Cool workout tool!

Found the most amazing workout tool - for running or walking (or anything that uses a similar motion).  I have an ipod nano 4g and was on itunes yesterday looking to add a couple of good songs to my workout playlist.  Stumbled across "Nike+"  (nikeplus.com) that works with iTunes.  You can download a variety of albums that are music coupled with an overtrack of coaching for specific workouts.  For example, there are coaching workouts by Lance Armstrong and Serena Williams, designed for working for specific goals like increasing speed or increasing distance.  There are also custom workout plans (like the 12-week "walk to run" plan, that works you up in daily increments from walking for 15 minutes to being able to run at a steady pace for a 5K).  Nike+ is free, and the custom workouts are all free.  If you want to buy one of the albums, they seem to run in the $10 - 13 range (you get the consolidated track with the coaching, plus all the music tracks separately).

And there's a little sensor you can get ($29) that goes in your shoe (or if you don't have the Nike running shoes, you can get a little pouch to attach it to your shoelaces, which is what I did).  The other side of it (wireless) clips to your ipod and it records your workout - time, distance, pace, cals.  When you plug in your ipod the next time, it asks you if you want to upload your workout data to nikeplus, and then places it in your account, so you can see all of your workouts there, graph them, add them to challenges, set goals, etc.  AND, at any point in your workout, you can press the button on your ipod and it will tell you audibly elapsed time, distance, and current pace.  

If any of you have it (or get it), let me know if you want to start a challenge group - looks really easy to set up and becomes a little "exercise community" where we can share progress.

VERY cool stuff. 

I know several people who have it. I just ordered it finally myself. I am tired of walking and not having a way to accurately monitor it.

Hi!    thanks for the info!  
I knew about NIke + but I thought you had to buy the specific shoes for it to work.  I might try to get the attachment as well!    
Also- didn't realize they had workout progress on itunes!  I will check that out today.  I assume you can use them even without the sensor. (?)

Kathleen,

Nope - the attachment is a little tiny pouch made by DLO called the "Action Pocket for Nike+"

As far as the workouts go, you can use them without the sensor, but then you have to monitor yourself as to distance, pace, etc.  WITH the sensor, it will give you audible feedback during the workout to help you stay on pace and such.  And if you pick a specific distance, it will tell you at waypoints (quarter, half, three-quarter, and done, I think).  I'll be exploring the options over the next few days :-).

Are you going to be at Liz's tomorrow?  If so, I'll bring clothes - found a ton of really nice ones that I think you'll like.  Including a bunch of shorts, summer shirts, jeans (some with the tags still on), bathing suit (tag still on), capris/crops... sigh.   Otherwise, I'll bring them on Wed night.

Karen

Thanks for the 411 !!

I really really really wanted to run a 5k...but never found a program that I liked enough to train for it.  I really don't like running - but am willing to give it another shot.  The whole thing sounds pretty cool - especially that walking to run thing....maybe that will help me train better?

I'll definately keep it in mind!

Pam,

They have one workout program specifically called "My First 10K" that's designed with "outs" at the 5K level as well.  It's designed for beginning runners and works you up to get ready for the 5K.  I'm actually (cannot believe I'm saying this) thinking about training for something like that and trying to do one maybe this fall (if not this fall, then definitely spring!).  

K.

Karen - thanks for the info.  Sounds cool !

Lisa

P.s. great new avi pic !!

Karen

I have had mine for about 2 months now and really enjoy it. unfortunaltey I am currently in a slump and not doing much of anything (including losing weight)

There is a 5K in Doyesltown on 9/11 "Heros Run" in the evening. I'm really thinking of entering. Maybe we can run together?

Melanie,

There is?  Oooh... well, the timing would certainly push me to train a bit faster than I had thought.  I guess you don't have to RUN the whole thing, right?  (you can walk part of it?)  If that's the case, then the answer's a YES.  I think it would be good for me to have a goal like that.

Can you point me to the sign up info?

And I'd love to do something like that with you... maybe we can scrape up a couple of other OHers who might want to do it together too???

THANKS!
Karen

sure you can walk/run/walk if you need to. My goal is to do it in under 35 minutes (10 minute miles) however if I don't get out of this stinking slump that's not likely to happen.

And YES I say we enllist a group of OHers to do the run with us.

The details are not posted yet, but this is the site it will be announced on.

http://www.travismanion.com/

I'd be happy to host a BBQ at my place afterwards.