Monthly Archives: November 2013

Nov 27 2013
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Apps, Fitness

Moves fitness app announces new update, introduces user accounts and connected apps

We’ve written a lot about wearable technology recently, with smartwatches and activity trackers seeming to swamp the market at the moment. But what if you don’t want to shell out for a new device? Well, there are a wide range of smartphone apps that will do a similar job, and one of the most successful is Moves.

Moves acts as a fitness and activity tracker without the need for a new device

The app has just announced an update to Moves 2.0, bringing a selection of useful new additions, including the introduction of user accounts. This is a useful addition, as it means that your app data isn’t in danger of being lost when switching between devices.

Moves’ developers have also added API support and a catalogue of connected apps. Similar to keeping your history between device moves with the account option, the connected apps catalogue means your Moves data can be imported and used with other apps.

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Nov 26 2013
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Apps, Fitness, Wireless

Bodybuilding.com introduces BodySpace app to help us hit our fitness goals

Bodybuilding.com, one of the world’s largest fitness resources, is bringing its BodySpace offering – the largest online fitness network – to mobile devices in order to help people achieve their goals even more easily. The free fitness app, available on both Apple and Android devices, houses one of the industry’s most in-depth workout trackers, and provides people with the tools they need to succeed in getting fit.

The app offers tailor-made fitness programs from some of Hollywood’s finest trainers

Last year, members of BodySpace who were aiming to lose weight lost 823,066 pounds, and more than 4,500 people moved from obesity to a healthy weight based on percentage of body fat, so the company is coming from an extremely knowledgeable standpoint, with 26 million users worldwide.

“While there are a ton of fitness apps out there, most don’t really tie together people’s overall fitness goals with the programs, structure and tracking that the BodySpace app offers,” said Preston Lewis, lead product designer at Bodybuilding.com.

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Nov 22 2013
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Fitness, Kit, Running, Shoes

Nike launches Flash Pack range, aimed at promoting runner safety

With the dark nights now drawing up, coinciding with the beginning of many people’s marathon training, Nike has revealed a new range of kit designed at keeping runners protected from the elements.

The Flash Pack includes a reflective and water repellent line of shoes and apparel. Within each shoe there’s a unique reflective print that hides subtly during the day, but which comes alive under night-time lights. This includes the Nike LunarGlide 5 Shield , available for £90 which features three layers of mesh, which repels water while allowing the feet to breathe.

The Nike Flash Pack features a whole range of products targeted towards running at night

Alongside the shoes, Nike has also designed a range of Flack Pack jackets. The Nike Shield Flash Jacket combines reflectivity and comfort into one sleek design. In low light conditions, the reflective material helps you stay visible. The upper body and sleeves feature Nike’s Storm-FIT fabric, providing breathable wind-and-water-resistance, keeping the water out, allowing sweat vapours to escape and most importantly keeping you comfortable as you’re running.

The jacket’s design also looks to integrate several special details tailored towards runners, including a removable peeked hood and hand warmers for those that don’t like wearing gloves.

[Via Huffington Post]

Nov 21 2013
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Fitness, Kit, Wireless

Neptune Pine, the ‘complete Android smartwatch’, hits Kickstarter goal

The wearable technology market has seen some intriguing new additions recently, with Nike and Adidas (among others) looking to invest big. But as the market is still in its infancy, this offers small companies with an innovative product a chance to market themselves against the big boys, which is what we’re seeing with the Neptune Pine.

The Pine seems to offer the perfect mix between smartwatch and fitness tracker

Marketed as, ‘the definitive all-in-one smartwatch’, the Pine offers voice calls, video chat, full keyboard, and GPS, amongst other features. This isn’t a smartwatch like the Samsung Galaxy Gear (which needs to connect to a smartphone and effectively acts as a second screen), or a sports fitness tracker, but rather a mixture of the two.

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Nov 17 2013
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Apps, Fitness, Kit, Wireless

Under Armour signals move into wearable tech market with $150m purchase of MapMyFitness

Under Armour has announced it will be moving into the wearable technology market this week, by declaring that it has bought workout app company MayMyFitness for $150million.

The move puts the company in charge of one of the biggest social sports communities on mobile devices, and pitches Under Armour right into the current battle between industry heavyweights such as Adidas, Nike, and Jawbone, amongst others.

The beginning of a beautiful relationship?

MapMyFitness, which was launched in 2007 and is based in Austin, Texas, counts 20 million registered users–nine million of which use its service on a monthly basis and 700,000 of which use it daily. It ranks fifth among the top developers of sports fitness apps, according to research conducted by IHS Electronics & Media in April, which puts the number of app installs among the top five at 83 million.

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Nov 13 2013
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Fitness, Kit, Running, Wireless

Jawbone launches the Up24, its first wireless fitness tracker

Jawbone’s Up brand fitness trackers have always been a popular choice for fitness tech aficionados, but in the face of new competition from Adidas and Nike, the company has reacted to announce the UP 24.

Jawbone’s UP24 doesn’t clip directly onto your wrist, but wraps snugly around it

Around two years since the original Up went on sale, the new incarnation of the device finally overcomes what seems like a basic usability hurdle and introduces a wireless charging and syncing capability for the first time. This means that users can now use their device to sync their sleep and activity data without having to be plugged in.

The UP24 is always connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth Smart, helping you achieve your goals with real-time updates on your progress and notifications when you need them.

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Nov 06 2013
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Fitness, Kit, Wireless

Nike+ FuelBand SE now available to buy from Apple’s website

The next generation version of Nike’s FuelBand – the FuelBand SE – is now available for purchase online from the Apple Store, following its reveal back in October.

The hotly-anticipated FuelBand SE brings several new features over the first version, including hourly goals, sessions, and the ability to track your wrist movements more precisely, in a range of stylish new colours. The price has remained steady too, with Nike making it available for $149/£129 from today.

Nike’s new FuelBand SE is now available to purchase (image via TechRadar)

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Nov 04 2013
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Events/Races, Running

Think you’re quick on your feet? ASICS lets you try your luck against one of the world’s best marathon runners

We here at TechRunner love a clever ad campaign, and ASICS’ 2011 Ryan Hall marathon pace billboard challenge was one of our favourites. Thankfully, the company resurrected the campaign last weekend to promote the 2013 ING New York City Marathon – only this time with a twist.

Two years ago, it was a billboard in a Subway station, allowing anyone passing by to try and keep up with elite U.S. marathoner Hall for just 60 feet. This year, in advance of the 2013 ING New York City Marathon, ASICS set up the “Treadmill Challenge”.

The treadmill challenge pitted contestants against the pace of one of the world’s quickest marathon runners

The company took to its website to promote,” a treadmill that only runs at the speeds of America’s fastest marathoners”, driving it around New York to let people jump on and see how long they can keep up.

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