Nike, Apple working to make gym equipment iPod-compatible

Nike may have bypassed Apple with its recently revealed SportBand exercise device, but the pair are now back together again with another team effort, and they've enlisted the help of a number of gym equipment manufacturers as well. As you've no doubt surmised from that combination, that means they're working to make gym equipment (specifically cardio equipment) compatible with the Nike + iPod system, which would let you plug your iPod nano (and only iPod nano) into a piece of equipment, track your workouts, and upload the data to the nikeplus.com website. According to Nike's own announcement, Life Fitness, Precor, Star Trac and Technogym are already on board and working on iPod-ready equipment, while participating gyms (including 24 Hour Fitness and Virgin Active Health Clubs) are supposedly set to starting rolling 'em out sometime this summer.

[Via CNN]

[Chrono951 @ Mar 4th 2008 5:29PM]

Whats the point when you make the tech limited to one specific device?

[ericthebikeman @ Mar 4th 2008 6:04PM]

They've done it for a long time with Polar heart rate monitors. IIRC only Polar watches work with Polar equipped treadmills and elipticals, Nike and Reebok are basically locked out.

[Billy Fiul @ Mar 4th 2008 5:59PM]

The point is to get you to buy an iPod nano. Duh.

[Chrono951 @ Mar 4th 2008 6:08PM]

I get the idea of forcing you to buy a specific piece of hardware, but wouldn't it make a little more sense to include at least the rest of the iPod line in this? Thats like saying that only certain polar treadmills work with only certain polar watches.

[Greg @ Mar 4th 2008 7:03PM]

The Nano has flash memory, they want to discourage running with an iPod classic/ 5g video, etc, as they have hard drives.
Still, I can't see why the iPod touch or iPhone would be left out.

[pcmaniac @ Mar 6th 2008 8:40AM]

to sell one specific device

[Chrono951 @ Mar 4th 2008 5:48PM]

Well aren't you just Mr. Business! kidding, kidding

[Alex Padilla @ Mar 4th 2008 5:32PM]

If only they could find a way to connect iPods to dumbbells, barbells, and leg press machines...

[phanbouy @ Mar 4th 2008 5:34PM]

while watching Barbarella

[DT @ Mar 4th 2008 6:25PM]

No, only Zunes connect to dumbbells.

[Alex Padilla @ Mar 4th 2008 6:40PM]

WTF, I knew there was a reason I wanted those new Zunes so badly.

[rcappo @ Mar 4th 2008 5:48PM]

I'm still waiting them to make a model that works with my road bicycle to tell me how fast and far I have traveled.

[Jorn Knuttila @ Mar 7th 2008 4:12PM]

My people call that a "GPS"

[rcappo @ Mar 7th 2008 4:53PM]

A GPS based system attached to the Nano would be perfect. What I also am suggesting is that it needs to interface with the Nike on-line software to keep track of your stats and so you can compete/train with other people.

[Katarn @ Mar 4th 2008 5:49PM]

It seems like something like this would be a perfect fit for the iPhone since it's connected online already and you could upload the data with ease.

[midicontrol206 @ Mar 4th 2008 6:13PM]

Many gyms do not allow phones inside for privacy reasons. This is why the push is for the Nano.

[T-Bone @ Mar 4th 2008 6:31PM]

What about iPod Touches?

I wish Nike would make their stuff work with more than just the nano. If they did, I could use my iPhone and return my brother's nano.

[Jeff @ Mar 4th 2008 7:53PM]

Meant to reply to ericthebikeman. Sorry.

[Jeff @ Mar 4th 2008 7:51PM]

That's incorrect. The watches do not communicate with the treadmills or other machines. The chest strap sends a signal to the watch, and the treadmill picks it up as well. Most fitness equipment I've used will pick up non-Polar chest strap signals.

Nike + iPod is just lame. I guess it was an okay idea in its previous implementation, but setting up workout equipment to work only with one type of device is dumb.

[DvS @ Mar 4th 2008 6:49PM]

"the pair are now back together again with another team effort"

They were never "apart".

[Only morons take this seriously. @ Mar 4th 2008 7:03PM]

I bought a refurb nano + nike doodad just for the gym and the POS ipod died in 2 months. I guess they forgot to make their targeted-to-workout product sweat resistant.

[Paul @ Mar 4th 2008 7:41PM]

Um, only morons dont protect their nano with a sweat resistant case when they work out with it...

[Paul @ Mar 5th 2008 4:43PM]

I have used the Nike+ system for over a year.
Same nano.
Running in the rain.

[Only morons take this seriously. @ Mar 4th 2008 10:28PM]

Paul took me seriously! MORON.

[Tiptup300 @ Mar 4th 2008 10:58PM]

They make "sweat resistant" cases for the nano? How vulnerable are they!?

[Reid @ Mar 5th 2008 1:00AM]

My nano hangs around my neck at the gym and has no problems with sweat.

I also took my iPhone snowboarding a few times this year; one time it came out basically completely soaked but had no problems.

[Paul @ Mar 5th 2008 9:34AM]

It was your use of the word "doodad" which made me think you were serious.

[Cunthor @ Mar 4th 2008 8:11PM]

Here is a thought to make ipod better at gym: give it an FM transmitter.

[Eric @ Mar 4th 2008 9:25PM]

It's great using my N95 with A2TB headphones in the gym. Just unbelieveable that the iPhone and touch don't have it.

[Chris @ Mar 4th 2008 8:21PM]

Anyone else get a laugh out of "Virgin Active Health Clubs"?

[michael @ Mar 4th 2008 11:30PM]

I wonder if Nike can pair up with the Zune 4/8 anytime soon. It's not like they have an exclusive deal with Apple, do they?

[pundit @ Mar 5th 2008 2:42AM]

It appears that Apple Tuesday has come and gone. The store didn't shut down, nothing new was sold, absolutely nothing, but an announcement of continued courtship with Nike. Hmmm. Disappointment?

[toyotaboy @ Mar 5th 2008 2:24PM]

they've already invaded automobiles, now this? I can't stand apple products, especially since they're connector has somehow become the "standard".