After 20+ years of doing straight-bar bench presses, swinging at tons of volleyballs and throwing too many footballs, my right shoulder is screaming… no más!!!
I’ve finally listened to my shoulder and quit bench pressing with a straight-bar and switched to using dumbbells, which alleviates the shoulder stress. When I can’t get to the gym, I like doing pushups but the simple pushup position still tweaks my right shoulder.
From the many ads and claims of the Perfect Pushup, I decided to buy a set and give them try…
“The Perfect Pushup puts a new spin on one of the oldest exercises, the pushup. Invented by someone who knows a lot about pushups, former U.S. Navy SEAL, Alden Mills, the Perfect Pushup’s rotating handles allow your arms to rotate naturally when you do pushups the same way they do when you throw a punch or press up a dumb bell. This unique feature accelerates results by engaging more muscles in the arms, chest, shoulders, and back. It also helps reduce strain on wrists and elbows, and helps to stabilize and strengthen the shoulder joint by engaging the scapular and rotator cuff muscles. You will notice the comfort and effectiveness of the Perfect Pushup on the very first try!”
When I opened the box, I was expecting a metal base but the Perfect Pushup is made of lightweight plastic. Despite the plastic build, they are quite sturdy. After using the Perfect Pushup a few times, I’m very pleased with them. The elevated platform provides a deeper range of motion and a better pump than regular pushups. More importantly, the rotating handles eliminate the stress and pain in my shoulder.
But is it worth the $40? Or should you just get a cheaper set of pushup bars? If you don’t have any joint issues, then go with pushup bars. They are cheaper, take up less space to store and you’ll get a similar pump from the elevated platform. However, I would highly recommend the Perfect Pushup to anyone with shoulder or wrists issues. The rotating handles put you in a much better ergonomic position than normal pushups and should reduce or eliminate joint pain.
I don’t know if it’s the perfect pushup device but compared to doing normal pushups it is perfectly better.
Several weeks ago at a friend’s birthday party, I was knocked out several times by my girlfriend. It was a woodshed beating and there was nothing I could do to stop her fists of fury! My friends, who witnessed the pummeling, laughed and cheered on as I received my beat down.
Mercifully, it was only a virtual beating via the Nintendo Wii, as we were only video boxing. But being the ultra competitive person that I am, I couldn’t bear it and kept asking for a re-match. I lost each boxing match to my girlfriend… ugh!!! I was swinging the controllers as hard and fast as I could, uppercuts, roundhouses, body blows, but nothing worked. After several matches, I was drenched in sweat and completely dejected about losing to her… again!
On the other hand, my girlfriend enjoyed the limelight and beat all the guys who dared challenge her in boxing. I eventually cut my losses and switched to playing tennis, where I won every match except one to the Wii’s owner.
Despite my embarrassing boxing defeats, playing Wii Sports is actually very fun. The Wii is also a great party game in place of the traditional card, board or drinking games. Well, I’m sure some folks have invented a drinking game with the Wii. At our party, we pitted the couples against each other in boxing. We first created avatars, which are called Miis, for each participant. It’s more fun punching a Mii in your friend’s likeness versus a generic character. Surprisingly, most of the ladies beat their men in the head to head bouts.
I’m not a gamer, although I do own an Xbox. I bought it when it first came out and got addicted to Halo for a several months, but haven’t turned on the Xbox in several years. After playing Wii Sports, I’m pretty impressed and entertained by the Wii. The graphics and sound don’t compare to the Xbox 360 or the PS3, but in my opinion it’s a lot more fun using the motion sensing controllers than just hitting buttons on the traditional game controller.
Another reason why I like the Wii is the ability to get a workout while playing. It’s not a real workout like running or cycling, but it’s better than nothing. You can definitely improve your reaction skills and maybe even your hand eye coordination by playing Wii games. After playing Wii tennis and boxing, my arms and right shoulder were surprisingly sore the next day.
As a non-gamer, I would definitely buy a Wii when it becomes widely available and the price drops. The next generation Wii needs to add foot/ankle motion sensors. Just imagine how much fun it would be playing a video kickboxing, snowboarding or dancing game, if you could kick, run or jump around.
I’ll end with a warning to all the guys. If you are a first time Wii player, be prepared to get pummeled by your significant other in boxing. You may go home physically unscathed but your ego won’t.
Post-Pummeling Note: During a Lunar New Year party this past weekend, my friends and I played Wii Sports again. I lost to my girlfriend the first time we boxed, but afterwards I was able to figure out Wii boxing. It’s all about timing and short, quick motions versus real punching motions. Thank god I figured it out because I couldn’t stand losing to her!
For some Mii amusement, check out the Kottke.org’s Celebrity Mii Contest results.
Posted by: Chuck
Posted in Video Games
Tags boxing, mii, motionsensing, nintendo, sports, tennis, wii, workout
Does your tech-wear have BO? Are you tired of putting on freshly washed running or cycling clothing that still smells like sweat? Well, you can put an end to stinky tech-wear by using WIN High Performance Sports Detergent.
Before I started using WIN, my cycling jerseys and dri-fit running attire would still smell after washing them. The cycling jersey pit area was the worst offender. Please don’t ask me why I was smelling the pit area of my jersey. Anyway, WIN detergent completely removes any bad odor from my workout clothing.
From the WIN detergent site…
“Most liquid detergents do not target embedded odors and when gym clothes are washed, these odors that are caused by bacteria attracted to sweat soaked fabric stay embedded in the fibers. After a few workouts, even the best high tech fabrics typically develop a musty odor.
Using a scientifically formulated formula, WIN’s super oxygenated system directly targets this issue oxidizing the offensive odors and stains. This unique oxy cleaning power eliminates the colored bodies from stains while removing the embedded sweat molecules that fuel the odors that overwhelm the fabric. Simultaneously, these ingredients also react with soil and organic materials in the wash causing them to either decolorize or disintegrate. Once in a soluble form after oxidization, WIN’s surfactant system washes them away.”
“Product Usage
After a few months of using WIN detergent, I highly recommend using it to wash all of your workout apparel. WIN can be found at bike shops or running specialty stores. If you can’t find the detergent, go to WIN’s store finder. Or check out Amazon’s great deal on a 4-pack of WIN detergent.
Say goodbye to tech-wear BO or worse yet, BBO (beyond BO - Seinfeld reference) by simply using WIN detergent.
“Your shirt talks to your Running Computer
Your shoe talks to your Running Computer
And they all talk to you”
You may have seen this Polar/adidas marketing pitch for Project Fusion, which combines Polar’s latest heart rate, speed and distance monitoring technology with adidas adiStar Fusion apparel and running shoes. Project Fusion was awarded the “Running Accessory of the Year” Award at ISPO winter 06 by Runner’s World magazine.
“The results of the Polar adidas co-operation are the adiStar Fusion apparel and running shoes, which have been merged with the latest heart rate and speed and distance monitoring technology from Polar. This totally unique and truly revolutionary running gear has been built around the Polar RS800™ Running Computer. During a run, it collects all of the information from the sensors that are positioned in the apparel and shoe, then immediately informs the athlete. Everything is collated and translated into information the athlete can use such as: heart rate, speed and distance, cadence, route profile and calories burned. After the running session, all information can be downloaded to the PC, and added to the training diary.
The adiStar Fusion apparel have soft, heart-rate sensors built in. These machine-washable textile sensors work in conjunction with the Polar WearLink® connector - it just snaps onto the front of the apparel and sends all training data straight to Polar RS800™ Running Computer. No bands, no adjustments, no extra kit - just put the shirt on, snap on connector and start running.
In the midsole of the adiStar Fusion shoe is a special cavity that houses the tiny and very light Polar s3™ Stride Sensor. Because it’s internal, the Stride Sensor is more convenient and delivers even more consistent running speed and distance readings, without compromising comfort or performance. And all of the speed and distance information is sent from the very heart of the adiStar Fusion shoe straight to the Polar Running Computer.”
The training system is well integrated and very cool. The s3 Stride Sensor works and fits in the adiStar Fusion shoe similar to the Nike+ Sport Kit sensor for the iPod Nano. The main differences between the Nike/iPod and Polar/adidas systems are the plethora of running features and the HRM provided by the Polar RS800.
The Polar RS800sd (includes the s3 Stride Sensor) is Polar’s top of the line running computer. With this watch, you’ll get an HRM, running cadence, average stride length, target pace, running elevation profile and much more, see complete specs at Polar. The Nike+ Sport Kit is limited to distance, time and pace.
The total cost of the Polar RS800sd, adiStar Fusion apparel and shoes will cost $550+. You can save $120 by getting in touch with your inner MacGyver and invent a way to attach the s3 Stride Sensor to your shoe. I did with Glad Press’n Seal and my Nike+ sensor.
The Polar RS800sd is a great HRM watch for the running enthusiast or data analysis geek. When I say data geek, I mean it in the nicest way, since I put myself in this category. The problem with such a high-end watch, at least for me, is after downloading and analyzing the data the first few weeks, I’ll end up ignoring 3/4 of the watch features. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing the RS800sd unless you are a hard core runner and plan on using all of the watch features.
Otherwise, I would go with an iPod Nano with the Nike+ Sport Kit to add speed and distance feedback on your run. It’s hard to give a definitive recommendation for either system because there’s a trade-off with each… HRM or music.
Now, the primary reason I’m excited about the Fusion Project is the adiStar Fusion apparel. I already own a Polar RS200 HRM with the Wearlink transmitter and strap. The Wearlink chest strap is the most comfortable HRM strap that I’ve used because it’s made of cloth, whereas most HRM straps are a hard rubberized plastic. Despite being very comfortable, the Polar Wearlink strap will still slide down to my waist while I’m running.
It’s completely fine when I’m cycling or during a spin class, but it’s a pain in the butt while running. I’m constantly re-adjusting the chest strap when I’m pounding the pavement. However with the adiStar Fusion shirts, I can just attach the Wearlink transmitter and not worry about it slipping. The shirts can also be used as a base layer during cold weather runs.
So my ultimate solution is the iPod Nano with the Nike+ Sport Kit, Polar RS200 with a Wearlink transmitter and an adiStar Fusion shirt. I have the best of all worlds… music, speed and distance, and heart rate monitoring. Then I can geek out over the data during my run to keep motivated! Or pre-occupy myself, so I forget that I’m suffering running.
