Gearing Up for Warmer Weather
I’ve never considered myself a runner. In fact, running was the one thing I dreaded most in gym class during high school. I could not understand how some of my friends could knock out a couple miles cross-country while I was struggling just to do a couple laps without stopping. I wasn’t carrying any extra weight, barely tipping the scales at 116 lbs on my 5’9″ frame. I just didn’t have a “runner’s body” I told myself. I much preferred a round of dodgeball or scooter hockey.
Fast-forward almost 30 years and the hours sitting behind a desk have taken its toll. My height is still the same, but I’ve added another 100 lbs to my load. Sure, some of it is muscle and better bone density, but my jeans told the truth – I was overweight. And by almost any BMI scale I have just crossed into obesity. My wife has been going to the YMCA for a couple years, and I reluctantly began joining her. I refuse to take her strength conditioning classes, opting instead for my own plan, an hour on the elliptical machine. This, coupled with a better diet has immediate results, and within 18 months I have dropped over 55 lbs and am fitting into clothes I haven’t worn since those days of mullets and glam bands.
But this routing also had its disadvantages. Sure I had lost weight, but I had also lost muscle mass. I felt weak and tired all the time, so I decided to change it up. I began taking the strength classes with my wife and also began hitting the treadmill. We were in the middle of winter, but I was content with the solitude of running on a belt with headphones on. But thanks to an early warm spell in 2012 this would change. I took my run outside.
At first I felt embarrassed to be running in public when I’ve seen so many fly by like they’ve been doing it all their lives. But that emotion quickly diminished and was replaced by the exhilaration of the brisk air and Spring smells that I didn’t get to experience running inside. I began taking my running routine a little more seriously after that day.
We already had iPhones and had used them to successfully track our food intake with MyFitnessPal. I knew that the key to weight loss was burning more calories than I consumed, but when you add physical exercise to the mix, you have to eat more or you’ll find yourself very tired and weak due to the calorie deficit. I needed a way to better track the calories I was burning, so I downloaded a copy of RunKeeper to estimate my burn. I also made sure I had my favorite music-streaming app, Spotify.
But even this wasn’t as accurate as I needed, and I still didn’t have a way to account for the calories I was burning during the cardio/strength classes at the Y. We ended up investing in a pair of Polar heart rate monitors, and then began utilizing some new wearable devices, and with all of this got an accurate picture of our calorie consumption.
Now that we’re starting to think about warmer weather this year, I have come to realize the thing I now hate most about running – the preparation! Special socks & shoes (not to mention clothing), as well as the phone, earbuds, heart-rate monitor and wrist device makes getting ready look something like a scene from Rambo where he prepares for his next firefight. I needed to simplify!
That’s when I discovered these new Intel SMS Audio BioSport Earbuds on Amazon. They promised to combine three of my devices into one (earbuds, wrist device and heart rate monitor). In the past I had to manually enter my details into RunKeeper (and MyFitnessPal), but since I am able to sync RK and MFP to each other, and these Intel SMS Audio BioSport Earbuds work directly inside of RunKeeper, my after-run chores are almost zero!
You’d think that getting a device and two software programs to work together would be a nightmare – it wasn’t. RunKeeper integrates with a number of hardware devices, and setting this up was just a matter of a couple steps in the settings section.
Of course, it is January here in Iowa. Hardly weather to be running outside. For now my routine is confined to the basement treadmill.
As you can see, the RunKeeper app communicates directly with the earbuds, displaying the heart rate and poorly attempting to show my location (remember, I’m in the basement – the GPS obviously isn’t very accurate).
By using state-of-the-art technology, the Intel SMS Audio BioSport Earbuds continuously measures your heart rate in a manner that you won’t even notice. There is also a handy switch to turn this feature on and off in case you receive a call on your phone while it is in use. The headphones use audio cues to transmit the data to the app, but you’d need your microphone for talking on a call. Thus you can’t do both at the same time.
Amazingly, with these headphones there are no batteries or charging required. The BioSport includes technology that enables the 3.5mm gold-plated audio jack to power the headphones and biometric monitoring capabilities. Their design is quite comfortable, inserting deeper into my ear than standard earbuds. They have allowed me to get rid of that chest-mounted monitor (bye-bye chest strap), as well as allow me to get to running rather than spending 15 minutes preparing. And considering the cost of a standard HRM and quality earbuds, this actually ends up being the more sensible solution.
If you’re looking for a sweat & water resistant multi-function solution, check out the Intel SMS Audio BioSport Earbuds at your local Dick’s Sporting Goods or on Amazon.com. And for the next week you can save 20% by using the code BioSport20 when purchasing on SMSAudio.com. You also receive a free month of RunKeeper Elite when you make the purchase! See the other ways SMS Audio & Intel are fusing fitness with technology by following them on Facebook and Instagram.
And I’m curious – in what ways have you simplified your fitness routine? Shakes instead of meals? Classes instead of dedicated machines? We’d love to hear your solutions!
I have never been a runner either, but as I have gotten older not only do I love my fitness gadgets, but I am coming around to the treadmill and time alone on the road with my thoughts. #client
I ran in college but do not run now. I would have loved all those gadgets back then and I do agree with you that getting all the clothing to be able to do it well and keep healthy is sometimes the least appealing aspect of beginning. I think your wise to start in the cooler weather as it won’t be so hard to keep the routine when it gets warmer.
The only running I do is chasing after my goats. Or trying avoid being butt by same. My husband has been a runner all of his life except for the last couple of years; his knees have finally given out and he needs replacement surgery. These BioSport Earbuds look like they same you a lot of time.
I go running three times a week, but more when I have time. Your post makes me realize that I am behind the times with my little running app that I got a while back. I need to upgrade because those BioSport Earbuds and the way that you track stuff through the app is so cool. I love being able to see details about my progress.
I’m an avid runner, and I’ve got ot have my earbuds. These look great!
I love the warmer weather, I can start buying more work out clothes!
My husband and 1 of our daughters are both runners. They would put this to good use!
I am in Idaho and I still get out to run, maybe it is because I was down from an injury and am desperate to get outdoors! I had no idea that a pair of headphones could measure your heart rate. I stopped tracking mine long ago because those straps are just irritating and then you get to deal with the pairing issues – by the time I was able to get out the door and run I was to stressed out from the battle. I will check out these and see if they are easier.
I could definitely use this for my runs!
Not a runner but I hope to get to that point to. It would really great for avid walkers like myself lol
I am not a runner because of a back injury, but I do walk on the treadmill. I would love the earbuds to use when working out.
It is amazing what these earbuds too!! I love that it ties into all the apps, they sound amazing!
I am impressed!!! As someone who is older, (Older being the keyword) keeping track of my heart rate while running is very important. I don’t want to over do it.
Those look like some nice ear buds. I always break mine. I have no idea what I do to them. Hopefully these will be Lesley-proof. I love those pink and yellow running shoes – super cute!
That’s pretty cool! Yeah, I want to start running, but not until I can get a treadmill. As a woman, it gives me the creeps jogging in public. So many more people tend to stare at females than males, lol.
I have never been a runner-and I never will be. I used to be a walker–no more. Am I over weight-you betcha. Am I always trying to lose-of course. Unfortunately me and physical exercise do not get along at all anymore. I have no wish to be back with the physical therapists again. I do wish you the best of luck and hope you attain your goal!
I’m not a runner at all but if I had a thread mill I would probably run a bit, or not! It’s a lack of interest and motivation…
I never run without Spotify, and I am loving my FitBit. There are so many apps and gadgets that make running fun!
I am not much of a runner but I do have a treadmill that really needs to see more action.I could not do it without music though.
That’s awesome that it can combine things in one gadget. I’m not a runner, but I do like tracking my walking and steps.
I’m with you – I hated running until a few years ago – and discovered it was a quick way for me to get the pounds and inches off! And so funny, someone just showed me their wrist bio watch – I think that’s so amazing – well you’ve re-inspired me – I have not been runnng for the past few weeks – so cold out – but maybe today!
This sounds like a cool app. Those buds are great also.
I AM a runner and I’m impressed with your gear. I just bought some Kayano 20 shoes and could not be happier. Asics is a brand I come back to for shoes again and again. I’m definitely going to look into the app.
Hi Scott!
Awesome post and review! I do not run, but I belong to a gym so I will defiantely be keeping these tips in mind, thank you for sharing 🙂
Wow. What a GREEN room! Whoa! lol I’m glad you’ve taken up running and are enjoying it now. That’s the key — to enjoy it. I was a runner for many years and ran 5k races every weekend (sometimes 2 in one weekend) for 3 years in a row. I can’t run anymore due to a physical condition, and I sure do miss it. I don’t have use for these gadgets now, but I know how fun it can be to measure your progress and to strive to increase your fitness and achieve your goals. All the best to you and your wife!
I just started running. It has been such a stress reliever for me. I will be sure to look into these apps.
I like spring the most. Spring is in the air to update my clothing line now.
I would like to thank you for the review as we get a little warmer. I appreciate it, and keep up the good reviews.