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Recently featured in Gear GuysFinis SwimsenseMost fitness swimmers arrive poolside with only a vague idea of what they’re trying to improve. At the novice end they think of completing a set number of laps. As experience increases, they start wanting to do sets because they realise that their technique needs training too.
Unless you’ve put a structured programme onto paper and laminated it, it’s tricky to keep track of how many 50s, 100s and 200s you have swum and still need to swim. For these ‘soul swimmers’ sans notes, brands like Finis and Swimovate offer wrist computers that measure the strokes you’re swimming and how far. They’ll even tell you how many strokes you’re taking per length. It’s not magic. The SwimSense uses (to quote the website): “accelerometers, magnetometers and algorithms to identify your swim. Analyse your performance with pace times, distance (metres/yards/laps), stroke count, stroke rate, distance-per-stroke and calories burned across all four major strokes.”Just as impressive was the fact that the four page instructions were enough to start using the basic functions almost immediately. It’s a fairly simple device to use: seeing your splits and total swim distance on the unit takes away all the guesswork and lets you focus on your technique. Compatible with Mac and PC, the unit connects to a USB cradle at the end of a 1.5m long cable, allowing it to be placed safely out of sight of the desktop. We are still testing the analysing software that uploads workouts to the Swimsense website. Look for updates on gomulti.co.za Retail: R1 500 Add new comment
First Ascent Artemis
LOCAL HAS BEEN A MANTRA OF SA COMPANIES FOREVER but it's amazing how many products are still not produced by SA-owned companies. Hydration packs have traditionally been imports from US companies, barring a few low-volume home industry attempts. Enter First Ascent and its new range of MTB and trail run backpacks, and that looks set to change. First Ascent Artemis 3 litre backpack gear test 2010When we got First Ascent's as yet unreleased Artemis 3-litre backpack, we knew exactly where we wanted to test it. The Salomon Skyrun is a 100km unsupported mountain hike/run/scramble/trip and fall in the beautiful but inhospitable Eastern Cape Drakensberg range. Lady Grey (the start) is not far from Tiffendell (the former/future ski resort). First Ascent CutlooseOf the two MTB models tested, this was the better padded. Both models suffered from one major flaw that we’ve encountered in other brands: under-sizing. The Medium we initially tested fitted too tight, so we hoped the Large would do the trick. Think again. The average Chinese hand might fit loosely into the L, but we felt we needed the XL - and our tester doesn’t have the largest hands. There is no 2XL or 3XL size option. Using the Cutloose on a road bike is not recommended. There’s no gel cushioning on the fleshy part of the thumb when climbing on the hoods. Things are different on a mountain bike bar: the glove’s Gel X-Cell padding offered welcome cushioning to the bridge of the palm and base of the thumb.
Tested by Deon Bruan Retail: R179 First Ascent ElementThe Element is the upgrade on Cape Town-based First Ascent's stylish and comfy G-Force. Based purely on appearances, it has climbed a notch. It’s constructed from quality recycled Quik-Wic polyester fabric. More Articles...Page 1 of 5 |
