How cool is this?
We've all heard a ton about Wii Fit and how it's supposed to revolutionize the workout. I think the game is great for those with limited mobility and a long way to go on the physical fitness road ... but for folks who are less interested in getting motivated to get off the couch and more in maintaining that Beyoncé butt, Wii Fit just won't cut it. Enter Nike + and a recent partnership with 24 Hour Fitness. No one is really talking about this as a game-based workout, but if you look at the details of the deal, that's exactly what it is. Starting next month 24 Hour Fitness, the largest fitness club chain in the U.S., will be the first to offer new Nike + iPod enabled gym equipment in select clubs across the country. Here's the scoop from Business Wire:
Nike and Apple worked with major gym equipment manufacturers to make their cardio equipment Nike + iPod compatible so gym members can easily track and record workouts on cardio equipment like treadmills, stair steppers, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes. Beginning in July, select 24 Hour Fitness clubs in New York, San Francisco, Miami, Denver, Portland and Salt Lake City will begin receiving Nike + iPod enabled gym equipment, just in time for members to use the new machines to prepare for and compete in the Nike + Human Race on August 31, 2008. Extending the great Nike + iPod Sport Kit experience users are already familiar with, 24 Hour Fitness members can track their cardio workouts and log their data by connecting their iPod nano to the Nike + iPod enabled cardio equipment. When 24 Hour Fitness members then connect their iPod nano to their computer, their workout data is sent to NikePlus.com through iTunes. This workout data is converted to “CardioMiles” so that users of cardio equipment can easily set goals and participate in challenges with runners and with users of other cardio equipment.So... let's break it down, gamers. We are tracking results through a handheld entertainment device (the iPod nano) to compete for points (CardioMiles) in a workout game (the Nike + Human Race). There may not be a major console name attached to the program, but this is a way to turn your boring routine into a multiplayer competition. Games for Health FTW!