Posts Tagged ‘exercise’

In the vast canon of techie terms, the word "dongle"  ranks somewhere between "thingamajig" and "whoseamawhatsit" as an official-sounding device. It may be fun to say, but it doesn't exactly instill much technical confidence in the person or entity that is pushing the newfangled "hoobajoob" on you.

In Nike's case, the sneaker stalwart was charging $29 for running enthusiasts to track their jog-gress (jogging progress!) via their various Apple devices working in concert with the Nike + Shoe-dongle– a device implanted under the inner sole of your active footwear.

Well, after a lengthy experimentation period, Nike is no longer requiring Apple-using fitness freaks to monitor their training by slipping their tiny dongle where the sun don't shine. Instead, they'll stay hot on the trail of your cross-trainers with those magical monitoring initials: GPS

By spending a mere $2 in the Itunes App Store, runners can download the new Nike + GPS to their favorite iThings and run like the wind– or the tortoise. No matter what you run like, the program works by connecting with the GPS radio in most newer Apple gadgets (iPod, iPhone, iPad) to allow you to record your time, map your runs and browse previous runs. Users can also share their runs and get competitive by comparing themselves with other users on the Nike + site. You might be tempted to best your local rivals times, but remember, slow and steady wins the race– though you could stand to pick up the pace a little bit.

Obesity has unfortunately become a serious problem in America, which is why it’s important for us to develop new and more effective ways of exercise so that we can become a healthier and strong nation. With the help of GPS technology, that dream can become a reality.

There are many ways to use a GPS device to help get you into better shape. For example, GPS navigation systems can provide you with the locations of excellent running paths, and if you’re looking for a route that’s exactly 3 miles long, it can give you that too. Additionally, GPS trackers can also use coordinate technology to determine the speed at which you were going as well as how many calories you’ve burned.

Certain new devices, such as the Adidas miCoach and the Nike Plus, for example, can even act as virtual coaches, motivating you throughout your entire exercise. They give you real-time workout feedback, and they offer suggestions for how you can improve your workout routine for maximum affect.

This new type of fitness GPS can also save your life. Certain GPS systems can now be hooked up to heart monitors and can actually warn you if your heart rate is approaching dangerous levels. The GPS device can also let emergency units know your position at all times.

For those joggers who enjoy jogging in the woods or near rocky mountain areas, this is almost a necessity. With numerous cases of hikers gone missing every year, having a GPS device on you could literally mean the difference between life and death. These GPS devices can be as small as a walnut, and they can be held in a jacket pocket or simply clipped onto any article of clothing.

GPS trackers provide you with a well deserved sense of security in knowing that no matter what happens, as long as you have a GPS device securely attached to you, you can never be lost and can always be found.