Bench Press with Resistance Bands

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While working out today I switched it up by using resistance bands while bench pressing. Looking at this medieval apparatus gave me an idea for a fitness invention. Note: I did not make up this training method, i am simply refining what I've seen being done at the gym.




This new accessory uses the same technology that it use on weight machines, heavy duty carabiner, affixed to a ring spacer that fits standard size flatbars and holds these resistance band in place. This way adding and removing weight is no problem.

The resistance bands are still fed the same way but, instead of being slapped on the bar, there is a safer place for them. The addition and removal of bands is also made easier because they no longer have to be stretched around the end of the bar and positioned in such a cruel manner. This also allows the bands to rotate freely on the bar which helps ergonomically.

Big Brother

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I was talking with a co-worker about the Microsoft Kinect today. For those that do not know, the Kinect is a motion sensing camera for the Xbox 360 and is marketed towards casual gamers with the promise of controller-free gaming. The device has so much more potential than just that though.

When the device was first announced, it was called Natal and there were people who envisioned that the camera device could be placed all over a household and be used to track the people inside it. The cameras would be connected to the house's network and could provide services like voice command video phone and messaging services. Imagine walking around the house while the Kinect cameras keep following you broadcasting your video feed to the person you are talking to over the internet. The system then also moves their video feed through the monitors in the house. The system is apparently intelligent enough to discern individuals so that it doesn't accidentally end up following someone else.

But it's so much more than that too. With these cameras everywhere, we can finally do somethings we couldn't before. Look back at my post yesterday where I talked about being able to track a person's workout. This system, with refinements will most likely be able to track an individual's activity so the level where it can count reps of a workout. Hell, there are fitness games for it already too so that's not that big of a stretch.

Grunting in the Gym is Useful

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There are many fitness apps for the iPhone but I use none of them. The reason is, I don't want to play with my iPhone while I'm at the gym, with the exception of occasionally looking for a particular song to play. This renders apps that allow you to track sets and reps for your workouts useless to me. I'm sure there are many people who feel the same way.

What if there was an app that could count your reps automatically. It could do this in a number of ways such as listening to your breathing, hearing for your grunts or possibly listening for the rep count under your breath "one, two, ..."

This idea isn't entirely hashed out but these fitness apps do need to automatically track you somehow in order for them to be widely used.

PS. Take a look at Fitbit or BodyBugg. These are cardio-oriented body-tracking systems that are on the right track.