FitSugar

Nike Gamifies Fitness With the Nike+ FuelBand

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:59:21 PST

Nike introduced the Nike+ FuelBand ($149) into the competitive fitness gadget arena today. Like Striiv, Motoactv and Jawbone Up did before it, the Nike+ FuelBand will come with some familiar tracking features that monitor your steps, calories burned, and time, but introduces a game-like point system (called FuelPoints) to keep you motivated.

FuelPoints are a metric to measure your overall fitness, based on your oxygen intake. The more you move, the more FuelPoints you'll earn. Seeing how many FuelPoints you're earning is easy, too - a series of 20 LED lights goes from red to green as you earn points. You can even set your FuelPoints goals ahead of time to challenge yourself day to day.

Ready to kick-start your 2012 fitness goals? The ergonomic Nike+ FuelBand will be available for preorder in the US starting today! See it in action in the demo video after the break.

Gear Review: Polar Heart Rate Monitor Is Nike+ Compatible

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:56 PDT

Using the Nike+ system to chart my walks and runs has been quite motivational. I love to compare my workouts, see how I'm progressing, and monitor my weekly mileage. Nike teamed up with Polar to offer the Polar WearLink+ Transmitter ($65), a heart rate monitor that's compatible with your Nike+ system. If you have a fifth generation iPod Nano or a Nike+ Sportband (sorry, it doesn't work with an iPod Touch or iPhone yet), you can not only keep track of your time, distance, pace, and calories burned, but now you can also chart your heart rate for each workout.

Curious to know how it works? Then keep reading.

Nike+ Heart Rate Monitor Coming June 1

FitSugar — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:30:03 PDT

Ever since my iPhone with integrated Nike+ arrived, I've been charting my walks and runs with it every time I work out. I am more than a little excited that soon there will be a new accessory to add to the Nike+ system. Last Fall, Nike hinted that not only would the iPhone be able to track your time, distance, speed, and calories burned, but that it would also be able to monitor your heart rate. Finally, the Nike+ system goes all-in-one.

It looks like that idea comes to fruition and users on June 1. Engadget reported that come the beginning of next month, "Nike will deliver a Nike+ heart rate monitor iPod accessory to the US." This gadget will allow you to view your heart rate as you move while listening to your favorite tunes. We're still waiting on details about design, color, price, and which devices it will be compatible with, so we'll have to be patient for a couple of weeks. This sounds like something I'd be into, but tell me, do you think you'll get one?

New iPod Touch Has Nike+ Integration!

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:00:00 PDT

If you're like me, you use your iPod mostly when you exercise - I can't live without my tunes when I run. I'm also a religious Nike+ Sports Kit user, the device that snaps into my iPod and tells me how fast I'm running, how far I've run, and how many calories I've burned. It's a wonderful motivator that allows me to keep track of my workouts, but you know, it's tough to keep track of the little one-inch receiver! I've lost two already and have to keep re-buying them. Now I don't have to worry because the new iPod touch (unveiled yesterday) has the Nike+ receiver integrated inside (the first generation iPod touch doesn't, and neither does the iPhone). No receiver to plug in means you don't have to worry about losing it. You still have to wear the sensor that fits in or on your shoe, but I can deal with that. You can get an 8GB iPod for $229, 16GB for $299, and 32GB for $399. It's definitely on my wish list.

Source

Get in Gear: Nike + SportBand

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:45:00 PDT

I've made no secret of my love for the Nike + iPod Sports Kit, which lets you track your time, distance, pace, and calories using your Apple iPod and special shoe sensors. So I'm psyched that Nike is expanding the line later this month, with a new product called the Nike+ SportBand.

According to Gizmodo, the gadget could be released as early as next week. This wearable wristband lets you circumvent the iPod if you want, because it communicates directly with your shoe sensors. Your progress is displayed on a screen on the wristband rather than on the iPod, which is ideal for people who don't like to run with iPods but still want to track calories burned and other data. The gadget also has a USB connection, so you can upload your data to the Nike website to see how far you've come.

Have you tried out the Nike + Sports Kit yet? If so - or even if not - would you use this product?

Source

More Healthy Gift Ideas for Father's Day

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Still thinking about what to get Dad for Father's Day and Part 1's Gift Ideas didn't work for you? How about these great ideas?

Hire your dad a personal chef for a night - They'll come to his home, cook a healthy meal for him and your mom, and then clean up the mess! If you can't afford to hire a professional, why not cook the meal yourself?!

A private sports lesson - Does your dad like racquetball, tennis, golf, windsurfing, skiing, sailing, water skiing, salsa dancing, tai chi, Pilates, or something else? I'm sure he'll appreciate some tips from a professional.
A Heart Rate Monitor (check out this basic one called the Polar FS1 for $59.95) - guys LOVE gadgets, so this would be a great way to inspire him to exercise and keep his heart and the rest of his body healthy.
An iPod Nano ($150) with Nike + iPod Sports Kit ($30) - If you have a higher budget this Father's Day, this is a great gift your Dad can use on runs. He can chart his time, speed, distance, and calories burned, and upload it to Nike.com.
A 1-Month membership or gift certificate to the local gym, yoga studio, or YMCA.

If you have any more ideas, share them below. Happy Father's Day!

Source

Get Your Butt in Gear: Just Do It?

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:27:32 PST

I love the Nike + for my Nano. I don't really like the Nike sneakers that you're supposed to buy, so I've had the sensor taped to my sneaks until I found this from Marware. It costs under $10 and looks cool on your shoe (much better than tape). What a deal.

It's About Time: 3 Steps Closer to Back to the Future II

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:45:31 PST

We've seen film magic turn into reality before - remember, the tablet was first seen on Star Trek! Now for those who daydreamed of a life as cool as Marty McFly's as a kid, your turn has come. During this week's New York Toy Fair, Mattel announced plans to produce the pink hoverboard from Back to the Future Part II.

OK, there's no actual air hovering that will occur, but it's a 1:1 replica that will glide over most surfaces and make whooshing noises. Mattel will take pre-orders from March 1-20 for the hoverboard, expected to ship in the 2012 holiday season. There's a bit of a catch: Mattel needs you to get your fellow superfans to pre-order the product to bring it to production. As they say, "Because this is such a high-cost item, there will be a minimum number of orders required to go into production. If we don't receive the minimum orders, won't go into production and customers will not be charged. The price will be announced later this month."

It's up to you mini-McFlys to make the hoverboard a reality! The hoverboard, though, is just one of the products that can have you living like Marty; follow the break to see what else can get you Back to the Future.

The Five Best Races For Women

espnW — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:09:19 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

Sage Steele, SportsCenter anchor, is preparing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Feb. 26 and hoping to fall in love with running in the process. Follow Sage’s journey on espnW.com

Women's races offer a decidedly different vibe than their coed cousins': more camaraderie, a sole sister atmosphere that welcomes all runners and walkers, and lots more running skirts. Here are five of the top women's races and series in the country. Sign up then train like Sage.

Disney Tinker Bell and Princess half marathons
Sage picked a winner. Let your inner child run free through the Magic Kingdom at these festival race weekends. Tinker Bell is in Disneyland, while Princess is in Disney World, but both allow thousands of runners to mix and mingle with Disney characters on courses that wind through each park. Racers put almost as much effort into costumes - Snow White, Belle, or Minnie, anyone? - as training. Bonus: your kids will be especially psyched to cheer you on.

Sage Steele gets some training advice from Disney runMom Lori Lovell

Nike Women's Marathon
Yeah, it's tough to snag an entry, but if you can, this race is so worth it. (Psst: Go through Team in Training.) This 26.2-mile race, and its half-marathon companion, traverses San Francisco with sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean to take your mind off the killer hills in the first 10 miles of the race. Tuxedo-clad firefighters bestow each finisher with a Tiffany & Co. pendant.

Run fast by fueling up smart

Three more great races after the break.

Lea Michele Gets Fit With the Nike Training Club App

Michele Foley — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:00:52 PDT

Showing off a tight and toned upper body, check out this behind-the-scenes look of actress Lea Michele's workout for the Nike Training Club app (it's free!). Lea worked with Nike "Master Trainer" Marie Purvis to come up with a 15-minute total body workout for users of the app, which is currently available on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. As is the case with all the Nike Training Club workouts, Lea's routine can be done just about anywhere. When asked about staying motivated, Lea said, "It's about finding things you enjoy, things that you love, and you'll find that you'll achieve your goals easier." For Lea, it's rock climbing, yoga, and hiking, which happen to be my favorites too.