From Deseret News archives:
10 picks for getting fit without breaking budget
Looking for ways to maximize your workout? You don't have to spend a fortune on a new treadmill or endure long, boring exercise routines.
We asked 10 magazines that focus on fitness and health to choose a gadget that will help you get fit without breaking the bank. Here are their choices, listed in order of price, starting with the cheapest.
THE PRO: Self
THE PICK: Gymboss. This is the next evolution of the stopwatch, said Meaghan B. Murphy, features director for fitness. She said the device is great for interval training or circuit workouts, with time intervals ranging from 2 seconds to 99 minutes. You can set the small pager-sized device to beep, vibrate or do both to cue you to move to the next station or exercise. "You don't have to be staring at your wrist," she said. "It keeps you on track very simply."
PRICE: $19.95
WHERE TO GET IT: www.gymboss.com
THE PRO: Women's Health
THE PICK: Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Pair your iPod and Nike + shoes for some motivation. "Not only will it track your run or workout, you can listen to your music and get instant feedback while you work out," says Amy Dixon, contributor and exercise physiologist. The Sport Kit's wireless sensor and receiver work with Nike + shoes and the iPod nano or iPod touch (2nd generation), tracking time, pace, distance and calories burned. Transfer your workout data to iTunes and nikeplus.com.
PRICE: $29. Nike + shoes and iPod sold separately.
WHERE TO GET IT: Apple retailers
THE PRO: Prevention
THE PICK: Tanita PD-724 3-Axes Pedometer. The future of pedometers is here. Besides a step counter, the device keeps track of distance, calories burned and total walking time. "Research has shown that a simple pedometer can motivate you to be more active," said Natalie Gingerich, Prevention's associate editor of fitness. "We love the versatile Tanita 3-Axes pedometer because instead of clipping it on your waistband, you can wear it around your neck or slip it into your pocket."
PRICE: $34.99
WHERE TO GET IT: www.thecompetitiveedge.com
THE PRO: Glamour
THE PICK: NuMetrex apparel. Forget the chest straps. These sports bras and tops have built-in heart rate sensors, which pick up the heart's pulse and send it to a compatible watch or cardio machine. The sensors are built into the garments, with a small transmitter snapped into a pocket. "The truth is, when things get sweaty, sometimes traditional heart rate straps can get a little sticky and uncomfortable," said Sunny Sea Gold, health articles editor. The line includes a sports bra, racer tank and men's cardio shirt.
PRICE: $49.95, men's shirt is $58.95, transmitter and heart rate monitor watch sold separately. A complete system starts at $99.
WHERE TO GET IT: www.NuMetrex.com
THE PRO: Men's Health
