Road, Mountain, BMX, etc

HydraCoachRead: 2 mins

An Idiot Light for Bodies in Motion

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

In college I had an old Chevy pickup truck that was cursed. For starters the rear bumper had a way of removing itself from the truck’s frame – once I clipped a wall and pulled it off, once a mechanic did the same, twice my brother did it (helping a friend move and pulling another friend off the outer beach in Chatham, Cape Cod at 4am in the morning).

Another problem I had with the truck revolved around the fact that on average, a college student moves (dorm, apartment, flophouse) 130 times and with a pickup you’re everyone’s best friend.

By far the biggest issue with that truck was never knowing how much gasoline i had left in the tank. The warning/idiot light would sometimes illuminate with gallons of gas remaining and sometimes with maybe a teaspoon.

HydraCoachWith exercise, proper hydration is a priority. While not equipped with an idiot light, most people know when they’re thirsty. For those of you who are prone to misjudge hydration, there is help in the HydraCoach, a USD $30.00 water bottle with a built-in computer that measures what you drink and calculates when you should take another sip.

Sportline, the maker of the HydraCoach, calls it “a revolutionary new water bottle that calculates an individual’s daily hydration needs and coaches proper water consumption to ensure optimal hydration.”

For some, this product may serve it’s purpose well. For me it’s still “light pee-good pee, dark pee-thirst-ee.” I have a ritual for how much I drink before, during and after a workout depending on weather, expected exertion and distance (I guess I’ll call this the WEED principal, developed by yours truly).

In college I had a few teammates who were ‘HydraCoaches’ – just a bunch of drunk lacrosse players yelling ‘Drink! Drink! Drink!’ If you find yourself constantly dehydrated and don’t have the benefit of a keg, yard and unchecked testosterone, consider the HydraCoach.

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GlobalpetfinderRead: 2 mins

Rover has Left the Building

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

When I had my dog Magic not so long ago, we used to enjoy running together. Usually we would through the woods for miles, Magic with a big grin plastered on his face. The problem was, if there was something cooler than running – say a lake to jump in, or something dead to roll around on, I had to stop, call and wait or risk running ahead and losing him.

One Summer in Southold Long Island, while at my friend Pete’s beach house, Magic and I were separated on such a run in a potato field. He found something interesting to inspect – maybe deer droppings – but I kept going. It was a fairly remote area, no cars and a simple loop back to the house. I figured he’d catch up, but after 15 minutes of waiting I got nervous. After a 30 minutes panic set-in and an all out search ensued.

“Have you seen a yellow lab around here?” I asked a neighbor.

“Oh yes, hell of a swimmer!” came the reply. “He swam across this pond to see the little brown cocker spaniel on the other side!”

Once on the other side I asked the owners of the cocker spaniel, now splayed-out on their lawn by the pond’s edge. “Friendly pup, we gave him a burger. I hope you don’t mind?” I didn’t. “He went down the trail over there, seemed to know where he needed to go.”

“Magic! Maaaaagggggiiiiiicccccc…” I repeated it countless times over the next half hour. When I yelled his name the sick feeling in my stomach seemed to subside. “Maaaaaagic, come on good boy!”

Nothing. I was devastated and after countless inquiries and potato fields I eventually found myself back at Pete’s house. There was where my friend Mike, stroking Magic’s back, laughing and mocking my calls “Maaaaaagic.”

Oh, if only the Globalpetfinder were available then! The Globalpetfinder allows you to track your pet’s whereabouts using GPS and 2-way wireless technology. Create a virtual ‘fence’ – a designated area where the pet can roam and if pet leaves this area an alarm is sent to a cell phone, PDA or other connected device.Globalpetfinder

When the pet owner dials FOUND in their cell phone, the pet’s whereabouts are returned in a text message; “Magic is at 1 Cedar Drive dumbass.” OK, I added the ‘dumbass’ part, but this simple, non-evasive (no surgery or implants) and easy-to-use product is a bargain at under $300.

If Magic were to wear one today my cell phone would say “Magic is in heaven.” Awwwwwwww…

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PowerbreatheRead: 2 mins

Take a Breath Muscle Head

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

There are about 650 named muscles in the human body (personally, I have 651 when you include Vitamin-L, a/k/a the Vanilla Love Log, but I digress).

In addition to named muscles, there are at least twice that amount in unnamed muscles. All muscles fall into three categories; skeletal, smooth and cardiac. Some muscles we can control (skeletal for instance) and others work involuntarily (e.g. smooth muscles like in the lining of the intestines and cardiac to make your heart beat).Powerbreathe

When it comes to muscles resistance is not futile, it’s how we develop strength and endurance. Resistance training can be applied to the diaphragm, the dome shaped muscle under the rib cage that works in conjunction with our lungs so we can breathe.

While working at the DEMA (Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association) Show in Las Vegas last year, I tried a product that promised to develop my breathing. It looked like a runt snorkle and when I wore it felt at times like I was breathing through a cocktail straw.

The POWERbreathe is very similar to what I used at DEMA. When used for a few minutes twice daily, the Powerbreathe forces your inspiratory muscles to work harder, increasing both breathing strength and endurance.

Available in three models, the Powerbreathe works your diaphragm and lungs at adjustable levels. The ‘Wellness’ model is ideal for asthmatics, the elderly or anyone with a respiratory condition. The ‘Fitness’ model is for most of us, recreational runners, cyclists, gym rats, etc. The ‘Sports Performance’ model is for the more serious athlete-in-training and offers the most resistance and therefore greatest benefit.

If you’re looking for strong breath have some garlic, eat a hot dog with everything, smoke a stoggie and don’t bother brushing those stumps in your mouth. If you’re looking to breathe stronger, give Powerbreathe a go.

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Read: < 1 min

Hypoxi L250 – Lounge Riding that ‘Sucks’

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

Hypoxi L250 targets fat burn from the lower body using a unique vacuum chamber technology for which Hypoxi is known.

l250-main1 Claims: Increased lymphatic drainage from the lower body, rejuvenated skin, firmer hips, thighs and buttocks. The reclined position is said to take pressure off joints as well as lower heart rate, creating a more effective and spa-like experience.

Our take: Don’t get me wrong – I like a firm ass and nice skin. And there’s nothing wrong with exercising while laying on your back ;-). But this chamber technology is suspect, dare I say their claims seem vacuous?

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