Wearables have become popular. Juniper Research forecasts $19 billion in revenue for the market by 2018. But with many health monitors and wearable devices there is a divide between fitness monitoring (and smart wearable devices), and getting coached on a training regimen. FOCUS: TRAINR is a newly-released app that links between your Samsung Galaxy Gear watch and compatible smartphones. Continue reading TRAINR Links Wearables to Fitness Regime
Tag: Workout
G-Loves Keeps Hands Callus-Free
We’ve used gloves at the gym for years. And we’ve seen more and more gloves for yoga. Now there’s a pair of gloves that are as adept at weight training as a yoga class. G-Loves have padding and slip-proof spots where necessary to suit your fitness routines, and protect your hands. Continue reading G-Loves Keeps Hands Callus-Free
Weekend Reading List (06.01.2013): Nike to Livestrong No More, Off to the Races, Ice Man Cometh, Helmet Disconnect
Nike to Livestrong No More
From Bicycle Retailer: Nike cuts ties to Livestrong
Nike will stop manufacturing Livestrong-branded products following the 2013 holiday season, ending a nine-year relationship that has pumped more than $100 million into the nonprofit founded by Lance Armstrong. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (06.01.2013): Nike to Livestrong No More, Off to the Races, Ice Man Cometh, Helmet Disconnect
Pour Cold Water on Your Workout
It’s necessary to drink water during workouts. But new research shows that cold water is more effective at helping exercisers keep up the momentum during workouts. Findings in two studies say that cold water helps keep core body temperature down longer, which allows athletes to push harder during workouts. Continue reading Pour Cold Water on Your Workout
Smartphone Emerges as a Workout Tool
We’ve known for a long time that our smartphone is a great workout accessory, but a market research report released by Lab42 just drives the point home. The agency surveyed 500 social media users currently focused on their health and fitness. Among the respondents, 51 percent use their smartphones during their workout. Of those, 91 percent use their smartphone to listen to music; 43 percent track their pace on their phone; and 33 percent check their email while workout out. Continue reading Smartphone Emerges as a Workout Tool
iPhone app maximizes cardio workouts
httpv://youtu.be/ZsCYc1bXi7Y
Love it or hate it, cardio workouts are a must if you’re trying to tone up or lose weight. But if you’re like most people, the thought of spending 30 minutes on a treadmill is a motivation zapper. Fortunately for iPhone users, there’s an app that can help.
Created by Beau Taillefer, Forumla 55 ($4.99) is an iOS-based app designed to keep your cardio sessions fresh by pushing you out of your comfort zone. Formula 55 workouts incorporate squats, sprints, hills, and more to ensure you never get stuck in a cardio rut. Just plug in your measurements, select your goals, and the app automatically does the rest.
The app also lets you import playlists so you always workout to your favorite tunes, and once you’re done you can blast your workouts through cyber space thanks to the app’s built-in Facebook integration.
Formula 55
[via ABC Action News: Group of amateur athletes get ripped using unique app]
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.
Slide on Over to Better Fitness
Fitness guru David Miller knows that people like to take the easy way out all too often, but now he’s going to let it slide – or rather let people use his new “Slidercise” technique to help increase upper body fitness. Miller, who says he was tired of spending $110 a month on gym membership and gas, not to mention the hours it took at the gym, developed the Slidercise Training System.
The system, which includes workout DVDs, instructional charts and inspirational websites, essentially is built around pushups. We’ve seen more than a few gimmicky products, and the truth is that pushups alone probably won’t have you looking quite as ripped as Miller or the other models that you’ll see on his site, but this does seem like it would offer some true variation to the traditional pushups. Of course it might take time to build up to the 30 minute, not to mention the 60 minute workouts. But the system provides something that short of an army drill sergeant would provide – and that’s some serious motivation. So in that way we think Miller is on to something.
Jack LaLanne Dies at Age 96
We’re sad to report that fitness guru Jack LaLanne died Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay, California. He was reported to be 96 years old.
We’d like to believe he lived to the ripe old age because of the decades he spent talking about the healthful benefits of exercise and fitness. LaLanne opened his first health spa in California in 1936, long before any fitness craze hit America. LaLanne was also one of the innovators of fitness technology, as he invented the first leg-extension machine.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends. The fitness world has lost a true icon.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Workout Chair from GymyGym
All work and no workout will make Jack a dull and out of shape boy. To address this issue GymyGym have introduced a chair that includes numerous bungees, so you can workout while working the day away. With this chair and some overtime you could be the most toned office drone around… or maybe taking a break to get in an afternoon walk would be so much better.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.
Fitness to the Factor of Five With Video Games
This week best-selling author acclaimed celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, renowned fitness and nutrition specialist, got in the game. He will work with Majesco Entertainment Company in a strategic partnership to develop and produce interactive electronic games based on his 5-Factor Fitness Program. The key to his program is fives, where users can see results in just five weeks through five-ingredient meals, five times a day combined with Harley’s fitness program of five-minute sets.
“Backed by degrees in both nutrition and fitness, Harley is the pre-eminent Hollywood trainer, responsible for some of the best celebrity bodies on stage and screen, including Katy Perry, Megan Fox, Lady Gaga and Rob Pattinson,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. “Harley’s appearances on Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray have helped drive the growth of his 5-Factor brand and convert millions to his distinctive nutrition and fitness program. His program is the type of holistic approach that translates perfectly into motion-based video games that let players take control of their own health in a fully interactive way.”
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Majesco to create a ground-breaking fitness game based on the same 5-Factor program I use to train all my clients,” said Pasternak. “I designed the program to get celebrities in top shape as quickly and efficiently as possible. This game will give everyone access to the simple yet effective training techniques I’ve used to achieve phenomenal results for some of the best bodies in Hollywood.”
Gamers can look to take it the fifth level in late 2011 with the official Harley Pasternak 5-Factor Fitness game.
Scary Spice Moves to Get Fit
Mel B, formerly Scary Spice of the Brit Pop group the Spice Girls, has been getting fit, and the latest title, Get Fit With Mel B has been released for the PlayStation Move for the PlayStation 3. This one offers you fitness expert Mel B, who offers positive feedback, encouragement and real-time guidance on your performance, while providing 25 different workout goals. The game features a custom workout program and a daily menu to help gamers stay on track (while getting off the couch).
“There’s never been a combination of technology and passion for fitness like this before,” says Deep Silver COO Geoff Mulligan, whose company developed the game. This is as close as you’re going to get to having a personal trainer in your own home. We’re incredibly proud that Get Fit with Mel B is the first fitness title available for the PlayStation Move platform and that critics are already hailing it as the best option for getting fit with an interactive program.”
In addition to programs the game also features social networking integration so users can share their workout results and accomplishments with friends via Facebook. It is almost as good as having Mel B as a close and personal friend.
Row, Row Indo-Row
Rowing machines have long been praised for providing an ideal workout. While many devices at gyms have come and gone, the rowing machine has long remained a staple. Rowing actually provides a really decent workout, and when done right uses 60 percent legs, 20 percent arms and 20 percent core muscles. Thus rowing can provide a really good workout.
The problem with many machines is that they don’t quite capture the same type of physical activity as actual rowing on water. Worse still the best rowing machines do the job, but then take up so much room that even health clubs are reluctant to utilize them. Some boats seem only slightly bigger. Continue reading Row, Row Indo-Row