Endomondo

What really makes Endomondo stand out is the social community aspect. Users can send messages to friends with audio feedback and peptalks. It’s an easier way to exercise and stay healthy, knowing that your workout is being monitored by others, and helps you stay competitive.

In addition, Endomondo recently found that users with 10 friends or more are three times more active than users flying solo within the Endomondo community. When users compare themselves to their peers, especially close connections like friends and family, then the fun and social factor works for fitness and they get motivated.

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) and TomTom (AEX: TOM2) have collaborated to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom. The new running watch, unveiled today at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show, will provide athletes with the most dynamic and motivational running experience in the world thanks to its unique functionality, beautiful design, and direct connection to www.nikeplus.com, the world’s leading running community with almost 4 million members.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed for high-performance with an extremely clear and readable user interface that delivers the information necessary to the user while in-run. It adds personalization and motivational features to the running experience, including audible sounds, challenges, run reminders and more.

“The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is a game-changing product that furthers our commitment to provide all athletes with unparalleled motivation and the tools to get better,” said Stefan Olander, VP of Nike Digital Sport.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is scheduled to be at retail stores and online in the U.S. and the U.K. beginning April 1. Broader distribution is scheduled for July 1. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS will be previewed for consumers at Nikerunning.com and TomTom.com beginning today.

“It is part of TomTom Consumer’s strategy to move into the fast-growing sports and fitness market. This true partnership with Nike combines the strengths of two leading companies to deliver a game-changing product for runners,” said Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director, TomTom Consumer. TomTom is the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions.

On-Watch Experience
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed to be simple and intuitive with only three buttons and a Tap Screen for navigation. During the run, the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS captures location information while showing runners their time, distance, pace, and calories burned on an easy-to-read screen featuring a customizable layout. Throughout the run, the GPS receiver works in tandem with the shoe-based Nike+ Sensor to deliver highly accurate pace and distance data.

On-watch features include:
Tap Screen for setting laps and activating backlight
Run History with data from past runs
Personal Records including those imported from Nikeplus.com
Quick Start with optional shoe-based Nike+ Sensor
Heart Rate Monitor compatibility

Some of the unique motivating factors the Nike+ SportWatch GPS offer runners on-screen include:
Recognition (or “Attaboys”) for personal records
Run Reminders that appear after five days if a run has not been logged
Post-run acknowledgement and encouragement

Post-Run Experience
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS plugs neatly into any USB port on a Mac or PC, then immediately launches the Nike+ Connect interface which automatically transfers information to www.nikeplus.com.

“With more than 150 million runs logged since its launch in 2006, Nikeplus.com captures the pulse of the running world everyday,” added Olander.

Nikeplus.com presents runners with the GPS mapping, total miles, pace and elevation data for their most recent run in a rich and engaging way that will be familiar to users of the popular Nike+ GPS iPhone application.

“Providing runners with accurate pace, distance and location information during and after their run gives them the information they need to better train and track their progress,” added Vigreux.

Data from each run is automatically applied to all current Nike+ Challenges, Nike+ Goals, and Nike+ Coach programs in which the runner is participating.

Additional Features at Nikeplus.com
Athletes who want to get the most out of their run and from the Nike+ SportWatch GPS will have access to a huge catalogue of run routes logged by Nike and published by other runners on streets and trails around the world.

Each run will be graphically mapped with the help of TomTom technology, and include route notes, elevation and length. Runners will also be able to find the perfect route by searching the catalogue by location, length, difficulty, and even landmarks.

Since the 2006 launch of Nike+ in partnership with Apple, a variety of Nike+ enabled devices have been introduced to help runners reach their full potential including the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano and iPod touch, the Nike+ SportBand, and the new Nike+ GPS App for use with the iPhone.

About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

About TomTom N.V.
TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2) is the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions. Headquartered in The Netherlands, it employs over 3,000 employees worldwide. Over 45 million people daily use its solutions, be it in the form of dedicated portable navigation devices (PNDs), in-dash car systems or tracking and tracing solutions for fleet management. In addition, hundreds of millions of people use TomTom’s digital maps on the internet or mobile phone.

Since its debut in 2006, the collective Nike+ community – 3 million and growing – has run 270,000,000 miles.
 
This is the only true “Runner’s App” and is where high-tech hits the road. With Apple integration, you are guaranteed a seamless user experience.

Here are the Key features included in the Nike+ GPS App:

Run Anywhere: The Nike+ GPS app is a new application for the iPhone that combines the power of GPS with the technology of accelerometry, to track your run inside (on the treadmill) or outside (on the road/trail).  Even if you lose your GPS signal over the course of a run, the accelerometer kicks in to make sure your mileage is captured.  

Track your routes: The new Nike+ GPS app allows runners to track their performance over their favorite routes.  They can see the different locations, speeds and times of different segments of their runs.

Challenge Yourself: Nike+ GPS allows runners to do more. By selecting the “Challenge Me” button runners can select to run farther, faster, longer. The app will also track your history to be able to personalize your challenges.  Runners will also receive post-run feedback and encouragement from Nike athletes and celebrities including Lance Armstrong, Paula Radcliffe and comedian Tracy Morgan.

Stay Connected: Sync, save and see your workout directly from your iPhone onto your Nikeplus.com account (a social network of more than 3 million members!)

Stay Motivated: Runners will receive motivating messages from some of their favorite athletes and celebrities when they accomplish their goals, win challenges or get a Personal best

adidas miCoach, the personal and real-time audible training system, takes its offering to the next level with the introduction of the miCoach app featuring sports-specific training programmes designed to coach sports and fitness enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals alike.

With the new miCoach app, adidas extends its personal coaching programme for running and introduces specific conditioning programmes for Football, Tennis, American Football and Basketball. The miCoach app, using GPS for active real-time pace-based coaching and location tracking, makes the adidas miCoach platform available to millions of smart phone owners via the option to download at selected app stores including iTunes and Blackberry App World from August 1, 2010 onwards.

“The introduction of the miCoach app and sports-specific training plans was the natural next step to bring miCoach to an even wider audience. At adidas we work with the world’s best coaches and athletes and we wanted to share this knowledge and experience with our consumers to inspire and to help them reach their personal goals,” says Bernd Wahler, Chief Marketing Officer of adidas Sport Performance. “Our service approach is unique and sets new standards in terms of personalisation in the entire sporting goods industry.”

adidas has worked with some of the world’s finest athletic coaches, athletes and teams when developing the miCoach app and the sports-specific training plans including renowned athletic trainer Mark Verstegen, founder and director of the Athletes’ Performance Institute (API) training and sport research centre. In addition, adidas worked closely with the Spanish National Team, FC Bayern Munich, AC Milan as well as athletes like Reggie Bush and Jessica Ennis.

“Coaching is essential to improving as an athlete – no matter what your sport. Whatever your goal is, a coach can help you improve. miCoach has a plan designed specifically to make you faster in football. You don’t get faster by just running long distances, or running sprints, it takes interval training specifically designed to optimise football performance and miCoach provides a pretty cool plan to make you a better you,” commented Reggie Bush

The miCoach app allows smart phone users to turn the phone into a personal coach: pace triggered voice coaching, personalised and sports-specific training plans, workout calendar, navigator and workout feedback are some of the features. The miCoach app syncs automatically with the intelligent website micoach.com offering six documented training plans for each sport and the option to create personalised conditioning programs. On micoach.com the training programmes are tailored to the personal fitness level and goals allowing to monitor, manage and analyse progress over time.

With the launch of the miCoach app, adidas unveils its new global campaign “miCoach says”. The new campaign celebrates coaching and the pre-season conditioning programme of some of the world’s best athletes including Andy Murray, Reggie Bush, Derek Rose and Jessica Ennis.  “miCoach says” is developed by global advertising agency 180 Amsterdam and its digital arm Riot and includes TV, print, digital and mobile executions.

***
adidas miCoach app highlights:
All-in-one device: your music, coach, workout calendar, navigator and phone
First app to offer real-time, GPS-triggered voice coaching to color keyed pace zones based on a personal assessment workout
First app to offer sports-specific workout plans
Fully customisable so athletes of all levels can create personalised conditioning programmes to meet fitness level and goals
Instant workout feedback with graphs and maps to review and share

Monitors, manages and analyses progress over time
Syncs wirelessly with micoach.com so all data is safely stored  online
Updates continuously with coaching content tailored to your training needs
Shoe tracking and alerts to keep you at your best and avoid injury
Indoor coaching only mode for use in the gym
Available in multiple languages

adidas miCoach.com – intelligent website that is central to the miCoach personal coaching service. miCoach users can select goal-based training plans for various sports. The website allows tracking progress over time, comparing individual statistics and workouts over time as well as sharing results via the online community.

adidas miCoach Pacer – a small, lightweight device that delivers real-time audible coaching as you exercise via headphones or combined with your own MP3 player or smartphone. During your run, the miCoach Pacer verbally coaches you (i.e. speed up to green zone, slow down to blue zone, etc.) to ensure that you are staying within your targeted heart rate zone and keep you running at the right personal level based on its interaction between the adidas Heart Rate Monitor and adidas Stride Sensor.

adidas miCoach Zone – easy-to-read colour-code display provides accurate, real-time coaching on your wrist. Used in conjunction with the adidas Heart Rate Monitor or the miCoach app.

adidas miCoach Heart Rate Monitor – provides accurate feedback about your workout performance. It relays your workout information to the miCoach Pacer or miCoach Zone which then ensures you’re not pushing yourself too hard or too little on your run.

adidas miCoach Stride Sensor – clips directly to shoe laces or inside adidas adiStar and Supernova shoe models featuring a cavity under the sockliner of the left shoe. The Stride Sensor provides detailed data about your unique stride rate, distance and pace and relays that information back to the miCoach Pacer device.

About adidas:
adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world.  Brand adidas is part of the adidas Group, a corporation that includes brands such as Reebok, TaylorMade and Rockport.

Nike, Inc (NYSE:NKE) and Polar, the market leader and pioneer in heart rate training technology, have introduced the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+.  This new product works with the Nike+ SportBand and the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit, enabling users to run and train with heart rate monitoring for the first time.

This exciting new piece of equipment is worn comfortably round the chest and transmits the user’s heart rate wirelessly to their Nike+ iPod Sport Kit or Sportband.  It will improve the training experience of Nike+ users helping them to understand how hard they are working in any given run. Users can see their beats per minute while they run with their Nike+ SportBand, or hear spoken feedback of their BPM during their Nike+ iPod workout. And after training, heart rate data can be transferred to the nikeplus.com web service. Users can track how long they ran in their target heart rate zone and see their heart rate progress over time.

The Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+ is compatible with the fifth generation iPod nano and the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit.

The soft textile chest strap seamlessly adapts to the user’s body shape, bringing full freedom of movement to the training session. The comfortable textile strap is also machine-washable and with its hook mechanism, the transmitter is just as quick to put on as it is to take off. A user replaceable battery also increases the ease-of-use.

“We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Nike”, says Marco Suvilaakso, Group Product Director at Polar. “Polar and Nike are both market leading global sports brands. Nike users around the globe can now benefit for the first time from pioneering Polar heart rate monitoring technology. The new WearLink®+ that works with Nike+ will make accurate heart rate training available to millions of Nike+ users. It will add a new dimension to their training enabling them to train at the right intensity to achieve their goals. We anticipate this will be a very popular product.”

The Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, will be available from June, 2010 beginning with the United States, Canada and major EU countries. On sale through authorized Polar retailers, Nike-owned retail stores and through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, is sold as a Polar accessory set with a user manual.

About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

About Polar
Founded in 1977, Polar Electro invented the first wireless heart rate monitor.  Since then the Company has pioneered a revolution in training and has been dedicated to improving fitness and sporting performance through the understanding of human physiology, performance and the environment. Polar Electro has become widely recognized as the world’s leading manufacturer of innovative sports instruments and heart rate monitoring, registering and evaluation equipment.
Headquartered near Oulu in Finland, the company operates internationally in more than 80 countries.
Today, Polar training computers are the number one choice among consumers worldwide.  To learn more about how the wide range of Polar products and services can help you achieve your training goals and make your fitness story a success, please visit www.polarelectro.co.uk

The field of technological devices for training assistance in fitness and running is quite rich. There is a wide range of heart-rate monitors, stride sensors, GPS (and more…) studied to communicate trainings stats. In this crowded field Adidas is trying to lead the way with an innovative device studied for a complete training support: we are talking about micoach.
Micoach consists in a small network of sensors (the actual version includes an heart-rate sensor and a stride sensor) sending data to a small management node which elaborates the incoming signal and  communicates the user the training parameters.  All this system is wearable end is slightly perceived during the training. Micoach is not just a device, but it is a complete series of tools for the training. In fact adidas allows its customers to register on micoach website for managing the features of the micoach device and for uploading the data recorded during training.

Once uploaded, this data are stored on the personal page of the customer and can be plotted in order to observed what happened during running. Moreover it is available a web service for the definition of a scheduled training program according with the level and the goal of the customer. The resulting program is quite accurate and it consists in a calendar with the training sessions described day by day. This feature is useful to drive self-training athlete along a precise and well scheduled path.

I had the opportunity/chance to test this new born device and I’m going to describe all the steps needed to correctly use the micoach.

First of all, I suggest every new user to take a look of the adidas website, in particular the micoach section (www.adidas.com/micoach). Here there are all the news and the details about micoach. In order to access all the micoach tools, every new user has to create his/her own account and to login. Once logged-in, is possible to fully use all the power of the web support for micoach. In this section is possible to create a training program according with the level and the goal of the athlete.

The goals range is quite wide and starts from learning to run or staying in shape and grows until training for a race. Once selected the goal, is possible to define the level of the training program. A higher level implies a greater amount of trainings. At the end of this procedure, the athlete has got his own training program specific for his athletic goal.
The next step is setting up micoach Pacer. This operation requires the plugging-in of the jack-USB cable according with the USB symbol (see picture). Plugging-in the USB in your PC will trigger the installation procedure. At the end, it will appear on the desktop of the pc the micoach Manager icon: Double-click on it and the program starts. It’s required to introduce the parameter of the adidas/micoach account to which synchronizes the device. Once correctly completed this procedure, the device load the settings defined on the web page. In the settings section on the web page is possible to fully manage the behavior of the micoach device.

For example, I chose the parameters to communicate during the run and I set up the language of the speaking voice.

After the definition of the device settings, it is required a new synchronization of the device in order to load the new settings.

Be careful: after each loading, it is strongly recommended to test the device behavior so to be sure that the new settings are properly loaded. If you don’t test this, you might discover during your training that the device is not set as you expected!!

After the synchronization, the training program will be loaded on the micoach Pacer, so you can start training. Now we are ready to test the device functionality.

Micoach can work together mp3 readers: the two devices can be linked using a jack to jack cable. Using this configuration, the athlete listen to music and, each time the micoach Pacer has a communication, the music stops and the micoach voice talk to the athlete. After the communication ends, the music starts again. During my test run, I used this configuration.
Wearing micoach require few minutes: the geometry of the stride sensor allows an easy bonding with the shoelace, the heart-rate belt is quite comfortable and the micoach Pacer is small, light and easily clippable to clothes. Once worn all the sensors, it is time to turn-on the system. Switching the selector on the top of the micoach Pacer on “micoach” or “free”, the micoach pacer starts searching the sensors.

The icon associated to the sensors stays red until the specific sensor is not found. Once the sensor is found and correctly recognized, the icon becomes green. If one or more icons stay red, probably the sensor indicated has a problem. Usually this problem is just a battery failure. In this case, just change battery and the sensor starts working correctly.

After booting correctly all the micoach network, it’s time to run. My coach pacer allows two programs: programmed training or free run (active using the selector on the top). In this first, micoach pacer communicates all the phases of the training, while in the latter micoach just records all the training parameters and communicates these only if required. Before starting training, it’s fundamental to push the start training button. This interface in not so easy to find, if it’s the first time you are using micoach ad if you didn’t read any tutorial. On micoach Pacer case, there is the icon of a running man (rear the shoe icon). Pushing the running man starts the training record.

the opposite side, near the heart icon, there is the button for the volume management. In the middle of the case, surrounded by a ring there is the Please Login or Register to read the rest of this content.

The frame is available in different colors, from Please Login or Register to read the rest of this content.

Cushlon midsole combines with a Nike Zoom unit in the heel for an incredibly plush, resilient and responsive ride.

Environmentally preferred rubber in a Waffle outsole configuration provides multi-surface traction and a measure of added cushioning.

INSIDE SCOOP

Flywire: High tensile strength fibers sandwiched between a thin layer of TPU and a dynamic textile form and ultra-light yet ultra-strong composite upper.

UPPER

•    Built on the QMR-1 (Pegasus Fit) last for exceptional comfort and fit.
•    Large expanses of open mesh enhance comfort and breathability.
•    An ultra-light, yet ultra-strong Flywire panel along the lateral quarter works with a perfed synthetic panel along the medial side for great lockdown over the footbed and a snug, secure fit.
•    Reflective elements on toebox and heel help provide visibility in low-light conditions.
•    Molded EVA sockliner features Fitsole geometry to boost comfort and support.

MIDSOLE
•    Next-generation application of Nike Natural Motion Engineering principles—which includes support under the cuboid and along the first met-head—encourages a more naturally neutral, efficient stride.
•    Gender-specific crash pad is highly de-coupled and articulated to help absorb shock of impact and reduce both the range and rate of pronation before midstance.
•    Nike Cushlon midsole delivers plush, yet resilient, cushioning.
•    Nike Zoom unit in heel works with the midsole foam to deliver plus, yet highly resilient cushioning that feels great and lasts.
•    Arch bridge midfoot shank adds support under the medial arch, while also allowing a degree of torsional flex to unlock the foot’s natural stabilizing mechanisms and encourage a smooth, efficient stride.

OUTSOLE
•    Highly-abrasion-resistant BRS 1000 carbon rubber under the crash pad adds durability at a key wear zone.
•    Deep, gender-specific flex grooves improve flexibility and help deliver a smoother, more seamless transition from heel strike through toe-off.
•    Environmentally-preferred rubber in a Waffle outsole configuration provides exceptional multi-surface traction and durability, along with a measure of added cushioning.

Cushlon ST midsole delivers plush, resilient cushioning while enhancing support for overpronating runners who benefit from a more stable platform.

Full-length Nike Air unit delivers the ride and cushioning associated with the Air Pegasus franchise and now accommodates a Nike+ sensor for an enhanced running experience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Updates include:

- A new, Flywire upper construction

- A new, plush, yet responsive Cushlon ST midsole

- A new, full-length Nike Air unit, the next-generation of Natural Motion Engineering principles, and, it’s over 7% lighter than its predecessor!

- UPPER
New, women’s-specific QE-17 (Pegasus Fit) last accommodates the distinct shape of the female foot. Now shallower across the toe-box to reduce volume in the forefoot. 
Large expanses of open mesh enhance comfort and breathability.

- An ultra-light, yet ultra-strong Flywire panel along the lateral quarter works with an adjustable dynamic fit arch strap along the medial side for great, customized lock down over the footbed and a snug, secure fit.

Reflective elements on the toe box and heel help provide visibility in low-light conditions. Molded EVA sockliner features gender-specific Heel Cradle geometry to boost comfort and support.

MIDSOLE
Next-generation application of Natural Motion Engineering principles, which includes support under the cuboid and along the first met-head and encourages a more naturally neutral, efficient stride.

Gender-specific crash pad is highly de-coupled and articulated to help absorb shock of impact and reduce both the range and rate of pronation before midstance.

Cushlon ST midsole delivers plush, resilient cushioning while enhancing support for overpronating runners who benefit from a more stable platform.
Full-length Nike Air unit delivers the ride and long-lasting cushioning associated with the Air Pegasus franchise and now accommodates a Nike+ sensor for an enhanced running experience.

A small medial post of higher density foam works with the shoe’s supportive upper and arch bridge midfoot shank to reduce excessive pronation through midstance without sacrificing a smooth transition. Arch bridge midfoot shank adds support under the medial arch, while also allowing a degree of torsional flex to unlock the foot’s natural stabilizing mechanisms and encourage a smooth, efficient stride.

OUTSOLE
Highly-abrasion-resistant BRS 1000 carbon rubber under the crash pad adds durability at a key wear zone.

Environmentally-preferred rubber in a Waffle outsole configuration provides exceptional multi-surface traction and durability, along with a measure of added cushioning.

Deep flex grooves improve flexibility and help deliver a smoother, more seamless transition from heel strike through toe-off.