In the past five or so years, technology has taken a jump in the fitness world. From physiological devices, such as heart rate monitors, to personal enjoyment devices, such as the Ipod touch, marketers have made equipment more affordable, which has been great for the average college student struggling to pay their bills. Some of these really cool fitness inventions would have never been thought of ten years ago, and yet they are on sale today for a reasonable cost (or at least something you can ask for during the holiday times or a birthday!). Most of the equipment comes in different colors, targeting both the women and men's population. Fitness has finally become enjoyable.
Here's some new fun, fitness technology items on the market:
WiFit: A Nintendo videogame that tests the players balance, strength training and cardiovascular ability through games. There are over 50 activities and it can also track a daily activity log. It is great for a dorm room workout! $85 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_Fit
iFit: A personal trainer in a computer chip. It plugs into your treadmill, elliptical or bike and automatically adjusts the speed and resistance for each step of the workout. http://www.ifit.com/workouts/
iPod Sport Kit: A chip that is placed in your Nike running shoe that programs your music to the pace you are running at, provides feedback on whether or not you are meeting your programmed goals, and records workout data online after the workout. Cost: $26 http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/run.html
For more information on technology and fitness: http://www.byui.edu/scroll/lifestyle/2007/01/20070129-techno-fit.htm
Generally, I am not a really tech-savvy kid, but when it comes to fitness I think its a great idea. I am a big fan of wii fit, especially the fitness testing challenges such as push up and balance. Its a great way to have a friendly competition. Also, I think the ipod sport kit was one of the best investments I have made. Its great to be able to see your progress!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely obsessed with my WiiFit! It's at home in East Longmeadow so whenever I go home I jump on it for a while. Last night I was home and used it for a while. It's like your own personal trainer in the TV. It has many activities concentrating on strength training, aerobics, yoga, and balance. You can set goals and it helps you achieve them. I do also use my itouch when I work out sometimes. I have an application that counts how many steps I take when I run. It's kind of pointless to me but I think it's interesting to know!
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