running
Latest
Under Armour's latest wireless buds stay in your ears during workouts
Wireless earbuds are wonderful for the gym... when they stay put. And Under Armour and JBL are keenly aware of that -- they've introduced two sets of Bluetooth earbuds, the over-ear Sport Wireless Pivot (above) and in-ear Sport Wireless React (below), that are designed for stability during workouts. They're lightweight and IPX7 water-resistant, but the chief allures are tip and hook designs that will keep the buds in place. You won't be subjected to the gym's repetitive soundtrack just because a bud fell out mid-burpee.
Adidas' NYC-inspired shoe was designed using data from runners
When I woke up this morning, I didn't imagine I'd spend part of my day inside a massive shipping container on a parking lot right under the Brooklyn Bridge. But that's exactly what happened earlier today. The occasion? Adidas invited members of the media to an event where it showcased its latest running shoe, the AM4NYC, a New York City-inspired silhouette that was designed using sensor data and feedback from local runners. Not just that, but the sneaker was actually made at the company's robot-staffed Speedfactory in Atlanta, an automated assembly line that combines craftsmanship with speed to create custom footwear.
Nike's 3D-printed textiles make running shoes even lighter
Nike's use of 3D printing to craft ever-better performance shoes has reached its next logical level. The company has introduced Flyprint, the first 3D-printed textile upper for performance footwear. The material is ultimately a TPU filament melted and applied in layers, but the geometry is the key: Nike is using athlete data (such as that from distance runner Eliud Kipchoge) to determine the composition of the textiles. The result is a high-performance shoe upper that can be rapidly customized for specific regions and individual runners.
Fitbit's Adidas-branded smartwatch will cost you $330
Last year, Fitbit announced it had entered a multiyear deal with Adidas -- a partnership that would result in a new edition of the Fitbit Ionic and exclusive personal training programs to go along with it. Today, the company announces that the product of that collaboration is now available for presale. The Fitbit Ionic: Adidas edition is a running-focused smartwatch that comes with a breathable sport band, an Adidas-designed clock face inspired by race bibs and the Adidas Train app, which includes six workouts aimed at improving your running performance.
Under Armour’s HOVR smart running shoes are more than just a gimmick
As fascinating as shoes like Nike's "PlayStation" PG2s or Adidas' "4D" Futurecrafts are, those particular models don't offer many (if any) benefits to avid runners. They're more geared toward sneakerheads than anyone else. But, that doesn't mean there aren't any tech-oriented pairs designed for people who enjoy running, be it casually or on a regular basis. That's exactly the demographic Under Armour is going after with its HOVR connected shoes, which consist of two different versions: a low-top (the Sonic) and a mid-top (the Phantom, pictured here).
SOLOS smart cycling glasses are going for a run
While the consumer smart glasses craze has ebbed, the technology has found a niche in the sport training world, especially among cyclists. At CES on Monday, SOLOS debuted the latest iteration of its smart cycling glasses, also called SOLOS.
Garmin's latest smartwatch can play music during your run
Yes, you can listen to music on a smartwatch without keeping your phone nearby, but that usually means settling for relatively simple fitness tracking. Garmin may have a solution that eliminates those compromises, however -- it just introduced the Forerunner 645 Music, a GPS running watch that (surprise) stores up to 500 songs for playback over Bluetooth earphones. You can track your runs (or bike rides, or swims) and the detailed stats to match while listening to tunes you've saved either from your computer or from streaming services like iHeartRadio.
Robotic shorts can shave minutes off a marathon time
In marathons, milliseconds matter. A split-second can be the difference between victory and defeat; between setting a record and coming in second. So, it's a big deal when a team of Harvard engineers reveal a pair of shorts that reduce an average marathon time from 9:14 minutes/mile to 8:49 minutes/mile.
Nike is livestreaming an attempt to run a sub-2 hour marathon
While it's Friday night here, three Nike-sponsored athletes are up early on a Saturday morning in Italy. The company has made it a quest to break the two-hour barrier for a marathon run, as Lelisa Desisa, Eliud Kipchoge and Zersenay Tadese go for that 1:59:59 time on the F1 track at Monza. You can watch live on Twitter or Facebook right now (we're as shocked as you are that no network jumped to broadcast a two-hour run). They're running with a pack arranged for maximum aerodynamic efficiency while following a Model S (no exhaust fumes) to find an optimal pace at an average of 4:34 for each mile. Sure, it's no reusable rocket launch, but we'll follow along with this potentially amazing feat from the couch. Update: In the end, they didn't quite make it, but Eliud Kipchoge finished in 2:00:25, under the IAAF world record time of 2:02:57 (this run is not eligible as a WR time).
Strava wants runners and cyclists to be bloggers too
Strava wants to be more than a simple tool for tracking your runs and bike rides. Much of the experience is focused on the "Feed," a place where you can share your training sessions and accomplishments (and view those recorded by other people). Normally, these bite-sized posts are limited to a small map, some basic stats and a short caption. Now, Strava is introducing "athlete posts," which are essentially full-blown blog posts. For now, the feature is exclusive to 36 Strava-approved athletes, however the company says it will roll out to the rest of the community "later this summer."
Running with an AI 'personal trainer' is fun, but expensive
The artificial intelligence that we hope will exist in our lifetimes is a world away from what's available right now. A thinking computer that knows us better than we know ourselves, and can make us better than we are, is still the stuff of fantasy. But if our goals are simple and easy to understand, does an AI really need to be that smart to get the job done? For instance, can a pair of swanky headphones with an AI personal trainer make me a better runner?
These connected shoes could help you run faster, smarter and more safely
Power laces and 3D-printed materials aren't the only things shaping the future of footwear. If Sensoria and Vivobarefoot have their way, people could soon be wearing shoes packed with tech to help them run faster, smarter and more safely. Here at CES, the companies revealed a pair of concept sneakers that feature two removable chips and four pressure sensors near the heel area. Not only can the system measure speed, pace and track you via GPS, but it's also smart enough to learn your stride rate and foot-landing technique.
Taking a walk in Adidas' 3D-printed running shoes
It's hard to believe it was only last year when Adidas revealed its first 3D-printed shoe concept. But the German sportswear giant is moving fast with its Futurecraft project, a collection of innovative footwear that also includes biodegradable sneakers. The latest in this line is the Adidas 3D Runner, which features a midsole and heel tab created from 3D-printing materials. Primeknit, the same fabric used on Three-Stripe models such as the Yeezy and Ultra Boost, makes up most of the rest of the silhouette.
Runkeeper uses Apple Watch GPS to keep track of your route
Apple Watch Series 2 arrived with two notable updates: waterproofing and built-in GPS. Even though the popular jogging app has been letting users run without their iPhone since last fall, Runkeeper now tasks the wearable's own GPS for better tracking of your routes. An update to the company's Apple Watch software takes advantage of the built-in feature for "richer stats" and a detailed map you can view on your phone.
Oakley and Intel's sunglasses put a personal trainer in your ears
Running can be a pretty lonely sport, but you may soon get a companion that's always ready to go. Oakley and Intel have teamed up to create a sunglasses-smart-earbuds hybrid that will tell you how you're doing during your run or bike ride. The Oakley Radar Pace will be available Oct. 1st for $449. I tried out a preview unit and, even though I'm not a serious runner, I'm actually really excited about what the device can do.
The Apple Watch Nike+ is a running watch I might actually use
I've been wearing the original Apple Watch every day for the past eight months, but never as a running watch. As much as I enjoy the device for its notifications, slick Activity app and stylish design, I would never, ever trust it on a training run. My hangup, and many runners' hangup, has been the lack of a GPS radio. Without that crucial bit of technology, the distance tracking is off -- and no, running with your iPhone on your person to triangulate your location isn't the same. Needless to say, if your distance tracking is inaccurate, your average pace will be inaccurate, and to a runner, even a casual one, that is bad news indeed. So until now, I've been sticking with my trusty Garmin Forerunner watch, even as I continue to use the Apple Watch for everyday step-tracking. With the newest-gen Apple Watch, though, I might be willing to reconsider.
Strava's safety 'Beacon' shows friends where you're training
Strava has added a safety feature to its running and cycling app that we're surprised isn't more common. "Beacon" lets up to three friends see exactly where you're biking or running, even if they don't have the app installed. On top of showing a map, It will them know if you've stopped for a long period, if your battery is low or if you're out of network range.
Nike used 3D printing and Olympic sprinters to design its new track shoe
When Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce competes in the women's 100m and 4x100m relay at the Olympics this month, she'll do so wearing what Nike claims is one of its most advanced track and field shoes yet. The 29-year-old Jamaican, who is favored for gold in Rio, actually helped Nike design her new spikes, the Zoom Superfly Elite. In the years leading up to the 2016 summer games, she worked with Nike's Sport Research Lab to figure out the ideal performance for a sprinter silhouette. Among other experiments, she test-3D-printed prototypes of the spikes, which were tailor-made based on captured data that measured her speed on the track and, most importantly, off the blocks.
Runkeeper's Running Groups keep you motivated
If you have running buddies, you know the advantages they bring -- they'll encourage you to run when you'd otherwise slack off, or when you just have to one-up a friend. And Runkeeper knows it. The Asics-owned developer has updated its Android and iOS apps with a Running Groups feature that, unsurprisingly, promises to keep you off the couch. As many as 25 people can participate in challenges (such as distance or the most runs), and there's a group chat to either motivate your pals or trash-talk them when you emerge triumphant.
ICYMI: Robot running buddy, mechanical sea life and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-97080{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-97080, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-97080{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-97080").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A horse-sized, standing CT scanner has been invented to keep your equine pals from being tranquilized before images are taken; a sea urchin mouth was used as inspiration for a robot that could be sent to Mars to collect samples; and NASA engineers and MIT students created a robot for Puma that can be programmed to 'race' training runners. If you're less of a runner, more of an observer, the Kung Fu art of Tobias Gremmier may be more your speed. As always, please share any great tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
