By Laura Williams, M.S.Ed.Technology has infiltrated our world, and while the basics are still the basics (i.e. a run is still a run), tech companies have done their best to make every active experience bigger, broader, better, and safer. Check out a few of our favorite new tech products and accessories for the sporty woman.
UCLEAR HBC220 SNOW
, $250 for a single system
Staying in touch while shredding the snow has never been easier. The UCLEAR HBC220 SNOW allows you to make phone calls, control music, and intercom with other riders via Bluetooth without using obtrusive boom mics. The Multi-Hop Technology works as a repeater, providing up to .4 miles between units, allowing the network to grow as more users join. Even when the winds are blowing, the noise cancelation isolates the users voice, allowing for clear communication.
PUSH Band, $149
The PUSH Band is the first app-enabled fitness tracker to measure force, velocity, power, balance, speed, and more. It's perfect for the athlete or athlete-in-training who spends lots of time in the gym and wants metrics-based feedback on workout parameters. The band may be pre-ordered now on Indiegogo, and the app is free on iOS and Android devices. .
Watershot Underwater Camera Housing for Smartphones, $100-$190
Turn your smartphone into a completely waterproof camera in depths of up to 195 feet with the Watershot underwater camera housings developed for the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy 3 and 4. These camera housings are robust, allowing you to capture and share videos and images instantly when surfing, SUPing, diving, and more. The housings include a tripod mount and glass lens and baffle for image clarity.
iHome iB12 Headphones, $25
For the sporty woman who spends time exercising outside at night, grab a pair of iHome iB12 headphones featuring an inverted style that makes it easy for the wires to wrap around the ears for a stable fit. The headphones also include an LED flasher that the user can use during low-light activity.
PaceDJ, $1-$3
For the runner who wants to match her music to her pace, PaceDJ is the answer. PaceDJ helps you match your stride rate to the beats per minute (BM) of your music, and a new feature even enables you to change the BPM of your favorite songs to match your desired pace. PaceDJ can be used in conjunction with other fitness apps, such as FitBit and RunKeeper, allowing you to effectively track and manage your runs.
Muku Shuttr
, $40
Compatible with many of the leading Smartphone and tablet devices, Muku Shuttr is the solution for snapping the perfect active selfie. Hold the remote shutter release in your hand, and pose up to 30 feet away from your smartphone or tablet. You don't even need to worry about how to prop up your device because the Shuttr comes with an audio jack phone stand to make setup easy.
Glove.ly SOLID Touch Screen Gloves, $25
When it's cold outside, you need to wear gloves to protect your fingers, but how are you supposed to access all the fitness apps on your phone? Glove.ly is the simple solution - these warm, colorful, wool-blend gloves work seamlessly with your smartphone, but look like they shouldn't. Unlike many smartphone-compatible gloves that look ugly or obvious, these can be worn at any time without clunky-looking smartphone features.
Lifetrak Zone C410, $99
Track and sync basic fitness metrics, such as sleep, calories burned, heart rate, steps, and distance with the Lifetrak Zone C410. The watch requires no charging and is waterproof, so you can wear it all day every day. You can sync your data to the free Argus iOS app, or monitor a week's worth of data on your wrist. It's perfect for the on-the-go woman who doesn't want to think twice about charging more devices or logging into web-based tracking portals.