Last week the world’s largest search engine began offering its satellite-powered mapping technology to cyclists and runners in 150 U.S cities.
According to the press release “This new feature includes step-by-step bicycling directions, bike trails outlined directly on the map, and a new ‘bicycling’ layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads.”
Previously, Google Maps was limited to helping drivers and mass-transit users. Now, fitness enthusiasts can use the Web-based technology to plan trips or explore biking trails and routes.
“This is the next move in what we think mapmaking should be,” said Jim Lecinski, managing director for Google in the U.S. and former head of Google’s operations in Chicago and the Midwest. “Streets are not just for cars.”
Try it at maps.google.com/biking. Also see ridethecity.com and mapmyride.com.
Google Bike Maps Video Demonstration
[Source: Chicago Tribune]
The latest DVD from Jillian Micheals offers a fresh approach to Yoga by incorporating repetitions and circuit training with hard-core Yoga power pose sequences. It’s unlike any other Yoga workout.
If you’re interested in learning about traditional zen Yoga, breathing and meditative elements, this is not the DVD for you. If you like the high-energy style of Jillian’s other workouts and want to incorporate more Yoga into your routine, give this a try.
While this is not traditional Yoga it does involve many common poses including the downward and upward dog, warrior series, plank, and triangle while using your body weight to burn fat and build lean muscle.
Yoga Meltdown includes two complete 30-minute workouts — Level 1 focuses on quickly flowing Yoga sequences to burn mega calories and Level 2 adds twists and balance poses for an even greater burn.
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The BFMG10 Sportsman is a compact, no frills unit with impressive versatility for a home gym in the under $300 price range. It gets a marginal recommendation for those on a budget who don’t need more than a 145 lb. weight stack.
Key features include a wide grip lat bar on upper the pulley, narrow grip low row bar on the lower pulley, press arms, lat pulldown and leg developer that accommodates both leg curls and extensions.
The padded pressing arms are built to match the natural arc of a free weight bench press and pectoral dumbbell fly.
This gym features a no cable change design. The cables are made of 2200 lb. test nylon coated aircraft quality material working with fiberglass pulleys with ball bearing movement on a solid axle rotation.
The complete unit measures 50″ x 77″ x 65″ and weighs 255 lbs.
Home gyms with weight stacks don’t come much cheaper than the BFMG10 Sportsman. For higher end models with more features, see all of our home gym reviews.
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A new study appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine further proves that exercise is directly linked to emotional well-being.
The results of 40 randomized clinical trials of nearly 3,000 patients with varied medical conditions showed that on average patients who worked out regularly reported a 20 percent reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to those who did not.
Conditions of patients studied included heart disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer and chronic pain from arthritis. In 90 percent of the studies examined, the patients randomly assigned to exercise had fewer anxiety symptoms, such as feelings of worry, apprehension and nervousness, than the control group.
“Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that physical activities such as walking or weight lifting may turn out to be the best medicine that physicians can prescribe to help their patients feel less anxious,” said lead author Matthew Herring, a doctoral student in the department of kinesiology, part of the UGA College of Education.
[Source: Archives of Internal Medicine]
The Nike+ Sport Band accurately tracks calorie expenditure, time, pace and distance travelled, storing up to 30 hours of data.
The function of this product is similar to the Nike+ iPod Kit but with a simple, no-frills design that doesn’t talk or play music.
The device records data by syncing with a sensor placed in your shoe and connects to a computer USB port to upload workout information to NikePlus.com. The website interface is aesthetically pleasing and motivating.
The easy-to-read display doubles as a watch and provides live feedback. There are only two buttons — one that starts, stops, and resets the distance meter, and another that changes display views between time, distance, pace, and calories burned.
To ensure accurate measurements you must first calibrate the sensor and enter personal information including age, weight and date.
The one-size-fits-all Nike+ Sport Band is lightweight, Water resistant and made of durable polycarbonate.
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A simple pedometer can be invaluable in the battle against becoming inactive and sedentary. The Omron Hj-113 is easy to use, cheap and effective. A simple goal of reaching 1,000, 5,000 or 10,000 steps per day can be incredibly motivating.
The Omron Hj-113 is an upgrade to the phenomenally popular Hj-112. It offers all the benefits of the earlier version with a few extras. The Hj-113 includes a full 7-day history for aerobic minutes as well as steps, miles, total minutes and calories burned, while sporting an attractive new look in a slightly smaller package…all at a lower price.
The Hj-113 features a large, easy to read display with intuitive readouts and control. The package comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap.
See the Omron Hj-720ITC for another popular Omron Pedometer that includes Health Management Software.
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You’ve seen the infomercials. You’ve heard celebrities singing its praises. Tony Horton’s P90X has now touched 2 million customers and continues to sell as well in 2010 as when it first exploded on the scene a few years ago. Millions of dollars in marketing and remarkable word of mouth have helped keep the phenomenon alive.
P90X stresses the importance of “muscle confusion” — switching up the order of routines and adding new movements during each phase, forcing the body to continuously adapt to new stresses so that it never plateaus.
A growing list of celebrities have reported using P90X. Film/TV: Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Jennie Garth. Music: Sheryl Crow, Pink. Professional Athletes: Ray Lewis, David Akers, David Garrard, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo.
Find out how P90X has become a household name in the world of fitness. Read our review or Visit the manufacturer’s site.
Adjustable from ten to fifty pounds in five-pound increments, each Stamina Versa-Bell II Dumbbell essentially replaces nine free weights in one versatile, space-saving unit. This package comes with two dumbbells and a durable nylon weight tray for convenient storage.
The chrome weight plates and handlebars are remarkably sleek, modern and attractive. Weight is adjusted with a quick-select pin system.
Unlike many popular adjustable dumbbells that start at just 5 pounds, the lowest setting on the Versa-Bell is 10 pounds. This may be a concern if your workout includes low weight, high rep sets. See our Bowflex SelectTech 552 review for a dumbbell that adjusts from 5 to 52.5 pounds in 2.5 pound increments.
One downside to any adjustable dumbbell when compared to individual weights is the time needed to make the actual adjustment. While this is generally a quick and easy process, it may not be ideal for exercise programs that require rapid back-to-back sets with varied weights. See all of our dumbbell reviews here.
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- Stamina 50-Pound Versa-Bell Adjustable Dumbbell Pair on Amazon
- Compare to all bestselling Adjustable Dumbbells
- Stamina 50-Pound Versa-Bell Dumbbells on eBay
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2 Stamina® 50 lb. Versa-Bell® II Dumbbells 05-2150P US $319.00 Auction Ends: Friday Mar-19-2010 17:25:18 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Pair of Stamina 50 lb. Versa-Bell-II Dumbbells 05-2150P US $319.00 Auction Ends: Friday Mar-19-2010 17:25:26 PDT | Watch this Item |
The 2010 Schwinn 140 is a compact, well-built and whisper quiet exercise bike available at an exceptional value.
Distinguishing features of this model include a perimeter weighted 20-pound flywheel for a road-like, smooth, consistent motion and oversized, ergonomic, dual density pedals for efficient and comfortable pedaling.
Other key features include 16 resistance levels, 17 programs, and both telemetry and contact heart rate monitoring.
The workout programs include 8 course profiles, target heart rate, 2 user profiles plus custom workouts. Multiple user profiles can be saved to avoid re-entering personal information before each session.
While the handlebars are adjustable this model is not ideal for tall users as longer legs may bump the handlebars while pedaling.
The instruction manual is relatively clear and assembly will take 30 to 90 minutes. All the required tools are included.
Schwinn 140 Upright Exercise Bike Product Features
- Upright exercise bike
- 20-pound flywheel
- Eddy Current Brake (ECB) resistance system
- Backlit, multi-color console for easy viewing
Adjustable handlebars - 17 workout programs
- Telemetry-enabled, integrated grip heart rate system
- Oversized, ergonomic pedal design with dual density
- Extra wide, comfortable seat
- Water bottle holder
- Magazine rack
- 300-pound maximum user weight
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With the plethora of fitness monitors on the market, choosing the right device for your needs can be daunting. After the choice is made many find the higher end devices to be complicated and confusing.
The LifeSource XL-20 focuses on simplicity while providing a complete activity record of useful and motivating data. There are no buttons to press and your results automatically and wirelesly sync with the easy to use software using a USB tranceiver.
The bottlecap-
sized device attaches to your shoe and measures steps, distance, activity time and calories burned, without ever monitoring or adjusting the settings.
The XL-20 is an accelorameter, not just a simple pedometer, measuring average speed of motion in addition to steps taken.
The downside to this micro design is that the battery is built into the unit and not replacable. You’ll need to purchase a new monitor when the battery is expended after about six months of regular use.
