FitSugar

Get in Gear: Shoe Pouch for the Nike + iPod Sensor

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I am in love with the Nike + iPod Sports Kit. It comes with a receiver that attaches to your iPod nano, and a sensor that fits into your Nike sneakers. It allows you to keep track of the time, distance and calories burned during each of your workouts. You can even send your data to NikePlus.com, where it stores all your workouts and allows you to set personal goals. The only bad thing is you have to use the Nike Sneaks that are specially designed to hold the little sensor.

What if you don't like Nike sneakers because you've always been a New Balance girl? No problem. You can still use the Nike + iPod Sports Kit with your favorite sneakers. You just need to purchase a separate holder that attaches to your shoe.

I just found this one called the Shoe Pouch ($9.95). It's made of neoprene and has little loops that you slip your shoelaces through, so it fits snug against your shoe and stays put. The sensor fits inside the slit in the back of the pouch, and even has a Velcro closure to keep it extra secure.

Fit's Tips: If you run and walk in the rain or in wet areas, you may want to consider getting the RunAway ($7.99) instead. Although it may be waterproof, it only slips over your laces (not through them), so it doesn't fit nearly as securely as the Shoe Pouch.

NikePlus.com Motivates Me to Exercise

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:30:00 -0700

People exercise for different reasons, and everyone should be exercising regularly. That's easier said than done. You definitely have to have a few tricks up your sleeve to help you stay motivated. Here's one of mine.

I bought an iPod Nano ($150) and Nike + iPod Sports Kit ($30) and I use it every time I go for a run or walk. Basically you plug the receiver into your Nano, and attach the sensor to your left shoe. Nike makes special Nike + sneakers (of course), and the sensor fits snugly in the shoe under the foot bed. I like to wear whatever brand of sneaker I want, so I just use a RunAway ($7.99) - it's a waterproof capsule that holds your sensor and attaches to your laces.

Want to know how it works? Then read more

When you go for a run or walk, the sensor on your shoe monitors your time, speed, distance, and how many calories you've burned (just wish it had a heart rate monitor too). If you hit the center button on your Nano, you'll hear a voice tell you all that info (very cool). Then when you get home, just plug your Nano into your computer and all your data automatically gets sent to NikePlus.com. It keeps track of all your runs, so you can track your progress.

You can even set goals for yourself, like run 12 times in 4 weeks, or run 20 miles in 4 weeks. I set a goal to burn 1800 calories in 4 weeks and when I reached my goal I got a "Congratulations," and a little award in my virtual trophy case. It's kind of like those gold stars I put on my calendar - a little silly maybe, but very motivating.

The bottom line is you need to find what motivates you. Tracking my progress online really gets me on a regular exercise schedule, and because I can see my stats in stone, it motivates me to keep pushing my personal limits.

Get in Gear: Nike + Ipod Sports Kit

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 13:30:00 -0800

I love it when two great brands collaborate to make one cool super product. Nike and Apple have done just that.

To find out what it is, read more

First you're going to need the following:

An iPod Nano, $199-$249
Nike ready shoes (like the AirMax 180), $110
The Nike + iPod Sport Kit, $29

Once you have all three products (and a lot less money in your bank account), they work together with special shoe sensors, that are unobtrusive and waterproof and will feed your workout information to your iPod. During the workout the Nano screen will show you time, distance, pace and calories.

Why I am not selling everything I own (just yet) to get this product:
As of yet, the Kit does not provide a way to display your heart rate, which I'm guessing is the next step. Also, I usually wear my iPod in a holder on my arm so it may be annoying to hold the Nano through my run so I could see the stats.

Why we love this product:
Nike and Apple usually make great products-- so you know you're not throwing your money down the toilet on some random brand. The kit comes with programmed workouts which are great for people who like a little direction. All in all, the whole concept is just cool and we all need a new toy every once in a while.

Buy it all here, or you can look up a location near you to try it out before buying.

Track Your Runs Online: Runner+

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 -0700

I've heard a lot of people talk about how much they love their Nike iPod sport kit, but many have also mentioned hating the Nike Plus site that goes along with it. RUNNER+ is a brand new online social network for runners who don't want to use Nike's site, but do want to achieve more through community and technology.

RUNNER+ provides forums, groups, challenges, run mapping, member tips & advice, videos and more. If you use systems such as the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit or Garmin Forerunner, then you will benefit even more because it is compatible with those systems. However, if you don't use either you can also enter your data by hand, which means if you run on the treadmill and want to keep track of your data, you can.

Creating an account is free and only takes a minute. Once you login you can synchronize your run data (this step is not required), then you can do things such as download your run data in Excel/CSV format, change your run data, view your data in a boatload of charts, compare your run data to your friends and more.

Try it out and let me know what you think. It seems like the site is still in the beta phase, which basically means it is only going to get better and better with the more people that join.

Gear Review: Nike+ Sportband

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:26 -0700

I got my hands on the new Nike+ Sportband ($59) and was so psyched to start tracking my runs with it. Before you get started though, you need to download the Nike+ Sportband Utility software from the website. Then charge the Link (small black piece with the digital screen) by plugging it into your computer's USB port to charge, which takes about two hours.

If you don't have a pair of Nike+ sneakers, you'll need a holder for the sensor that sits on your laces. I use the weather-proof RunAway ($9). Once the sensor is attached to your shoe, plug the Link into the Sportband, and you're all set to go. Just hold down the top button for three seconds and it'll start recording your workout. Press the little side button and you can switch between seeing your time, distance, pace, and calories burned as you run. To end your workout, hold the top button for three seconds. Once your run is complete, the screen will go through the final stats of your run two times through.

To see if I liked the Sportband better than the Nike+ Sports Kit read more.

Using this Sportband is much easier than the Nike+ Sports Kit because you don't have to scroll through your iPod to start, pause, and end your workout. It's also easier to see your stats because the screen is right there on your wrist. If you don't work out with music, or don't own an iPod, then you'll like the Nike+ Sportband because no iPod is needed. I just wish there was a way to look at your recent history on the Sportband, like you can when using the Nike+ Sports Kit. With the Sportband, if you want to compare this run with previous runs, you'll just have to wait until you get home and plug it into your computer. Within minutes, the data of that run is automatically uploaded to the nikerunning.nike.com/nikeplus website, and then you can compare all your workout data online.

Overall, just like the Nike+ Sports Kit, I love how the Sportband offers an easy way to track your runs and your progress. It's twice as expensive as the Sports Kit ($29) though, so if you already own an iPod, you may want to save a little dough and stick with the Sports Kit.

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Nike+ Sportband Gets a New Look

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:30:49 -0700

So you're a running fanatic, and nothing brings you more pleasure than tracking your workouts. If this sounds familiar, then you'll want to get your hands on the latest model of the Nike+ Sportband. It works like the Nike+ Sports Kit, keeping track of your time, distance, pace, and calories burned, but instead of displaying the info on your iPod, it'll display it on the wristband. So it's great if you don't have an iPod or iPhone, or if you prefer running without music.

The latest model has a few upgrades. The screen now has a white background so it's easier to see. Also it has increased water resistance for those rainy days when you refuse to stay inside. It'll be available tomorrow in three colors: gray with an interior pink band, anthracite (dark gray) with a yellow interior band, and black with a red interior band. For $59, you'll be able to keep track of all your walks and runs, which may be just the motivation you need to reach your fitness goals.

Get in Gear: Nike Amp+ Sport Remote Control Is Here!

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

If you love to track the time, speed, distance and amount of calories you burn on your walks and runs, then the new iPod nano and Nike + iPod Sport Kit are a must have for you too. Now Nike just made it even easier to use with their new Nike Amp+ Sport Remote Control.

Want to know how it works? Then read more

Let's start from the beginning. Normally when you use your nano with the Nike+ Sports Kit, it comes with a a receiver that plugs into your nano, and a sensor that you wear on your shoe (I attach mine with the RunAway holder). When I go for a run, I clip the nano (with the receiver plugged in) to my waist, and it's kind of annoying trying to reach for the controls when I want to skip a song or hear my progress.

When you slap this new Nike Amp+ Remote Control on your wrist, you can tuck your nano in your pocket for safe keeping, since the remote control connects wirelessly to your nano. Now you have easy access to the controls on the wristband, so you can concentrate more on your workout. Want to know how many miles you've gone? Just press the center button on the remote, and you'll hear instant voice feedback of your time, pace, calories burned, and distance. Very cool.

You can also wear the "remote control" alone as a watch. There's an LED screen that displays the time of day when it's not being used with your iPod nano. The strap is made of durable polyurethane that you can cut to your exact wrist size, and it closes with a stainless steel buckle. You can even run in the rain, sweat profusely, or take a quick dip with this sucker because it's water resistant up to 50m. Order it from Nike for $79.

Fit's Tips: Don't forget that after you go for a run using the iPod nano and the Nike + Sports Kit, you just plug your nano into your computer, and your workouts will be automatically uploaded to the NikePlus.com website. You can keep track of your progress, set goals for yourself, and you even win virtual medals when you accomplish them. It's a great way to motivate.

Get in Gear: Nike + Runner's Gift Pack

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

You know how I love to run with my iPod nano, and the Nike + Sports Kit that allows you to track your runs? Well now Nike has made a Runner's Gift Pack, perfect for the runner in your life. You can choose from two versions: either the 4G nano ($278) or the 8G nano ($328).

What does each gift pack come with? To find out read more

An iPod nano
The Nike + Sports Kit (complete with the receiver you plug into your nano and the sensor you put in your shoe).
A 30 minute Nike Sport Music Mix iTunes gift card.
A $100 NikeStore gift card (that you can use to buy the Nike + sneakers that have a special pocket under the sock liner which holds the sensor).

This is a gift I'm sure any runner would really appreciate, but if you don't want to shell out that much moolah, you can just buy the nano ($149 or $199) and the Nike + Sports Kit ($29) separately, and let the runner buy her or his own sneakers and music.

Fit's Tips: Not a fan of Nike sneaks? No problem. You can buy the RunAway holder place the sensor inside and attach it to the laces of any sneaker.

Get in Gear: Nike + SportBand

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700

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

Great News From Nike

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Nike President and Chief Executive Mark Parker recently announced that by the end of the year, ALL Nike running shoes will become compatible with the Nike+ iPod Sensor.

If you're not familiar with this neat little gadget, allow me to tell you about it. Basically when you buy the Nike+ iPod Sports Kit for around $30, and you get a little receiver that plugs into your iPod Nano (it doesn't work with other iPods), and a sensor that you can put in your shoe.

The sensor fits underneath the foot pad in the sole of your Nike+ iPod compatible sneaker. As of right now, Nike doesn't make many different styles of those sneaks, so I've just been attaching the sensor to my New Balance laces with this weatherproof holder from RunAway.

When you run or walk with the Nike+ iPod, your Nano will calculate and store your pace, distance, and calories burned. I use it every time I go for a run. Then when I plug it into my computer to charge, my running data gets sent to Nike.com. I can visit their website whenever I want to view my running history, to set goals, and assess my progress. It's great motivation.

It sounds like by the end of the year, we'll be able to choose from a lot more styles of the Nike+ iPod running shoes. Does this mean they'll be cheaper too? I hope so because right now they'll run you between $75 - $100.