TubaDuba: Fitness, Health and Sports Technology

Swollow a RFID Tagged Pill to prevent Over Heating

2008-08-14T08:51:00.003-04:00

Would you take a pill that would monitor your vitals during a race, or even training? Could tell you when your body is starting to overheat, muscles are breaking down, etc.. For race organizers this could be the next thing, making sure you are staying hydrated and not collapsing. Here is how us at TubaDuba see this working.
You take the pill before the start of the race, step on a pad to make sure that it works. As you compete in a Marathon or Triathlon you would cross over pad/readers along the way, on a monitor your stats could show up, if the system saw that you needed to be hydrated a water station would follow the readings. In case a runner showed a potentially dangerous reading, nearby medical teams were given access to the data so they could reach the runner, stop him, and treat him immediately. Simple safe and completely harmless.
Cheers

Easy, Simple, Lawson Hammock Camping Tent

2008-08-11T12:47:00.002-04:00

image via Uncrate
Easy, Simple, Light and affordable the Lawson Camping Hammock is a great solution to sleeping on the ground. It even let's you simulate hanging off the side of a cliff. The best thing it is for is the backyard, keeps the bugs away so you can enjoy the outdoors. Plus at $150 what more could you ask for!

Locate Your Bike, RFID Device

2008-08-08T06:25:00.000-04:00

Ok since gas is getting so expensive, more and more are taking to the road via peddle power. Hey this is great for the bike industry, terrible for ole Detroit. Oh well they reap the benefits by over charging and shady salesman. I guess what come around goes around.
Well now we all have to protect our bike, cars have alarms so why should a bike not. Immobilise has come up with a RFID that helps locate your bike, the ImmobiTAG is installed the only way to remove is to cut the bike frame. The TAG has a unique ID number you registered on Immobilies website. If you bike is stolen and recovered, the police can scan the TAG and contact the rightful owner. Great!
The one thing that I would include is a high decibel pitch on the TAG that ties into your lock once the lock is cut the siren goes off. Might help deter some.

Mavic Clothing Line

2008-08-08T00:01:00.001-04:00

Mavic has some light great products that most have used or been past by. Their venture into the clothing arena should be exciting. Their triathlon shoe, not cheap $250+ is a good example of making something strong and light. Halters Cycle had the salesman in and he was showing us some new 2009 products as well as this shoe. First Glance LIGHT and STIFF, easy entry and well thought out with mesh keeping the foot cool.

They even have a new logo. September 1st is the release but take some time and view the flash demo.

iPhone Apps, Fitness

2008-08-06T08:45:00.002-04:00

The iPhone as we all know is making a big splash with their newly released 2.0 upgrade. Whether you have the 3G version or not. Apps as Apple is calling them has a whole section geared towards health and fitness. From a pedometer to gym locations, tracking food and weight, BMI and a Clever one called Gyminee, Gyminee is the premier fitness social network for detailed tracking, online accountability, and motivation. Whether you are trying to lose weight or get fit, it's time to start taking your fitness seriously.
Hey if anything check out the apps you might find something you like.

Invent a Sport, Horney Toad at it again!

2008-07-31T00:01:00.000-04:00

Horny Toad has been done a lot of thinking and produce great clothing, so when they sponsor a contest like Invent a Sport people come out of the woodwork.
There are things like Special Sumo Wrestling, Crazy Biking and WiFi Hunting, all these are doable some just a little more crazy then the next. Hey who would have thunk the XGames would have come as far as they have even getting sports like BMX into the Olympics.

Official Rules:
There are hundreds of sports out there with well-defined rules to follow (boring), but we here at Horny Toad, along with the good folks at Instructables, think rules are made to be broken. Horny Toad's mantra, "Everyday is an Adventure" has inspired countless crazy antics like lake biking, chair skiing and trampoline dodgeball - all in the name of fun and why the heck not?

So we're throwing down the challenge to invent your own sport! Make a good one and we'll hook you up with hundreds of dollars worth of clothes!

We want to see some creative new sports from you. The games can be variations on existing sports, but they need to be original. To enter the contest you need to explain how to play the sport to and how to make any custom equipment, if needed. A video showing the game in action is a major bonus, but not required.

NiteRider, see at night!

2008-07-29T07:59:00.002-04:00

Gas prices have gone way up, Mini's are sold out for 2009, so bike commuting is getting more popular and summer is coming to an end. Which means it gets darker sooner. Clipping a NiteRider TriNewt to your bars means only one thing, daylight at night, plain and simple. The battery is big and can hold a charge for over 3.5 hours in full mode. Even the old systems from the 1990 are still going strong. If anything breaks just order up a new part.
Description:
The TriNewt was designed with cycling specifically in mind. As a result, no ‘off the shelf’ optics are used in the TriNewt.Instead the 3 high-powered LED’s are housed in a custom made reflector to deliver a beam pattern ideal for night riding. The TriNewt incorporates a cluster of 3 high-powered LED’s to achieve a retina searing real world output of 500 lumens! The TriNewt uses a Borofloat lens to greatly minimize light loss, when compared to a traditional glass lens or total internal reflector. A wireless remote version of the TriNewt is available, allowing light control without your hands ever having to leave your handlebars, regardless of where you are mounting your light. This added layer of safety is not found anywhere else. All of these features, combined with regulated run times ranging from 3:30 – 7:00 HRS and a lightweight Li-Ion battery, make the TriNewt the light by which all others are judged.

Now you have no excuses, light is 24/7.

iPlay Jacket

2008-07-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hey soccer is fun and warming up to your own iTunes library is everyone's dream no matter what sport you do. Well rain or cold weather come hand and hand in England so this type of Jacket was just a matter of time. Soccer, fashion and your music, it doesn't get any better than that. The iPlay jacket is made for iPod and with the finger tip controls you can combine all your moves on the field with the music that you love. This is one of those gotta have products that has you standing out in a crowd.

Features:

Sleeve forearm joystick controller
Ear phone access from control pocket
Ear phone loop to keep in place
Compatible with: iPod 30/60 & 80GB. U2 iPod. iPod Nano 2/4/ & 8 GB. iPod Nano Red
Outer chest and sleeve zippered pocket
Bungy sleeves and hem for wind protection
Ribbed inner cuff hand warmer with thumb slot for those cold days
Built-in thumb holes on cuff
Mesh lined
Two zippered side seam pocket

Cool Down and Fire Up, Artic Heat

2008-07-17T09:47:00.003-04:00

Arctic Heat Cooling Vests work by the special crystals absorbing and retaining the temperature of the water that it has been placed in.

By retaining the temperature longer than other products, the Arctic Heat Cooling Vest can provide a significant advantage to the athlete or worker subjected to potential heat stress.

Cooling of the body can be achieved pre, during and post exercise. The chief benefits of using cooling vests include:

Drop in skin temperature

Drop in core body temperature

Improvement in perceived comfort level

Designed to be eye-catching and effective, Arctic Heat Cooling Vests can provide the athlete with a significant competitive advantage and the outside worker with an effective aid against heat stress.

Wizard Evacuation Rescue Product

2008-07-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

High-rises are tough to get out of in an emergency, this is only a design but what a relief it would be if you live in New York to have The Wizard stashed in your closet. “The Wizard” was dreamed up to make the high-rise lifestyle a little less scary by providing a quick exit in an emergency situation. The Wizard “caters for this necessity by providing automated public safety solutions with up to 250m of reciprocating lifeline technology.
Even if you don't have one the New York Fire Departments should.

Water Buoy For Keys

2008-07-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

High tech solutions for keeping your keys. Employs the same technology that is used in PFD, once the sensor get wet and the balloon inflates. It can hold up 2.3 pound, hey that's a small dog or cat.

Intelligent First Aid

2008-07-03T08:56:00.002-04:00

Whoever thought that putting a Band-Aid on a cut was so difficult. Well the makers of the IntelligentFirstAid must have seen a need. The IntelligentFirstAid "talking" kit, designed by medical and educational experts, combines supplies, visual instruction cards and now an audio module for verbal guidance to manage the most common injuries, at home, at work, or at play.
Well things just got easier in our very complicated lives.

Nike+ and Gym Equipment

2008-06-30T19:42:00.003-04:00

Well it is happening and keeping all the info into a place is happening Nike+, Nike and Apple seem to really understand the consumers that use their equipment. Not all have Polar watches. So what do to powerhouses do, use their muscles and get the gym equipment manufactures to get involved. 24 Hour Fitness has teamed up and coming in July.

XRtainment Zone

2008-06-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

I am all for the Wii fit and anything that will get kids and adults off the coach and doing something physical. Making working out fun has seen a rise in the last couple year. Monkey Bar Gym has done a great job of getting ride of the gym equipment and letting you use your surroundings to get a real workout. So when XRtainment surfaced what more can a kid or adult have to say workout and have fun doing it. With Funding from Robert Wood Johnson and some cool interactive workout machines this could be a huge success.

XRtainment Services
XRtainment Zone will provide its members with a wholesome environment that provides exercise, entertainment, fitness and nutrition counseling, seminars, year round family activities, and healthy snacks and drinks, among others. Most importantly, we will provide a fun and exciting opportunity for our members to form lasting, healthy lifestyle habits at affordable prices. A few of the things our members can look forward to are:

Superior Service - Small size allows more intimate and specialized attention to each member;
Emphasis on Family - The family that plays together, stays together;
XRtainment Games - The latest in video and computer technology;
Innovative Wellness Techniques – Tailored individual fitness programs, classes and seminars to treat the multiple causes of lifestyle related illnesses that currently plague modern families and society at large;
Dedicated Management Team - Committed to our mission and to our members;
Affiliations with Local Universities and Graduate Schools - Providing employees with superior knowledge and skill to assist in fitness and nutrition counseling and studies;
Working with Local Healthcare Providers - Creating a referral network for kids and their family members struggling with lifestyle illnesses;
Local Ownership - Local family ownership gives local insight and dedication to its community;
A Delicious Smoothie Bar; and
Safe, Easy and Local access.

Now that's working out!

Ibis Mojo Sl, 4.96 pounds!

2008-06-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Are you kidding, 4.96 pounds for a full suspension, it is amazing. Ibis has a blend of carbon and stainless steel sheath. You have to respect the hours and devotion to making it one of the lightest Mountain frames around.
Specs:
Features of the MojoSL

Sub 5 Pound Frame/swingarm/rear shock (size Large)
Complete bike weight 21.9 lbs
Ultra high modulus fiber enhanced layup
Carbon fiber head cups
Carbon fiber dropouts with stainless steel sheath
Carbon fiber seat tube insert
DT Swiss XR Carbon shock and shock hardware
6-4 Ti fasteners and shock pin
Special rubber paint (durable, easy to clean)
Carbon monocoque frame and swing arm
5.5" (140mm) rear wheel travel
DW-Link Suspension
Forged and anodized links (now available in designer colors)
Easy to service pivots and bearings

The best is how Ibis talks about the Frame and accomplishments, "We’ve managed to squeeze nearly half a pound out of the original Mojo frame. Not only that, we’ve put our high end kit on a diet, and the results would impress even Jenny Craig (for your Euros and others, Jenny Craig is a weight loss program we have here in the USofA).
The MojoSL with the pimp daddy WTF group weighs in at UNDER TWENTY TWO POUNDS. Yes, you’re reading it right, we’ve now got a 5.5” travel All Mountain or XC bike that weighs 22lbs (Euros, that’s 10Kg!). And we’re not putting any stupid parts on there, parts that you’re just going to take off immediately."

Urban Cycle's helping you come and go!

2008-06-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Getting around in today's time is getting tougher and tougher with gas prices. With bike from Trek coming out with bikes like the Soho 4.0 and at the price that they are offering $1099.00 you can't miss. Oh and that is the top of the line, out of the box $549.00, Style, comfort and utility, with a lightweight and responsive Alpha Black Aluminum frame, all-weather hardware, and efficient starting and stopping performance. Now get ride of the car and get riding, you will save some money and get healthy in the progress.

Michelle Kaufmann Design, SolCycles - Bamboo Bikes

2008-06-13T09:34:00.004-04:00

Juniors at Princeton University, Nick Frey, Will Watts, Doug Wolf and Tom Yersak are building bamboo bikes. The bike is light and made with carbon joints to hold it all together. They have a special way that they cure the wood, some sort of heat treatment I am told. The bike that I saw still the beta version was a one speed and was ridged as any carbon frame.

"What started as a homework assignment is morphing into a successful and lucrative business. The four engineers met in mechanical and aerospace engineering classes during their sophomore year and have been friends ever since. They were given an open-ended assignment in MAE 321 to build something, and, partly because Frey is a competitive cyclist, the group chose to build a bicycle. The first bike took about a month to make, but after they mastered the technique, they started making each bike within a matter of days. Shifting from a class project to a full-fledged business, they already have many commissions and are planning to spend the summer building bikes in their professor’s basement.

The bike project, however, is not just a way to make some spare money during college: These four engineers have big plans for their company, which is called Sol Cycles. They have already started talking to an American who lives in Vietnam about outsourcing production there because of the plentiful bamboo, and several companies have already agreed to donate parts.

“We are working with a company called Time Cycle, and they are a very high-end company,” Watts said. “[We are also speaking] with another company that would like to sell their wheels through us.”

Frey, in addition to being one of the creators of the bikes, is also the reigning national time-trial champion for cyclists under age 23. His experience gives the group an advantage as it tries to expand its project: Frey’s position in the cycling world helped the group break into the business. “My connections in the industry and the cycling community have helped me get advice and direction from experienced salespeople and engineers,” Frey explained."
read more at Daily Princetonian

This is one of the most fascinating ideas that has been applied to bike design in quite some time, it also helps they are being green. Keep it simple and affordable and these will sell like hot cakes, I can't wait to either get one of my own or start seeing them in production.

Nice job Guys.

Hot, Hot, Hot, Gir's new bike

2008-06-11T08:17:00.002-04:00

New bikes are starting to hit the market and many are incorporating traithlon like geometry, take a look and you will see the similarities. A good thing all want to go fast tucking the rear wheel so a shadow is created is priceless. Another thing with Gir is how they documented the making of the bike in a blog. Really smart and lets us see the problems along with the wins of making this new bike along the way. Nice job Gir.

Clothes That Monitor Your Body!

2008-06-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

This really does beat the strap which is troublesome and seems to have trouble reading. The best part is the it integrates with the Polar transmitters, so if you have the system just get the shirt. The only draw back is that they have only three styles and a Triathlon one piece would be great. Just put the shirt on check your watch for the pulse and head out to the gym, bike, run or hike.

Special sensors are knit into the fabric of our seamless athletic apparel. The textile sensors maintain contact with the body, sensing the wearer’s heart rate and relaying it to a tiny transmitter.

The transmitter is snapped into a pocket in the front of the garment. It captures the heart rate data and transmits it to a heart rate monitor watch.

The heart rate monitor watch instantly displays the heart rate for the wearer to see.

Perfect addition to anyones training clothing.

LifeSaver Bottle

2008-06-05T08:04:00.002-04:00

Best of the year 2007 Men Journal, that says something, LIFESAVER bottle – Solves Drinking Water Needs of India’s Flood Victims.
This is a great device PERIOD, not unlike the LifeStraw this is a bottle that has the filtration built in, it will remove bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens without using chemicals like iodine or chlorine which leave a distinctive foul taste. Soldiers use this device, flood victims are using this, every household should have one of these.
The LifeSaver bottle could not be easier, dip, suck, filter, drink. Image below show how easy the process is.

Now go get one.

Surfers Healing, A Foundation for Autism

2008-05-30T08:19:00.002-04:00

Autism has been on the rise every year and now reports suggest 1 in every 150 American children, and almost 1 in 94 boys will be born with a form of Autism. If you are into the outdoors and if you are reading this blog there is a good chance you are, surfing is one activity that brings the sense of freedom and relaxation to mind. Well Sufers Healing Autism is one great cause.

"Surfers Healing was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz. Their son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many autistic children, he often suffered from sensory overload-- simple sensations could overwhelm him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite.
A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea--with Isaiah on the front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other autistic children. They began to host day camps at the beach where autistic children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing."

Please check it out!

Ultimate Survivor in a Bottle Kit

2008-05-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

Not sure Bear Grylls carries one of these, but the rest of us should. Since it is shatter resistant it might not be BPA, but would you care if you needed this to survive, every thing has perspective.
Prepare for life's unexpected adventures with this compact survival kit – in a bottle.

Includes:

1 32 oz. water bottle
1 carabiner
1 multi-function tool
1 multi-function whistle/compass
1 flashlight
2 batteries
1 survival blanket
2 hand warmer packets
1 candle
1 box of waterproof matches
1 emergency poncho
1 20 piece first-aid kit
1 reusable zipper-lock bag
This 32 oz. shatter resistant water bottle contains essential items for any emergency.

Nutcase, protect the dome!

2008-05-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

Project the dome, no matter what, protect the dome. With all the extreme sports that we all do Nutcase has the right helmet for you. The best part is that they fit kids and adults, you can hang with your kids and not look like you are doing the Tour de France, embarrassing yourself and your kids.
Go protect your Nutcase.

MARATAC ZULU WATCH BANDS

2008-05-16T07:46:00.002-04:00

For those with tiny wrist or don't like the feel of rubber against you skin, then the Maratac "S-Series" Zulu Bands is for you. Now a days watch bands are pretty comfortable and easy to get used too but if you have small wrist the band gets bunched up and is always hanging on something. These can be trimmed since they are nylon and what is nice is they have two rings to hold the strap in place. Another advantage is the band goes through the pin, in case one pin lets go you won't lose your watch like traditional watches. If you are really using your Polar there is a good chance it will get hung up on something pop the pin and by, by $300+ watch, the Zulu watch band is only $17.00.
Check them out. Maratac "S-Series" Zulu Bands

RUSH, Action Camera

2008-05-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

Camera's, camera's everywhere and yet we have another one. The RUSH by Martin Ruegg hopes to better the odds of more people capturing stupid, sometimes useful footage. Hey for training and finding where you might be doing something wrong video camera's are great, still they are better for capturing going over the handlebars or even your Mate taking a dive.
"An innovative sport camera for unlimited action during all kinds of sport. The camera is waterproof and has a shock-resistant body. The quintessence of RUSH is the multifunctional attachment tool, composed of three specific parts. In order to activate the camera in any situation, the trigger is placed at the finger and can be pressed with your thumb.
The idea behind this design is to motivate people who enjoy sports to experiment. RUSH hopes to inspire users to experience the dynamics of sports from a unique perspective.
A project by Martin Ruegg."
Cheers