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These smart glasses became my erratic personal trainer
Fitness wearables don't have to go on your wrist -- although it makes sense that most of them are designed that way. We've been wearing wristwatches for generations, so it's a place where we're used to tethering something. But how about the original wearable: eyewear? JINS Meme is a pair of unassuming smartglasses that have highly sensitive three-axis gyroscopes and accelerometers inside. And because they're situated on your head, the Japanese eyewear company says it can offer insight into your posture and balance and pinpoint weaknesses. To help you with all of the above, JINS recently launched a core-training application ("taikan") to complement its existing running-coach app. It tests your core strength (think: abs, back, abductors, butt, etc.) and offers a live critique on how you're doing. Here's how training went.
Rock your workout with RockMyRun
Almost everyone uses a favorite playlist when they workout. The music helps the time pass more quickly and should help produce more energy. Now with RockMyRun you can listen to music lists prepared scientifically to improve your workouts by up to 30%. The free universal app requires iOS 7.0 or later. Users need to set up an account before you can use all the features in the app. This requires your name, email, and a password. Users can also use their Facebook ID to login. Once you have registered and logged in, you can set up your own list of music playlists and sort the list by length, genre, and beats per minute. Users can select a variety of playlists from more than a dozen different types of music including pop, rock, country, hip hop, R&B, reggae, and more. Each of these list were compiled with the goal of keeping a consistent level of energy and tempo throughout your exercise session. That is just what they do according to Dr. Jeanne NIchols, the lead exercise physiologist for EPARC, a top exercise research laboratory. In her findings, Dr. Nichols concludes that, "music that has been mixed together to maintain and optimize beat encourages the listener to experience and internalize more positive feelings about the experience and the outcomes. Once you have selected the type of music you want to listen to for your workout, you add it to your list of music. Then you can choose from a huge number of individual lists of music that vary in the beats per minutes and length. In the Rock listing you will find around two hundred different lists from which to choose, so no problem locating a good mix. The music varies in beats per minute from under 120 to more than 160. The more beats the higher the energy level and the faster the tempo so you can choose slower music to warm up or cool down and a really fast list for listening during the most strenuous part of your exercise program. Lengths in RockMyRun can be as short as ten or eleven minutes for warm ups and cool down sessions or to a maximum length of forty-five minutes. If you want your playlists to run longer than that you will need to upgrade to a premium membership either on a monthly basis for US$4.99 a month or an annual subscription of US$35.99. These subscriptions will be charged to your iTunes account and will automatically renew at the end unless you go into your account and turn that feature off at least 24 hours before the original subscription ends. RockMyRun operates seamlessly with most other running programs that count your steps, plot your path on a run or cycling trip, or tracks your calories burned. So you can use both at the same time. Overall RockMyRun provides users with a huge number of mixes to choose from when working out. No one should have any issues with finding just what you want. Based on the scientific data, the concept of using music consistent in tempo and energy should make the workouts end with users receiving better results. The only drawback is the maximum length of forty-five minutes. If you do long runs or cycling trips that won't be enough. However users do have the option of subscribing and deciding if they want to pay for scientifically prepared music or just listen to their own mixes.
Push band offers wearable insight for your strength training regimen
There are plenty of activity trackers on the market that measure things like steps, distance and more. But what about offering useful feedback for those gym sessions? That's what Push aims to do with its wearable. The gadget measures power and velocity in order to gauge just how well you're doing with bench press, squats and more during each rep. Those metrics are used to determine where intensity or weight could be increased, beaming the collected data to a companion app. From there, you can monitor progress, set goals and get recommendations for improving -- on top of sending your numbers to a coach or personal trainer. Push is also continually adding new exercises for the tracker to keep the stats collection as complete as possible. And athletes have already taken notice. Strength and conditioning coaches for the Dallas Stars, St. Louis Cardinals, East Tennessee State University and others have used the wearable to gauge weight room performance. After a successful crowdfunding campaign and nabbing 2,000 pre-orders, the Push band is on sale now for $189.
Introducing the world's fattest iPhone case, designed to make you thin
In a time where gadgets brag about how thin and light they are, you wouldn't think the title of "World's heaviest iPhone case" would be something to brag about, but you'd be wrong. The ToneFone -- a weighty combination of solid steel and rubber -- wants to take over the fitness world by making it a little bit harder to pick up your iPhone. Weighing in at either 1 kg (2.2 lbs) or 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) depending on your preference, the ToneFone effectively turns your smartphone into a small dumbbell. The idea being that every time you pick up your iPhone to send a text message or check Facebook you'll actually being doing a mini workout. It's a pretty silly concept, given that the case isn't actually all that heavy, but with the first batch of ToneFone cases selling out almost immediately there may well be a market for such an accessory. If you're interested, keep an eye on U.K.-based DesirableBody for updates.
Scosche's Rhythm pulse monitor for iOS tracks your run, lets you change the beat (video)
"Appcessories" is probably one of the more abrasive, yet devilishly descriptive, portmanteaus we've heard in recent years. But, if you're still not sure what it means, consider the Rhythm pulse monitor from Scosche a perfect example. The forearm-mounted device is a pulse / heart rate monitor with an iOS companion app. Working with some of your phone's inner smarts (like GPS), along with a dedicated accelerometer, the hardware / software combo logs vital data from your work out, which you can then share with the world, or enjoy broken down into detailed statistical analysis. If you've ever gone jogging with your iPhone, you'll know how fiddly it can be to change music tracks on the hop, so you'll be pleased to know the Rhythm covers that too. If this sounds like what your workout is missing, you can strap-up right away from any Apple or AT&T store (real or online) for $99, with other outlets, including Best-Buy stocking in time for Christmas.
Sony patents exercise music system that adjusts music to your work-out tempo
While our bodies approach beach-readiness for the summer, Sony's unveiled plans to tinker with your gym playlist in the future. According to a patent granted today, the electronics manufacturer aims to closely tie the tempo of your music to your own physical exertions. It'll do this by using a nefarious-sounding (but ultimately vague) "exercise information analyzing circuit" that will pick up on tempo differences between the user and their favorite Pendulum tracks. It will then change the "music data" for something a little more fitting for your 10-minute trudge at 10 percent incline. The patent's sketches include the idea of personalized profiles for users, and displaying what you got done at the end of the session, broken down by tempo and duration. The technology could end up in PMPs or phones, although we reckon the latter has more legs. Give your legalese its own workout and peruse the laborious wording of another patent filing at the source below.
Face and 'effort' controlled iPad game helps you outrun the competition (video)
If you're looking for some exergaming action, but don't have the rhythm -- or lack of self awareness -- for some existing sport game accessories, how about a game controlled by effort? Using your iDevice's camera and accelerometer, BitGym has created a control system for playing iOS games while on your exercise equipment of choice (possibly not the trampoline though). The first release is a racer that converts rate of exercise to acceleration and head movement to steering. We're told there's an SDK too, so developers looking to trim-up can make their own gym-distractions. Fit Freeway is available now, but if you want to see it in action, without breaking a sweat jog on over the break for a demo video.
Gympact iPhone app offers cash rewards to gym-goers, penalizes inattendance
We know, it's the new year and you just made a resolution to start going to the gym regularly... for the fifth year in a row. But you really mean it this time, don't you? There's an intriguing way to make sure you stay motivated throughout 2012 -- the almighty dollar. And we're not just talking gym memberships, either, though you'll probably need one: an iPhone app called GymPact offers cash rewards if you honor your weekly fitness commitment and makes you cough up some of our own hard-earned money if you slack off. Here's how it works: you first make a pact on how many days you'll go to the gym each week (minimum of one day per week) and how much you'll fork out if you miss, with the minimum penalty set at five bucks for each day you miss. If you have to pay, that money gets taken out of your credit card and goes straight into a community pot, which then gets divided up and doled out to everyone who honored their weekly commitment. How does the app know when you've stayed true to your vow? It's easy enough: you have to check-in to the gym using the app and stay for at least 30 minutes in order for your visit to count. The negative motivation seems to be working so far: according to GymPact, the startup saw a success rate of 90 percent in its six-month Boston-area trial. Unfortunately, iOS is the only platform the program is currently available on, but the company says it's working on an HTML5 web app that would allow check-ins from any smartphone. Now, if only there was an app to keep us from going to the Drive-Thru immediately after we leave the gym...
Scosche myTrek sends workout vitals to your iPhone, starts shipping now for $130 (video)
With a variety of portable power accessories, most Scosche products are designed to keep gadgets up and running, not to get our own blood flowing. The company's new Bluetooth myTrek pulse monitor pairs with an iPhone or iPod touch to motivate you to keep going and going, however, pumping "inspiring" audio alerts through your headphones during a workout, while also tracking pulse, distance, speed, pace, and calories burned. The arm-strap uses a pair of LEDs, along with a photo sensor and accelerometer to capture vitals as it rests strapped to your forearm, providing five hours of continuous feedback before needing its own boost using the included USB cable. You'll need to have your iOS device within 33 feet of the device to record your workout, so the myTrek may be better suited for trips to the gym than, say, a run through the park in the rain. It's also rather pricey, at $130, but if you're already dropping a grand or two for your gym membership each year, a gadget that lets you elegantly track your progress may be within reach.
Tweet_Fit tweets while you sweat to the oldies (video)
The Shake Weight it is not, but as 21st century workout solutions go, Tweet_Fit certainly has the potential to get people talking -- or, at the very least, tweeting. Developed by a UK design student, the connected gym accessory attaches to the end of a standard dumbbell and sends updates to your Twitter account when you start and stop your workout. Take it offline and it guides you through the perfect curl. Tweet_Fit's designer points out that it offers a novel way for trainers to keep track of their clients, and can be used to spur healthy competition between friends. Given, it won't make bragging about how much you can bench any easier, but, then, tweeting an invitation to the gun show is so impersonal. Tweet_Fit is still a prototype, but you can check out a video of the Twitter-enabled dumbbell in action after the break. [Thanks, Fraser]
Hit the gyms with Fight Night Champion's new online features
The latest dev diary for Fight Night Champion details the title's biggest, newest feature: Online Gyms. Create a fighter and join the ranks of a player-made gym, brawling up tournament ladders and taking on other teams. Just make sure your gym has a clever name, first. (For instance: "Boxers.")
Motorola's 4.3-inch Droid Shadow found in a unicorn gym?
Color us highly skeptical of the backstory, but Gizmodo claims to have received a picture of Motorola's rumored 4.3-inch Droid Shadow. The device above was supposedly left behind at a Verizon corporate gym in Washington. As the story is told, a gym employee managed to snap the photo above and identify an HDMI jack, 8 megapixel camera, Snapdragon processor, and 16GB of storage before the handset was remotely locked and the owner returned to claim it. Suspiciously, there's only one photo of the device shown at precisely the same angle as the supposedly leaked "getting started" image seen three days ago -- right, just enough time to cobble together a Photoshop. The refined Motoblur UI seems to align though so who knows... really, who knows? [Thanks, Aaron]
Ask Engadget: Best tiny MP3 player for exercise enthusiasts?
No need to twist your dial -- you really have just stumbled upon this week's episode of Ask Engadget. You know, the place where you can send in your question to ask at engadget dawt com and hope to see it plastered for the world to have a think on. This week we've got one from J.S., so we'll let him take it from here:"The new iPod shuffle is so small you can simply clip it onto your shirt while running or working out. However, I'd never buy it because of two reasons: iTunes and the fact that I'd have to get a new pair of headphones that has the Shuffle controls or use the subpar included ones. So, what's the best small (close to Shuffle-sized) MP3 player for a gym rat like me that doesn't require iTunes?"We've no doubt that legions of you fitness freaks can chime in here, so next time you take a breather, drop some knowledge in comments below.
NYC schools testing Wii Fit for Phys Ed.
Some New York city schools are testing a new program for physical education, one that utilizes Nintendo's popular Wii Fit package. Trading in dodge balls for Balance Boards, several different schools received free bundles from Nintendo, but Lori Rose Benson, head of the Department of Education's Office of Fitness and Health Education, admits she wasn't on board at first. It didn't take her long to get with the program, however, as she realized that "students learn in lots of different ways and that we can engage students in physical activity through gaming and through interactive techniques," which is really what's important. Well, that and making sure you block all of those soccer balls.%Gallery-23865%
iPod shuffle 3G pumping up the jams a little too hard at the gym?
Seeing as a good number of people pick up iPod shuffles for use while working out, this might be a bit of an issue. An Apple thread discussion has blossomed with reports that the 3rd gen unit's gone sentient and is maxing out the volume while users are doing cardio. The conjecture is that its volume control-equipped headphones might not be moisture resistant and is having averse reactions to sweat. Of course, we could take the "it's a feature, not a bug approach" and assume Apple's simply added a hidden sweat detector to crank it based on the workout intensity. This all may be much ado about nothing, but be sure to do your ears a favor and set the max volume via iTunes before you start your routine, just in case.[Via iLounge]
Manhattanites pay for the privilege of being too good to buy a Wii
Can't find a Wii or Wii Fit for home workouts?? Too good to bother haunting the shops in the hope that one turns up? You can always shell out for 'em on eBay, but why give some random dude the satisfaction? If you live in Manhattan, you've got another option: drop over a hundred bucks an hour to play a little Wii Sports.Quite a few trainers seem to be jumping on the Wii workout bandwagon, but we rarely get to see more than a vague estimate of the cost of the sessions. Dorothy Evans isn't shy about trumpeting her fees, however; if you want an hour with her, it's $110, and the NYC-based fitness maven is mixing Wii Sports (on a twenty-foot screen!) in with other activities, and she calls it a full-body workout. Maybe we should be playing harder.[Via Kombo]
Nike+ gym equipment coming July -- iPhone integration imminent?
24 Hour Fitness just announced that it will be the first to offer Nike+ iPod enabled gym equipment at select clubs starting next month. The press release says the following:"Nike and Apple worked with major gym equipment manufacturers to make their cardio equipment Nike + iPod compatible so gym members can easily track and record workouts on cardio equipment like treadmills, stair steppers, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes." The press release only mentions the iPod nano. In fact, that may be all that we're talking about here. Nevertheless, July is synonymous with the iPhone 3G, 2.0 firmware, and App Store launches and there's that little ol' patent application (the source of the picture above) which describes leveraging the iPhone's sensors to turn it into a "lifestyle companion." Nike of course, already confirmed that its Plus system would be extending to the iPhone and iPod touch sometime in the future. July seems as good a time as any don't you think?
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]
Canadian gym sets up Wii Sports in style
Vancouver's Studeo 55 is the latest to see the benefits of Wii Sports in action and they've decided to dedicate some space to the game -- and when we say space here, we mean it. They've set up a console in a 400 square foot theater-style room with a huge projection screen. The upscale gym, which caters to wealthier patrons willing to pay sizable membership fees each month, has been encouraging members to use Wii Sports as a warm-up or cooldown exercise, or as part of a circuit training regimen. Former Olympic swimmer Kim Bey gave the title a try despite some early reservations. "I'm not a video game person ... So at first, it was like, 'I don't get it,'" she said. But after playing with her personal trainer, she started to understand the benefits of a game as part of an exercise regimen. Not everyone was such an easy sell, however. Video games aren't very popular among most workout aficionados; in fact, owner Nathan Mellalieu reportedly faced a lot of criticism over the decision to include Wii Sports at first. Once patrons can be convinced to give it a try, however, reactions seem to change. Mellalieu cautions those who need to lose a lot of weight against depending solely on their Wiis, however -- a few games of Wii Sports is not enough for an overall lifestyle change, but the title can certainly be a part of that. We can't help but wonder if the addition of Wii Fit will spread the console's reputation as an exercise-helper even further. Maybe we'll start to see Wiis in gyms everywhere![Thanks, Alex!]
Trixter exercise bike gets a PSP add-on kit
It's not like Sony's PSP hasn't flanked the top of a steering wheel before, but the X-Bike Sony PSP Kit takes the handheld into the world of exercising like never before. Of course, we're not sure if this newfangled motivational tool will help you melt off the pounds like other systems we've seen, but the half-hearted attempt to integrate the PSP into an exercise bike allows users to watch movies (or fitness tapes) whilst burning calories. Interestingly, the product page doesn't mention the possibility of gaming, but we see no reason why the uber-coordinated couldn't mash a few buttons while maintaining their balance on the bike, so feel free to drop your $100 if you know you're in that elite crowd.[Via Joystiq]
