Heated Wetsuit

A Heated Wetsuit! Hotsuits have come out with a way to keep you warm in the water, a kidney belt that emits heat for up to an hour. It seems as though Rip Curl has a heated wetsuit, and a pretty cool video to show it off, hey if you have the money to make a music video to promote your product go for it and YouTube has helped all sorts of inventor get their message out, but I digress.
Hotsuits claims that providing heat to the kidney region helps maintain core temperature, and warm blood flow to the rest of the body. The thing that I like the most about this is that it is portable, unlike Rip Curl's, it is not just limited to wetsuits, how about skiing, climbing, sailing, openwater swimming, you get the idea. Hotsuits is also the winner of ISPO, Brand New Award! I am sure Rip Curl has a great product, but a young inventor like this you have to give them a shot, plus they might be cheaper plus you don't have to buy a new wetsuit. Hotsuits Heated Kidney Belt + 16.50AUD worldwide postage (regular airmail)=$105.50 AUD or $91.73.
Check them out! Hotsuits

Family Fun: dig&sit

Doing triathlon's, spectators get the short end of the stick, until now! I am hoping to get into the Block Island Triathlon and what a great way for a family to sit and watch the swim portion of the race, dig&sit is a great product coming out of Europe, and it was a finalist at the ISPO Brand New Awards and I can see why!

"The dig&sit® is a flexible beach sofa. Ideal for a quick visit to the beach or the complete beach holiday. In combination with sand the seating possibilities are endless. In no time you (literally) dig the perfect 3-seater on your favorite spot!

The Dig&sit® is made of two layers of damp proof, PVC coated nylon. Quilted foam zones give the necessary comfort in the back- and seating areas. Around the seating area there is a 40 cm wide edge which prevents sand coming onto the seating area. Built-in stainless steel eyes in the corners secure the Dig&sit into the ground to prevent it from blowing up.

The sophisticated dividing zones make it easy to fold up the Dig&sit and the stitched foam zones force the Dig&sit into a compact roll. With the accompanying rucksack it is easy to take the dig&sit everywhere. Spade and security pegs are included."
All I can say is I WANT ONE...dig&sit

Coming to America: Polar g3 sensor (GPS)

Polar is adding to the US line it g3 sensor, which is a GPS unit for it's RS800 watch. This is great for Polar who had been lacking in the GPS department, both Garmin Forerunner 305 and Timex Bodylink have been doing this for quite sometime, making an uphill battle for Polar. If Polar could incorporate it into existing watches through a software upgrade so users could just buy the g3 sensor that would be a slam dunk for Polar, and would catapult them over Garmin and Timex.
Here is what Polar is saying:
GPS (g3) vs. Stride Sensor (s3)
The RS800 training system was launched along with the s3 stride sensor. Both the s3 and the g3 units have distinct advantages for measuring speed and distance:

Worn on the foot (or in a cavity in the mid-sole of adidas adistar running shoes), Polar’s s3 stride sensor is the best choice for running; using sensitive inertial sensors to track the position of the foot 1000 times a second it is immune from signal dropout and gives accurate and highly responsive speed, distance, leg cadence and stride length measurements. s3 is the right choice for competitive runners who want to improve their technique and running efficiency.

g3 can be worn around the waist, the arm or even carried in a back pack and, as movement is tracked by the global positioning system, it tracks speed and distance across all terrestrial sports.

“Adding g3 to the RS800 training system enables athletes, who train and compete in sport categories additional to running, to benefit fully from the complete range of industry leading features incorporated in the wrist computer and accompanying Pro Trainer 5 PC software.” says Marco Suvilaakso, Product Manager, Polar Electro Oy.

On sale through authorised Polar resellers during the second half of 2007, g3 will be available for purchase as an upgrade for existing RS800 owners, or as a complete set in the RS800g3 Training System.

Let's hope we don't have to buy a new watch...Check it out! g3 Sensor

Vital Monitoring System by Dan Bishop

In my gym there is an area where I can sit down, put a blood pressure cuff on and get my statistics. Nice but how many others have put their sweaty arms in that cuff! This Monitoring system designed by Dan Bishop is aimed at ease of use. With only a few steps to get the reading it really is that simple, plus from the look of it, plastic, which can be cleaned with a disinfecting wipe, nice touch.
How it works:
• First, a baseline vitals reading is taken manually, to reference future readings from.
• Then, whenever a new reading is needed, the patient is informed via light vibration that their vital signs need to be measured and recorded.
• Next, the patient swipes the temperature sensor, located on the bottom of the monitor, across their forehead.
• This activates the blood pressure/pulse sensor on the inside of the monitor, next to the wrist.
• The data collected by both sensors is then complied and sent wirelessly to a paperless charting system that records and logs patients vitals.
All done, reducing stress and work load on staff. Vital Monitoring System
Check it out

Keeping Track of your Training Online!

There are a truck load of online training programs, from Polar and Nike Plus so when Active Trainer emerges athletes should take notice. Active Trainer is a division of Active.com a website that athletes can search and register for events and activities, start online training programs or access nutrition, fitness and training tips.
With Active Trainer you get 24/7 online access to online training tools. Once you buy a training plan it dumps it into a calendar that you can manage.
Active Trainers Tools
• Easy to use calendar
• Detailed reporting
• Helpful training tools
• Daily email reminders (which is great)
You are in complete control of your training data using Active Trainer. Active Trainer gives you the tools to move, copy and delete workouts, add new workouts, and access training plans from the most respected coaches in the industry.
and more... Check it out!

Nike Vision, these glass stay put!

I might be late to the game on seeing this, but no more glasses. I am in! I can't find the link on Nike but after doing a search I found the link from Sci Fi Tech, so thanks SciFi.com. Now Nike in conjunction with Bausch & Lomb have developed special optics for athletes. They come in amber and green, both keep out UV rays but the amber lenses also filter out blue light, which is the part of the spectrum that has the most visual noise. Here is the catch you don't slip them on, they are contact lenses and you don't need a prescription.
Low Down
• Provides distortion free optics
• Covers your entire pupil, eliminating glare and enhancing contrast
• No frame or nose piece obstruction, no fogging or fit issues
• Blocks specific wavelengths or of light
• Filters out more that 90% of harmful blue light and 95% of UVA and UVB

Here is the link to a free trial

Trimapper.com

Well now that Web 2.0 or Mashup has started to take off (not sure why now since bloggers have been doing this for quite sometime), sites like Active.com need to step it up a little. It is OK to tell us where the races are but when you have sites like Trimapper showing you where the races are, links to the website, hotels and a brief description of what type of triathlon is going on, all via Google maps. Now Trimapper get updates daily so if you do not see one that you know is coming up, go and add to their site.
About TRImapper.com:
TRImapper.com - Visual Triathlon Finder & Directory. TRImapper.com, the ultimate triathlon directory is providing a triathlon map that will help you locate local triathlon races or triathlons around the world. TRImapper.com is powered by Google Maps to plot the races of all types. You are able to filter the triathlons by race distance/type (Ironman, Olympic, Sprint, Xterra,...), by race month, position the map on a geographical location, find near by hotels for each triathlon and automatically zoom in to the race site with a single click. The site currently has over 1100 triathlon races plotted on 6 continents from 54 countries.

As for Trimapper if they would like to team up with my idea Virtual TRI, I would gladly work with them. Well lets hope a meeting of the minds take place, until them use this site it's great and highly resourceful!

Clif Bar for Kids ZBAR

OK, I know that this blog is about technology but I had to write this up.

The other day while in a food store I saw a overweight 8 year old girl and her very overweight mother standing in the deli line. The little girl was stuffing a muffin in her face, (I am saying this nicely as possible, so not to offend too many people) there was crumbs everywhere. The store was Whole Foods and it is one of the best places to shop for food. So this got me thinking that if we don't change the way that adults think about Obesity then kids are doomed before they can make their own choices.
So after a race awhile back I came across ZBAR for kids. Good ole Gary from CLIF, is starting to make healthy choices for kids. They even have the seal for USDA Organic along with SB19. Senate Bill 19 (SB19) is legislation that sets nutrition guidelines for California schools. I am not sure why this has not been mandated to all school systems, but it should!
Technology can always help and with many devices that are being developed to monitor heart rate, diabetes, etc., making sure kids and adults are exercising correctly can only help in the huge epidemic that healthcare and insurance companies are facing, OBESITY!!
Get your kids eating healthy. ZBAR from CLIF BAR, you have to start somewhere!

iPhone and Training is it in Apple?

So the iPhone has released the date June 29, and I can't wait, now how are they going to work the Nike Plus into this little puppy, if they even have too. If or when they can connect the two boy will things get interesting, or should I say more interesting. A GPS, Google maps, Nike Plus tracking your millage, Map My Run so you have a place to store your runs and share with friends and community, wow I am sure I could keep going. Also they are opening it up to outside developers, so my idea of Virtual Tri can really take off (if you are interested in learning more, contact me at usiskin(Youknow)healthcurrency.com).
So embrace this new standard set by Steve Jobs and the team at Apple, if anything love 'em, hate 'em, they have set the new standard many are trying to catch. From here on in how we store information and communicate and listen to music has changed.

Solar Safe: Simple way to keep safe in the sun

Technology mean many different things, this one helps protect us from the sun. Now training all the time mean that you have to spend a lot of time outside. From triathlons to sailing you have to protect yourself today! Solar Safe has found a way to warn you about over exposure. Using the device can't be more simple.
• Activate the wristband by exposing to direct sunlight - the band turns purple.
• Coat the band with the same sunscreen as applied to you and your family, appropriate for your skin types.
• Further color changes warn to re-apply sunscreen or seek shade.
• Wear for the day and throw away!
What could more simple than that.
Check it out! Solar Safe. This will be the next product bought for me and my family.

Black Diamond: AVALUNG, breathe under snow!

Find yourself in sticky situations while skiing or hiking, feel as though you could bring the whole mountain down. Using a beacon is helpful if you are trapped under an avalanche but only 50% of the time. Most of us today ski with a pack, we feel safer, we keep an extra polar fleece some Cliff bars, a first aid kit and whatever else you might find could save you in-case of an emergency. Well AVALUNG keeps the odds fair. It looks like a tube coming off of your Camelbak except you breathe through it! Once you exhale it expels the waste out the rear of the pack. Not sure how long it will keep you alive but anything is better than nothing.
I'm in! Black Diamond: AVALUNG

iWear • Your clothes will became iPod holder!

OK MACS are cool, and yes they come out with great products, iPhone, but enough already with the "i's", think of something else to set your product apart! Anyway enough about "i's", a company has released a pretty cool product that can hold the Nano in your cloths. Not revolutionary, copied off of a product called the POP Swatch, this product came out in 1986, and could be worn in your clothing. A friend of Mine Steve Martorana kind of thought of this idea about 3 years ago. We had sat down and thought up a cool way to make the iPod stick in your cloths. Well because of $$$ his idea died.
So here is what it can do:
Practically invisible! It is hidden behind your clothes and leaves the front row to the iPod design itself.
• You can use it with practically any clothes such as jeans, skirt, pants, T-Shirt, sweater or even a scarf.
• (up to 1 mm textile thickness).
• It can be attached and detached with one movement.
• iWear does not use any chemical glue or something which harm your clothes.
• It holds your iPod safely but does not prevent your movements.
• You can use for resting, walking, jogging, running or riding on a bike...in every season.
• Sleek iPod design.
• You can also use it as protective casing for the iPod screen (by placing the iPod the face down).
• It can use iPod nano first generation and second generation (aluminium) also.
This mean no more arm bands, lanyards, holding it in your sweaty hand, or putting it in your pocket.
Check them out! iWear

Child Trailers, get the kids involved

We all know that obesity is at a all time high, so get your kids involved as early as possible. Studies have shown that if a parents exercises with their children, then it is more likely that your children will be into sports as well. So what better way then as baby to bring them along. I have been using the Burley for about 5 years now and it is great, the kids are getting a little old to be in the trailer but going to the beach each year this thing is great. Strong, light and roomy you can't complain. The best thing is that the sand stays in the trailer not the car.
The other day I noticed a trailer or side car called Chariot Carriers. So instead of getting pulled behind the bike where you can't interact with your children, and if it is dusty, wet or muddy there is a good chance your kids will eat some dirt (I am not saying this is a bad thing). The Chariot SideCarrier is like a side car, putting the carrier right beside the bicycle allowing contact between the you and your child.
Both of these trailers have their advantages the Burley for being able to handle crowded roads and longer treks, the Chariot for it's interaction and cool side car look.
Check them out! Chariot carriers, Burley

Speedo: FSII Triathlon Suit

I have been swimming with the Fastskin® Hi-Neck Bodyskin (I got it at the Speedo sale section, reg. $240, sale $72) and all I can say is that this suit is fast. Then to top it off Michael Phelps goes and destroys all records at this years FINA World Championships, in a new FS-PRO Hi Neck Bodyskin. So picking up last years model was a steal. It makes you feel like a seal, you cut through the water and it holds your body tight. So if the FSII Triathlon suit is anything like its parent then Triathletes take notice.
Here is what Speedo say:
1. Fastskin® FSII, the most advanced and lowest drag racing swimwear in the world to date, is now available for multisport activities.
2. Fastskin® FSII is a hybrid of two highly specialized Speedo® – exclusive fabrics, Fastskin® and Flexskin, to accommodate different flow characteristics across the body and reduce drag through the water, up to 4% decrease compared to original.
3. Fastskin® fabric mimics the rough shark denticles to reduce drag in key areas and features a Turbulence Management System.
4. Greater stretch for better fit and movement. Thread feels softer against the skin..
You can get the XD Skin model for $126 @ the Swim Outlet the best price I have seen.
Check it out! Speedo USA

GPSPORTS: Leader in Sports GPS Solutions

GPSORTS, The world leader in sport GPS solutions, have some great products that monitor your body in motion, real time. When athlete should push themselves, hang back or is bonking, play a vital role in the success and longevity of an athlete. Being able to track that is the best thing going.
"Knowing how fast and far an athlete has travelled in training is vital to the correct development of the athlete's energy systems. Not knowing or poor analysis leads to poor athletic performance. The overriding goal for the sportsperson is to improve his/her performance and competitive edge.

GPSports provides the athlete the crucial tools for understanding his/her physiological responses under different training and competitive regimes, and over time."
Here are the key components to GPSorts products.

1. The SPI family are the performance monitoring products of choice by leading sports science institutions and elite athletes around the world (see GPSports client list)

2. The technology is multi-sport usable without reconfiguration (walking, running, cycling, rowing, etc).

3. There is no calibration of the technology required. Switch on and Go.

4. GPSports SPI products are the only systems available that are "TUNED FOR HUMAN MOVEMENT". They are the most accurate & reliable systems on the market.

5. The unit captures multiple performance variables including kinematic (speed, distance, etc) as well as physiological (heart rate).

6. External devices can be "plugged in" to the SPI products (eg cadence, stroke rate).

7. Comes complete with powerful analyser software.

8. Replaceable software capability to allow for exercise programs to be uploaded.

9. Access to online training diary for assistance in program generation and monitoring.

Their current products are:
SPI10
SPI Elite
Analysis Software
GPSports PerfectSession.com- Perfect Session is the first online Periodisation* diary that incorporates advanced training program theory to help the user plan, monitor and modify training programs to achieve their goals. * Periodisation: Cyclical structure of long and short term training programmes, to maximise performance and reduce the risk of injuries and illness.
Check them out! GPSORTS

Newton Running, One Word "GREAT"

Write-up after write-up in the Triathlon world the Newton Running Shoe is being called one of the best shoes around. You are forced to change your running style but for the better I am told. "To discover your best running form all you need to do is run barefoot. You'll immediately discover that when barefoot you're not landing on your heels, you're striking on your forefoot.

Striking on your forefoot is the most natural way to run, it is also the fastest and most efficient way to run. Newton Running shoes were developed to make your feet think they're barefoot and increase your performance"
Newton seems to be targeting the Triathlon market first, which I am very happy for, I plan to order mine in the next couple days, will let you know how things go!
Check them out! Newton Running Shoe

BlueTooth Communication ECG: Alive Technologies

Now we are getting places, it seems I say this a lot but when technology starts to be usused to get thing done, well then everyone should be excited not scared. So hook up to Alive Technologies, BlueTooth Heart Rate Monitor, used for screening, diagnosis and management of chronic diseases and health and fitness of course. One of the best thing that this does is hook into AliveECG which can monitor a patient's ECG, heartt rate, activity, and device status, for later review or to send directly to you doctor. So if you are ill, have a heart condition or are into general fitness this bluetooth device cuppled with a cell phone can have a great impact on your results right away real time!
Check it out! Alive Technologies

MapMyRun.com - New and Improved

New and Improved...
I guess the adsense on their site is finally paying off, MapMyRun is improved, with training logs, race and events, running news and two ways to upload your data, .gpx, and gmap-pedometers. I started using this site off and on for the past two years and felt it very cool web 2.0. The only part that they need to add is data from all watches. I don't use a GPS but a Polar watch then I manully plug my route in to see if it matches my Polar foot pod, and it's usually close. The interface is much more robust and it seems to run a little faster. MapMyRun uses Google Maps so you can show distance, markers and elevation on the map, plug in your time and it kicks out stats.
"MapMyRun.com provides people of all athletic ability easy-to-use, comprehensive web-based tools to get healthy and train more effectively as an individual or group.

These interactive tools include:

Easy to use graphical route mapping tool!
Workout calculators enabling users to calculate key statistics such as pace, calories burned, etc.
A new Training Log to track daily workouts and follow your training progress
Collaboration features that allows users to share their workouts with others.
I-framing, co-branding, and syndication tools are enabling organizations like Team in Training and VeloNews to share this site with it's user"

Hey Kevin Callahan, "Idea Guy" I have some cool ideas that could work with MapMyRun, give me a call, in the meantime, Check them out!MapMyRun

Slackline: Balance is the key

Image courtesy of Mammut
Improve your core, by improving your balance, Indoboard has a great product, but you are limited, to a point, staying indoors. Slacklining is just like tight-roping, you string webbing between two objects, crank it tight and start to walk. Now I say that like it is easy, this takes concentration and determination. Hey we all can try the yoga class, or some new form of pilates, but it all comes down to finding your core. You get slacklining down and can do it like chewing gum and walking and you will start to see your fitness improve.
Now get to it! Slackline Gear

SnowSports Interactive: Tracking on the Slopes

Well it looks like technology is starting to catch on, we have seen theme parks, Legoland in Billund, Denmark, where they use RFID to track kids around the park. "Parents can pay 3 euros for a day’s rental of a tag for their child. Legoland attaches the Bluesoft AeroScout T2 tag, about 1.5 inches by 2.5 inches, to the child’s wrist by means of a disposable wristband. That tag is then registered to the parents’ mobile phone number.

The park will be able to constantly track that tag anywhere in the park. The Bluesoft AeroScout system uses a minimum of three location receivers and Bluesoft’s own AeroScout software to triangulate a tag’s position by recording the time of arrival of a single tag transmission at several receivers and using time difference of arrival (TDOA) algorithms to determine location. Parents wanting to locate their child will send a text message from their mobile phone and receive an automated response telling them the location, within 10 feet, of their child. The process takes between 10 and 20 seconds, according to Bluesoft."

So when more companies like SnowSport Interactive get into the game with no more than an idea, you know things are looking up. Now when you go to their site, very one demential, and lacking any real explanation of the product, but hey you have to give them credit for getting it going. For the Flaik Ski School the explanation says "Enables the real time location of students, instructors and other key school personnel." This would be cool if opened up too all that would like to purchase the device, very much like LegoLand. Then when skiing with all your friends and family if one would like to take the Double Diamond and the others the blue route, well then it would be easy via a cell phone to track where they are at, better yet use google earth and a smart phone and then you have a really interactive experience.
Check it out! SnowSport Interactive

INDO Boards, Balance Yourself

This is one of the best products, low technology that is available to the fitness market. Trainers, Jiu-Jitsu, snowboarder's, skiers, sailors, triathletes and anyone who wants to increase there core balance and fitness need a Indo Balance Board. I tried one a couple years back in Ski Barn and thought it was great. Finally after a couple years I am getting one, I tried the easy way out using an old skateboard deck and a PVC pipe but I feel quality is worth the price.
"Using the Indo Board for fun or as a serious workout helps develop balance, coordination, and increased leg strength, while enhancing the all important core fitness. It also improves motor skills making the Indo Board a great cross training tool!" If you have the $148 after shipping get one this is a must have in your fitness routine.
Check it out! INDO BOARD

Implant to keep track of high blood pressure

Implanted into your wrist for 24/7 monitoring of your blood pressure to reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke. It is the size of a grain of rice and sits next to the artery in the wrist, and monitors the change in pressure.
The trouble with test today is people get nervous when they see a doctor so when hooked up to the original cuff their pressure goes up a syndrome called "whitecoat hypertention". Also how often does one check their blood pressure even if they have had a stroke or heart attack. "Implanting a monitor that runs 24 hours a day could give a much more accurate reading. It will help doctors decide whether some patients need more drugs or whether they actually need less." This could be the start of people really being able to track statistics about their own health.
check it out! Chip-in-a-Wrist

SportCount: Lap Counting Device

Now if you are a triathlete or competitive swimmer you know the long hours and laps that you put in at the pool. If you are like me then you have always looked for a better solution to counting laps (having your buddy at the end of the pool with a lap board does not help). A couple years ago I found these goggles, the Inview that displayed lap count and time elapsed on their lenses so swimmers can track their progress. That was pretty cool for an invention, still has not hit the market, why not they would sell like hot cakes!
So along comes SmartCount and things are looking up for swimmers. The SmartCount fits on your index finger (or any finger you chose) and with your thumb can click off the laps, not only that it also keeps track of your splits. Give timing statistics, displays split times and lap numbers, recall fastest, slowest and average lap times, and of course total laps swum. From the look of the website they are back ordered, check them out! SmartCount

Water Sheer: Sulis, Personal Purification System

YUM!!
Since the LifeStraw was first reported on, many have tried to get into the space of water purification in third world countries, but none seem to have what it took until now, WaterSheer is a new product that is a simple as putting it into a bottle and drinking. Like the LifeStraw (the name implies what to do), you fill a bottle and place the Sulis over the top and drink.
Product Advantages
• Compact.
• Lightweight.
• Easy to operate.
• Low cost and efficient.
• Durable, long shelf life and service life.
• Treats most ground and fresh water sources.
The Sulis System consists of a durable and reusable unit with a long shelf and service life. Supplied as a personal kit. Simple, Check it out! WaterSheer

Octane: Energizing Gel for your skin!

Panex Ginseng is another wonderful naturally found root that is being added to everything. Now I am curios about Octane, mostly because I am a marketers wet dream. That being said Ginseng is highly prized for its tonic action on the sexual function. Ginseng, which literally translated means "man root," enhances both the stimulatory and inhibitory process of the central nervous system, thus improving the adaptability of the nervous responses. Now we are going to rub this all over our body, this should really increase all sensors on the skin, I'm in! Here is what Octane says to do:
Octane at Use
The best times to try Octane™ are:
a. At work / school. A perfect aid to surviving long hours. Also, in the early mornings, if you have trouble getting out of bed. It's the point where you know you have to get out of bed but can't because you'd like to sleep a little longer!
b. After exercising. Could be in a gym or could be after a walk around the block. It's especially nice after any time you sweat.
c. Immediately after a warm shower
d. Any time you feel drowsy
e. Any time you feel excessively warm

Octane 4 Zones

1. Face and Head especially around eyes
2. Behind Ears
3. Behind Neck
4. Chest and Shoulders
Check it out! Octane

Run Away: Shoe Adaptor for the Ipod Sports kit

Well as I said when the Nike+iPod Sports Kits came out that Nike+iPod missed the boat and should not excluded the masses not wearing Nike shoes. Funny thing is that when I wear my Mizuno I have on Performance socks and a slew of other product related garb on. My point is that they should not have cared about who's shoe it was going in, rather that millions were using it. So Run Away came up with a great solution at a even better price, $7.99! Here is how it works RunAway™ features the easiest installation and de-installation experience offered in the market. With their unique twist and lock pivoting mechanism, all you need to do is to slip it under your shoelaces, twist the unit 45 degrees till you hear a click sound, then you are ready for run! It even has a built in flight safety mechanism. With flight safety as an impeding public concern, wireless devices are not really welcomed while you travel. RunAway™ allows you to refrain from digging into your shoe to disable your transmitter. Forgot to bring a pen to disable it? No problem, RunAway™ features a finger friendly power button at the back of the unit so even the fattest finger can disable it with ease! As an added benefit, you can also use this button to prolong the battery life of the sensor!
Check it out! Run Away

Eolos: Breathe Better

All I can say is WOW this product from Eolos is great, I felt a change right off the bat. This product is weights for your lungs. I took 2 breaths with it right away and it felt like I had run a mile.

"The tried and tested Eolos training regimen is 30 breaths twice per day. Each session takes around 3 minutes and can be completed virtually anywhere.
Eolos = 30 x 2
Results are measurable in a little as 3 weeks, with almost full training benefits accrued within 6 weeks."

The device is small and easy to use, it fits into your mouth like a snorkel, sticks out about 3 inches and just twist the knob at the end of the device to increase/decrease resistance and breathe. It's that simple. I can't wait to introduce this into my regular training, why spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars with other devices that only get in your way. This is great and am surprised that more people are not using the Eolos as part of their training.
Check it out! Eolos

DefenseBand: Stay Protected

This is a low end solution to protect oneself. I got to have the DefenseBand tried out on me a couple years ago, I was doing Jiu Jitsu (Gracie) and while rolling around on the mat I hear this ripping sound then my buddies twist his hands, applies some pressure then "TAP, TAP". When he released I asked him what that was and he told me, the DefenseBand. I did not go out right away and buy it, 2 years later and countless hours on the road running got me thinking, we spend all this money to track our fitness and listen to music along the way, but what about ourselves! I do a little Jiu Jitsu and wish I had time to do it full time, job, training and family, something has to give. I can protect myself I feel but with the DefenseBand, it is that little extra security that will give you all the confidence to be able to defend yourself.
The DefenseBand is a velcro strap that attaches to your watch, it has a loop in the strap that allows you to get your fingers through the strap and use it to control your attacker.
Check it out! DefenseBand

RFID-Active Billboards

This is a great idea too bad it takes MINI to put this together. Now I understand that there have been a couple companies to do this type of RFID messaging, but how cool would this be to lets say USAT or the NYRR for the New York City Marathon to band together and get this done for races. Imagine running through a course and be able to look up and see your splits, because the chip on your ankle is capturing the data, ChampionChip timing system.

The NYC Triathlon and Accenture have it so that you can track an athlete coming and going from a transition area, the send and receive antennas are cast in thin tartan mats. These antenna mats are placed at the finish line and other timing locations. They are connected to a Yellow Box at the side of the road, containing electronics and batteries. Each time an athlete wearing a ChampionChip crosses the mats, the chip gets energized and sends out its ID-number. This number and corresponding time are then stored in the Yellow Box and transferred to a timing computer for further processing. If you signed up with Accenture before the race then you can have data sent to your support teams phone/email for update on your progress, after the race log into Accentures website and see your splits and final time.
Now since this is possible the next best thing would signs set along the course and be able to see your splits, have this spread out throughout the course and you have a pretty spectacular viewing event. People that don't know anything about Marathons / triathlons / bike races can see how fast the pro's really are!
Another add on would be to have text messaging / motivational messages sent from your friends / support teams phone / email (granted you gave them your code) to signs along the course. What a way to pick up the pace. Just my thoughts, but remember you read it here first.

Revolution Health your Personal Health Record Company

Personal Health Records are starting to take off, most will find excuses not to use one, but after you get over entering your information you will be surprised that you ever got along without one. A PHR is place online that you can store all types of health related information. Now some PHR will be offered by your provider which means if you work changes their health insurance copy you loose all your records (Does anyone see a business here). PHR are the thing of 2007 and will, in my opinion be one of the most dominating sector moving forward. A PHR that is not tied to your Health Insurance is the way to go, early adaptors will have no problem signing up and entering all there health related information, other it will take time. Once done you will have it all in one place, prescriptions, health trackers, drug information, etc..
There are a couple of different ways to go. The one that I feel has some great weight behind it and was started by Steve Case (AOL Steve Case) is Revolution Health, the design is well thought out, it is visually appealing and has a ton of money invested. Read Steve's thoughts.
Then you have companies like MediVault which will let you store the information on a Pen Drive, Disk, or something like that, leaving you with your PHR in the palm of your hand, able to bring it with you where ever your travels may take you. The online PHR let you print out sections, history, questions that you might find useful for your doctor to know about. Here is a little excerpt from Revolution Health:
RevolutionHealth.com: your health home page.

We’re creating a resource you can rely on. A place you can go to learn about all of the aspects of your health, from sources you can trust. Of course, we want to be the place you turn to when you have a symptom you are concerned about. But RevolutionHealth.com shouldn’t just be a place you visit when you’re sick – we want it to be a place you visit regularly to stay healthy. Indeed, we think there has been too much focus on treating ailments, and not enough focus on prevention and wellness. So you’ll find more than 100 fun, easy to use tools to help you and your family get and stay healthy. (Yes, I said fun – why does health care always have to be so boring?)

But perhaps more than anything else, RevolutionHealth.com is a community, where you’ll find support and insight from people who have been where you are. For example, if you or someone in your family is battling cancer, you can connect with others who are living through that experience. You’ll learn what worked—or didn’t work—for them. Or, you can set personal healthy living goals, and we’ll connect you with people like you, who have set similar goals. It’s a unique, dynamic community we’ll all build together.

And From MediVault:
MediVault is preloaded with software which allows for the owner to accurately describe the conditions and symptoms they are feeling. Then they can either print out the file to hand to the doctor or simply hand them MediVault. After the visit the doctor may provide you (the owner) with scans, a report, tests, or prescriptions. Those files are then emailed or faxed, by you or the doctor, to the MediVault facility where they are uploaded to your secure digital patient folder.

Next time you connect your MediVault to a PC or Kiosk location it will automatically connect to your care file and load the latest documents to the portable MediVault drive. When you attend the next doctor’s visit, MediVault will be able to provide all the latest information about your updated plan of care in full or summary format. Taking an active role in your healthcare ensures the best care! MediVault can help make that possible. Doctors agree!

The only thing that I can say is go with it!

Nike Speed + Watch without the iPod

Wow, this could be cool, Nike+ made a mistake by leaking their new watch that links with the footpod or Nike + sensor, opps! This is good because in most races you are not allowed to have iPod or any MP3 player. The site had no price but did give a little info, it takes the data from the sensor and converts it for display on the watch, distance, calories and time. Has the ability to link via USB to a computer. Knowing Nike the watch will deliver great performance, but not sure how they plan to compete with Suunto or Polar USA both who have spent countless hours and millions of dollars to be the leaders in the Sports Watch market.
Special thanks too Travis Hudson, for capturing a screen shot of the watch and posting it. Podophile

Kinetic by Kurt: One Great Trainer

All companies claim to have the best trainers, so how does one decided? Well you search, test, ask tons of questions, read blogs, reviews and in the end ask avid cyclist which one they use. Now there are many different features one can buy in a trainer, but sometimes the simplest is the best. KINETIC by Kurt is smooth, easy to set up and here is the most important part, does not leak!!! The Road Machine is the one that I have, it is great, almost better than ridding on the road, the 6.25 lb flywheel is tough yet smooth. I was using a IC Elite for a while and I thought that was a great workout, well nothing can prepare you like the KINETIC by Kurt. I am sure others have a great pitch to, but word of mouth and being the first in the business counts for something and in my book it really is the best.
Features include:
-6.25 lb flywheel for realistic coast down
-Powertap calibrated resistance unit
-Sealed fluid chamber with magnetically coupled driveshaft
-Thermodynamically neutral silicone resistance fluid
-Consistent resistance at multiple temperatures
-80 cooling fins to dissipate heat
-Lowest operating temperature of any fluid trainer
-Smooth, quiet resistance from 5-3000 watts
-Approved for tandem use
-Guaranteed not to leak
-2 1/8” roller reduces tire wear
-Unconditional Lifetime Warranty
-Crash replacement policy for a lifetime of use
-Compatible with all bikes with 16" - 29" diameter wheels

Check it out!
KINETIC by Kurt