June 3rd, 2008
It’s All About the Toys
I heartily embrace the term “geek girl” to describe myself. I like clothes as much as any frou-frou fashionista, but when it comes to wearing them, I’d rather be in a tank top, jeans, and pink Chuck Taylor sneakers, with a man’s chambray shirt, unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, completing the ensemble.
When it comes to workout motivation, I’m equally geeky, and if I can find a toy that will help maintain my interest, I’m happy to sacrifice a few bucks for the cause. A couple months ago, however, I won - yes! won! - a gift card to the Apple store, and while the classic iPods were pulling my focus I ultimately chose the Nano, because it, combined with a $30 gizmo co-branded with Nike, helps you go from being a couch potato to being a runner, in about 90 days.
The Nano itself is pretty cool. The current version is about the size of a credit card, and about as thick as three or four credit cards stacked. Mine holds 8GB of music, video, and podcasts, and since it was part of the (Product)Red line, part of the money spent even went toward the Global Fund. While I still think Creative Zen’s have better sound, for portability and ease of use, the Nano rules.
The Nike+ thing is what makes it worth while for me though, since I already have small collection of mp3 players. It consists of a sensor, which can either be placed in a special pocket cut into the insole of certain Nike running shoes, or just tucked under the laces of any sneakers, and a receiver, which plugs into the Nano itself. The sensor keeps track of your distance and speed, and sends it to the ipod. When you log into iTunes, you’re then asked if you want to upload your data to the Nike+ website.
Nike’s half of the deal is their virtual training partner. Not only do they have pre-recorded basic workouts that you can download to your mp3 player, but you can track your performance, participate in challenges set by other members of the site, and even build your own workout. Mine is a bit slower than the 90-day thing, both because I’m really unfit, and because it’s too hot to run long distances just now, but I like the fact that when I’m out with my favorite tunes playing in my ears, a softly encouraging voice reminds me to “run for 30 seconds,” and then “walk for two minutes.”
I also like the powersong feature. You pick your personal anthem, and at any point in the workout you can press the center button of your iPod, and that song will play, out of sequence, to boost your morale.
While some people have said that this is allowing a machine to rule my life, I disagree. I think it’s using a tool to help make something not particularly appealing (working out) into something I’m more likely to actually do.
Of course, for me, it’s all about the toys.
And the powersong.
Mine?
“We Will Rock You,” by Queen.
