FitSugar

Nintendo Wii Wiimotes Get Weighty

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I'm a big fan of keeping hand weights by the TV for impromptu lifting sessions, and for all you Wii Fit devotees, the Riiflex Wiimote weights have a similar appeal. These snap-on weights affix to your Wii Remote and Nunchuck accessories to make workouts (or play) more challenging.

Available as a set of two 2-pound weights ($35) or two 4-pound weights ($40), the brightly colored dumbbells look comfy to hold and let you access the Wii's assorted buttons and triggers. Even if you don't have a Wii Fit, you can snap them on your Wiimote to make any Wii game work a little harder.

Interested? The Riiflex weights are available for pre-order, so grab yours now.

Cool Fitness Gadget: Gaiam Abs Ball

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Everybody wants a slender and toned middle, not only because it makes you feel good in a bathing suit, but also because it prevents back pain. Plain crunches are not the most effective exercise on their own, and to increase the level of intensity, you can add some weight to your ab work. That's where the Gaiam Abs Ball ($40) comes in.

It's similar to using a medicine ball, but the handy handles make it much easier to hold, so you can concentrate more on the exercise, rather than it slipping out of your palms. The ball weighs six pounds and it comes with a 35-minute instructional DVD to show you how to use it. Triathlete Jonathan Roche demonstrates how to define your obliques and abs with both beginner and advanced workouts. Adding a little weight to your upper body really helps to target and strengthen your core. If the 6-lb ball is too easy, you can buy the 8-lb Abs Ball instead.

Cool Fitness Gadget: NRG Ball

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

If you're looking for a new way to strength train, you may want to get your hands on an NRG BALL. It's a barbell and medicine ball rolled into one piece of equipment. It comes in a variety of weights including, 5 lb. ($59.95), 7 lb. ($69.95), and 9 lb. ($79.95). You can use it as shown, or you can unscrew one of the handles to do exercises like Overhead Triceps. You can also use the medicine ball on its own.

I know it seems pretty expensive, and rather gimmicky, but wait until you see all the exercises you can do with it. The website features a ton of videos to work your core, upper body, glutes, and legs. To see how a video on how you can use the NRG ball to get strong abs just read more.

If it's something you want to add to your home gym then order it from the NRG BALL website.

Cool Fitness Gadget: Danskin Core Ball Plus

FitSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I am always looking for fun ways to vary my workout routine at home that won't break the bank. Danskin's Core Ball Plus does just that.

Danskin's Core Ball Plus (starts at $35) is an exercise ball with weighted ball handles, resistance bands, and a balance ring. The balance ring provides beginner and intermediate users the benefits of a stability ball workout without dealing with wobbling and falling off the ball before you've really strengthened your core. The ring also keeps the ball in place, which means it won't roll around the house when you turn your back for just a second. I especially love that this set includes resistance bands and weighted ball handles. They really add an effective upper body workout to the ball without the use of weights. It's a great addition to your home workout and compared to most full body workout systems, it's moderately priced.

Buy it here.

Cool Fitness Gadget: Fresh Twist Shoe Deodorizer

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:30:00 -0700

Do you have a little odor problem lurking in your gym bag? Then a quick and easy fix is to throw these little Fresh Twist (starts at $3.75 for two) odor neutralizers into your gym bag or shoes to get rid of it. These highly concentrated odor neutralizers get rid of odor anywhere it's a problem! Just twist open and pop one in each shoe, in your gym bag, locker, your husband's shoes, virtually anywhere. Interested? Then buy them here.

Cool Fitness Gadget: The Swirl

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0700

I wanted to tell you more about a cool fitness gadget that is a must have for this Spring: the Swirl.

The Swirl ($169) is an all-in-one heart rate monitor, music player, and virtual personal trainer. Together with the Swirlfit web service, it helps to improve your health and overall fitness by making it more fun and effective to work out. What's more? The Swirl is only one ounce. Swirlfit web service lets you create your own heart rate zone training programs and intensity-match them to your favorite music. All you have to do is plug in and download your data to your computer. It uses a single audio stream for coaching, heart rate and music. This way you can hear instructions, alerts, prompts and music at the same time.

It is a little pricey, but it's a cool way to get motivated if you have the extra funds and/or if you like to track yourself via charts and data. I just love that it is all in one since I always have several gadgets with me at the gym, it would be nice to consolidate. Your purchase includes: Swirl Personal Digital Trainer, standard headset, chest strap, USB cable, 3 months access to Swirlfit Online service (a $29.99 value). For more information and to buy it go here.

Cool Fitness Gadget: H2O Audio Shuffle Case

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Want to have your tunes while you're doing watersports but don't want to drop hundreds of dollars on a new waterproof MP3 player? Then turn your existing iPod into a waterproof one.

The H2O Audio Waterproof Shuffle Case ($39.99, comes with sport band) makes your second generation Shuffle waterproof up to 10 feet when paired with H2O Audio Waterproof Headphones ($39.99). I love the sleek design and that it takes an existing gadget and expands its uses. Total bummer that you have to buy the case and the headphones, but if you spend a lot of time in the water and you already have a Shuffle, it's worth the money. Want one for your upcoming triathlon training? Buy it here.

Cool Fitness Gadget: Playaway Preloaded Audio Books

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:30:00 -0800

Playaway is books on tape meets MP3 players meets fitness and health. Confused yet? Let me explain.

Playaway ($29.99 and up, depending on the title) is an easy-to-use audio player all in one small unit. There is no need to figure out how to load stuff onto it or a separate player, and it comes with earbuds and a battery to make it play so once you receive your Playaway, all you literally have to do is press play to start listening immediately. You can choose from a handful of health and fitness titles, including You on a Diet as well as some walking and yoga audiobooks.

If you're thinking that is a lot of money for one audiobook, not to mention a waste of materials, I agree with you. However they do offer Replay, which is where you return your Playaway and get a new one at half the price - I am thinking this would be a great gift idea for my grandmother who cannot be bothered with figuring out how to work an MP3 player, but would love the idea of a guided-walking program at the touch of her fingertips.

Cool Fitness Gadget: Agility Dots

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Recently during one of my visits to the gym, I broke out the Agility Dots ($34.95 for 12) in hopes of breaking the boredom of yet another leg routine. Agility Dots are basically flat, nonslip rubber discs that you lay out in a way so that you can hit (or touch) them during agility training - we used them a lot in gym class in high school. I placed them in a clock like pattern (12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock), stood in the middle and did some dreaded round-the-clock lunges. The dots made keeping form a little easier since I knew exactly where to lunge each time, and it kept me from lunging too far or not enough. It was actually fun and I almost felt like I was playing a game of Hullabaloo, instead of doing a strenuous leg workout. If your gym doesn't have Agility Dots but you would like to try them out on your own, you can buy them here.

Cool Fitness Gadget: VersaStick

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:45:00 -0700

A lot of times I see fitness gadgets that I think are pretty much a waste of money but other times I see things that I think are a great idea.

One product that I am really impressed with is the VersaStick. Basically the VersaStick is an easy way to do band exercises in the comfort of your own home. The addition of the bar brings a new type of movement and grip that you can't get with just the bands (chest presses, chest flys, pull downs, etc.). At the same time VersaStick differs from all other home gyms because it weighs less than a pair of athletic shoes and it's totally portable (the bar breaks down into two pieces), while still offering over 120 home gym exercises. More than that? It's easy. Often times I see fitness gadgets with lots of little parts and pieces that are annoying to figure out how to work. However with the VersaStick, once the tubing is secured under the feet or in the carabiner, the only part of the product that moves independently of the body are the hooks where they attach to the bar. So you can't really go wrong.

Interested? Buy The Complete Gym ($80) directly from VersaStick.com. (The Complete Gym Includes: VersaStick Bar, 3 Levels of Tubing, Door Anchor, Carabiner, Carry Bag, DVD, Owner's Manual.)