Become A Man Of Action: Technology has long given us reasons and excuses to stay lazy. You owe it to yourself to use it to get active again
Weighty WiFi
If your middle regions are a little softer and a little squishier than you’d like, the Withings WiFi Scale (US$159) will be a daily reminder that you need to drop some pounds. And it’s designed to help, or at least track your progress. Every time you step on the scale, it automatically uploads information to the web. Over time, you can track your weight, fat mass and body mass index with the online charts. There’s even an iPhone application so you can track your progress from
anywhere.
Splish Splash
iPods are great for running, but what if you’re more into water-based workouts? Enter Speedo. Mostly known for embarrassingly skimpy swimwear (and those crazy fish suits Olympic swimmers wear), Speedo has teamed up with iRiver to create the Aquabeat waterproof MP3 player (US$100). Specs and sound quality are consistent with other small players on the market, and the device can be attached to your swimwear and goggles with relative ease. It also floats, which is more than can be said about the last iPod you dropped while sitting poolside.
Rad Rider
Video games have never been very helpful when it comes to getting fit (unless you count developing strong thumbs). Tony Hawk: Ride ($130) takes its cues from games like Guitar Hero to offer a different kind of control — in this case, a skateboard without wheels. Using the board, you control the entire game with your legs and feet. It won’t teach you how to skateboard any more than Rock Band will teach you guitar, but it is just as much fun, and while not technically a get-fit device, it gets you off the couch more than playing John Madden Football ever has.
A Bit of Fit
The Fitbit (US$99) clips to your clothing and operates mostly like a pedometer, counting each and every step you take. It also figures out how many calories you’re burning and your overall distance travelled. To further help you get healthy, the Fitbit stays attached while you sleep, monitoring sleep quality to develop an overall picture of your sleep patterns. All data is uploaded and tracked online, the result being a decent snapshot of your overall activity and rest.
Sporting by Satellite
If you’re the sort of person who likes to run, hike, ski, mountain bike or anything else that presents the possibility of getting lost, Satsports’ Multi-Sport GPS ($485) handheld is your new best friend. In addition to letting you know exactly where you are, it also keeps an eye on your speed, distance and altitude numbers, giving you real-time stats for any activity. Bonus features include Pocket Caddy software for golf fans and an optional $65 SD card that will turn the device into a street GPS system with voice guide.
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