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The Adidas miCoach SPEED_CELL is a clever little gadget that combined with the MiCoach Soccer app should give athletes and novices alike some added motivation to exercise even more than usual.
As the photo demonstrates, the Adidas miCoach SPEED_CELL is tiny. Packed inside that green exterior is some rather impressive technology. The chip measures the average speed, maximum speed, number of sprints, distance, steps and stride rates of the user at any time. Average speeds and maximum speeds are recorded every second and every five seconds respectively while distance is also tracked at high intensity levels. All the more impressively, it easily stores up to 7 hours of information so there’s no need to sync it up too frequently. It’s a very clever piece of kit.
Intelligent technology isn’t much use if it’s not easy to use though. Fortunately, the Adidas miCoach SPEED_CELL is very simple to set up. While I had some minor difficulties getting the chip to sync up with my iPhone for the first time, I suspect this was more down to user error as a second attempt took me seconds to get it synced. Once synced, there are two choices as to how to attach the Adidas miCoach SPEED_CELL to a shoe. With the relevant Adidas boot (such as the Adidas F50 AdiZero that I had available to test it with), there’s a cavity space in the sole of the shoe to put the chip in.
Users aren’t restricted to these boots though as there’s also a clip to attack it to the laces of any trainer or soccer cleat. Immediately, it feels very secure although I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable doing so if I was running through mud or rocky terrarin as I’d be worried that I might damage it. There is the option to pick up other running shoes that include the cavity space, something that I suspect I’ll be doing once the Spring and outdoors exercising returns.
Once the hardware side of things has been tackled, it’s exceptionally easy to use the chip alongside the MiCoach Soccer and MiCoach Running apps that I tested it out with. It’s the kind of device that just works for tracking statistics. No great amount of interaction is needed unless the user wants to dabble. While the MiCoach Running app can be used simply to track data and performance before uploading to the MiCoach.com site, it’s the MiCoach Soccer app that’s most interesting.
MiCoach Soccer is a game that uses real life performances to enhance an in-game avatar and thus improve the skillset of the player within the game. It’s a street football game that reminded me of the FIFA Street series on consoles but with the added incentive of using the stats earned from actually exercising. Players take the role of one avatar in a match of 4 on 4, with the ability to use power ups such as slowing time down or benefiting from energy boosts. Throughout, the general ability and statistics of the avatar are boosted according to how the user performs in real life. It’s a neat move and one that’s set to extend to Tennis, Football and Basketball versions in the future too.
While such an app probably won’t be the sole encouragement for many, it’s a nice addition to an increasing wave of exercise gamification products. The Adidas miCoach SPEED_CELL itself is a very neat piece of kit that I was impressed with. For soccer players, the Adidas F50 AdiZero boot is the ideal inclusion to the package but it’s not essential for those who just want to reap the benefits of a device that tracks their performance.
Want a one stop solution for transforming an iOS device into an all-in-one fitness training partner? Then why not consider Wahoo Fitness’s Wahoo Run/Gym Pack?
For $119.99, it offers everything an exercise fan could want. Using ANT+ technology, the pack combines GPS, heart rate, music playing and phone facilities all into one package. Connect an iOS device up to heart rate monitors, foot pods and other fitness sensors all through this piece of kit.
As CEO of Wahoo Fitness, Chip Hawkins, puts it: “You no longer have to purchase a designated fitness watch. You’re already carrying your iPhone or iPod Touch with you for music and safety; might as well have it track your workout too.”
The Wahoo Run/Gym Pack includes a Wahoo Soft Heart Rate Strap and Wahoo Key which links the iOS device to the most popular heart rate monitors and other ANT+ sensors. It’s all compatible with over 100 of the most popular fitness apps like RunKeeper, MapMyRun+ and more, with the kit coming bundled with Wahoo Fitness’ own app.
The Wahoo Run/Gym Pack is available now for $129.99 at Best Buy stores across the country as well as on the Wahoo website.
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Posted October 3rd, 2011 by Danyel Rios Our Rating: :: AND I WAS RUNNING
An easy to use and interactive Couch-to-5K app, Active.com's interpretation is a simple and encouraging way to get off the couch and on the run. A great addition to your iOS device before winter hibernation.
Quite a few of my friends are much fitter than I am and have successfully completed 5k runs and even the odd marathon too. Cheering them on as they proceed is great but it’s not always very easy to keep up with them! Plus sometimes I just can’t make it to the event but would love to keep track of their progress. A pretty cool app could well change that, at least for New York City Marathon goers.
An app by the name of the ING New York City Marathon Spectator app is set to be released in time for the event in November. It’s from the team behind MapMyRun and iMapMyRide and looks set to revolutionize things. GPS technology will allow users to keep track of competitors in real time and it works with RFID chip timings.
Participants can also set the app to tweet and update their Facebook status in accordance to how they’re performing. Text, email and mobile push notifications can also be arranged.
It looks set to be a pretty cool tool for race participants with additional features aimed at the specific race such as an official map listing where first and hydration stations are located. Hopefully it’s something that will spread to other marathons in the near future.
The ING New York City Marathon Spectator App will be released by October 28, 2011. We’ll be sure to keep track of this app’s progress.
Imagine a world that is dominated by runners. In this bizarre universe, running is not viewed as a method of self torture, but as the most efficient mode of transportation. It is so widely accepted, in fact, that runners migrate by the flockload where ever they go. To make matters weirder, these herds of human flesh don’t prefer to run in safe areas. No siree, to the contrary, they live by the motto of “the more dangerous, the better.” This odd parallel universe is the world of Grim Joggers, and many wanna be track stars perished to bring you this new update to the game.
As you may recall, last week our very own Chris Hall gave Grim Joggers a four star rating in its official 148Apps review. With that fresh in their mind, the developer decided to add some additional content in the form of a brand new level design. Here is what they have to say about it:
“The update includes a new world called Battlefield Bodybuilding. It has minefields which should be avoided altogether but also pressure sensitive mines which can be “ran through” but not to be landed upon or jumped from. We also have at least one more world we’re still working on (it’ll be “otherwordly”).”
If you are curious what the new level actually looks like in action, check out this trailer below:
All-in-all, this looks like it is a welcome addition to an already solid game. It is always amazing when developers are willing to support their products well after release. Which raises the question of this last “otherworldly” update to the game. Do you have any idea of what might be in the works? Let us know your theories in the comments!
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Posted February 11th, 2011 by Chris Hall Our Rating: :: GOOD RUN
Runmeter is like Rocky to Nike's Ivan Drago. It won't oversex you with slick interfaces and pro voice actors, but it'll certainly track your run with the best of 'em.
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Posted January 31st, 2011 by Chris Hall Our Rating: :: I DIED AGAIN
Hysteria Project 2 is definitely the scariest, most immersive game in the App Store, but you know what, I just died again. I'm so sick of getting killed in this game.
I make no bones about the fact that it is a scary world out there. It doesn’t help matters any to know that there could be a sicko or nut job waiting around any corner, just looking for an opportunity to pounce on some unwitting victim. Sure this may be pure paranoia, but that is what my meds are for, right? Anyway, It has become a sad reality that runners, women especially, need to lookout for themselves.
The problem with running alone is that eventually you are bound to end up in an area that you are less than familiar with. While protecting yourself hasn’t always been easy, developer AquilaCom is making life safer for runners everywhere with the introduction of their new app, RipCord Music Player. Not only is the software a fully functional media player, but it also is a personal safety device. Here’s how it works:
“Imagine you are out for a jog, walking home at night, or minding your own business sitting in the park or at the playground. You’re lost in thought as you listen to your favorite playlist. Suddenly you are taken by surprise, confronted by an attacker or wild animal, or maybe you fall and are seriously injured… You are in trouble, and need help right away!
You do not have time to fumble with buttons, or launch app’s… With RipCord Music Player all you do is pull the plug on your headphones or earbuds, literally just rip the cord right out of you’re iPhone.
Instantly, RipCord Music Player sounds a load alarm and sends an emergency alert message to your friends and family by email and/or text message. This Alert Message let’s them know you need help and indicates exactly where you are (thanks to the built in GPS tracker).” — VIA AquilaCom Development Blog
What I want to know is why no one thought of this sooner. This is a brilliant idea that I have no doubt could be a lifesaver. However, what happens if you accidentally unplug your phone while running? That could lead to quite a panic. Also, if you have an iPod Touch, you better pray that there is a Wi-Fi access point available, otherwise the application is not going to work.
At the end of the day, the important thing is your safety; with a pricetag of only $2.99, this app isn’t going to break the bank. If you are the kind of person that likes to go on long runs by yourself or are just looking for an extra layer of personal protection that isn’t apparent to the naked eye, give RipCord a look. Who knows? On the off chance that the worst were to happen, it could very well save your life.
Couch to 5K – The popular Couch To 5 K (C25K) Program was originally designed at CoolRunning.com to help new runners ease into the sport, allowing thousands of runners to participate and enjoy one of the most basic human activities without injury or pain. This is one of the more well designed C25K apps in the App Store, having been designed by Felt Tip, Inc. (experienced Mac and iPhone developers). Use this app to train yourself across 9 weeks, starting with very short activities and getting to 5K. You can use it with your own music playlists and it even integrates with Nike+. Voice prompts for starting and stopping can be made with a male or female voice, and includes a built-in music control tab for controlling your iPod functions while on the go. Share your runs with Facebook and Twitter friends, as well. It’s like having a trainer run along with you.
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-05-26 :: Category: Healthcare & Fitness
Running Log – Some of us just want to track our data and don’t really want fancy GPS mapping or a trainer to tell us what to do. For those folks, Running Log may be the ticket, an app that simply lets you record your runs and make notes about them as to effort, duration, intensity, etc. See your stats in a handy report screen, or flip your iPhone sideways to landscape mode and see a visualisation graph of your entered data. Simple and effective for runners who already have their plans and runs in place.
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-09-09 :: Category: Healthcare & Fitness
RunKeeper Pro – The granddaddy of running apps, this one tracks how far you went, how long it took, what your pace/speed was, how many calories you burned, and the path you traveled on a map. You can then upload each event to the runkeeper website, for archiving, sharing, and comparing your runs with yourself and others. Runkeeper Pro also includes interval training systems with voice prompts, iPod and playlist integration (start specific playlists when you start running), geo-tagged photo capabilities, time splits, and more. If you want it all in one package, this is the way to go.
iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-01-13 :: Category: Healthcare & Fitness
Motion Traxx – Far more than some electronica playlists, Motion Traxx is an app that streams the podcast of the same name, allowing listeners to run, walk or work out to music specifically crafted around workouts and BPM (beats per minute) to help motivate, maintain, and cool down a run or workout. In addition to being able to stream the podcasts (no iPhone space taken up by downloaded podcasts), users can bookmark favorite episodes, resume where they left of playback. Bonus content includes an advanced Run / Walk interval routine coached by Jeff Galloway, a respected runner, coach, and marathon enthusiast, and a boot camp style ‘indoor’ workout coached by celebrity trainer Kim Lyons, who starred on the hit reality TV show The Biggest Loser.
iTreadmill is a fully-equipped pedometer with extra features that make it a great companion for any exercise routine. Whether you're taking a brisk walk around the block or a vigorus run around the track, iTreadmill keeps up with you and your lifestyle.
As the photo demonstrates, the Adidas miCoach SPEED_CELL is tiny. Packed inside that green exterior is some rather impressive technology. The chip measures the average speed, maximum speed, number of sprints, distance, steps and stride rates of the user at any time. Average speeds and maximum speeds are recorded every second and every five seconds respectively while distance is also tracked at high intensity levels. All the more impressively, it easily stores up to 7 hours of information so there’s no need to sync it up too frequently. It’s a very clever piece of kit. 
Once the hardware side of things has been tackled, it’s exceptionally easy to use the chip alongside the MiCoach Soccer and MiCoach Running apps that I tested it out with. It’s the kind of device that just works for tracking statistics. No great amount of interaction is needed unless the user wants to dabble. While the MiCoach Running app can be used simply to track data and performance before uploading to the MiCoach.com site, it’s the MiCoach Soccer app that’s most interesting. 
For $119.99, it offers everything an exercise fan could want. Using ANT+ technology, the pack combines GPS, heart rate, music playing and phone facilities all into one package. Connect an iOS device up to heart rate monitors, foot pods and other fitness sensors all through this piece of kit. 
An app by the name of the ING New York City Marathon Spectator app is set to be released in time for the event in November. It’s from the team behind 
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