trey Parker or Matt Stone could have come up with… shake it indeed.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.
Our friends at BikeRadar.com noted that rumors are circulating that Shimano might introduce electronic shifting for its stepdown Ultegra group. This follows reports from various blogs that the group would come out in 2012. BikeRadar followed up on the story, but so far it just remains very much something that is only spinning round in the rumor mill. Dare we say that the electronic Ultegra is just vaporware at this point?
For now riders can use electronic shifting with the Dura-Ace Di2 (Digital Integrated Intelligence), and there is certainly nothing wrong with it. As has been noted, it has received acclaim from racers, riders and the press. The downside is that the shifting system will have you shifting a lot of money in the process, as in more than $3,000.
So unless you want the absolute best, and need it to be electronic, you’ll have to do the non-electronic shifting in 2011.
[Via BikeRadar.com: Is electronic Shimano Ultegra on the horizon?]
Next week’s Consumer Electronics Show won’t have any shortage of cameras, but one camera is already leading the pack in style. This week Kodak announced a new marketing relationship with Burton Snowboards, and this will include the release of a special KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera, Burton Edition. It features the orange pixilated design of Burton’s popular Custom 154 Snowboard. So for the fashion forward boarders, it will practically be a match made in heaven.
The camera will be bundled with a camera holster that can be worn on the arm or leg, thus making this an easy camera to access during a day on the snow. It comes with a remote control, rechargeable battery and a 4GB SDHC Memory Card. This rugged HD video camera should prove tough enough, and it is waterproof for up to 10 feet, and can capture 1080p HD video as well as 5megapixel still images. It features electronic image stabilization and LCD Glare Shield, along with built-in software with USB output for easy editing – so you can put your “dailies” up to YouTube and Facebook. The only catch for those looking to grab one is that it won’t be available until later in January from Burton.com or Kodak.com (MSRP $199.95). In the meantime, if you head to Las Vegas next week you’ll be able to see it at the Kodak Booth.
Last week STACK Media announced a new partnership with ATTACK Athletics to create a new app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. This app will let you stack and attack through a 12-week program designed for the ultimate workout for basketball players.
The STACK ATTACK Workout was created by Tim Grover, founder of ATTACK Athletics in Chicago, and this one requires no special equipment, but provides 80 instructional videos that take users through two bodyweight workouts each week with step-by-step instructions.
Grover, a former coach for Michael Jordan, developed his cutting edge physiological and nutrition-based performance enhancement program for other NBA players include Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant. Now he shares his secrets in this app.
“During my career, I’ve had the privilege to train some of the best athletes in the world,” Grover said. “This app allows me to bring that training knowledge and expertise to all athletes, so they too can improve their performance through smart training and hard work.”
The STACK ATTACK Workout is available now for download for $2.99 from the Apple App Store.
While we normally look at the technology of the skateboards, there has been some interesting innovation with the skateboard ramps. Here are a couple of interesting videos that show how an iPhone app can measure each skaters “air time” and landings from an interactive projection. The top video was for a promotion for the premier of the movie Tron Legacy, while the bottom video shows how cameras were synchronised with skaters and snowboarder movements.
Red Bull Off the planet from ENESS on Vimeo.
While we’ve been seeing press releases for all sorts of new (and supposedly innovative) products that will utilize wireless technology, including Bluetooth, most leave us scratching our heads. Does the world really need a Bluetooth Cooking Thermometer? Probably not, but we do think that Bluetooth has many health and fitness benefits. Continue reading CES 2011: Bluetooth SIG Looks at Digital Healthcare
For the past 22 years Team Evergreen Bicycle Club has been putting on the Triple Bypass one Saturday every July. This one-day ride is 120 miles starting in Evergreen, Colorado and ending in Avon, Colorado, just west of Vail. The 120 miles may not sound tough, but the riders must cross three mountain passes before arriving in Avon – Juniper/Squaw, 11,140 feet; Loveland, 11,990 feet; and finally Vail, 10,560. The total climbing is 10,600 feet.
On the plus side, this ride is very well supported with five aid stations, signs along the way, detailed maps, Colorado Highway Patrol, SAG wagons and even a post-ride dinner. Continue reading Double Triple Bypass… say what?
The holidays are a time for many things, including seeing family, visiting with friends, eating too much and basically blowing off exercise. That’s probably why come January 2 many people vow to “do it right” and pledge to turn over a new leaf. Maybe one way to start the New Year off right is by better managing your food intake.
One problem say experts is that you can easily shed pounds by reducing intake, but as soon as you go back to old habits – which die hard and quickly – you’re likely to regain the weight. Additionally, people who reportedly lose weight more slowly while increasing the exercise tend to keep the pounds off.
Brian Young realized this, and he’s worked to develop an app that helps you track and burn, hence the Tracknburn app for the iPod and iPhone. It incorporates the BMI formula that “is accurate as it gets,” says Young, who further notes that one of the most popular ways to determine how many calories are needed to sustain the same body weight is to use the body mass index (BMI) and current activity level. Subtract 250 calories a day to lose 1/2 pound per week.
Sounds simple, but Young notes that this formula also changes as you lose weight, making it hard to track over time. The Tracknburn essentially picks up on this, and does the weight loss math for you. This app takes a users individual profile, along with weight goal and helps make responsible choices. It can be used a food log with more than 140,000 common foods to choose from, and by tracking what you can eat, you can more easily lose at the same time. Now that sounds like a winning solution.
Golf is one of those of things that is better done with a friend. It is enjoyable to take in the fresh air and shoot the breeze, and a friend can come in quite handy when you have to find a lost ball.
And now you can have an extra buddy on the course with GolfBuddy World Platinum Edition, the first GPS rangefinder to offer preloaded courses with no annual membership. The new version can store up to 40,000 courses, and it arrives preloaded with courses from around the globe, with no membership fees and no hidden costs. It is almost like the next best thing to a personal valet or caddie.
“It’s truly a technological marvel,” said Harry Jung, CEO of GolfBuddy. “We’ve added several new features that have never before been seen in GPS Rangefinders and made it just as easy to use as our previous models. The World Platinum’s name depicts its power. It puts the world’s courses in the palm of your hands.”
The handheld device features a high resolution color touch screen, which was developed with the serious golfer in mind. The screen offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and best of all can be used whilst wearing a golf glove. With 50 channel satellite reception users can get quick response and data on the current course. The GolfBuddy World Platinum Edition further features several views of the hole as well as four player score tracking, along with full statistical analysis module. It is all enough to make your golf friends jealous of your new buddy.
Last week the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) announced that has chosen Marilyn Price to receive a 2010 PCFSN Community Leadership Award. This award is given annually to individuals who improve the lives of individuals within their community by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activities, fitness or nutrition-related programs. Marilyn Price, a longtime bicycle enthusiast founded Trips for Kids (TFK) in 1986, to help at-risk youth through mountain bike rides and Earn-a-Bike programs.
“It is our pleasure to present this award to Marilyn Price,” says Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. “Physical activity and good nutrition are important components of living a healthy lifestyle, and we are pleased to recognize individuals like Marilyn Price who are committed to making a difference and positively influencing the health of their communities.”
This year, the President’s Council presented the Community Leadership Award to 28 individuals across the country for making sports, physical activity, fitness, and nutrition-related programs available in their communities.
President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Official Website
We want to wish all our readers Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings and Merry Christmas! We’ll be back on Monday as we gear up for the New Year and more!
They seem like the ideal machine at the gym, especially for beginners. The elliptical seems like a low impact workout machine that is pretty straight forward. Every gym and health club has one, in fact they provide have several. The machines are also steadily making their way to homes as an alternative to exercise bikes and treadmills.
The problem for buyers is that most people have no idea what to look for, what are key features and what separates a good machine from one that isn’t so on the level. Steven Merusi has launched a website designed to help users – new and experienced – understand the benefits of the machines, while making sure to make a wise purchase. Continue reading Finding the Right Elliptical Machine