Training Tech is Key for Pro Cycling

There is no denying that the British take cycling very seriously. Maybe not as much as the French or Spanish in the world of professional cycling, but when it comes to the Olympics, the British have done very well. And much of that begins long before the games begin. With London hosting the summer games in 2012 you know the British are going to try to have a strong showing, and thus they’re pulling out all the stops and taking it to the next level in their preparation.

While there remains strict rules and regulations with the actual equipment used in the Olympics and professional cycling, the real arms race is in technology used for training. British cycling pro athlete Sir Chris Hoy (above, photo: Getty)  is employing new sensors and gear during the pre-season and for his training rides to get him ready for the 2012 Olympics. An article in The Telegraph this week hints at some of these technological advancements and the people behind these innovative training techniques. Continue reading Training Tech is Key for Pro Cycling

Trips for Kids to Take Part in North American Bike Tour

Tour d’Afrique has been known for making some epic rides, with tours in Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. Next year will see a coast to coast ride from Pacific to Atlantic, making it the longest North American tour currently available and the only one that will journey through the United States and Canada. It will also be doing a whole lot of good along the way.

This week the Tour d’Afrique Foundation announced that it is planning its first ever North American bike tour, and that it has partnered with the national bike charity Trips For Kids to raise money and awareness about these efforts. Trips for Kids is a nonprofit organization with 69 chapters operating in the United States, Canada and Israel, with a goal of bringing the world of cycling to at-risk youth through mountain bike rides and Earn-a-Bike programs. In 2011 the Tour d’Afrique Foundation will take part in the North American Epic Bike Tour help the group with visits numerous chapters including TFK Yarmount, Nova Scotia; TKF Chicago Voyaters; TFK Pontiac, Michigan; TFK Marin, San Francisco; and TFK Tallahassee, Florida.

The tour will visit each chapter along the 8,000 km (4,971 mile) route from San Francisco to St. John’s in Newfoundland. Along the way the group will make donations and help raise awareness about the work being done by Trips for Kids. Continue reading Trips for Kids to Take Part in North American Bike Tour

Vote for KineticShift on Battle of the Blogs

Last January we launched KineticShift.com to cover the convergence of technology and fitness. We were submitted for a Battle of the Blogs contest at SoftCity Cafe for best “Gadget and Home” blog. We’re hoping to get the vote out.
Please vote early (and often) as they say:

Hands On: Hydrapak Gel-Bot

KineticShift.com continues our hands on test of water bottles.

Hydrapak is the bottle to pack if you’re looking to carry water and an energy gel. It can help you keep fueled up and hydrated at the same time.

Hydrapak Gel-Bot Product Description: No more sticky fingers. No more wrestling with foil packets. Gel-Bot delivers two performance essentials in one easy-access bottle. Load the chamber with energy gel, fill the bottle with water. Gel-Bots patent-pending technology lets you fuel or hydrate without slowing down. The Gel-Bot delivers two performance essentials, fuel and hydration, in one easy to use sport bottle.

To USE:               
Load the inner chamber with energy gel.
Fill the bottle with water/fluid.
When the nozzle is pulled open, you get water and water only.
With the nozzle pushed down, squeeze to get the gel out of the center valve.
This patent-pending design lets you fuel or hydrate with just one hand. Perfect for racing or total gel addicts.

Bottle Sizes: 20oz and 24oz
Plastic: Polypropylene
Country of Manufacture: Taiwan
Retail Price: $13.99 (20oz) & $14.99 (24oz) Continue reading Hands On: Hydrapak Gel-Bot

Luxembourg Pro Cycling Get Crafty With Apparel

Andy and Frank Schleck, along with Fabian Cancellara, Jakob Fuglsang, Jens Voigt and Stuart O’Grady will be looking crafty this summer as they take to the roads of France and beyond. As part of the new Luxembourg Pro Cycling project they’ll be deck out in Craft Performance Apparel reports Velonation.

The apparel company will work with the team in 2011 and beyond, and offer riders the sleek clothing that it has developed for skiing and speed-skating. For the Schlecks as well as Cancellara it won’t be much of a change as they wore Craft attire with Saxo Bank as well.

Craft is the latest sponsor to join the new Luxembourg squad, as equipment suppliers Trek and Mercedes were previously on board. Now all that’s left is to see the actual uniform take shape.

[Via Velonation: Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project to use Craft Performance Apparel clothing]

Get Your Energy From the Lab

When one thinks of a “lab” you probably think of white rats and mad scientists, but the folks at D3 Multisport aren’t looking to become super villains. Instead they may be looking to create super athletes with their D3 Energy Lab in Boulder, Colorado. The company opened its world-class facility for indoor cycling and training late last month.

And while Boulder and the surrounding area are great for training, this facility will feature state-of-the-art indoor cycling equipment to provide riders with significant benefits in a short amount of time, and more importantly no matter what the weather. Continue reading Get Your Energy From the Lab

Strolling With Your Palz

There is no denying that in this digital age that kids probably aren’t getting quite as much physical activity as they should. But GeoPalz might have a solution to help keep kids trim. The company has introduced a line of kid-friendly pedometers featuring unique designs including hearts, peace signs, fairies and even “Skulls and Guitars.” These simple devices are hip, while meant to be worn on the hip, and more importantly help encourage kids to wear them daily.

Each one has a unique 8-digit code that is can be used to login into the GeoPalz website, which tracks the steps kids make during the day. As the users progress further in the GeoPalz virtual world they collect a “point” for every real mile they walk. These points can be redeemed for free items including hacky sacks, plush soccer balls and Frisbees. “Milestone” Awards can further be printed out and hung on the fridge or on a bedroom wall. Continue reading Strolling With Your Palz

Basalt Core Offers Light Weight Nordic Skis That Are Environmentally Friendly

Fisher Skis has announced that its utilizing its new core technology with it natural basalt core. These promise to be considerably lighter than many standard materials including fiberglass, awhile the new core material should have a significant effect on the ski’s weight and performance. For the new season this natural basalt core will be available on four ski models.

The company has moved to replace the traditional manufactured laminate with that of the natural fibers made from volcanic rock, and this is part of the Fischer’s commitment to the environment. These efforts to use the basalt will eliminate the chemically-intense process that is involved in creating fiberglass, as well as its harmful byproducts.

To this end Fischer’s Air Core Basalight technology is produced in an environmentally friendly process, but it has the added benefit of reducing the weight of the skis to that of more expensive carbon fiber skis. This makes them up to 70 grams lighter than the fiberglass-core predecessor. These are now available on the new CRS Vasa Skate and Classic models as well as the Superlight Crown and Wax skis. Continue reading Basalt Core Offers Light Weight Nordic Skis That Are Environmentally Friendly

Bodybugg Out The Calories

With the holiday season upon us, you could find yourself indulging a bit too much. The Bodybugg Calorie Management System will let you help monitor your intake so you won’t bulge from the holiday indulge. The system provides an accurate daily record of calories consumed and lets you trak how many you’ve burned. Continue reading Bodybugg Out The Calories

Kinetic(mis)Shift: Once-a-Week Fitness

Ever gone to the gym’s trainer and lifted weights just above your ability? Your muscles feel like used rubber bands and you don’t feel like visiting the gym for about a week. The MaxOut Strength Studio work on this premise, and charges you $140 (per month) for four workouts. That’s more than most gyms and this is a small “studio” with leather couches instead of equipment. The franchise states a guarantee of results, but never states what that guarantee actually is.

MaxOut Strength Studios

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

LIVESTRONG and Johnson Health Tech Offer Special-Edition Indoor Training Cycle

You can show your determination and support the cause while spinning through the winter season come January. That’s when LIVESTRONG Fitness and Johnson Health Tech will release the LS281C, a special-edition indoor training cycle that honors the 28 million people living with cancer today.

The indoor training bike retails for $1,699, and LIVESTRONG Fitness plans to release a total of 500, each individually numbered, and with each sale $1,000 will be donated to LIVESTRONG.

“This cycle honors those who courageously live with cancer on a daily basis,” said Mike Olson, Executive Vice President of Retail for Johnson Health Tech NA. “We are honored and humbled to support such an important foundation, whose mission is not only to inspire and empower cancer survivors, but to take preventative steps through education and an active lifestyle. We’ve put the same passion and excellence into our line of LIVESTRONG Fitness equipment, allowing people to take responsibility for their own health and join the fight against a disease that is sometimes preventable.” Continue reading LIVESTRONG and Johnson Health Tech Offer Special-Edition Indoor Training Cycle

Make Your Next Vacation a Fit Escape

A vacation on a tropical island where you plan to do nothing more than lay on the beach and dip your toe in the ocean sounds so tempting. But think of all the good you can do for your body if you spend the time working out under the direction of resort professionals.

Sugar Ridge Antigua has a Fit Escape package that includes hiking, ocean fitness, kayaking, Pilates and yoga among other activities. Skilled travelers can also go SCUBA diving, windsurfing and ziplining through the island’s tropical rainforest. Upon arrival, guests receive a postural alignment and body assessment using the Polar program. Polar equipment continues to monitor guests with the use of F2 watches and heart rate monitors. In addition, you’ll continue to get guidance on heart rate monitoring for weight loss, increased endurance and overall fitness throughout the stay. Continue reading Make Your Next Vacation a Fit Escape

Nike Moves Toward Sustainability with Collaborative Design Tool

Expect to see more environmental, sustainable products from Nike and hopefully the industry. The company just released its Environmental Apparel Design Tool to foster collaboration between companies, and maximize the use of sustainable materials and processes.

The Environmental Design Tool is an open source tool based on Nike’s Considered Design Index. This is seven years in the making and the company has made a $6 million investment in the software-based system to help designers make real time choices that decrease environmental impact in their process. Continue reading Nike Moves Toward Sustainability with Collaborative Design Tool