Are the new Apple iPods attractive to athletes?

Strenua — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:48:43 +0000

Apple have launched their new range of iPods today. Most of us won’t rush out and buy the latest version, but it attracts us away from their competitors when we next buy a replacement. I don’t mind products occasionally changing shape or getting smaller as technology advances, but whilst products such as the iPod touch have only got slightly thinner, the iPods for sports enthusiasts morph into new shapes with every new generation.

The first two generation iPod Nanos did have a small screen, but this was when iPods were just used for listening to music and the screen was just used to find the track you wanted, and it was sufficient. Nike had teamed up with Apple to launch Nike+, the accessory all casual sports enthusiasts had to have, and sports clothing began to have convenient Nano sized pockets.

Then along came the third generation, an inch shorter and great for wearing whilst exercising. The problem was whilst the iPod hit the stores in early September the accessories took a while to join them, with it taking 2 months to get armbands on the market and it took Nike till the Spring/Summer range before their clothing could hold the latest version. Now the latest generation has seen the return of the long narrow version so we can have a wider screen, obviously essential for listening to music. Now the pockets of sports clothing currently on the market no longer fit as they are designed for the previous generation.

The development of the new iPod Shuffle was good in theory; half the size of the previous version but the controls were located on the earphone cord. This would be fine if I could run in the supplied earphones. I personally prefer Bose ear buds for exercising in, the alternative sized ear bud tips ensure they stay in my ear no matter how energetic the exercise. But with the controls fixed to the Apple earphones I am limited to what I can do listening on the new iPod Shuffle.

I have no issues with companies upgrading their products each year adding extra memory or an additional gadget. Their business is to sell their product and most music lovers don’t only own one iPod. I personally own an iPod Classic as a comprehensive library for my music, an iTouch for gadgets and email, and a third generation Nano to use during training. The new Nano’s unveiled today seem to be unsure who they are aimed at. The built in radio and video camera that you can send to YouTube is heading towards the iTouch market. The addition of a pedometer or the ability to connect to a compatible cardio machine is attracting the fitness market. Of course most of us athletes know of someone who has accidentally washed their iPod with their sports kit, if we haven’t done so ourselves, and would we rather risk $59 for a shuffle or $149 for the new Nano with gadgets we don’t need.

As both a music and fitness lover I love iPods and they allow the combination of my two passions. I do however wonder if the people who design these products are just geeks who want to combine as many gadgets as possible. Or do they actually consult sports enthusiasts who will buy and use the products if they need a video camera whilst training and racing, or ask the rock fiend if he really wants a pedometer.

I also wish Apple would not make the previous version obsolete especially when they make such radical changes to the shape and design, or at least coordinate with other accessory manufactures. If we are to be forced to buy a new version when we damage our old one it would be nice to have an armband or running top available to use with it.

No matter what my opinion is now I’m sure I’m going to eventually end up buying a new fifth generation and will be grateful of the video camera when I next come across a YouTube worthy moment whilst training.

Get Creative and Customise your Kit

Strenua — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:02:32 +0000

I’m sure if you’ve been in a specialist sports shop, you would have overheard a conversation between a customer purchasing a pair of trainers for their first 5k race and the assistant patiently trying to find them the most appropriate shoe. A shoe with the correct cushioning, fit and support for the customer’s wide feet and over pronation. Only for the customer to ask if it comes in any other colours, to the exasperation of the poor shop assistant.

Those of us who get through a few pairs of trainers a year know that each season a new version of an existing style comes out with the most significant change being the colour. I know that within a few outdoor runs my clean new shoes will soon be a muddy dirty grey but I still baulk at having to buy powder pink trainers as if being seen in them I’d not be taken seriously by my fellow runners.

Many of us also walk to work, then change to appropriate office footwear when we arrive. But a pair of florescent orange trainers on our feet is not the most stylish things to wear with a suit even if they are the most comfortable and practical.

But now Nike has extended their iD range where you can customise your footwear. NIKEiD is the best way to get your Nike gear, just the way you want it. You pick the colours, select the materials and add personal iDs to make them your own. NIKEiD also offers special performance options such as different widths, outsoles and sizes to create the perfect fit. It’s not only running footwear you can choose from but also rugby, basketball and football boots as well as Mary Jane 2 shoes which have Nike Free soles for comfort and a range of fabrics and colours that you can customise to match your outfits on your daily commutes.

Nike has made a new video on YouTube to show you how easy it is to customise your shoes, which you can also see here. But you don’t have to stop at shoes, the range includes T shirts and technical tops, bags and watches, all which you can customise with words, colours and logos for your team. My running club’s colours are red and grey, the same as Strenua’s World website, so I have customised some of my own designs using these colours with a convenient grey upper to hide the splashes from dirty rain.

Your custom designs are made to order and shipped directly to you within 4-6 weeks. If you hurry now you can get free delivery using the code ID966. Nike is also offering free delivery on all other items on their website until 29th November 2009. All you need to do is enter the voucher code, NS966, at the point of checkout to activate this offer.

So it’s time to show off your creative side, whilst being perfectly comfortable in your one-of-a-kind design.

Strenua's World» Nike

Are the new Apple iPods attractive to athletes?

Get Creative and Customise your Kit