It used to be all a runner needed was a good pair of shoes and a direction in which to run. As technology progresses we can now choose from any number of toys that will tell us how far, how fast or how hard we are working. Below is a review of two of the latest gadgets available to enhance your athletic experience.
Power Lung
www.powerlung.com The Power Lung is a small hand held tool used to increase the abilities of your breathing muscles. The company states that it is like lifting weights for your diaphragm and intercostals muscles (the muscles between your ribs). The Power Lung itself is very easy to use and provides numerous progressions as well as a maintenance program. Looking like the mouthpiece to a snorkel, you place it in your mouth and simply inhale, then exhale. The difficulty comes in the level or ?weight? you are using and can be adjusted by the three inhale and six exhale position. As a position becomes easier you increase the resistance, and it takes about three minutes a day.
Studies of the Power Lung show a 25% improvement in tidal volume (the depth of each breath) within four weeks and an increase in oxygen uptake, which helps the slow twitch muscles to use lactic acid as fuel. It has been reported that users feel less breathless after three to five days of regular use. The Power Lung can be purchased in Canada at
www.peakcentre.com.
Forerunner 101
www.garmin.com These days most runners are looking for instant feedback on speed, distance and per mile pace. While there are some excellent products currently on the market, the new kid on the block is Garmin. Known as a world leader in GPS technology, creating products for the flying, boating, driving, hiking and fishing markets, they had stepped into the fitness scene by teaming with Timex to produce the Bodylink system. After seeing the excitement GPS has created in the running environment, Garmin went on it?s own to produce the Forerunner 101.
The Forerunner becomes your virtual training partner by allowing you to preset the parameters you are interested in, and then notifying you by beep, whistle or alarm if you fall off. For example you can set a pace of four-minute kilometres for five kilometres, and as you run if you fall off the pace it will alert you to speed up. The Forerunner will map your route, track calories, accumulate up to 5000 lap times and hold a history by day/week or month for two years. You can also program walk breaks, run by distance or by time. The large screen is easy to see and easy to use even while wearing gloves. The Forerunner comes with a rechargeable lithium battery and tracks it?s life in hours when turned on. There is no mention of being waterproof and might be a little cumbersome to wear while biking, but with a very accurate map and strong GPS signal this light, easy to use running gadget might be the only toy you need to buy this season.
The Forerunner 101 can be purchased locally at Quinte Outdoor Sports in Belleville.
