What's New in Fitness - Gear, Apps and More
Every week I get emails from people telling me about some new fitness app/website/electronic device/whatnot that I simply have to try. It's unfortunate that I can't try all of these things - well, it's probably a good thing I can't try some of them - but my day only includes 24 hours and I haven't figured out how to change that (not for lack of trying).
Over the past few weeks, I've gotten a number of these emails and some of them actually look useful, while others look...well....interesting. Here's the latest:
Cadence - This iPhone/iTouch app is awesome and perfect for runners and walkers who want to move at a certain pace to their own music. This ingenious little app (which costs $2.99) crawls around inside your iTunes and gives you the beats per minute for each song in your library. It then creates playlists based on BPMs for your exercise pleasure. If you've ever spent a few hours trying to find songs to fit your pace, you'll instantly fall in love with this app like I did. I may even leave my husband for it.
The Measure Up Bowl - This is another great idea I wish I'd thought of. These bowls include measurements on the inside of the bowl to help you pre-measure your portions. The measurements are different depending on which bowl you get, but range from 1/4 - 2 cups. This is especially good for measuring things like cereal, pasta, ice cream and other foods you may want to keep under control.
Muscle Recovery Mattresses - Here's one that begs a question you've probably never asked before: Can a mattress help your muscles recover? Sleeping is obviously important for recovery, but now there are apparently mattresses which feature, "cutting-edge "Muscle-Recovery" materials." This includes anti-sweat properties, performance fabrics and remote-activated adjustment capabilities. I wonder if it will put my workout clothes on for me and make my husband quit snoring?
PhysicalFitnet - This is another interesting website that I haven't gotten to try, but thought I'd throw it out there. This site, which includes a huge database of video exercises, also has WorkoutBuilder Pro - an application that will allow personal trainers to create workouts for their clients. These workouts (which have pictures and videos) can be accessed on the computer or by smartphone. There's a subscription fee, but it's worth a look.
What about you? Heard about anything new you'd like to share? Leave a comment and tell us what you're into.
What's New in Fitness - Gear, Apps and More originally appeared on About.com Exercise on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 07:00:06.