Wanna See Something Cool?

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to try out Ubisoft's Your Shape fitness video game which will hit the market this fall.  It works with the Xbox360 and requires the Kinect add-on (available in November).  The Kinect is essentially a camera that obviates the need for hand-held controllers, balance boards etc.  You control the action on-screen with your body movement.

Your Shape uses this technology to put you right in the game, literally.  Take a look:

The picture's not the best, but if you look closely, you can see me in the center of the screen.  I'm holding my Blackberry up to take the picture and my jacket is tied around my waist.  If I wanted to "click" any of the buttons around me, I'd have to reach out to touch them in real life, and that would do it.  The demo version of the game wasn't calibrated for someone as short as I am, so I had to reach pretty far to make it work, but once I got the hang of it, it was pretty cool.

I tried a few different workout games, including one where I tried to punch and kick different objects.  That was pretty fun.  I also tried one game where I worked out alongside a trainer.  The game was able to compare my movement's to the trainer's and suggest corrections. 

I didn't get to try it long enough to decide if I could really get a workout out of Your Shape, but I thought it was pretty cool.  Do I need another game system in addition to my Wii?  Hmm...

I'll keep you posted.

-Gym Belle-

A Sneak Peek at My New Toy

Can you guess what it is?

-Gym Belle-

Gym Belle Q & A: Where to Buy Workout Clothes in NYC

R, a newbie runner, asks:  Going workout clothes shopping.  Where?  Want the hot pink Nike stuff...  And other stuff... Lululemon for yoga wear?  And where is best for Nike?  Niketown?  I figure you are an expert in the field...

I don't know that I'd call myself an expert, but my workout clothes collection is rapidly outgrowing my closet.  For yoga wear, I am a huge Lululemon fan.  In fact, I wear their clothes to yoga, to Physique 57, to run and even to CrossFit sometimes.  (I also wear Lululemon to brunch, the movies, airports, conferences and the office on weekends.)  Lulu outfits are cute and comfortable and they never seem to wear out or look old no matter how many times I wash them.  I also like Beyond Yoga's super soft tops for yoga-type activities.  (Check their website for great sales that justify the shipping costs.)

I struggle with running shorts for some reason.  Lululemon's don't fit me at all and neither do most running brands'.  The only pair that I truly can say I love were a freebie from New Balance.  They're super comfy and stay where they're supposed to.  I keep meaning to buy another pair of those, but it hasn't happened yet.

Some of my favorite running tops for summer are from Track & Field, which opened its Madison Avenue location earlier this year.  They make super lightweight tank tops, and each item of clothing you purchase comes in its very own tube.  The tubes are made out of corn so they are totally biodegradable.  I use mine for bringing home wet bathing suits.  Be forewarned, though, Track & Field is a Brazilian company, and their clothes run insanely small. 

If you're brave enough to handle Niketown, I say go for it!  I find their massive NYC store a little intense, but they do make some cute stuff.  When I shop, I'll check out The Running Company, City Sports and the Equinox stores, but I also shop online for running/workout gear.  My favorite online boutique is Team Estrogen.  They have a huge selection and great brands.  That's where I discovered the CW-X sports bras that I love. 

Hands down, my favorite gym-chic items right now are my Monrow 3/4 length sweatpants.  (Good for lifting on a not so hot day or just running errands.)  On a more fiscally responsible note, I'm a huge fan of Target for cotton shorts/tanks. 

Happy shopping!

-Gym Belle-