Tag: Running

runtastic Says 60Beat It

Sometimes you want to leave the phone behind when you decide to go for a run, but with runtastic 2.0 for the iPhone you’ll be sure to bring along the handset from now on. This running app is powered by 60Beat Rx, a small, inexpensive device that plugs into the headphone jack that delivers more robust heart rate information. The app features five programmable training zone that combine pulse and GPS information to provide accurate heart rate data in a convenient and easy-to-use platform is beneficial for a broad range of fitness goals. Continue reading runtastic Says 60Beat It

Fitness Healing the Arizona Economy

There is no denying that getting out and doing some hiking, biking or running is good for the body – but according a recent study from economic consultants Brigitte Bavousett and Gerald O’Neill Jr. fitness can be even better for the economy. The pair prepared a study, titled “Sustainable Economic Benefits of Human-Powered Recreation to the State of Arizona,” and found that the “human-powered” outdoor recreation industry produces $5.3 billion in annual retail sales and generates nearly $471 million in state tax revenues.

The study concluded that 86,000 jobs were directly created from the fitness sector, while 100,000 jobs were indirectly created. The economic consultants even noted that closing state and national parks actually had a negative impact on economic recovery. The thinking hers is that keeping parks open encourages people to use them, and thus buy new products, which puts people back to work.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s neighbor to the west, California, is looking to close state parks to save money. Maybe the new governor should hire these consultants so residents in the Golden State don’t go without those parks.

[Via Arizona Daily Star: Hikers, mountain bikers, climbers boost economy]

Polar USA Rolls Out Suite of Technology Accessories With New Computer

There is no denying that training computers have typically had very specific uses. What is good in the water isn’t so good on the bike, but Polar USA looks to change the way the game is tracked with its new RCX5 training computer. It builds on the company’s decades of experience, and this new device combines Polar heart rate tracking accuracy with features that make it ideal in the water, on the bike and even on the pavement as you pound out each and every step.

The device, which is now available in “smart black” and will available in “striking red” later this year, is includes sport profiles that are essential for multisport and triathletes. It allows users to quickly switch between sports during training, so no time or training data is lost between swims, rides or runs.

“Triathlons are one of the fastest-growing sport segments in the United States, and we understand better than anyone in the market that multisport athletes demand data, whether they are training for their first regional event or chasing a lifelong professional pursuit,” said Jeff Padovan, President, Polar USA. “The Polar brand has been an established name among elite athletes for more than 30 years, and we are proud of the loyalty and knowledge we’ve built within the ‘tri’ market specifically. The RCX5 is the realization of everything we’ve been hearing that ‘tri’ users require to get to that next level, packaged in a new, sleek design.”

The RCX5 features a ZoneOptimizer that adjusts to personal heart rate zones based on the user’s current physiological condition to optimize just the right level of training intensity; plus Race Pace that lets the wearer set a target time for certain distances to see how far ahead or behind on a course the user is at a given time; and even a Training Load feature to let a wearer known when he or she has recovered enough for the next session.

The RCX5 is available in multiple product sets for running, cycling and multi-sport use. There is even a WearLink+ Hybrid transmitter that can ensure transmission in the water via a comfortable, fabric chest transmitter that transfers data both in 5 kHz and 2.4 GHz.

Training may never be the same again.

Polar RCX5 Official Website

First Look: adidas So Cool

There is no denying that adidas has some cool shoes, but now the company proves it really knows cool with the ClimaCool Ride, ideal shoes for spring and summer running. This shoes provide 360 degrees of ventilation. The shoes feature suede overlays for lockdown performance, non-woven fabric for comfort and breathability and injected EVA tooling with maximum flexibility and breathability, plus perforated sockliner for even increased breathability. In other words these shoes look cool and will keep your feet cool.

Out of the box we’re impressed by the lightweight design. In our hands on testing these shoes felt like walking (and light jogging) on a cloud. Check back next week for a full hands on of the adidas ClimaCool Ride, and in the mean time enjoy a video with David Beckham.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading First Look: adidas So Cool

Scape Let’s You Run Without Running Into Your Eyes

Summer is just about here, and that means time to get out for a run or ride. The problem is that the sun can be very harsh, so it is advisable to cover up with sunblock. But most sun screens don’t mix well with sweat, and this can be a stinging feeling when the lotion hits the eyes.

Dr. Nic Marten devised a solution. As a lifelong enthusiast of action sports including surfing, windsurfing, snowboarding and mountain biking, he personally learned the all too hard way that sweat makes sun block run. He worked to create SCAPE Athlete Sunblock, which promises to be five times more waterproof and sweatproof than a leading sport sunblock, but more importantly provides amongst the highest levels of UVA protection.

The SCAPE Athlete Sunblock will not rub off as it features a Polyplex Polymer technology that was developed in vitro to better adhere to the skin, forming an almost Gore-Tex like barrier, yet it is breathable and keeps body temperature down. It won’t clog pores, allowing runners and other athletes to work up that good sweat. It is even loaded with vitamin E and other antioxidants to protect and nourish the skin.

It has us wanting a nice sunny day so we can sweat it up!

SCAPE Official Website

Cool It Down in Hotter Weather

As warmer temperatures replace cooler ones, you have different reasons to cover up. In between seasons like spring and fall call for transitional layers. Arm warmers and leg warmers are good options since you can peel off the layers when you warm up.

In the summer heat, there’s no option to add or remove layers to beat the heat. That is unless you pull on one of Craft Apparel’s Body Control Coolers. While they have other garments, the arm coolers and leg coolers are a good choice. The Body Control Coolers feature a compression fit, super-cooling fabrics, silver ion technology and sun protection. Continue reading Cool It Down in Hotter Weather

Trimble Updates AllSport GPS Apps for Android

Trimble released new versions of its AllSport GPS app for the Android Market. This includes AllSport GPS Pro ($3.99) and AllSport GPS (free). The programs collect more than 20 fitness stats and calculate calories burned to help people reach their fitness goals. AllSport GPS apps track 14 outdoor fitness activities including running, cycling, skiing and walking. The apps also let you access real-time weather forecasts, chart workouts over time, and view street and park maps.

Continue reading Trimble Updates AllSport GPS Apps for Android

Adidas ClimaCool Ride, Light on Your Feet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vACznSF9Nq8&feature=player_embedded

The shoe of 2011 is lightweight. You’ll see entries from several manufacturers. Adidas brought out its ClimaCool Ride, an 8.9 ounce running shoe. While the loss of a few ounces is something to talk about, the all-around, 360 degree venting is another star feature of the shoe. Continue reading Adidas ClimaCool Ride, Light on Your Feet

No Loneliness for This Long Distance Runner

Anyone who ever goes the distance knows that running can be a lonely experience, even in this day of MP3 players, GPS devices and crowded streets. There is as the story title suggests, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner and while Joseph Tame needed not run to free himself from prison walls (as is the case in the short story), but instead broke free from the grind of pounding the pavement with a little help from a whole lot of supporters.

This weekend Tame finished the Tokyo Marathon in 6 hours and 28 minutes, but he did so with 3,000 people who “ran” the course with him. Tame streamed his entire 26 mile run via four iPhones. One was pointed at his face, a second one at the pavement ahead, a third one for the GPS location and finally a fourth one that allowed him to stay in touch with supporters. Tame sent out Tweets as he ran, and those tweets were displayed on an iPad he strapped to his back. Not bad for the 33-year-old British citizen who currently lives in Tokyo. Congrats to Tame for not only going the distance, but in doing so decked out in a whole lot of gear.

Tame Goes Wild Official Website

K-Swiss Introduces 2011 Running Shoes

Triathlon season, despite what the current weather situation, is just around the corner, and this month Trek and K-Swiss held a tam camp in Kona, Hawaii, where the latter introduced four new running shoes for 2011, as well as a new trail shoe that will hit it in 2012.

This is quite a step forward for K-Swiss, which just a few years ago was primarily a tennis brand. Now the times have changed and K-Swiss looks to be a major player in the running market – despite the fact that the company has been on somewhat shaky ground, recently noting that worldwide revenue for 2010 was down almost 10 percent.

But now the company looks to be putting its best foot, or rather shoe forward for 2011. Triathlete reported last week that K-Swiss rolled out the four new shoes, which include the Kwicky Blade-Light, a trainer/racing shoe built upon the Blade-Light sole; the K-Ruuz 1.5, ultra-light flat; the Blade-Light Run, which will be available in a safety-oriented neon reflective sole; and finally the Blade-Max Trail, which features  a sturdier version of the Blade-Light sole.

[Via Examiner: Atlana Shoe Market: new models from K-Swiss]

[Via Triathlete: K-Swiss Reveals 2011 Running Shoes At Trek/K-Swiss Triathlon Camp]

K-Swiss Official Website

AlterG Blasts Off to National Rehabilitation Hospital Network

We first reported about the AlterG anit-gravity treadmills last year, and this week it was announced that the NASA-inspired technology would be adopted for use at the HNRH Regional Rehab, National Rehabilitation Hospital’s network of outpatient centers located in Maryland and Northern Virginia, including the Harbor Hospital in Baltimore. The AlterG treadmill will be available to patients undergoing physical therapy.

“This equipment will enable our patients to effectively advance their therapy allowing them to achieve more efficient results while decreasing their recovery time,” said Josh Billings, physical therapist and the practice’s clinic director. “By reducing the weight placed on their joints and muscles, they are able to complete an effective workout with less strain on the body.”

The technology was originally developed by NASA so that astronauts could work out in space, and now is used for physical therapy and rehabilitation. Currently there are less than 200 facilities in the nation that offer the treadmill, but it looks like soon AlterG will landing so more people can take advantage of the space age technology.

National Rehabilitation Hospital Official Website

Harbor Hospital Official Website

AlterG Official Website

CES: Nike and TomTom Partner Up for SportWatch GPS

CES maybe over but we’ll be posting about all the cool stuff all week long.

Some partnerships just seem like a match made in heaven, and we’re not talking about Peanut Butter Cups either. Last week at the Consumer Electronics Show we heard an announcement that frankly was more earth shattering than the Apple iPhone for Verizon deal. Nike and TomTom are collaborating to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS, which will now utilize TomTom’s GPS functionality.

This will provide athletes with the ability to know where they’re going as well as how much they ran, plus all the usual information including calories burned, pace, distance and time. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS will feature the same simple and intuitive user interface as the past models with a mere three buttons and tap screen for navigation. Continue reading CES: Nike and TomTom Partner Up for SportWatch GPS

Lighten the Load – Starting With the Shoes

It is a New Year and if you’re thinking about a “New You,” Lady Foot Locker is there to help. Getting fit can mean getting lighter, and now the shoe retailer is helping runners on their way with an effort to provide lightweight running shoes. These are among the most technical shoes and the market, and include a range of products from Nike, Asics and even Reebok.  Lady Foot Locker has even launched an online campaign built entirely around the concept of “Lightweight Running,” with a great selection of shoes and beyond.

Lady Foot Locker Lightweight Running