Spring Training: The Beat 20 Heart Rate Monitor and 30 Days of Biking

YES! I signed up for 30 Days of Biking for the month of April. You can too so take the pledge!

NYC/Metro Area  Ah, spring is indeed in the air! I know because my sinuses are draining like crazy but not to be discouraged, I got on my bicycle for the first time this year. There was so much awe that it or I even moved as it's been bitterly cold of late. No matter. I got out there!  Surprisingly enough there were some things that were still functional after a long winter's deep freeze in the great North East.


Bicycle Electronics Check List:


Bicycle Headlight - My Cree 3K Lumen is a super bright rechargeable headlight and has a separate power source which is always disconnected when I finish riding. Bright as ever, it fired right up. A very good investment, I've had this light on my bicycle since 2013.

DiNotte Daytime Red Tail Light

Bicycle Tail Light - Once again, you get what you pay for. Behold The DiNotte Daytime Red. Although installed on my Terry Symmetry when I connected the light to the battery pack, BOOM, beautifully fired up lights. Rechargeable and extremely bright, it can be seen in broad daylight by over a mile. I've also had this light on one of my bikes sine 2013. 

Electric Horn - This extra loud, 105 decibel Megalert Megahorn Bicycle Horn uses one 9 volt battery...forever.  Another relic, I think I changed the battery twice since purchasing it back in 2011.  After a long deep freeze it still blew the doors off the bike garage! 



So having been pleasantly surprised at how well everything still worked, I only had one casualty. The Reflex Auto Tail Light was dead and new batteries couldn't revive it. The CatEye Commuter Wireless Bicycle Computer needed a new battery which I changed and so it is up an running again. Likewise the Planet Bike Blaze 45 battery powered headlight on the Terry Symmetry just needed a new battery. A very well made bicycle light, the PB still rocks. Not bad! After washing the frame, oiling the chain, polishing the saddle and cleaning the rims I was motivated to sign up for 30 Days of Biking this year for the month of April.  All the warmer days in March will be conditioning runs for the daily rides next month. Cycling is a fantastic way to ease your way back into condition after being somewhat sedentary over the winter. You don't have to ride long or far, just commit some portion of each day to a bicycle ride.  You can do this!  Go ahead, sign up and take the pledge to ride your bicycle everyday for the month of April here at 30 Days of Biking.  #30DaysofBiking!

My 30 Days of Biking ride equipemnt + a new cross training accessory

Spring Training with the Beat 20 ECG Heart Rate Monitor

This season I have the chance to try this new ECG Heart Rate Monitor to train with. Unlike other heart rate monitors (that I've attempted to use), this one is easy to set up and get working right out of the box. Comes fully charged with recharging ability via USB cable. It actually shows your real-time ECG wave as if you're in the doctor's office!  Pretty advanced.  Connects to your phone via Bluetooth and the sport app, it will store your training sessions which can be saved and uploaded elsewhere.

The Beat 20 sensor is waterproof, making it suitable for everything from sweaty weight lifting to swimming pool laps.  Also gives you: distance, speed, steps taken, cadence, data storage and analysis with a vibration warning when you are reaching your heart-rate threshold. Your personalized profile within the app shows YOUR maximum heart rate based on age and other individual factors. It can also be paired with your bicycle computer so you can have all that data in one place during your ride. This is a bit more complicated and you'll need to be sure that your bicycle electronics has either Bluetooth or ANT+ connection capabilities.  Perfect also for walking, running or weight lifting sessions at the gym. The chest strap itself is very comfortable and easily adjustable. Quite impressed so far with the Beat 20 and can't wait to start seriously training with it this spring.  Check it out at Shanren Tech

The Beat 20 ECG Heart Rate Monitor by Shanren Tech

XTreme XTraining's Top Spring Fitness Finds

Some new gear to help you get your game on this spring!

Warmer weather is finally here so if you are a weekend warrior, here are a few new items you might want to add to your fitness arsenal. Now is the time for an upgrade so that you can get the most from your workout.
Here are a few of my favorite fitness finds for spring training this year:

Gripad Cancer Awareness Edition

Gripads
Whether you use a weight machine or free weights, grip is everything. I've been using fingerless cycling gloves for years but finally got fed up with the lack of control I had on the lat bar.

Gripads alleviate that by providing a firm but flexibly padded bar grip. Slide in just three fingers with your thumb and pinky free. Excellent grip with just the right amount of cushioning from Gripad.com

Enduracool Towel & Eco Vessel
These two cool characters will help you chill out in a hurry:

Enduracool Instant Cooling Towel is made with special polymers which cools the towel down from 95-59 degrees in one snap. Reusable and easy to pack in your gym bag it also has a UPF of 45. Check it out at MissionAthleteCare.com

Eco Vessel is a stainless steel triple insulated water bottle which keeps water cold for up to an amazing 36 hours. Good idea since drinking ice cold water increases your metabolism by up to 30%. With two removable inner straws, it allows you to drink comfortably without tilting. Great non-slip powder finish and cool colors. Eco Vessel donates a portion of each sale to Water for People. Visit Ecovessel.com/waterforpeople

Enso Muscle Roller & Zim's Max Freeze
In the pain relief zone, I'm really liking the Enso Muscle Roller right now. After just one use I got almost immediate relief in my glutes and quads. You'll spend more days on the road and less recovering with the Enso Muscle Roller. 

Zim's Max Freeze Spray gets to those hard to reach spots often missed by creams and lotions. It has a quick vanishing scent so no one need know you're hurting! Made with arnica, tea tree and aloe, it's incredible for tense muscles and sore joints. Visit Zim's Online . 

Fits Sock Co. - Merino Wool Done Right
These ultra comfy, breathable wool blend socks are made right here in the USA. Fits have a Dynamic Toe Cup, Heel Lock and Full Contact Cuff for a custom fit (they also come in 5 sizes).

Just the right amount of cushioning and absorption, these socks stay put during running, walking or hiking. Very soft with no chaffing! Check them out at FitsSock.com



Time to Refuel

The Athlete's Cookbook by Corey Irwin and Brett Stewart (Ulysses Press) offers deliciously healthy menus such as: Mussels Marinara for increased glycogen. Walnut-Parmesan Chicken for maximum protien and Peanut Butter Crunch Bars for healthy fats.
This book also offers a meal timing schedule and lots of recipes with a twist on flavor and ingredients such as Red Beans and Black Rice. This substitutes the usual brown rice with a Chinese black rice which is very rich in antioxidants. Another favorite of mine is the Hot Quinoa Cereal which is a powerhouse of nutrition and protein. Available at Amazon.com & other top book sellers.

Pro Bar Selections - My favorites from this line of delicious energy wonders are the Meal and Fuel Bars. Made with natural ingredients and sweeteners (organic date paste is used a lot), the Fuel Bar offers a full serving of fruit per bar. Their Meal Bar is just that, made with real whole foods and raw ingredients like grains, fruits, seeds and fiber. These offer 10 grams of protein while their Core Bar has a whopping 20 grams. Absolutely delicious and very easy to digest on the road. See more varieties at ProBar.com 

Corazonas Snack Bars - These are SO good and made with heart healthy oatmeal giving each at least 15 grams of whole grains, 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per bar. Oatmeal has been found to lower cholesterol so these are a no-brainer to include as par of a heart healthy diet. Corazonas means "hearts" in Spanish so these are appropriately named! My favorite flavors? The Banana Walnut for sure. See more delicious varieties at Corazonas.com

FitTea offers a pretty painless 14 Day Detox in loose tea form. One teaspoon steeped in hot water per day and you're good. Contains organic green tea, Oolong Wu Yi, organic Rooibos, ginger and pomegranate.
Can be enjoyed hot or cold and taken every morning before a workout. It's really delicious and needs no sweetening as it has honey powder and Stevia added to the mix. See more at FitTea.com