Product: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit
Prices: $30.00 (foot pod & iPod receiver). iPod nano and Nike+ shoes sold separately.
Rating: Very Good 8.3/10.0
Pros: Very easy to use. Good accuracy once it is calibrated. Inexpensive; very good value if you already own an iPod and Nike+ shoes. Power Song feature is great idea. Nike+ online training log free, fun, and incorporates good motivation and community.
Cons: Requires calibration. Requires specific ancillary equipment (iPod nano, Nike+ shoes).
Overall: To use this innovative running tool effectively, you need to regularly run with music (or podcasts), own an iPod nano, and should own Nike+ shoes. Given these “ifs”, it is a great product for the money, and a tremendous motivational tool. The sensor will need to be calibrated, and works best in a Nike+ shoe, but tends to yield fairly good accuracy once these criteria are met. Runners who don’t use an iPod, or who want a richer feature set, should continue looking at more “traditional” fitness monitors.
Design - 9 - Out of the box, the Nike + iPod Sport Kit includes a Nike + iPod Sensor (foot pod), a Nike + iPod Receiver, and an instruction manual. The foot pod goes into the cavity in the left Nike+ shoe. The receiver goes into the bottom port of an Apple iPod nano. If you don’t own Nike+ shoes, the foot pod can be put into a shoe pouch (sold separately for $10), which can be attached to any shoe’s laces. All testing for this review was performed with a pair of Nike+ shoes and a 3rd Generation iPod nano.
I was pretty excited when I got the 3rd-generation iPod nano; the possibilities for running were great. However, I lacked one critical accessory: a good protective case and armband.
I soon found that the DLO Action Jacket solved my problems. The neoprene case is designed specifically for the 3rd generation (4GB/8GB) iPod nano, and comes with a 180-degree rotating belt clip and an adjustable armband. The Action Jacket retails for $30, but I was able to find it for as low as $18 (plus free shipping!) on Amazon.com. Colors are available in black, white, or pink. I personally like the black.
To me, a mark of a good armband is that it makes no impression on me. In other words, I won’t know it’s there, leaving me free to think about my run and enjoy the music! The Action Jacket succeeds in this with its simple design. The neoprene case with clear viewing window protects the iPod from the elements, and a “cut-out” in the case allows me easy access to the nano’s Click Wheel. I actually ran with it during a snow storm, and it did its job.
Read the rest of this entry »
If you’ve ever had to fumble with your iPod to try and find a song or crank up the volume while on a treadmill, elliptical trainer, stationary cycle or – especially – running, you’ll appreciate the Timex IRONMAN Sleek iControl™ watch with its Play, Pause, Track Forward/Reverse and volume-control functions.
According to the Timex website, “the iControl™ watch transmits signals seamlessly to your iPod so you can control your music in a heartbeat. Designed to work with your body and coordinate with your iPod, the iControl watch is sleek and comfortable to wear - with all the features you need for running around the track or traveling around the world.”
Read the rest of this entry »
The Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco sold out in a matter of hours. But now the largest women’s marathon in the world is going online. Women runners around the world can register at nikeplus.com to run “alongside” the 20,000 participants in the Nike Women’s Marathon.
The virtual half marathon is a race without a distinct course, run in any city and tracked by each participant’s own Nike+ system (iPod nano, Nike + iPod Sport Kit and pair of Nike+ shoes). Online participants can run the half marathon any time on October 21 (the same day as the full marathon), but must finish the 13.1 mile run by 11:59 PM HST. As long as each participant successfully runs and syncs 13.1 miles with her Nike+ system on October 21, 2007, she will be considered an official Nike+ Women’s Half Marathon finisher.
Nike+ has also developed an interactive female-specific 12-week virtual training program, designed for those training for the marathons (see www.nikeplus.com/runtogether).
Read the rest at our partner site: HerActiveLife.com
The Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco sold out in a matter of hours. But now the largest women’s marathon in the world is going online. Women runners around the world can register at nikeplus.com/runtogether to run “alongside” the 20,000 participants in the Nike Women’s Marathon.
The virtual half marathon is a race without a distinct course, run in any city and tracked by each participant’s own Nike+ system (iPod nano, Nike + iPod Sport Kit and pair of Nike+ shoes). Online participants can run the half marathon any time on October 21 (the same day as the full marathon), but must finish the 13.1 mile run by 11:59 PM HST. As long as each participant successfully runs and syncs 13.1 miles with her Nike+ system on October 21, 2007, she will be considered an official Nike+ Women’s Half Marathon finisher.
Nike+ has also developed an interactive female-specific 12-week virtual training program, designed for those training for the marathons (see www.nikeplus.com/runtogether).
I heard good things about Best Buy’s Insignia MP3 players, but being an Apple junkie, I was reluctant to stray from my good ‘ol iPod. However, I got hooked on the 4GB Video MP3 Player in no time and was impressed by the built-in Bluetooth, FM Radio, Video Playback and easy-to use-interface.
Although a bit larger than its predecessors (the Sport 1GB and Sport 2GB), Insignia’s new 4GB Video MP3 Player still weighs a mere 2.4 oz. and is only 0.6′’ thick; making it a perfect tag along for your next run and allowing it to fit easily in most pockets. The 2.2” LCD color screen takes up about two-thirds of it’s face; creating a sufficient viewing screen for watching movies and/or browsing pictures when you are done with your workout.
Read the rest of this entry »
Want the gear that will go the furthest, last the longest and do the most to improve your performance? Want to buy the perfect holiday gift for the runner in your family? Want the newest, most advanced training tools on the market?
Then look no further! The Final Sprint’s Top Picks of 2006 is your ultimate guide to running gadgets, hydration devices and much more! We have put hours into testing and comparing each of these items and take pride in recommending each of our top picks.
TRAINING SYSTEMS (HRM + Training Assistant)
Overall
- Top Pick: Polar / adidas Project Fusion
- Best Value: Timex IRONMAN Bodylink System
GPS Training System
- Top Pick: Garmin Forerunner 305
Non-GPS Training System
- Top Pick: Polar / adidas Project Fusion
MP3 Player
Hydration Device (short/moderate distance)
Hydration Device (long distance)
Injury Prevention and Treatment Products
Thanks for your great responses to the second contest in The Final Sprint’s Re-Launch Celebration. The lucky winners of the Adeo GPS Fitness Trainers have been notified. For those of you who missed out, don’t worry because we’ll be giving away a few more next week.
For our third contest, The Final Sprint is going to continue helping you improve you performance by giving away a . . . Nike+iPod Sportkit!!! Don’t have Nike + shoes? No problem! The winner will also receive a RunAway AnyShoe so you can use the Sporkit with your favorite shoes, regardless of the brand. The Sporkit offers audio updates of your pace, distance, time and will also help you track and plot your results online.
TO ENTER: All you have to do is comment on this post with a few of your favorite workout songs.
Read the rest of this entry »
Payed a good chunk of change for that iPod nano, huh? Keep it protected when running and hook it up with the new Nike+iPod Sport Kit.
“Specially designed Nike apparel, including jackets, tops, shorts and an iPod nano armband, bring together the Nike+iPod experience with waterproof pockets that accommodate iPod nano and are designed to make it easy to operate while staying tuned to your music during an active workout.” Press Release
The Nike armband is light and therefore should be very comfortable. The band is thicker, offering more protection and helps keep it on your arm better. In my opinion, it’s better to run with than the Apple’s product. The price is a little high, ($40.00) but worth it.
Check out the shoes, here
© 2006-2008 The Final Sprint, LLC | Privacy Policy | Design by The Blog Studio
The Final Sprint, LLC is owned and operated by Adam Jacobs
The Final Sprint