CES: Sweat Tech and Buff Stuff
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With marketers realizing the goldmine potential of growing interest in health, obesity prevention and fitness, this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opened with lots of buzz about tech products for getting stronger, faster, healthier and buffer. According to a recent survey by the Consumer Electronics Association, sports and fitness represents a $70 billion annual business in the United States alone. The target markets range from the exercise-averse to helicopter snowboarding. The tech ranges from heart monitors to sport goggles with built-in GPS locators.
On the CES show floor and at the Showstoppers after-hours event, I found intriguing products that have muscled into the limelight:
This new intelligent cycling computer harnesses the iPhone and iPod Touch to help users work toward their fitness goals, measuring progress, guiding workouts, providing motivation and encouraging optimal form. The bicycle-based fitness suite includes a weatherproof device case with sensor electronics. The user selects a app-based training plan, such as “iSlim,” “Express Fitness,” “Brazilian Butt,” “Kid Fit,” “Weekend Warrior” and “Zero to 50 miles in 3 Weeks.” Then, over 6 weeks, iBike Powerhouse guides you through a series of 45- to 90-minute bike rides. During each ride, it directs you to pedal at specific levels of effort.
The fitness plans were designed by top power-cycling coach Hunter Allen who provides tips through included videos. Allen told me the system works on your strengths and weaknesses, captures baseline data and based on that data develops a daily training plan. As a super-buff model pedals to the “Brazilian Butt” plan, Allen explains that the digital coach tells the user how to keep the spine long in a neutral position and position your “pelvis to recruit those gluteal muscles.” The literature explains Brazilian Butt practice will have you looking better in your jeans, bikini and bike shorts, reshaping the lower body. Strategic use of bike gears is also key. The system include water and shock-resistant case, electronics, app, speed/cadence sensor, fitness plan, and universal mounting system. It will release in March at $269 per 6-week training plan. Additional fitness plan apps are $9.99 each.
BodyMedia FIT Armband
BodyMedia showed off its latest on-body monitor, the FIT Core Armband, which measures motion, heat flux, skin temperature and galvanic skin response to track calorie burn, physical activity, steps taken, sleep duration and sleep efficiency. “It’s the most accurate calorie burn counter on the the market, and it’s clinically validated,” said BodyMedia representative Jeff Bartlett.
Fitnessbuilder PLUS
An online “Activity Manager” analyzes data logged inand clearly displays information. The armband automatically captures data. To pump up Fitness Zone attendees, the company brought fitness guru Jillian Michaels to the show. BodyMedia armbands from $149 to $179.
PumpOne’s FitnessBuilder personal training program is now available on the Web and for Android and iOS. It offers more than 750 pre-made workout programs and fitness plans, a cool drag and drop system for creating custom sessions and a Share Workout to get social and competitive with your workouts. Plus is $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. For FitnessBuilder, the first month’s free; the free mobile app can be downloaded for Apple and Android devices.
UWaterG4 MP3
Fitness Technologies Inc. has miniaturized 100% waterproof audio with the UWaterG4 MP3 Player and salt water corrosion-resistant UWaterG4X Chrome MP3 Player. The 4GB memory can hold 1,000 songs and 10 audio books. Each device clips onto an included armband, goggles, headband or belt for listening while swimming laps, boating, snorkeling, skiing, showering, exercising in the rain or running. The “twist & lock” stereo earphones completely seal out water. $79.95
UWater K7
What the Sony Walkman did for jogging, Fitness Technologies does for swimming laps. This tiny, featherweight 100% waterproof FM radio withboasts a one-inch LED screen, precision tuning, 8 hours of play time, reception worldwide, a headband attachment, and “twist & lock” stereo earphones that completely seal out water. The ultimate shuffle, it’s targeted to seniors and boomers, and anyone else who likes the variety of radio. $39.95.
UWater DX Dive Light with UWater HD Camera
UWater HD Action Cameras and Dive Lights
The new cameras are practically indestructible, waterproof and offer 8 straight hours of action shooting. The dive lights, says Fitness Technologies’ CEO Opher Pail bring daylight into the world of darkness, and would have enabled divers to find the Titanic right away. The DX Extreme Dive Lights are rated at 100 meters underwater and feature a 3/8” polycarbonate luminous super bright lens at up to 2700 lumens. Action Cams $200 to $250; Dive Lights starting at $185.
Striiv
It looks like a digital pedometer; it’s described as a “Personal Trainer in Your Pocket.” And with it, walking gets a lot more fun. The average daily activity per Striiv use is 3 miles, 60 minutes and the equipment of 8 flights of steps. And every step counts towards donations to clean water, polio vaccines or the rainforest, because Striiv donates money on each user’s behalf. $99.
It’s the first geolocated video sharing platform, and you can use it to shoot and share your own videos. The map maker works via a free smartphone app.
Polk Audio Ultrafit earphones stay in when during snowboard trampoline workouts. By Robin Tierney
These earphones were today’s stay in-the-ear audio spotting treat. demonstrated on the show floor by gymnasts and snow-boarders jumping and flipping on a trampoline. Check out this video. $50 to $100.
Next: Electronic health boosters.
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[...] See previous post: CES, Sweat Tech and Buff Stuff [...]
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