High Tech Fitness
Take in calories the old-fashioned way; sweat them off with the latest clever gadgets
AS WITH so many other areas,
technology that was once
available only to the elite and
the moneyed has made its way
to your average fitness punter.
Never before have you been able to chart
the frequency, pace and efficiency of your
workouts with such accuracy. Fall off the pace
in any of these areas and the cold hard data
will make it glaringly obvious, but with a bit of
commitment, this technology could turn into
the best training motivation you’ve ever had.
1. NIKE + SPORTWATCH GPS - $200
nike.com.au
Powered by TomTom and working in
conjunction with a sensor that
attaches to your sneakers, this watch
is a virtual personal trainer for runners.
It tracks your route and pace while
automatically congratulating you when
you clock your fastest mile, 10km,
marathon or your longest distance.
Data is uploaded to a computer via
a USB port and you have access to
the Nikeplus.com portal where there
are new routes and coaching tips.
2. FITBIT FLEX 4.0 - $119.95
fitbit.com/au/store
Looking more like a piece of futuristic
jewellery than high-tech sports kit, this
bracelet functions as a 24/7 monitor to
track everything from your sleep quality and
the number of steps you take a day to the
amount of calories burned off in the process.
It syncs via Bluetooth to Android and Apple
devices, is water-resistant and gives you
on-the-go updates as you hit 20 percent
increments of your workout. For a more
holistic approach, the Fitbit website also
allows you to log food intake and weigh.
3. WIRELESS BICYCLE COMPUTER
3. WIRELESS BICYCLE COMPUTER - $39
kogan.com
If you’ve been swept up in the two-wheeled,
lycra-clad mania sweeping Australian
men, this affordable gadget will record
your speed, distance travelled, top speed,
average speed and how much time you
spent bent over the spokes. If you’re a bit
sceptical about the whole fitness-gadget
thing, this is a good entry point which will
cost you no more than a steak and a beer
at a decent restaurant..