One of the main criticisms of the Nike+ iPod system is that it only works for running and similar activities. It won’t accurately track workouts on a stair-master, elliptical trainer, stationary bike and other such gym equipment. Nike and Apple both listened and have been working with gym equipment manufacturers to solve just that problem.
New equipment will include a dock to load your iPod Nano and gather stats about your workout. As with the current Nike+ system, you can then share that data with Nike’s website to compete with others or just track your own progress.
Come this summer, Nike + iPod Sport Kit users will be able to simply plug their iPod nano into compatible equipment at the start of their workout to automatically record their progress. Users can then connect their iPod with their computer to upload the workout to NikePlus.com.
Sources close to The Stammy have stated that Georgia Tech’s renowned recreation center has been in talks with Nike about receiving the new-fangled gym equipment. Whether I will be able to test it out before I graduate in December is another question.
About Nike+
Nike+ is a collaboration between Nike and Apple to provide iPod users with detailed stats and an online interface for analyzing their runs. It involves an sensor placed in the sole of a shoe and a receiver in the base of an iPod. I’m no stranger to Nike+ having worked closely with Nike for my Nike+ commercial.
A typical Nike+ kit, sans the included earbuds.
For those wondering if I found a better set of running headphones, I haven’t. I went back to using the wrap-around Sony headphones pictured above. They’re a bit bulky but at least they don’t fall off every other stride.
Other posts dealing with Nike+:
Would you take advantage of the new Nike+’d gym equipment? While I think it’s a natural expansion for Nike/Apple, I probably won’t make use of the equipment as I generally just run for a workout.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Booom. Are you gonna get to do a Stammy gym ad video?
Hi Paul,
Been reading quite a few posts and was wondering what plugin is the cool lightbox type effect when clicking on a picture. It zooms up. Thats fascinating! Is it an own production by you?
I dunno, the simplicity of the just running thing was cool. But hey, I guess this will amp profits.
@HMK: Paul wrote about the zooming script in this post:
You can find the link and details in that same post.
FYI.
“The Stammy” :/
“the simplicity of the just running thing was cool” for me too!
@HMK You can get it from http://www.cabel.name/draft1/2008/02/fancyzoom-10.html :)
I have used Nike Plus for the past year or so and it’s proven to be a great tool, but I probably won’t use it for anything besides running.
Will they actually use the sensor for anything with the gym equipment, or will all of the data just come from the machine itself?
I agree with HMK, that lightbox effect is great. Please share with the rest of us.
Thanks alot guys. I appreciate the support! Great community around this blog. I missed out on that post.
Many thanks to Daniel and Jan!
Great deal.
I’d love to go with the +, but Nike’s shoes just don’t work for me. Would be nice to have a similar piece of equipment that could work with multiple footwear vendors. (I’d strap it to my ankle…)
Paul,
Don’t limit yourself to the run.. I’m a runner. The sick type. I’ll push myself until I drop.. but… Here’s the best thing.
Give yourself a nice hard run, then immediately afterwards, hit a nice hard circuit on the weight machines at the gym. You’ll keep the heartrate up the whole time you’re on the weights, so the cardio just keeps on going….
I saw this and thought of you, Paul.