Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

For serious cyclists who like to keep track of their physical condition and performance during a ride, combining GPS and heart rate monitoring capabilities into a single device just makes sense. And that’s exactly what Garmin has done with their Edge 305 model. The computer easily attaches to your bike with an included mount, and is rugged enough to survive the bumps and bounces of even the most difficult off-road paths.

It also includes a heart rate monitor you can wear around your chest that wirelessly transmits the data to the computer. Once the device acquires a GPS signal it will automatically measure and record your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent. This data can then be transferred to your PC and analyzed with the Garmin Training Center software so you can see how elevation and other factors affected your performance. For the competitive types the Edge also features a Virtual Partner that can be raced over a specified distance and speed, and it also stores ‘Ghost data’ (for lack of a better term) allowing you to compete against one of your previous performances.

The Garmin Edge 305 has a suggested retail price of $379.15, but I’m sure you can find it cheaper if you dig around online.

[ Garmin Edge 305 Heart Rate Monitor ]

By Andrew Liszewski

It’s no secret that swimming provides a great workout, and the extra resistance that comes from moving through the water is why a lot of athletes choose to exercise or train in a pool. And that’s basically the whole idea behind the Hydro Physio. It’s a treadmill built inside a clear glass tank filled with water that provides a more intense workout than just a treadmill alone.

The tank is filled and emptied each time which means you can enter through a door on the back, rather than having to climb in which would be problematic for people using the treadmill for rehabilitation purposes. This also means the water level can be adjusted on the fly to allow different muscle groups to be targeted during the exercise routine.

And even though the website only has photos of the 3D mockup, a Hydro Physio prototype does exist as is evident in this video. However I have no idea when they’ll be available to fitness clubs, or for home use.

[ Hydro Physio Lifestyle Treadmill ] VIA [ Chip Chick ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Even with a confusing, upside-down product shot the Pyxis GPS watch is still a cool piece of tech. At the moment it’s only being marketed in Korea, but if you happen to live there you’ll be able to take advantage of its built-in database of places to jog, run or hike. The watch is definitely aimed at those who like to maintain a regular fitness regime, and will keep track of your elapsed time, speed, distance and burned calories.

Other applications include using the Pyxis as a golf guide since a database of different courses provides data on the distance to the green, or how far your last drive was. And even though the screen is particularly small since it’s designed to be worn on your wrist, it still appears to have more than enough resolution for displaying complex maps and trails. It can even be used in your car while driving, but that’s where I think that small screen might actually be a problem.

[ A wrist watch type GPS ‘Pyxis’ to help you enjoy in/outdoor exercises ] VIA [ Ubergizmo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

As I see it this Talking Hand Grip Exerciser will appeal to a very specific group who is both ashamed of their weak hand shake and (possibly as a result,) are very lonely. It works just like your standard squeeze strengthener except that a pleasant female voice will announce your workout results like present grip force, record grip force and number of squeezes.

The exerciser is capable of measuring grip forces from 8.8 pounds up to 199.6 pounds and also includes a detailed LCD display if you get tired of listening to the voice. And hopefully this trend of giving voices to everyday items will remain nothing but a fad. I already have enough devices that randomly beep throughout the day, the last thing I need is them randomly talking as well.

The Talking Digital Hand Grip Exerciser is available from Improvements for just $12.99.

[ Talking Digital Hand Grip ] VIA [ GadgetGrid ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you found the Celebrity Weight Scale confusing because of your complete lack of pop-culture knowledge this animal version is almost impossible to misinterpret. Instead of famous people or characters it uses regular animals that anyone who completed grade 4 should be more than familiar with.

Imagine the satisfaction when you finally work your way down from a pig to a goat. Or the dismay when you get back from holidays and realize you’ve put on a duck or two.

The Animal Weighing Scale is available from the Angry Store for about $74.

[ Animal Weighing Scale ] VIA [ A Welsh View ]

By Andrew Liszewski

In addition to the obvious Ferrari tie-ins this Unica home gym was actually designed in-house by a team of training experts at the Technogym Research Centre. The machine provides over 25 different exercises and is easy to use even for beginners thanks to the included ‘Wellness Mate’ computer which will guide you through a pre-set training program. But of course the real reason most people will buy the Unica is all the Ferrari-related details that have gone into it.

This version of the Ferrari Unica comes in the most traditional Prancing Horse colours, colours that have adorned thousands of Ferraris and helped make them instantly recognisable throughout the world. The leather trim of its padding is beige, just like classic Ferrari interiors, while the gym frame is Racing Red, the definitive Maranello colour.

The innovative design called for equally avant-garde manufacturing processes and a highly-skilled workforce. Just like the cars themselves, the frames of the Ferrari Unica gym are subject to cataphoresis anti-corrosion treatment prior to being painted for a perfect, long-lasting finish.

And like with an actual Ferrari all that attention to detail doesn’t come cheap. The Unica Home Gym is available directly from the online Ferrari Store and will set you back about $17,700.

[ Ferrari Unica ] VIA [ Cribcandy ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The ROM is one serious looking piece of exercise equipment and it better be given the claims its creators make about it. Apparently just a 4 minute workout out on the ROM is equal to spending about 45 minutes on a regular treadmill. And because it uses 55% of the body’s muscles during the workout you can actually burn about 465 calories in that short amount of time.

If you find that hard to believe you’re not alone. The ROM’s website seems devoted to convincing people that their cross-trainer is the real thing and that fitness ‘experts’ don’t really know what they’re talking about. I’m not willing to make a judgement call here since I’m no fitness expert myself but at $14,615 you’d probably want to be pretty sure it actually works as claimed before dropping that much coin.

[ ROM - The 4 Minute CrossTrainer ] VIA [ Iconic Gifts ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you find those heart rate monitoring chest straps to be less than comfortable when exercising you’re not alone. Claudia Shultze felt the same way but she decided to use her skills as a chemical engineer and her work with textile electronics to produce a line of clothing that not only keeps track of your heart rate but is also comfortable to wear.

The NuMetrex clothing uses special sensors that are actually knit into the fabric allowing them to remain in contact with the body at all times even during extreme physical activity. The heart rate data from these sensors is relayed to a small transmitter that’s carried in a pocket which in turn wirelessly transmits the info to a special watch that allows the wearer to see their heart rate in real time. It’s a pretty good idea whether you’re an athlete training for a real marathon or a non-athlete like me training for a ‘Star Trek’ marathon on TV.

The Men’s Cardio Shirt pictured above is available directly from the NuMetrex online store for $58.95 by itself. But you’ll also need the transmitter and watch for it be actually useful which adds another $130 to the price tag.

[ NuMetrex Heart Rate Monitor Clothing ] VIA [ Popular Science ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Next week the first Wearable Technologies Congress will be held in Munich Germany and some of the innovative technologies that will be exhibited have already been made public. From German company Beurer GmbH comes this beltless heart rate monitor that’s based on a technique called Plethysmography. I’ve never heard of it either but apparently it uses a sensor to measure light that is reflected by the bloodstream in the finger artery. Not only can this be used to measure your pulse but it can also be used to keep track of your blood pressure.

The LCD screen provides constantly updated information on your physical condition while the glove design is made to feel like a second skin rather than a large bulky watch. That makes it ideal for athletes who won’t have to worry about it falling off or bouncing around during physical activities.

There’s no word on when the glove might see production but if you’re interested in the whole ‘wearable technologies’ scene you might want to check out their website here.

Update: Thanks to ManToy who pointed out in the comments that the glove is officially called the ‘Beurer PM 100 Pulsuhr’ and is actually available from Amazon.de for about $226.

[ I4U News - Preview of Wearable Technologies at ispo SPORT & STYLE 2007 ] VIA [ Gear Live ]

By Andrew Liszewski

This new low-impact exercise machine from Panasonic called the Raku Raku Walk (or Easy Walk) is designed for older people who would otherwise have trouble using a standard stair climbing or step machine. Basically it recreates the motions of walking and climbing stairs while allowing you to sit and hold onto a set of handlebars so it strengthens your legs but doesn’t put as much strain on your knees.

While the machine is probably effective I would think that just going out and taking a short walk would be just as beneficial if not more since you would end up exercising more muscles in the process. But then again I’m not exactly a senior citizen yet and maybe this is actually a great idea.

The Raku Raku Walk should be available in Japan sometime in September but pricing info has not been released.

[ Raku Raku Walk (Panasonic Japan) ] VIA [ TOKYOMANGO ]