Technabob » gym

Zhu PockeTowel: The Portable Gym Locker

Hazel Chua — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:31 +0000

A lot of gyms offer lockers so you can store your stuff, like electronics and your wallet while you work out. It depends on your gym, of course, but I’ve found that mine isn’t very secure (and have switched since.)

Of course, it would also be insane to just carry a bag while you workout. Imagine having to lift weights and keeping a close eye on your purse or backpack. Why not just bring along your valuables and essentials with you–in your towel?

Playing on this idea, the Zhu PockeTowel has a pocket compartment at the bottom with a hidden zipper. Just put your stuff inside and hang the towel around your neck or over your shoulder while you go do your thing.

Aside from its handy pockets, the towel is made from bamboo, which has natural anti-microbial and hypoallergenic properties.

Each Zhu PockeTowel retails for $19.95 (USD). You can get two at a discounted price of $33.95 and three for $41.95.

[via Oh! Gizmo]

If You Work Out at This Gym, Humming the Mario Theme Isn’t Optional

Shane McGlaun — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:26:29 +0000

I think freerunning was invented by my cousins and I back in the 80′s. We would run up and punch each other and then you had to run like a bat out of hell to avoid being punched back. We didn’t care what was in front of us; we would jump over or under it and just keep on running. That all stopped when my cousin took a car antenna to the bum and then a whipping from his mom with the broken antenna for sliding over the hood of the car.

I bet these people that freerun today never had a whipping with an antenna as a kid for doing this sort of stuff. Freerunning is geeky enough to get a mention on Technabob when there is a gym dedicated just to training for it. When that gym is called the Tempest Freerunning Academy and is decorated to look like Mario Land, you bet your ass I’m going to talk about it. Check out the video to see just how cool this place is.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Just look at this place – pixel art bricks, the ever-popular question mark blocks that hide coins, geeks jumping all around, and a class called “Parkour 101.” This is the geekiest gym in history, and if you happen to live in L.A. you can visit it in person and try it out for yourself.

[via BoingBoing]

Climbstation Endless Rock Climbing Wall Makes My Arms, Legs and Wallet Hurt Just Looking at It

Technabob — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:20:14 +0000

Now I can barely stomach the idea of ascending one of those rock climbing walls you see at the gym, and now some masochist had to go and invent this.

The ClimbStation combines the concept of a treadmill with rock climbing to create a never-ending wall of pain. The system consists of a moving treadmill that continually advances the wall of grabby rock-like formations, torturing its victims until they fall. Thankfully, there’s a nice big comfy mat underneath.

The treadmill can move as fast as 17 meters a minute (just under a foot per second), which is way faster than anyone should ever have to climb anything. It’s also got a hydraulic tilting mechanism which lets the whole treadmill adjust between +15 to -30 degrees angles. At least it’s smart enough to automatically adjust its speed based on the skill level of the climber.

Here’s a video of the ClimbStation having its way with a willing victim (its inventor):

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Prices for ClimbStation systems start at €29,900 (over $42,000 USD), so you probably won’t be getting one of these for your home gym.

[ClimbStation via PSFK]