I received the Polar FT7 heart rate monitoring watch as a birthday present and the thing I like most is that its water proof and I never have to take it off. Then when going for a run just put on the chest strap. For some reason I feel more motivated to run when its simple to get ready. When originally setting up the watch you put in your age and weight so it knows what your target training range is. During exercise it measures your heart rate in beats per minute, then indicates whether you are exceeding or falling below your target zone. I've never heard it beep for going too slow but I have heard it go off when my heart rate got too high usually around 165 it will start complaining. This feature can be turned off if it gets too annoying.
Another feature is the EnergyPointer, which tells you whether the main effect of your training is to improve your fitness or burn fat. I was surprised to learn that because my heart rate has been high, I've mostly been working on fitness as opposed to loosing weight. I've now learnt that walking keeps my heart rate lower which is better for weight loss.
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With the release of the iPad, there is also a flood of new apps coming out for it. A lot of the top fitness apps for the iphone were based on pedometers and GPS tracking, so those functions aren't too practical with the bigger ipad. However, the bigger screen is a great platform for virtual training.
EA SPORTS Active was a huge hit on the Wii console in 2009, and now EA has announced that EA Sports Active 2.0 will be coming out later in 2010. As well as being on the Wii, it will also be available on the Playstation 3, iPhone and iPod touch.
The Fitbit has just been launched. It accurately tracks calories burned, steps taken, distance traveled and even sleep quality. The Fitbit contains a 3D motion sensor similar to the one found in the Nintendo Wii. It works by tracking your movement in three dimensions and converts this data into useful information about your daily activities.
Electrical muscle stimulation or EMS, causes muscle fibers to become 'trained' without having to exercise with weights. It works by delivering electric impulses through electrodes on the skin directly above to the muscles to be stimulated. They then contract as a result. The repetitive contractions at certain frequencies is what trains the muscles.
Here's a novel way to help employees loose weight in the office. Its called the walkstation. By replacing the office chair with a slow moving treadmill, workers will naturally burn more calories. The work station is elevated so you can work away while taking a stroll. The idea is not to work up a sweat but just to keep you slowly moving so you can still use the computer, read email, have meetings, and make phone calls.
The Ski-Mojo is a device from UK-based Kinetic Innovations Ltd which uses springs strapped to the side of the legs to boost thigh power. The user can then keep their legs in a squatting position for longer, alleviating aches and pains after a long day of skiing.The idea was dreamt up by Owen Eastwood, a British engineer who began skiing aged 55 but found that his legs were holding him back. The solution, in development for 11 years and launched last week, is the Ski-Mojo, which its makers claim reduces fatigue, and improves stability and control for skiers of all standards. 'It's the equivalent of adding power steering to a car,' they say.
