Holiday Gifts for the Fitness Buff
We all have someone in our life who likes to work out, or who needs a little extra push to keep their fitness momentum going. We’ve put together a few ideas for every budget for the fitness lover in your life!
Fitness
What’s the Secret to Fitbit’s Success?
It’s hard out there for a fitness tracking company. Apple Watch dominates the conversation, and anyone looking for a fitness-first solution seems to gravitate towards Fitbit. I realized tonight the secret to their success: ubiquity.
Runtastic Introduces ‘Results’ App Focused on Personalized Training for Success!
While some people can simply include exercise as part of their healthy lifestyle, most people need more incentive: they need goals, motivation, and a PLAN. Simply tracking isn’t enough, something that Runtastic gets and has implemented in their new Results app. Results delivers focused training plans to help you reach your goals! Online training programs are becoming more and more popular and effective, replacing DVD and old VHS ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ routines by focusing on shorter, more rigorous workouts that deliver visible results more quickly and effectively. It does this by maximizing the effectiveness of your workout time. “Runtastic…
Garmin Introduces the VivoSmart HR: Fitness Tracker with SmartWatch Aspirations
I never finished my review of the Garmin VivoSmart, partly because the VivoActive arrived and I ran to that, but partly because it took a few firmware updates for everything to stabilize with the Bluetooth functionality. But I really loved the VivoSmart, and if I didn’t prefer GPS to smartwatch capabilities, I’d probably still use it today. So when I got a message about the new VivoSmart HR I was intrigued. At first glance you might think this is something new in the VivoFit line, as the appearance is much different than the original VivoSmart and closer to the VivoFit…
It’s Wednesday, So It Must Be Time for New Garmin GPS Watches?!?
Doesn’t it feel like I was just writing about the Garmin Forerunner 225 announcement? While it has actually been 5 months since the FR 225 reveal, since then they also added the FR 25 entry level GPS watch and each slowly trickled into availability. This year has been all about big new launches and slow product roll-outs that have left me scratching my head wondering what is happening with Garmin. Today Garmin announced three new watches that should have me excited, but instead resulted in a cynical eye-roll and vague interest in when they might hit stores – but why…
I Love The Garmin VivoActive … So Why Did I Dump It?
Back in April I reviewed the Garmin VivoActive GPS Smartwatch, listing five reasons I loved it and three concerns. After a couple of months I started drafting a follow-up about how I STILL loved the VivoActive – but stopped when an update caused issues. The next update resolved the issues, but by early July I was done. Why? Read on!
You Don’t Have to Be an Athelete to Love the Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset
The Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset are great for athletes but you don’t have to be one to appreciate all these sub-$150 wireless headphones have to offer. I can’t run without music and these Bluetooth headphones are, by far, the best way yet to cut the cord and go for a run. They are comfortable, stay put and sound great. The Jabra Sport Coach Bluetooth Headset are, “wireless sports earbuds with intelligent audio coaching optimized for cross training and indoor workouts. With integrated cross training app.” In this review I’m going to focus most on the headset simply as a…
Adidas Buys Runtastic As Consolidation in Fitness Apps Continues
Everyone wants a piece of the quantified fitness universe. Fitbit may be the leader, but there’s room for several companies in the space looking to help you track your data, from how often you move to how much you eat and sleep. Runtastic has built up quite the portfolio of apps and devices, and now they belong to Adidas!
Study Confirms the Best Way to Shop for Running Shoes Is Common Sense
I remember the one and only time I had a running store fit me for shoes. The clerk had me run on a treadmill barefoot,visibly recoiled at how flat my feet were, and told me I needed hardcore stability-style running shoes. I believed him, until I ran a few miles and my knee screamed in pain.
Brooks Glycerin 13 Running Shoes in Aurora Colorway: Shocking Colors, and Shockingly Fun to Wear!
Running shoes can be a controversial subject. Ask ten runners, and you’re likely to get twenty opinions on what constitutes a good shoe. I’ve gravitated towards very minimal shoes the last few years, so I was unsure how running in the Brooks Glycerin 13 shoes would feel by comparison. Surprisingly, the shoe itself proved less controversial than the colors!
Polar Announces the Polar Loop 2
Polar is well-known for being the gold standard in athletic heart rate monitors, and in the last few years they’ve expanded into activity trackers as well. Their first pure activity tracker, the Polar Loop, was well received, and now they’re building on that with the Polar Loop 2, adding new colors and smart notifications to the mix.
Misfit Ups Their Tracker Offerings with Misfit Link, Plus a Price Slash on Flash and Shine!
Misfit is an interesting tracker company. They started as an IndieGoGo project with the Misfit Shine, then they rolled out a cheaper version, the Misfit Flash, along with a smart home bulb called The Bolt. Now they’re bringing more smart home and automation features to their lineup, with new tricks for the Flash and a cheaper sibling, Flash Link!
RoadID Rolls Out New ID Tags for Fitbit Users
I tell every athlete I know to buy a RoadID. It’s a cheap, durable tag that could save your life. EMTs are trained NOT to go through your pockets and personal effects, but they are trained to look for jewelry with medical information. RoadID lets you wear your important details easily, and now you can piggyback it on your Fitbit!
The TruRunner Belt by Bracketron Isn’t Your Average Fanny Pack
Let’s be brutally honest, you will never catch me with a fanny pack on. Ever. But an issue that always presents itself when I’m running outside comes up, that is the jingling keys in my shorts pockets.
Are Children Getting Addicted to Technology?
I was relaxing after going to the store today, when I came across this video via Mashable that was produced by Nature Valley. Yes the Granola Bar people. It explores the differences between generations with what they do/did when they were kids, and paints a dreadful picture of our kids who never go outside; thing is, it’s NOT the truth. My son, Luke, who is 16 has an iPhone. He LOVES his iPhone and uses it all the time. However, it’s just one of many things that he does. In fact, there’s one singular thing that over rules anything else…
Misfit for Android Now Syncs With Pebble!
Great news for fans of the Pebble smartwatch who are Android users-Misfit, one of the big fitness tracking apps available for the Pebble, now syncs with their companion app! This means you can easily export and sync your data to MyFitnessPal, and enjoy all the social features of sharing your activity with other Misfit users.
Brooks Wants You to “Run Happy” by Channeling the Aurora Borealis!
Brooks Running has a very specific message: Run Happy! They want you to feel good running, and feeling good means wearing quality shoes that look great. Taste is subjective, but if you’re a fan of bright running shoes that make a statement, be sure to peruse Brook’s new “Aurora” line. They’ve released their best shoes in bright, beautiful new colors!
Basis Peak Review: Fitness Tracking with a Twist!
I jumped on the wearable train early on by using both a Pebble watch as well as the original FitBit. After tiring of wearing two devices, I looked for something different. Luckily I recently had the chance to try out the Basis Peak $199.99. The fitness tracker is also a watch with some smart functions. Let’s take a look!
Stay Hydrated With the Vapur Element Anti-Water Bottle!
Proper summer hydration is must. That’s especially true if, like me, you are headed to Israel and Greece in a few weeks. And while Raina and I both tend to carry a Nalgene Water Bottle with us everywhere, the thought of traveling with a big, bulky water bottle doesn’t appeal to me. That’s where the Vapur Element Anti-Bottle comes in. Unlike a traditional water bottle, the Vapur Element is collapsible, packable, and clippable. It has an unusual design that makes it ideal for long trips but will also work just fine as your daily go-to hydration system. The company explains…
Griffin’s LightRunner Armband Now Available Online!
Earlier today Griffin Technology announced that their LightRunner Light-Up Armband will now be available to purchase from Griffin’s website. Available for $39.99, the LightRunner is a super comfortable neoprene smartphone armband that allows the user to jog safely at night. Announced at CES 2015 earlier this year, the armband is their newest accessory that has flashing LEDs embedded in the band in a sculpted gTex Cloth and rubber for structure and stability around your smartphone.
LucidBrake Is Donating 20% of Smart Bike Break Sales to Help Fight HIV/AIDS
LucidBrake, the creators of the first smart wireless bike brake light announced today that they will be giving 20% of all pre-order sales of their LucidBrake wireless bike break light for HIV/AIDs awareness and research. Starting today, and finishing up in July, LucidBrake will donate 20% of every pre-order to AIDS/Lifecycle: Ride to End AIDS, the annual seven day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money and awareness of HIV/AIDS, which is held on May31st until June 6th this year. LucidBrake, the press-on wireless biking brake light, successfully completed their Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns earlier this…