Crave

Most of us gym-goers are dependent on our carefully tailored workout playlists to keep our legs moving during an otherwise dreary exercise. Needless to say, this entertainment is difficult to achieve underwater, but that hasn't stopped well-known swim gear brand Finis from helping swimmers have some fun, too. With this in mind, the company has updated its unique waterproof MP3 player, the SwimP3. Version 2 is carefully designed for comfort and practicality, and it's sure to sound a lot better than the splashes of a freestyle stroke.

Like the first version, SwiMP3 v2 uses bone conduction technology. It consists of two "earpieces," which are attached by a cord that loops around the back of the neck. But rather than placing each unit over your ears, you affix them to your cheekbones where vibrations from the player are passed from the bone to your inner ear.

(Credit: Finis)

As a recreational swimmer, I had to take this gadget for a dive. My first attempt to wear the player was on the pool deck, and let's just say there were some curious looks involved as I fidgeted with the parts like a complete newb. (In a moment of insecurity, I ran to the bathroom for an assisting mirror.) Here's how it works: First comes the swim cap, followed by goggles on top (the usual routine). Finally, the units of the SwiMP3 player clip right onto the goggle strap, and lay directly on the cheekbones.

After swimming laps with my SwiMP3 player, I was very satisfied with my workout. The music is a definite motivator and, contrary to my expectations, the sound quality was impressive. It's nothing like putting on a pair of Bose headphones, but it's more than adequate for an underwater player. Plus, it attaches on your person more securely than something like the Freestyle Audio SoundWave or the Dolphin Swimmer, and there are no earbuds to easily slip out and no cumbersome wire connecting your head to your arm.

Avid swimmers will find the SwiMP3 to be a good investment, since it delivers a technology superior to a waterproof case and headphones. However, the $150 price tag isn't a fit for everyone, particularly occasional swimmers.

The Get Running app lives up to its name, gradually guiding you from couch to 5K.

I used to run without music. Then I started bringing along an MP3 player. And finally I caved in to strapping my iPhone to my arm.

Sure, it's a little unwieldy, but it's comforting to have a phone with you just in case you need a sag wagon.

And don't forget the apps. Your iPhone can double not only as an iPod, but also a GPS watch, a route map, and a personal trainer. Here's my list of must-have apps for new and seasoned runners alike.

• FlickTunes If your iPhone is coming along solely for iPod duty, check out FlickTunes. This 99-cent app turns the entire screen into a playback control: flick left for the next song, right for the previous one, up to pause, and so on. Sure beats trying to futz with the standard controls while you're running.
• Get Running New to running? This 99-cent app guides you from couch to 5K over the course of nine weeks. It's a complete training program, with audio prompts that let you know when to run, when to walk, and so on.
• RunKeeper Pro As I discussed last month, I think RunKeeper's a better system than Nike + iPod. The latest update, released yesterday, can automatically start a selected playlist when you start your run--very handy. It also adds real-time route tracking and support for geo-tagged status updates/photos. Worth every penny of the $9.99 price tag. (But the free version's still awesome, too.)
• WalkJogRun Routes Looking for a good route to run while on vacation? Or a new one near home? This $2.99 app taps a library of over 400,000 user-created routes. A newly added city-search feature lets you plan ahead, and you can create your own routes on the WalkJogRun site. Read more about it in my original writeup.

OK, race fans: your turn. What apps do you take on the run? And what's your preferred method of carrying your iPhone? Armband case? If so, which one? Hit the comments to talk apps, gear, and, if you want, running in general!

RunKeeper provides useful info as you run, then uploads it to the RunKeeper site.

Can I gush? RunKeeper is the coolest freakin' iPhone application ever. OK, maybe not for everyone, but it's definitely the coolest for runners, hikers, bikers, and anyone else interesting in tracking their outdoor activities.

Let me explain. This summer the running bug bit me hard, and I'm now running farther and faster than in years past. Consequently, I've grown interested in determining my pace, distance, total run time, and so on.

My first thought was to get Apple's Nike + iPod, which is reasonable at $29--but incompatible with my iPhone 3G. Plus, I didn't want to have to buy a pair of Nike+ shoes or "hack" the Apple sensor to latch onto my own shoes.

Quite by accident, I discovered RunKeeper Free, which leverages the iPhone's built-in GPS to track duration, distance, pace, speed, and more.

All this happens in real-time as you run, but where it really gets cool is at the end: When you tap Save Run, RunKeeper quickly uploads that data to the eponymous Web site, where you can track all your runs and get very specific information about each (such as how fast you were going at any particular point along the way). You also get to see your exact route on a map. It's really, really cool.

You can, of course, play your music while RunKeeper is running, and the app recently added integration with Facebook and Twitter (for those who like to crow about their runs).

I wasn't sure I wanted to carry my relatively big, bulky iPhone with me when I was accustomed to something Shuffle-size. But it happened to fit just perfectly in an old Zune armband case, and obviously, it's great to have both a phone and a GPS with me in case of emergency.

I'm using ad-supported RunKeeper free, which suits me fine. There's a $9.99 Pro version that offers audio cues and support for custom workouts (based on time, distance, and so on)--closer to what you get from Nike+iPod.

If you're a runner, I can't recommend this application highly enough.

WalkJogRun shows you nearby routes for your daily exercise.

When you're traveling, it's easy to come up with excuses not to exercise, like, "There's nowhere to run near this hotel." The new WalkJogRun Routes app leverages your iPhone's geolocation skills to find routes near you.

How? By tapping WalkJogRun.net's repository of 350,000-plus user-created routes. Just run the app, wait a few seconds for it to hone in on your location, then choose a distance (1 mile, 2 miles, all distances, etc.) to see the routes in your neck of the woods.

The subsequent list tells you the name, length, and creator of each route, along with the starting point's distance from your current location. Tap any route to see it on a Google Map, with markers indicating the start and finish.

For some reason, the maps don't let you scroll and pinch-zoom; you're limited to tapping an area to zoom in and tapping again to zoom out. What's more, the app doesn't offer real-time positioning, nor does it let you create new routes on your iPhone. (Both features are designated "not yet" by the developer, so they may appear in a future update.)

If you sign up for a free WalkJogRun.net account, you can create routes on your PC, then access them in the WalkJogRun app--handy if you want to keep a library of personalized routes or just plan ahead before a trip.

If you're a hardcore runner or just someone who likes to blaze new trails, WalkJogRun Routes is $2.99 well spent.

I only run when chased, so biking has always been my preferred method for a cardio workout. However, I've never been much for stationary bikes or spinning. The RealRyder ABF8 spin bike, however, might change my mind. (Though I doubt I'll have the $1,995 to buy one anytime soon.)

Instead of a rigid ride, the bike has an articulating frame letting you lean, steer, and sway from side to side as if you were on a typical road bike.

The company claims the instability allows for a more complete workout, engaging core and upper-body muscles since you are in fact trying to keep your balance.

If you haven't already, watch the video to see what I mean. (Be warned, though, Feist is playing throughout the 3-minute-long video.)

I don't know about you, but for me, losing that gut has always been one of my New Year's resolutions. I don't mind being called fat, it's just that after Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year, and especially CES (tons of junk food), now when I sit down, the thing is kind of in the way.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CBS Interactive)

Generally it's pretty simple to stay in good shape: eat well, sleep enough, work out regularly, and reduce indulgences. However, easier said than done; you need some sort of enforcement or reminder mechanism.

This is why, this year, I am happy to find out about the Health Cubby app for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. It's a rather simple program that helps keep track of your lifestyle and exercise.

For those who like competition, the software even allows for the capability to connect to up to seven friends to compare your progress or keep tabs on one another.

The app's other features include:

• Set weekly goals for weight, cardio, strength training, vice, and measurements
• Set long-term goals for weight and measurements
• Track the healthy levels of meals by star rating
• Online Sync/Backup
• Chart weight for individuals or group
• Send and receive messages from friends
• Weight in pounds or kilograms
• Measurements in inches or centimeters
• Excel compatible e-mail reports (CSV attachment)
• Ability to store and retrieve data on next launch when the app is interrupted by a phone call

I tried out Health Cubby on my iPhone 3G and it's rather simple and fun to use. Unfortunately, it's not free but costs $5 at the Apple's AppStore. But hey, maybe you should pay that to feel like you really need to use it and start the New Year fresh.

(Credit: Ubergizmo)

With games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit, the concept of combining workout and play is nothing new. But the University of Tsukuba in Japan is pushing the envelope by throwing in a 270-degree wraparound projection screen for an added sense of realism.

Conceived as a physiotherapy waking tool for stroke and related aliment patients, the system comprises three overhead projectors and companion dome mirrors to stitch together an awesome panoramic visual.

The virtual reality treadmill is still in development stage, but we can foresee many more tangible applications once it's materialized--say, military training, home entertainment, and even extreme video gaming.

(Via Crave Asia)

(Credit: AFC Industries)

The trend of exercising at the workstation is getting out of hand. Not only will it keep a rising number of employees chained to their desks, but companies apparently are aiming to dump even more work on the rank and file.

The latest reason for concern is the JW Treadmill Desk, a workstation that elevates the concept to yet another level. This torture device can be ordered with a built-in rack for multiple monitors, just in case you already don't have enough things to do at the same time.

AFC Industries, which manufactures the workstation, touts its ergonomic benefits and horshoe-shaped desktop for convenience, according to Coolest-Gadgets. But we think it's just one more step toward encircling the entire body so no one can escape.