Meet your new personal trainer: Your iPod
A new line of shoes dubbed Nike+. The shoes contain a built-in pocket beneath the insole on the left shoe where you can place a wireless transmitter (sold as the Nike + iPod Sport Kit). Add a wireless receiver (also part of the kit) that attaches to your iPod Nano and you’ve got yourself an iPod personal trainer.
Once everything is hooked up properly, you can start running and the iPod will deliver workout-based voice feedback along with music specifically designed for your workout. Your iPod will also show the distance you have run, the pace you are running along with the total duration of your run.
One neat feature is the Power Song activation. This allows you to save that one song that really gets your blood pumping for when you need it most. Big hill? Big finish? Just hit the Power Song button and you’re good to go.
And when you’ve completed your run, you can upload your performance data to the nikeplus.com web site where you can see your runs, set goals and challenge friends.
Because the Nike + iPod Sport Kit isn’t available yet, it’s tough to take a Noobie stance on this one. I’m guessing the setup of the transmitter and receiver will be fairly simple but you still have to have a fairly decent knowledge of your iPod and iTunes to get just the right music suited for your workout along with that one special Power Song. Anything less than full familiarity with your iPod and iTunes and you may spend more time fidgeting with your iPod and less time concentrating on your run.
