Category: Aerobics

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Aerobics Fitness

Virtual Knockout gamifies boxing mitt training fitness with tablet

The Premise. Video games have traditionally been controlled through small hand and finger movements, but lately, video game developers have created systems (such as the Wii, the Xbox Kinect, and Rockband) that allow players to use their whole body to immerse themselves in the game. Wii Sports doesn’t exactly offer the most technical training with its boxing game, and thus a quality interactive boxing videogame has yet to be developed—until now.

The Product. Virtual Knockout is the result of a combination between rhythmic gaming and focused mitt training. It’s a game that can be played on an iOS or Android device where a virtual trainer throws a variety of punches that require quick reflexes and timing to succeed. But if the user wants to turn the game into a workout, he or she can mount their device on to a unit that comes complete with spring loaded targets equipped with accelerometers. The result is an intensely fun workout that cuts out the need for a trip to the gym or payment for a trainer.

The Pitch. It’s much easier to see how the Virtual Knockout could be useful when it’s in action. The studio device that they use for the video seems sturdy enough, but it remains to be seen how a wall mount can withstand a bevy of punches. The app, however, looks like a game made for the 1990s. The gameplay seems too repetitive to retain any interest from a casual player, and the graphics are mediocre at best.

The Perks. The app isn’t quite ready yet, but it’s expected to be available in June for $5. But if you’re looking for the full-body experience, the price will be a lot higher. The Early Bird Wall Banger that mounts to a wooden or masonry wall costs $299 (app included), and it is expected to be delivered in October 2014. The Floor Model has an even steeper price of $649 for the Early Bird deal, but it does come with a floor stand. The two models are expected to be delivered in December if you aren’t able to claim the Early Bird deal.

The Potential. A manufacturer still hasn’t been chosen, so that’s not a good sign, but the preliminary designs themselves don’t look too sturdy either. Even the limited market of customers who are interested in boxing are unlikely to use Virtual Knockout as a substitute for traditional training techniques, but it does appear as if Virtual Knockout can deliver an invigorating, fun aerobic workout.

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Aerobics Running

BSX measures lactate threshold to help pace your endurance workout

The Premise. Whether you’re a professional athlete or going for some recreational exercise, you always want to get the most out of your workout. Push your body too hard, and your muscles risk extreme injury or damage. Go to lightly with your workout, and you’re left with much to be desired from your regimen. There are certainly devices that are able to monitor your activity, but it’s still difficult to know just how much you get the most results out of your workout.

The Product. The BSX Insight is looking to change the way athletes monitor their workouts. Packed in a low profile design is a device thats able to monitor heart rate, cadence, pace and calories burned. But the BSX also brings something new to the table: lactate threshold monitoring. Previously, lactate threshold could only be monitored through a finger prick that drew blood, but BSX has developed a system that accurately measures what goes on inside your muscles. It then pairs with your smartphone or other wearable technology to give you live feedback on your athletic performance.

The Pitch. Co-Founders Dustin and Nithin take turns explaining the benefits of lactate threshold technology. This is the first time that that the technology is being made available to the average consumer, so it’s understandable that they take quite a bit of time in the video to explain just how the BSX Insight maximizes your workout and gives a more complete view of your fitness profile. From live action shots, the BSX Insight doesn’t seem to interfere at all with range of motion and activity, and it sleekly fits within the specially designed compression sleeve. The video ends with the two founders asking for donators to fund their final push toward production of their prototype before they run off to the horizon.

The Perks. A normal lactate threshold test can cost up to $200 per test, and in order to stay accurate, those tests need to happen every few months. The BSX Insight on the other hand is only $179 for runner’s edition. The multi-sport edition costs a few more dollars at $219. If you’re not sure whether or not the BSX Insight is for you, you can still support the campaign for $25 to receive a pair of compression sleeves and three months of free trainBSX premium access. The product is expected to be delivered in December 2014.

The Potential. The BSX Insight represents a step beyond the run-of-the-mill pedometers, but the obscurity of what it measures likely won’t resonate with people who aren’t ultra-competitive athletes. It may represent an extravagance for the casual runner, but its simplicity may make it an appealing addition to people’s everyday workout gear.

Categories
Aerobics

Tread Pad sucks out the whimsy from a Dance Dance Revolution workout

The Premise. Home gym equipment can cause more headaches than it’s worth. Between the bulkiness, awkward shapes and price associated with home machines, sometimes getting that daily exercise is best left going to an actual gym. As technology is advancing at an alarming rate, however, new equipment is hitting the market all the time, some of which seems to be an excellent alternative to the issues that have been associated with home gym machines ever since they first came out.

The Product. The Tread Pad is a new kind of workout device that utilizes touch pad technology that is operated entirely by foot. It resembles the appearance and functionality of the dance pad for the game Dance Dance Revolution, but the flashy graphics and sound of that game have been replaced with some sterile red LEDs. This likely helps conserve battery life. The device allows for continuous tracking of calories burned, distance, average speed and number of steps. Perhaps the best thing about the Tread Pad, though, is that it only weighs 10 pounds and measures in at 24”x30”, making it semi-portable and easy to store.

The Pitch. If there’s anything that hurts the Tread Pad, it’s the campaign video. It feels dated, and as serious as a heart attack it seeks to prevent. The product is being billed as a customizable, easy-to-use device that could potentially replace the type of exercise equipment we use today.

The Perks. There are only a handful of different tiers to choose from with the Tread Pad. Entry level sits around $150, which would be very reasonable for a true treadmill substitute. However, despite its billing, the Tread Pad doesn’t offer the full leg extension that a treadmill can. Also, the reward’s description as “pre-retail” leaves it unclear as whether the device itself would be a late prototype of if you’re simply getting the final version before it’s available at retail.

The Potential. The Tread Pad seems like a product destined to show up on late night infomercials but for its price. It could be helpful to have a versatile aerobic aid that can travel fairly well and store easily. And the device’s different exercise modes may help routines stay reasonably fresh. Unlike with the original Dance Dance Revolution game, though, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of joy in using it, something the campaign points out all too well.