The latest fitness gadgets can help motivate, track your progress and help develop your training program. Along with ipods and mp3 players, which can be used by many athletes, there are a number of new sport specific toys that act more like a training partner or coach than a gadget. These gadgets are useful tools in helping you achieve your fitness goals.
For Runners
A pacer will help both new runners and seasoned veterans. They offer an interactive training program that gives feedback as you run. The pacer tells you when to push harder and when to ease up so that you’re always in your target heart rate zone. Using a pacer will also help with training for marathons or other long distance races as they keep you on track to finish in your goal time. There are also devices on the market that can store your route, time and pace which can later be uploaded on to your computer to track your training progress. This is a great way to set goals and improve your results.
For Golfers
Instead of relying on the yard markers on the course, which are moved every time someone cuts the fairway, why not try a more accurate GPS system? These devices can more accurately tell you the distance to the pin, but are not limited to just that. Most of the new devices have thousands of courses preloaded and can be updated at any time through your computer. They act like a GPS in your car but transform into your own personal caddy telling you the distance to certain areas on the green, how far your ball flew on the last shot and how far you walked on the course. Before you know it you’ll be dropping a few strokes off your game.
For Swimmers
For years there have been ways to track distance and steps for runners and walkers but now companies are manufacturing products that can be used by swimmers in the pool. These watch-like devices can identify the stroke your doing, whether it’s front stroke, butterfly or breaststroke, and will track your distance per stroke and how many calories you’ve burned. There is also the capability of customizing your settings and uploading results to training software which will individualize workouts and monitor your progress.
For Walkers
Pedometers have been around for ages but gained popularity again a few years ago when Doctor’s published studies that said walking 10,000 steps or more a day will keep you healthy. There are many options out there but the new generation of pedometers can do so much more. They track distance as well as steps and have 12 or 24 hour setting options. New devices come in funky colours and smaller sizes which can be tucked away under your work clothes. No one will know you’re tracking your fitness throughout your day. If you treat your steps like a game and track your results you’ll be motivated to keep beating your high score.
For Fun
Even the makers of games consoles are hoping on the fitness bandwagon. Games like Wii Fit and Your Shape for the xbox get participants up off the couch and moving around. Since the games won’t work unless you’re moving around they are a fun way to become active without realizing it. These games are perfect for inactive kids or even adults who are just starting out in fitness. Use these types of games as a way to keep active when you’re unable to go outside. There are many other fun options as well like dancing and Zumba.