Tag: Kinetic(Mis)Shift

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Rain Cover That Could be Dangerous

No one likes to get wet while riding a bike, but we’re not sure how the Nubrella – which is part umbrella and part over-sized (clear) hat – will actually keep you dry. It won’t stop spray from the road, and will only protect the wearer from rain that isn’t blown in the wind.

Worse, it seems like it could actually impair vision and not be all that easy to wear with a helmet. A poncho would probably be a better solution and won’t look nearly so ridiculous!

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Alaskan Husky Exercise Wheel

httpv://youtu.be/WsOsxbAySGo

As a way of generating power we think the exercise wheel in the video is actually an interesting idea. But as a way to escape taking Rover for a walk we see it as a Mis(Shift) and given that so many people will go to great lengths to avoid work – this one simply makes us nervous. So maybe not a full-blown Kinetic(Mis)Shift we think there might be better ways to generate some power.

[Via Ubergizmo: Dog Walk Out for lazy dog owners]

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Game Controller Not About Food Control

There is no promise of health benefits with the game controller that Ben Hecks came up with, but we’re calling it out as a Kinetic(Mis)Shift for just taking gamers in the wrong direction. Instead of encouraging gamers to get up and get moving, Hecks created the Hot Pockets extruder that attached to a game controller – allowing a player to eat without having to actually stop playing. It features a manual slider to even push food forward – thus making it a true step backward at least as far as fitness and gaming goes.

[Via Ubergizmo: Xbox 360 controller holds your snack for uninterrupted gaming]

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Free Flexor

httpv://youtu.be/H6uNTpYtacw

We’ve seen many devices that make us do a double take. Some convince us our first impressions were wrong, but then there is Free Flexor and we just can’t shake those first impressions. AS CBSNews reported this week several personal trainers questioned the device’s effectiveness. Actually we think it is effective, just not for fitness. It is very effective in making us laugh at the infomercial. This one could sit nicely on the shelf with the Shake Weight.

[Via CBSNews.com: New silly (and sexual) fitness device Free Flexor: Does it work?]

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: hipDisk – So Not Hip

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htsy_ldbOag

It has been called “possibly the most undignified musical instrument ever,” and we are inclined to agree. It is the hipDisk, which was designed to by Danielle Wilde of the ANAT Emerging Technology Lab workshop, as a wearable hula hoop type musical device. It is designed to be used as a 12 notes chromatic scale where shaking the hips essentially creates the music.

The concept is that it is both mentally and physically demanding, especially to play actual tunes and songs. But we can’t help thinking that it is undignified, and there are so many better ways to move to the beat.

[Via Gizmag: HipDisk – bending over backwards for music]

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Sit Down Water Skis

OK, who wouldn’t like to hit the lake on a hot day? Water skiing is a sport that takes a certain skill, but apparently the makers of the Ski Seat think otherwise. No skill needed, just sit down and let the boat tow you along. While we could see benefits for those individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to water ski, for the basic “just not fit crowd,” we have to ask, why not just sit in the kiddie pool instead, and leave the water skis to those who don’t mind working for it?

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

 

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Skataz Goes Electric

http://youtu.be/KIGTyCdo31U

While we love the idea of convergence and technology, we’re not sure everything benefits from being “juiced up,” and this includes roller skates. The latest to add some power to the skates is Skataz, a new version of the iShoes. Any trust us just because a products adds an “i” to the front, doesn’t make it better.

But judge for yourself in the video. Electric skates: just a bit silly or downright dangerous? Either way, we say powering up the traditional roller skate is just a Kinetic(Mis)Shift.

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Heelys Not Just For Kids – Really?

We’ve heard that the folks over at Heelys have gotten requests for shoes in “larger sizes,” and the company has decided to accommodate those requests. Heelys, for those not in the know, have been popular shoes for the tween crowd and are the shoes with the build in skate wheel in the heel. No doubt marketed at those without nice hardwood floors, the shoes have been the bane of existence of schools and shopping malls since they were introduced.

According to a story from MSNBC.com back in 2007, there have been some tragic accidents as well: “From September 2005 through December 2006, one death and at least 64 roller-shoe injuries were reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

We hate to be a “Negative Nelly” about the shoes, but we question whether any teen other than Urkel from that TV show with Urkel would be caught dead wearing shoes with wheels in the heel. Now the company is looking to go extreme, with larger size shoes and even the new Nano that stays connected to the wearer’s shoe. In the video below it does look kind of cool – but notice the disclaimer says “performed by professional stuntman.” That sort of says, “Don’t try this at home, “which really defeats the purpose. In the end, would any adult really need wheels in their shoes?

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Reformer Like Medieval Torture Device

During the Late Middle Ages there was the Reformation, Counter-Reformation and of course the Spanish Inquisition. These saw non-believers “punished” in a variety of ways – and here is where the name “Pilates Reformer” comes to mind.

According to Well+Good NYC, 1,500 exercisers went to the ER because of equipment-rated accidents (source: Consumer Product Safety Commission). One product mentioned is the “Reformer.”

While not a true Kinetic(Mis)Shift, we think there is a concern with devices such as Pilates Reformer. So our word of wisdom is to be sure to read the instructions, or ask for guidance prior to using any new equipment. More importantly know your limits.

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Part Workout Machine, Part Lounge Chair

Spring is almost here and that means time to take in the fresh air, and sit back and read a book on a nice day. But if you feel guilty for doing so there is always the Ab Lounge, part lounge chair and part workout machine.

Now, those things don’t exactly sound like the go together, and that’s probably because they don’t. At nearly $80 this is a lounge chair that is expensive and looks totally uncomfortable. As a workout device it seems to be far from sturdy, and offers routines that don’t seem practical.

Our advice, get in a run, go for a bike ride and then afterward settle into a real lounge chair instead.

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

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Galloping to Better Fitness?

Where exactly did the Japanese get the idea that riding a horse made for better fitness? Strangely that is the idea behind Osim iGallop. First, this is just yet another product that is so stupid that the makers think putting an “i” in front of a generic word will make for a potentially blockbuster product – apparently if it works for Apple, it will work for everyone else!

Unfortunately, we see nothing particularly fitness worthy with this product. And the video comes off as soft core porn. Finally, what is really interesting is that this product isn’t all that new. It has been around for a few years, and has inspired dozens of YouTube videos. So while we missed it previously, we still think it is so bad it earns a Mis(Shift) Shout Out!

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

Product Recall: Pull-up Bars Far From Perfect

About the only thing that might be perfect about some of the Perfect Pullup adjustable height pull-up bars, which were imported by Perfect Fitness of Mill Valley, California, is that these are perfect for causing an injury. The company has issued a recall of these products because the plastic handles can crack, posing an injury hazard for the user.

So far the company has received about 2,200 reports of handles cracking, with nearly 40 users complaining of injuries that included bruises, strains and sprains. The products were sold online at the company’s website, as well as from Amazon.com, and from sporting goods stores nationwide since January 2008. Continue reading Product Recall: Pull-up Bars Far From Perfect

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: The Kangoo Jump Movement

Do a YouTube search for Kangoo Jump and you will find no shortage of videos of people using the strange bouncing footwear. The question is whether it actually does any good? While the same could be said for video games and other gimmicky devices, these could actually do some harm. According to the makers these absorb about 80 percent of the shock from jumping up and down, but that is still 20 percent of repetitive stress on angles and knees.

Worse, many of the claims say it gives a “total workout,” but how does jumping up and down like a kangaroo give a total workout? There is nothing for upper body strengthening, and little for the abs. For $299, which is what these things run – and speaking of running, for the money you could get a good pair of running shoes and some weights instead; and still have money left over to download songs such as “Jump Around.”

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