Top Fitness Gadgets
Nike Fuelband (£129)
Simply tracking your activity can be a good way to motivate yourself to do more. The Nike Fuelband makes that simple: it's a wristband that contains motion sensors to track your movement through the day, translating your activity into 'Nike Fuel' points that aim to let you compare yourself to others, regardless of the sports you're doing. It also counts the steps you take - 10,000 per day is seen as a good indicator of a healthy lifestyle - and tells the time. It comes in three colours but the sleek black version is the coolest.
Jawbone Up (price tbc)
Another trendy wristband that monitors your movement is the Jawbone Up. First released in 2011, the Up was withdrawn because of technical problems. It will be back on sale in Britain shortly, after being completely re-engineered. It's slimmer than the Nike Fuelband and adds the ability to track the quality of your sleep. However, unlike the Fuelband, it doesn't have a screen.
Polar Rcx3 GPS (£249.50)
If you are a runner or cyclist and are more serious about tracking your activity then it's worth considering a GPS watch, rather than a wristband like the Fuelband or Up. The Polar Rcx3 will track your route, speed and distance, which you can upload to Polar's Personal Trainer website. The Personal Trainer gives you access to training programs, tracks your progress over time and offers feedback on each workout.
Strava Run and Strava Cycling (Free, iPhone and Android)
You don't necessarily need a watch to track your exercise. Smartphone apps can use GPS to plot your route and there are plenty of services which will keep track of your performance over time. The only downside is having to strap your phone to your arm or stick it in a pocket while you exercise. If you're happy to do that then there are plenty of options. Runkeeper (free) is an online service that syncs with many popular apps, while Zombies, Run (£2.49) turns running into an immersive game. There are apps for gym workouts, swimming and training for other sports too. If you run or cycle, Strava's apps are worth a look. They allow you to compare your performance with other users over parts of your route, which is a handy feature. Subscribers can also calculate their "suffer score" for maximum bragging rights.
Griffin Adidas MiCoach armband (£19.99)
If you are using your smartphone while you exercise, whether it's to track your activity or just to listen to music, it's worth getting an armband to keep it in. Having a phone strapped to your arm might feel a little awkward at first but it makes it easy to see the screen, change songs or check your exercise statistics without fumbling in your pocket. This one from Griffin works very nicely and is available for a range of devices.
Bose SIE2i headphones (£129.95)
There are three good reasons to get dedicated sport headphones. First, they usually have special tips that keep them secure in your ears while you move. Second, the best ones are weather and sweat resistant - handy if you are exercising outside in bad weather. And third, they tend to have shorter chords, which mean you won't get tangled up in them as you move. These ones, from Bose, have all the above and excellent sound quality.
Fitbug (£24.99 plus £2.99 per month subscription)
Another wearable fitness tracker but this one comes with a coaching plan that delivers daily progress reports and sets regular goals to help you get fitter. If you buy the Fitbug Go (£24.99) the monthly subscription for the fitness plan is £2.99. With the Fitbug Air (£49.99) then you get a year's coaching included. Fitbug also has a deal with Pru insurance, offering discounts for those who meet certain targets.
Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale review (£99.99)
No fitness gadget obsessive can make do with an ancient set of bathroom scales. What's needed are wireless smart scales, like these from Fitbit. They won't just tell you your weight, they'll track weight changes and monitor your BMI and body fat percentage for up to seven people. The data is uploaded via your WiFi network and available online or in a free iPhone app. Pair them with one of Fitbit's activity trackers, such as the Fitbit One (£79.99) and you can add even more data.
Garmin Edge 800 cycle computer (£337.49)
This touchscreen cycling computer has GPS navigation with built-in maps and is designed to withstand bad weather as well as bumps and knocks. As well as helping with navigation, the Edge 800 tracks data about your ride, including distance, speed and elevation. It's also compatible with many heart rate monitors, power meters and cadence sensors for those who want more detail.
Xbox 360 Kinect training bundle (£320.39)
Want to get fit but avoid going outside? A games console can help. Microsoft's Xbox Kinect motion tracker is compatible with a range of exercise games that offer surprisingly good workouts. Nike+ Kinect (£24) and Adidas miCoach Kinect (£22.99) both offer workouts, fitness plans and performance tracking.
Camera Demon Helmet Camera Mount (£24.95)
Camera Demon uses a sticky pad to stay put on top of a helmet, allowing cyclists, skiers and other sports enthusiasts to capture all their activity in video on their cameras.
The SE-D10Es use a unique ‘Skull Fit’ design to hook onto the ear, which ensure a comfortable fit, even during intense exercise. They are also sweat proof.
Withings Smart Body Analyser (£129.95)
This internet-connected set of scales is capable of measuring heart rate and air quality as well as traditional weight measurements and body composition.
Breffo Adventure Camera Kit (£20)
This eight-legged stand securely attaches to virtually any surface in any position, allowing far more versatility than a standard camera tripod, whether for windsurfing, cycling or skiing.
Oliver Sweeney Swipe Glove (£99)
... and for spectators... the outer leather layer of these gloves is touch-sensitive for smartphones, while the inner is fleecy to keep your hands warm from the sidelines.
Earn faucet bitcoins from CLAIM BTC. 21 to 57 satoshis every 20 minutes.
ReplyDelete