Training Peaks

Outside magazine, America’s leading active-lifestyle publication, today announced that it will launch the Outside Fitness Planner, an interactive web/mobile fitness and training tool powered by TrainingPeaks.com. The new program will allow readers to access the same expert health and fitness advice they have come to rely on from Outside Magazine along with world-class tools to track exercise, diet and map routes.

To create the Outside Fitness Planner, Outside collaborated with some of the world’s top coaches to develop a series of one-of-a-kind, comprehensive fitness regimens. The fitness programs will be delivered to users directly through a variety of platforms –via email, text, and online— offering flexibility and freedom to follow a plan no matter where you are. Training programs range from ‘how to train for a marathon’ to ‘how to get in the best shape of your life’. In addition, diet and exercise plans designed by renowned experts will be available. Outside readers can also upload workouts from more than 80 popular GPS, heart rate, pace and power tracking devices; search, map and share routes; track and plan nutrition; and get daily emails with their next day’s planned workout.

“By combining our award-winning health and fitness content with TrainingPeaks.com, our readers have access to the same unparalleled software tools used by our favorite athletes and coaches to track their progress and monitor their overall fitness,” said Outside’s editor, Christopher Keyes. “It’s the perfect platform for achieving any fitness goal, whether it’s just trying to get back in shape or attempting to set a new personal best in a marathon.”

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iPhone 3Gs, can this be the end to watches!

Slowly creeping up on watches is the iPhone 3Gs. Along with the iBikePak and MapMyRun.com you have a complete system. The only problem I see is the running, the iPhone is a bit big to be strapped to your arm. A chest or waist strap could be cool. Having a bike computer, watch, gps, shoe pod, etc. just seems wasteful. You might not think that this has changed the health arena, and Apple might not be the device for you but in a year from now most every phone will have some sort of app that will allow tracking.

Wii Fitness and EA Sports Active, Great Combo

So it is all coming together for those who want to workout in the comforts of their own home, who can blame them with the grunting, pick up lines, bad trainers, etc.. Well EA Sports and Wii have combined to bring the what Wii had started to the next level, with challenges, trainers, family and friends. Price point is perfect $20

EA SPORTS Active™ is a new customizable fitness program. Read on to learn all about its incredible benefits and see how they work together to help you reach your goals, from the comfort of your home and on your own terms.

Accessorize Your Exercise
EA SPORTS Active
Featuring more than 25 exercises and sports-inspired drills.

Leg Strap
See your movements tracked on-screen with the specially-designed leg strap.
* Additional leg strap required for multiplayer use.

Resistance Band
Increase the intensity of bicep curls, shoulder presses and many other exercises.
* Additional resistance band required for multiplayer use.

* Accessory Pack
The accessory pack containing one leg strap and one resistance band can be purchased at retail stores or online for $19.99.

Tracking technology, Heart, Speed, Calories, for the iPhone

Nice to see that companies are using mobile phones as the "one" device, the Garmin and other GPS systems are become useless as the mobile phones get smaller and smarter.

iTMP Technology, Inc. (iTMP), makers of iSPINNING, iNewLeaf and iRPM have a great solution using the iPhone and a smheart link to bridge the gap between your heart rate monitor and other devices. Allowing it to be stored in one place and view right away.
iSPINNING is a device you use along with your iPhone. SMHEART LINK is compatible with a growing list of products and sensors. SMHEART LINK utilizes ANT+Sport™ technology and iTMP is in the final stages of development with another market leader in heart rate monitor technology. ANT+Sport is a 2.4 GHz wireless network with standardized communication between devices including bike speed sensors, cadence sensors, power sensors and heart rate transmitter belts.
SMHEART LINK™, developed by iTMP Technology, is a wireless bridge that collects data from a variety of health and fitness sensors such as heart rate monitors, cycling speed and cadence sensors and power meters. Sending the data to Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch, SMHEART LINK enables iTMP’s suite of fitness applications, turning your iPhone or iPod touch into the ultimate fitness metrics monitor.
Cheers the SMHEART LINK will be available for the holiday and resolution seasons.

CycleOps, Club Pro 300PT

Now back in late 1998 through 2003 Schwinn had a great Spin bike called the Johny G. Since then the bike world has taken a new look fitness, you have the people that will do the spin classes and you will have the avid triathlete who want a little more. Along came CycleOps, they added things like power, hr data, interactive display with a large, easy-to-read LCD screen, time, cadence, and energy expenditure, stores data files on proprietary USB stick and Power Agent Software for a complete analysis of your workouts, best of all it is Mac and PC compatible, more than you can say about Polar.

If you are looking for the best off season trainer look know further the Club Pro 300pt is the real thing.

iPhone Apps, Fitness

The iPhone as we all know is making a big splash with their newly released 2.0 upgrade. Whether you have the 3G version or not. Apps as Apple is calling them has a whole section geared towards health and fitness. From a pedometer to gym locations, tracking food and weight, BMI and a Clever one called Gyminee, Gyminee is the premier fitness social network for detailed tracking, online accountability, and motivation. Whether you are trying to lose weight or get fit, it's time to start taking your fitness seriously.
Hey if anything check out the apps you might find something you like.

Nike+ Sports band - the iPod

From waffle treads that started a sneaker boom to sports electronic, the athletic/exercise business is going high tech. Now Nike has made the move from Apple, coming up with a USB armband, called the Sportsband. Nike=Coach system will not only help you get to your goal, but once connected online and tracking you will go. Nikeplus.com has a full tracking, training, music, and competition function built in, it is not as robust as the Polar system but hey Nike is using Flash.
Check it out.

Nike and Apple release the Amp+

Post comes from our friends at ThinkTri.com
Well this is pretty cool looking, Nike could have made a bit more fashionable watch but at least the made the watch. The Nike Amp+ Sport Remote Control is a watch and a remote for the Nike+ experience. Hear instant voice feedback of your time, distance, calories and pace when you add the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit and Nike+ Ready shoes or the Shoe Pouch.
Now I am not a fan of the crazy new look but for the individuals that are wearing this at the gym or to do their daily run, Nike has hit the spot. Not being able to use a iPod or MP3 player while in a race, training with one becomes a crutch.
They built the controls right into the front of the watch along with a speaker so if you don't have the headphones you can still hear your results, smart since you don't want your headphones in while running on a crowded street or at night.
Nike and Apple are pushing technology further than most and other companies are just following at this point. The Polar is still the leader in high fitness, but with the middle market still needing a cool watch Nike + Apple are it. If they wanted to take this to the next level (which I am sure they have thought of) is the iPhone, let me have one device to do it all.
Check it out.
Nike Amp+

Garmin Edge 705, Wireless Cycle Computer

Wow times are moving fast in the GPS world. Not only fast, but small and carrying a truck load of features. The Edge 705 pulls out all the stops, this GPS-enabled cycle computer knows no limits. Get heart rate, cadence, turn-by-turn directions, power data (from ANT + Sport™-enabled third-party power meters) — the works. Even share your data with other Edge 705 buddies after your ride. All wireless with a color display, this is no ordinary cycle computer. When you start incorporating all the parts that make a triathlete or athlete smile. Too boot it is all wireless.
You can:
Navigate Your Ride
Get the Data You Need
See Your Power
Measure Heart Rate and Cadence
Swap Rides Wirelessly
Share, Store and Analyze via Garmin Training Center
All for the price of an iPhone!
Check it out..

Poalr ProTrainer 5

Well if you have an IrDA (infrared) Polar Watch then this new and improved software is for you.
"Polar ProTrainer 5 is a sophisticated software designed to provide you with deep understanding of your training. It ships exclusively with Polar’s high-end Running, Cycling, and Outdoor Sport products, and functions as a stand-alone Windows software in a PC.

Use the software to plan your workout in advance with multiple planning options, and transfer the settings to your Polar product. After your training, analyze the results with versatile graphs which you can customize according to your unique needs.

A customizable calendar provides a complete training log where each transferred exercise file automatically creates a diary entry with all your training data. Use different reports for long-term development follow-up.

Polar ProTrainer 5 professional software is compatible with:

• Polar CS600 (included in set)
• Polar CS400 (included in set)
• Polar RS800 (included in set)
• Polar RS400 (included in set)
• Polar AXN700 (included in set)
• Polar AXN500 (included in set)
• Polar S810i / S810
• Polar S725X / S625X (included in set)
• Polar S725
• Polar S720i / S710i / S710
• Polar S610i / S610
• Polar S520 / S510
• Polar S410
• Polar Team System"
You can even try it out for 30 days. The only problem that I had with the software is getting the IrDA to recognize the watch. I had to go into the startup (F2) when windows started up. For some reason Dell disables this function. Once I turned it on Vista downloaded the drivers and it now works seamless. So don't go and buy the USB IrDA from polar without seeing if you have infrared built in.
Check it out! Polar Watch