ABC of Fitness, great learning site.

A little hokey but the site is filled with a lot of good Flash videos. ABC-of-Fitness.com claims to be a complete fitness, exercise and health portal. From my poking around it is great at showing you correct movements and positions, along with pointing out muscle groups being work. The fitness area has always been a little tacky but still when you have individuals doing the basic exercises wrong, sites like this have real meaning.

Run Faster - SPARQ Parachute

Every advantage counts and most will find it helpful even if you are the only one who believes, but you are the only one that matters. The SPARQ give you the training advantage most won't want to try, mostly because they will feel embarrassed.
Designed for athletes 170 - 210 lbs, the Large SPARQ Parachute creates the drag necessary to force athletes to push themselves harder to achieve speed. The easy step-in belt was added based on athlete feedback, allowing you to get right to your workout without having to mess with buckles or adjustments.

Maximum drag = 25 lbs of force

Belt accommodates waist sizes 32"- 56"

Durable enough for team training

Floating metal tri-ring reducing belt offers improved chute tracking

Improved heavy duty webbing lead and 2X coated heavy-duty veil fabric provides excellent durability

Comes with carry bag

SPARQ has teamed with Nike to bring you the best in training equipment

You never know try the advantage it is only $50

Bang Zoom - Swim Skins are FINA Approved

There are leader's in everything that you do and then there are the ones that play catch up. For most of us catching up is becoming easier thanks to products like Blue Seventy Swim Skin PointZero3. Now others make them ZOOTS, Orca and XTERRA and they all basically do the same thing, shed water like a wetsuit and have low drag coefficient.
The pointzero3 is the product of thinking about getting the best out of non-wetsuit legal swims. Like the blueseventy Helix wetsuit, the super slick surface layer on the pointzero3 has a drag coefficient of 0.032 which is over 50 times lower than skin and more than 4 times lower than other swim skins on the market. The fit and styling have been developed from the world’s fastest triathlon wetsuit, the blueseventy’s Helix, and features the double hoop of high stretch materials, that forms the helix shape after which the suit is named. This extra-stretchy band of lycra, in the pointzero3, works to mechanically decouple the arms from the rest of the suit. When you stretch into the stroke you are normally pulling against the non flexible material of the suit, but in the pointzero3 the lycra bands work to “float” the arm so it doesn’t have to work against resistance. Like the Helix, the pointzero3’s seamlines have been made for swimming, not running like most other wetsuit brands.
Hey everyone wants to be first and with advances like these coming to the sport of Triathlons, who can complain, oh yea the people that we are catching that's who.

Drink from the Hudson

So you need a drink, and you are stuck in the urban jungle called NYC. Contrary to belief, city water nowadays is quite safe and clean to drink. What you smell and taste are trace minerals in pipes. It won’t kill you but the stigma is damning. The BottomsUp concept is a portable water purifier. You fill any PET type bottle with water, screw on the top and like Brita (or Pur), what comes out is a whole lot better tasting.

Now this is just a concept but everyone from kids to the elderly will own one if it really works. It seems to be better then spend a couple dollars on bottled water.

BottomsUp

Safe Turn Indicator Light

Big things come in small packages, and the Safe Turn Indicator Light is one of those packages. Here in the states it is getting harder and harder to find safe places to ride your bike, the roadways are getting packed with motorist that don't want to share the road, in a hurry, and truly don't understand why we ride bikes.
The Safe Turn Indicator offers the following advantages:

• You do not have to learn to use the device, as its use can be combined with your normal hand signals,
• To accommodate for your individual preferences, the base can be adjusted at 15 degree intervals to allow the tilt switch to function at any angle,
• Containing 3 LEDs, the indicator is extremely visible and it flashes in a similar fashion as a vehicle/motorbike indicator does,
• The Indicator is portable, lightweight and has low energy consumption,
• The Indicator will keep blinking as long as your hand is raised, and
• The Indicator promotes safe cycling.

Making it easier for people who commute or are training, this product is great.
Safe Turn

Snow Kiting

Wow, you can think of all the fun things you can do with Snow Kiting, but the best is how easy it is for people living far from the Mountain on semi open land. Here is a video of the kites in action.
Snow Kiting is the latest winter sport. Large highly controllable foil kites are used to blast kite pilots along with just the power of the wind! The 'Big air' jumps that boarders and skiers are pulling under the power and security of power kites are simply breath taking.
Snow Kiting is a lot easier to learn than kiteboarding on the water!
It is easy to stand on snow, which makes the whole process easier!
It also takes a lot less wind to drive a board across snow than it does across water.
The whole learning experience is lot less daunting as you need much less power and wind to get you moving.
Finally, holding an edge in snow is much easier than in water making up wind progress much easier to master.
All you need is snow and a power kite and you can turn a cold winter's day into a blistering, adrenaline soaked experience!
To Snow Kite you will want a foil type kite since it is completely soft in structure and cannot be damaged easily when the kite is slammed into the ground. Foils are also capable of reverse launching which is very important for re-launching these kites from the snow.
Check it out, Snow Kiting.

Forerunner 405, almost there.

Now Polar has a great bunch of watches and their newest RS800 is not lacking much, since does not have the GPS built in you have to attach somewhere on your body along with the foot pod for running stride and distance. A bit of a pain consider the Forerunner 405 has it built in. Goods and bad to all this technology is that the Forerunner has a built in GPS, but like the Polar you need the foot pod. Mostly for the things mentioned above but if you don't like the weather outside and you want to record your workout, you need the foot pod for the treadmill. Sorry not everything can be in one neat package. Cost is $300 with out the foot pod.
Here is Garmin's verbiage:

"Watch Results

Loaded with serious training features, Forerunner 405 continuously monitors your time, distance, pace, calories and heart rate (when paired with heart rate monitor). Each run is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data to see how you've improved. You can even download recorded courses to compete against previous workouts or race a Virtual Partner®. Customize Forerunner’s data screens for instant feedback while you train.

Use with Ease

Sport watch and personal trainer — Forerunner 405 gives you the best of both worlds in a sleek, stylish package. This high performance watch is easy to use and comfortable to wear when not training. Simply tap the touch bezel to change screens without fumbling for a button. Forerunner 405 comes in two color options — black or green — to fit your style.

Run, Sync, Store and Share

Once you’ve logged the miles, innovative ANT+Sport™ wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when the Forerunner is in range. No cables, no hookups. The data’s just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize and share through our online community, Garmin Connect or our optional Garmin Training Center® software. You can wirelessly send workouts from your computer to Forerunner, too.

Share Wirelessly

With Forerunner 405 you can share your locations, advanced workouts and courses wirelessly with other Forerunner 405 users. Now you can send your favorite workout to your buddy to try, or compete against a friend's recorded course. Sharing data is easy. Just select “transfer” to send your information to nearby units.

Track Heart Rate

Forerunner 405 is available with or without a heart rate monitor (see the versions tab) to help you make the most out of your training. Versions with a digital heart rate monitor continuously track heart beats per minute. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level or compare your pace and heart rate to past performance on the same run.

Cross-Train

Take your training inside with the versatile Forerunner 405. Pair it with an optional foot pod to track your speed, distance and running cadence indoors when a GPS signal is unavailable. This new design clips onto your laces for easy removal and automatically turns on when you start moving. You can also add a speed/cadence bike sensor to track the speed and distance of your cycling workouts.

Lock Onto Satellite Signals

Forerunner 405 sports a unique design that gives the GPS antenna a better view of the sky, so it can get a stronger signal during your run. And its high-sensitivity GPS receiver provides improved tracking under trees and near tall buildings."

GymGirl, Skirts at the Gym

Technology is defined different to many different people, here at TubaDuba, it is anything that helps athletes/fitness buff get better. So when you see women wearing skirts at the gym, well this is something very new. For biking it is not so new Athelta has been overing one for a while. Seeing women in the gym wearing a skirt is well, nice. You have seen for years now the USTA wearing skirts, tiny but skirts none the less, so why has it taken so long to hit the gyms, not sure.
So here is the skinny on the skirt:
"The TRIKS wardrobe staple, this skirt with built-in shorties is everything you’ve ever asked for. Name it…the GymGirl can do it! Made for running, from the local 5k to 26.2, the GymGirl pulls out all the stops. Lightweight, luxurious SpeedSilk fabric gently flows across your thighs while the TRIKSmesh built-in shorties with a 3.5 inch inseam provide modesty and booty-enhancing subtle compression. Yes, the shorties actually enhance your womanly curves. Side slits allow for a little extra freedom without showing it all!

We love pockets. Why? Because we’re women and we’re prepared for anything. Two pockets, one on the side of each leg can hold gels, keys, money, ID, dog treats, you name it! Best of all, the pockets will fit a small music player for those of us who need a little musical-inspiration on the trails. Simply thread your cord through the little buttonhole under the waistband and tune out discreetly (yes, we thought of everything!). Warning: Wearing the GymGirl will lead to a reputation as the fashion maven of your universe. Be prepared for increased popularity!"
from Skirt Sports.
Check it out!

Ice Box - Igloo maker

All the technology and innovations can't keep a good kid down. Building Igloos is one of the best winter time activities that one can do, and it last (as long as it is cold) for a long time, weeks. Well Grand Shelters has come up with a sure fire, long lasting helping solution to building a snow shelter.
Here is what Grand Shelters is saying:
The ICEBOX® igloo construction tool is used for igloo building by creating sequential blocks in place. You set the clamps on the form then fill it while packing. after you have filled it you unclamp it and slide it to the next position. A pole with 8 adjustments, 1 for each layer is used to build igloos with the correct catenary shape and to help support the weight of the snow and form while packing the snow. After finishing 6 rows of the igloo you remove the outside of the form as the wall is now leaning in far enough so the snow can be packed from the outside. The snow only needs to hold its form well enough to stay in place until you start the next block. 8 total rows are built including the final cap.




It seems great, the only draw back is the price, yes it is reusable but $179.95 is a bit steep for those of us just wanting to play, hey maybe they will send me one to try out, you never know.
Ice Box

Odin Collection, let it snow, Helly Hansen

With products like this coming out, it makes you want to go out and find some snow. Here is what Helly says:
"Three years in the making, Helly Hansen introduces the Odin Project, a technically advanced apparel system designed to provide the absolute best weather protection, comfort and durability from base layers to outerwear for professional mountain guides, patrollers, climbers and expeditioners who spend months at a time in rugged back country conditions. The collection combines Helly Hansen’s 130 years of experience in the work wear industry with the most advanced performance fabric technologies and latest sport-inspired designs. No details were overlooked or left untested – from pocket placements to welded seams – in the development of the series available at an exclusive number of leading outdoor and mountaineering specialty stores in 2008."
The collections consists of a Mountain Jacket, Mountain Pant, PCM Soft Shell, Isolator Jacket and the vest.
What a great collection for those who can afford or work for a company that has this as there wardrobe.
Check them out. Helly Hansen

Garmin, Apple, Polar, CES - Showing you the way

It's all changing and going fast, iPhone, Garmin 404, Polar have come a long way in the past couple years, incorporating where you've been to where you want to go seems to be the biggest push to small screens. You have the Personnel Fitness Records (you read it here first), which slowly is making a faster acceptance than the EHR or PHR (personal/electronic health record) and with Nike+ working with Apple /iPhone or related device could be the next frontier in having doctors seeing this as an acceptable format in looking at your records. It would be interesting to see companies like Life Record EMR to work with companies like Health Currency, Polar or Google Health to get a complete EHR picture of a patient. The Best of all it would be stored in one device and permission could be dolled out to whom ever you wish.
Check out CES and get ready for an explosion of cool products in the next week.

Lightest Mountain Hardwear Jacket Yet! STIMULUS JACKET

video from Best of what's new
It looks like Mountain Hardwear is off to it's lightest start to the new year yet. They have released a jacket that is rain-repelling and weighing in at 6 oz., yes 6 OUNCES, the closest one is 11 oz. How have they done it, buy applying a thin polyurethane coating to a new strong material that resembles pantyhose. It has a four way stretch, fully welded, waterproof and breathable.
Check it out, Stimulus

The New Year is coming, see you then!

Taking a break till the new year, see you then!
Cheers

Myway Mapholder, get behind them!

If there is one idea that skiers should get behind this would be the first on the list, Mymap winner of ispo BrandNew Award.
"In today's complex ski resorts where the number of descents are increasing and the skier's need of finding the right path to explore the whole system is growing quickly, instant access to the ski map becomes a prerequisite. With myway map holder the skier has immediate access to the map, which can be viewed without any unfolding movements or hassle to avoid wind or rain. Myway map holder gives the skier a durable and waterproof map that is covered in a shell when not in use. The shell does not need to be opened in order to reveal the map; the skier merely pulls the map holder to the part of the map he wishes to view at the moment. When he is done studying the map, the map automatically returns into the waterproof shell. "
I can't see what the hold up is, big gloved fingers pawing at a folded map, impossible to open and once they get wet forget about it, shreds right away.

The best thing that I see with Mymap and you can say you read it here first, is once Electronic Paper takes off and you can power this little baby then it gets limitless. A GPS, speed, tracking, runs, altitude, decent, and even heart rate, you have to love technology, built in so that you can see where you are and not have to look for a sign on the trail head. Daylightagain, feel free to contact me anytime to use this idea.
Cheers and happy holidays!

Stick to it! Sucky Bag

Things like this seem like a no brainier, simple yet unbelievably useful. From sailing to kayaking to surfing to snowboarding, any water sports, the list keeps going. The Sucky Bag has a QuickSilver logo but it's not on their site.
Here are some of the features:

• Lever-operated suction cups - attach and detach in seconds.
• 100% water tight inner compartment.
• Floats if dropped in water.
• Works on all flat airtight surfaces, makes it possible to carry your belongings in ways you’ve never done before.
• Silicone based rubber cups for all weather conditions.
• Inside compartment is lined with foam fabric for added protection.
• Neoprene bottom protects your board from being scratched.

Use it to for your money, mobile phone, snacks or anything you can shove in it. You can even use it on travel since the suction will stick to any flat surface. Hang it on your bathroom mirror as a functional toiletry bag or inside your school locker.
Check it out! Sucky Bag