Finally, a Stationary Bike that Goes Somewhere

I’ll be the first to admit it, grinding away on some piece of exercise equipment can get a little stale. When that happens it’s hard to fully engage in your workouts, and guess what? Your results suffer.

If only you had something to focus on. How about a virtual course complete with competition to pit yourself against?

The Expresso Bike blends the fitness essentials of spinning with an interactive training environment. Over 30 courses, ranging in difficulty from the California Coast to the Peruvian Mountains, provide plenty of scenery. Riders can also simulate the experience of biking outdoors by shifting gears and moving the handlebars to steer. Pedal resistance also adjusts automatically with terrain changes. On top of that you can compete against a pacer, a ghost rider (your previous time) or the guy sitting on the bike next to you. And since it’s all online, race results are uploaded to a central leader board so you can compare your times with the rest of the country.

I’m not a big fan of spinning or stationary cycles; however, I was 45 minutes into my ride before I even realized it. Even more important: I had fun doing it. Remember when getting exercise was fun (playing ball or swimming in the lake)? Expresso Fitness does. If your gym doesn’t have some of these bad boys, get some of your fellow gym members to request them. I used the ones at Crunch on West 83rd St. here in Manhattan (thanks guys). Otherwise take matters into your own hands and set one up at home. I realize it’s a sizeable investment, but that’s a small price to pay for equipment you’ll actually enjoy using.

Cost: $5,145 @ Expresso Fitness

Magnets Are Good for Your iPod. Who Knew?

Music is a great workout companion. Unlike your lazy friends, who won’t get up in the morning to workout with you, your iPod rarely lets you down. That’s more than I can say for that old, stretched out, dirty armband you’re using to strap on your Nano. If, however, you had an iStick you could forgo armband distractions altogether. Even if you prefer to go sans armband, precariously balancing your iPod on the equipment du jour is just asking for trouble.

The iStik utilizes eight high-tech Neodymium magnets to secure your 2nd or 3rd generation iPod Nano to your clothing with a vice-like grip. A 3-piece, light-weight, plastic shell encases your Nano providing easy access while training. Best of all, unlike your armband the iStik will never stretch-out or start to smell miserable.

What this means to you: Don’t spend your next training session fiddling with an armband. Affix an iStik and let your favorite tunes go to work.

Cost: 2nd Generation iPod Nano ($25) | 3rd Generation iPod Nano ($27) @ iStik

Maximum Sweat Absorbtion… And Cooling

Despite its resemblance to a shamoiee, this is a towel    [click on image to enlarge]

As men, we spend boat loads of money on gym memberships, proper footwear and even the latest iPod peripherals but we never think twice about the one mainstay in our workouts… the gym towel. Yeah, yeah I know what you’re thinking… a towel, big whoop. And you’re right, it is just a towel. It’s just a towel that can absorb 5 times its weight in water and stay cool to the touch even after hours of use.

Initially, I had prepared myself for the Hydryx Hard-Core Workout Towel’s ability to absorb sweat. After all, it is essentially a chamois formulated for your body. I’ve even seen Olympic divers using these types of towels. What wasn’t expected though, was the cooling effect the towel had. Each and every time I used the Hydryx Workout Towel I was greeted with a cool and refreshing sensation - an oasis in the midst of an otherwise grueling training routine. In fact, the towel was as cool and refreshing after 90 minutes of use as it was when I first started.

What this means to you: Honestly, I haven’t an idea how Hydrix does it and I really don’t care. What I do care about though is comfort and performance - even during the most ass kicking workouts.

Cost: $18 @ Accufitness

Sports Laboratory On Your Wrist

It’s like running with an army of scientists on your wrist    [click to enlarge image]

The Suunto t6c is a Gear Patrol editor’s wet dream. The t6c features a plethora (yes El Guapo, a plethora) of technology that Suunto somehow managed to cram into a sporty watch. This may not be Michael Knight’s wrist watch, but it’s for the better. Let me explain why: long story short, the Suunto t6c is essentially a sports lab ready to go on your next run or gym session. Find out why and how after the jump.

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[click on image to enlarge]

Pre-dawn. Alone in an abandoned warehouse. My only company, remains of former glory, the tires and cinderblocks I use as workout tools.

Er… actually, I’m at my bright and somewhat sterile sports club. However, the imagery still holds for the veracity with which I attacked my workouts this week. What’s different this week you ask? I’ve gotten my hands, or feet rather, on a pair of Under Armour’s new Proto Evade trainers.

If you haven’t realized it by now, we at Gear Patrol firmly believe in specialization, i.e. the right equipment for the job. You wouldn’t put snow tires on your car to drive on the Autobahn so why are you using running shoes to cross-train? Don’t think it’s important? Try a set of speed skaters or box jumps in your runners and see how happy your ankles and knees are afterwards. [More on the Under Armour Proto Evade’s after the jump]

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[ Week 1: High Intensity Interval Training | Week 2: The Truth About Cardio | Week 3: Strength Training | Week 4: ]

With my busy life circuit training is a must. It’s fast, efficient and combines cardio and resistance training into one 30 grueling minute workout. WebMD.com describes it as:

“Circuit training is short bursts of resistance exercise using moderate weights and frequent repetitions, followed quickly by another burst of exercise targeting a different muscle group. Because the exerciser switches between muscle groups, no rest is needed between exercises. This gets the heart rate up, which usually doesn’t happen during resistance exercise. Sometimes, to up heart rate further, aerobics are sprinkled between the resistance exercises.” – WebMD.com

My intepretation? A self-punishing, yet beneficial exercise. Read on for my regimen after the jump.

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