If you’re a fitness buff, you’ve doubtlessly heard about interval training. And if you haven’t, here’s the short wikipedia definition:
“Interval training is a type of physical training that involves bursts of high intensity work. This high intensity work is alternated with periods of rest or low activity (the intervals in interval training).” It can be helpful for improving cardiovascular fitness, and studies have suggested interval training can be better for weight loss than steady-pace jogging, biking, etc.
While you can simply use a watch or the timer on the treadmill to figure out your intervals, the gadget lover in you may prefer the GymBoss Interval Trainer.
“This quality interval timer will make any workout easier to plan and execute with more accuracy and consistency.” The pager-sized fitness gadget features include:
- one or two different time intervals from 2 seconds to 99 minutes
- an auto mode that keeps repeating through intervals
- the ability to set up to 99 rounds
- a manual “countdown timer” mode
- a stopwatch function
- an alarm to alert you when it’s time to switch from high to low or vice versa
Pick one up for $20:
If you have trouble getting your eight glasses of water a day (who doesn’t?), then perhaps you can enlist the aid of the HydraCoach Intelligent Water Bottle.
The HydraCoach comes with a digital, interactive Hydration Monitor. “This patented technology enables users to program in their personal hydration needs, track their daily water consumption sip by sip, and be coached throughout the day to achieve optimal hydration.”
I suppose for optimal performance, you should keep the water bottle filled with actual water instead of coffee, diet soda, etc., but we won’t tell what’s in your bottle if you don’t….
Pick one up for less than $30:
Unless you belong to a tennis club, it can be hard to practice your game, especially when the weather isn’t ideal. Not only do you need a dry court that’s free of leaves and debris, but you need a partner. This makes tennis less easy to practice than some other sports. Even if you’re lucky enough to belong to a club and have access to ball machines, there might be days where you’d just like to hit a few balls without driving anywhere.
Enter the English Tennis Trainer.
This is a device you can set up in your yard or driveway, so you can work on your strokes right at home.
“Made by John Jaques of London, the oldest game and athletic equipment manufacturer in the world, this tennis trainer allows you to hone tennis skills without requiring a partner, reloading ball machines, or chasing errant shots… As you hit the ball, it will rebound with considerable force, testing your reflexes and ability to maintain a rally. The trainer allows you to practice serving, forehand and backhand shots, and drop shots with the same mechanics that are required during an actual match.”
If you’re looking for Christmas presents for the fitness fanatic (or die-hard dieter) in your family, then how about getting a watch that counts calories?
If you’re trying to lose weight, or just maintain what you’ve got, it’s fun to know exactly how many calories you’re burning off while you’re jogging the streets or playing racquetball at the gym (hey, you want to know how many Oreos you can justify eating after that 40 minute run, right?).
Available in men’s and women’s, these calorie-tracking “fitness” watches are less than $30, so they’re not nearly as pricey as Polar heart rate monitors and fancier gadgets, but they ought to give you a ballpark idea of how many calories you’re burning.
Sportline 555 Women’s Calorie Tracking Fitness Watch
Sportline 555 Men’s Calorie Tracking Fitness Watch
If you like to read a book or a magazine while walking on the treadmill, jogging on the elliptical trainer, cycling on the stationary bike, etc., then you might like this simple gadget.
The Up and Over Rack is a clear plastic reading rack that hooks over the top of your cardio fitness machine (should work with treadmills, steppers, ellipticals, stationary bikes, etc.). It has a wide shelf that’s supposed to be big enough to hold all books, magazines, and newspapers. Since it’s clear, you’ll still be able to see the display information on your machine.
The device might be a little clunky to take to the gym (though if I were going for a long treadmill session, I might do it anyway!), but this book rack ought to work just dandy on your home cardio equipment.
Pick it up at Amazon for $30:
I like snowshoeing, since I can tromp through the back country and let my dogs run up and down the trail, but it never occurred to me to try running on my clunky bought-on-sale REI snowshoes. I’m sure if I tried I’d end up face-planting into a snow drift. But apparently the folks at Atlas have designed some snowshoes with running in mind.
Check out these Atlas Race Snowshoes.
“Why run on icy, slushy pavement in the winter? Our Race and Run snowshoes are the perfect tools for running enthusiasts to stay fit and active when the trails are covered in snow. Driven by Spring-Loaded Suspension, the Race and Run stay close underfoot and allow a natural stride over uneven terrain, with frames optimized to maintain flotation while reducing contact. Lightweight Strapp bindings cinch tight with one pull, and flexible Nytex decking has the durability that winter demands. The Run uses strong, lightweight aluminum for the Twin-Trac toe crampon and heel cleat, and we pared down the ounces on the Race with titanium toe and heel traction to give fitness enthusiasts and our own experts on the Atlas Racing Team a competitive edge.”
And, hey, that spring-loaded suspension might be handy for when the dogs race down the trail, knock you aside, and you have to react quickly. Not that I ever have that problem. Nope, not me.
The Atlas snowshoes are $310 at Amazon:
My cheap Target yoga mat came with a carrier/bag-ish thing, but the string broke after three trips to the gym. If you find yourself in a similar quandary, or you’re just looking for a stylish bag to match your yoga mat, you could check out the carriers made by Etsy artist, Leisa Stanton.
Perfect for slinging one yoga or pilates mat over your shoulder, the bags let you keep your hands free while ambling to the studio.
Leisa has several colors and patterns of fabric available (with custom orders an option as well), so browse her store if you’re interested:
She donates 5% of her profits to Habitat for Humanity.