Drink Up

In this week's Rundown, a biosensor strategizes hydration, personal trainers go digital, Nike doesn't like what it sees in the Mirror and researchers look at the long game.

Drink Up. Dehydration effects athletic performance but what if a wearable could prevent it? That’s the idea behind Nix’s upcoming Hydration Biosensor. The wearable will track fluid and electrolyte needs in real-time by analyzing sweat and then the companion app will prescribe an individualized hydration strategy. The product is expected to arrive in early spring.

Personal Training Goes Digital. New app, Future Fitness, pairs users with real personal trainers who send customized workouts via phone. The set-up is highly individualized thanks to a detailed questionnaire and easily accessible trainers who are reachable through messaging on the app and scheduled FaceTime check-ins. Members are encouraged to record exercises so coaches can give feedback on form, offer tips and keep their clients accountable. Currently, the app is only available on iPhone and an Apple Watch is recommended for a more streamlined experience. If you don’t have an Apple Watch, Future Fitness will loan you one when you join.

Nike vs. Mirror. Nike filed a lawsuit against Lululemon’s Mirror fitness device and related mobile applications for patent infringement. Nike said its competitor infringed on patents through technology that allows users to target specific levels of exertion, compete with other users and record their performance. Lululemon responded that the patents in question are “overly broad and invalid.”

Peloton Price Rise. Starting January 31, Peloton will charge an additional $250 for delivery and setup for its Bike and an additional $350 for its Tread. In the past, these fees were included in the total price of the equipment. The company said the increase is due to inflation and higher supply chain costs.

Game On. If your workout involves points, levels, rewards, or leaderboards, you are participating in “gamification” or the use of game elements in non-game contexts. These elements might be motivating at first, but do they stay that way? A research team from Grenoble Alpes University in Grenoble, France set out to discover if gamified interventions have a lasting influence on physical activity (read it here). Their review, which examined 16 studies (published between 2010-2020) and over 2400 participants found that the long term effect was small.