Find the Best Sports Watch

Find the Best Sports Watch

Sports watch lets you set targets for your training sessions and records your performance, so you can monitor your progress towards your goals. If you can't measure it you can't manage it.

GARMIN FORERUNNER 920XT WITH HR MONITOR

If ever there was a complete training aid, it’s surely the 920XT. At one end of the spectrum it will act as a fitness tracker monitoring movement and calorie burn throughout the day, while at the other it could be an indispensable aid to an elite Ironman athlete.

It's not as intuitive to use as the TomTom, but its features run wider and deeper these include the option to use it as a GPS and actually navigate via a map on the screen which you would have to plot online at Garmin Connect before downloading to the Forerunner. In the pool it tracks swimming metrics including distance and strokes per length; on the bike it can sync with a cadence monitor or power meter to deliver advanced data; and in run mode, in addition to the common lap count, time and average speed data, it’s also possible to pre-set a metronome with beep and buzz to keep your cadence consistent. A virtual partner lets you run or ride against a ghost competitor, either a time you’ve set or a previous performance you’ve recorded, although this doesn’t work in the pool.

The technology gets even more ambitious when the Garmin is paired with a heart rate monitor, at which point it will estimate your running VO2max (the maximum volume of oxygen you can consume in a minute per kg of body weight) and when twinned with a power meter and HR strap it will also estimate your cycling VO2. In use, the screen is clear and easy to use, and the only weakness we found lay with the ease of use of Garmin Connect when analyzing our data.
Garmin 920XT - The complete training aid for multi-sports with a breadth and depth of function to suit every level of athlete.

Suunto Quest Heart Rate Monitor

As a reliable heart rate monitor this is an ideal aid to training but you may miss the speed and distance data of the GPS., which not only makes it lighter but also means it does not require recharging every two to three days. As any committed athlete will tell you, it’s deeply frustrating to find your sports watch battery is flat when you plan to go training.

The Quest could easily be worn as an everyday timepiece  you'd simply clip on the comfortable chest strap heart rate monitor when you go training. The sync with the HR band is almost instant and the screen bright and clear, although it’s more of a challenge to see the smaller digits when running hard, so it's a good job the warning beep is so sharp if you stray out of a target heart rate band. 
Downloading data from the Quest to Suunto's Movescount website is surprisingly easy via a Bluetooth mini-USB, while the data display is exceptionally detailed. If your training is focused on intervals and heart rate zones, this really is all you need, and there's a phenomenal number of training plans, both long and short-term, available to download directly to your Suunto from the Movescount website. Meanwhile, pairing the watch with a foot pod will let you measure speed and distance, although for that money you are entering the price bands of GPS watches. Finally, once you've finished your run, the Quest's emphasis on heart rate allows it to estimate recovery time too a useful guide if you’re undertaking a heavy training regime.
Credit : All images from amazon.com

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Are you a Digiholic? 10 WAYS TO DETOX

Are you a Digiholic?

Do you feel lost without your smartphone? Or fall asleep spooning your tablet? It's time to switch off and reboot.

Image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IFA_2010_Internationale_Funkausstellung_Berlin_18.JPG

Picture the scene: you're watching a film curled up on the sofa when you find yourself itching to google the actress, the song playing in scene three and the dress the heroine is wearing. One thing leads to another and before you know it, you end up buying the dress, tweeting about it and texting your friend to tell her about your new purchase. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, you're not alone as we're officially in the grasp of the digital age. But ask yourself this: When was the last time you switched off for 24 hours? If you can't remember, perhaps it's time for a digital detox.

WHAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY?

Whether it's via email, text, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or app alerts, gone are the days of waiting for the daily newspaper to find out the latest offers, cinema times and world events – more often than not, there is, as they say, an app for that. "The brain is not designed to be "on" all the time," says mindfulness coach Dr Barbara Mariposa. "What were natural pauses in life, are now busy times too." And while we may pat ourselves on the back for using those moments to multi-task, Dr Barbara explains that surprisingly, it's actually a waste of time. "Research shows that our ability to handle information sinks dramatically after 53 minutes, therefore multitasking doesn't work." But, before we hide our shame in our smartphones, there's an element of science that contributes to our screen dependencies. "Every time we get a hit on Facebook or Twitter, we get a small spritz of dopamine, a chemical that activates the reward centres in our brains," says Dr Barbara. As our dependency deepens, our face-to-face human interaction decreases leaving us at 2.5 times higher risk of depression. If you've established yourself as a digiholic but can't bear the thought of abandoning your iPad just yet, Frances Booth, author of The Distraction Trap: How to Focus in a Digital World says it may be due to a fear of being left out. "One of the biggest pulls that keeps us checking is FOMO or Fear of Missing Out. We worry that we'll miss something if we don't check. But what usually happens when we don't check for a day? We don't miss a thing and we perhaps realize it wasn't all that important."

WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL AFFECTS?

If you find yourself rubbing your neck or easing that hand cramp more frequently these days it could be down to your smart device. As we bend down at a 60 degree angle to look at our phones it puts 60lbs worth of pressure on the cervical spine the average weight of a 7 years old child. "The human body was not designed to stay still for any length of time," explains Dr Barbara. "We become stooped, so breathe more shallowly. As a result, reduced oxygen levels make us sluggish and foggy. Whereas muscle tension and poor posture lead to back ache, neck strain, and eye damage." Ouch. But it’s not just our outside appearance that’s being affected as Dr Barbara explains, "the main effect on our physical health is the constant drip, drip, drip of stress hormones caused by the almost permanent state of arousal in our brains. We are literally wearing ourselves out on the inside. Chronically-altered levels of adrenaline and cortisol leads to long-term damage to our heart, lungs, gut, digestion, blood pressure and sex hormones."

10 WAYS TO DETOX

Dr Barbara Mariposa tells us how we can ditch the digital.
1 Block out one hour a day and one evening a week to be digital device-free.
2 Leave all electronic devices aside at least half an hour before bed.
3 Make mealtime a digital-free zone. Leave all devices in another room.
4 Curate your newsletters so you only receive ones you really want. Unsubscribe from the rest.
5 Set aside 10-20 minutes a day to sit in quiet contemplation, just being, not doing.
6 Go for walks without your phone. Instead of being busy tweeting, experience it fully, now.
7 Meet with friends in person and suggest that the first person to reach for their smart phone pays the bill!
8 Ignite an old hobby and spend digital-free time doing this for example reading, cooking, sport.
9 When you go on holiday take a cheap handset with you just to receive emergency calls.
10 Change your routine. Instead of checking Facebook during your lunch break, read a book or go for a walk.
Credit : Natural Health UK

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Top Men Beauty Care - Spruce Up in 5 Minutes

Top Men Beauty Care - Spruce Up in 5 Minutes

When time is tight, you need to go from the boardroom to  the bar. Spruce up  in five minutes.

Dermalogica Skin Purifying Wipes

time : 25sec
For a quick and convenient way to clean your skin, try these purifying facial wipes. They will help remove excess oils and impurities that can trigger breakouts. Plus, the travel friendly pack makes them  perfect for office, gym and outdoor enthusiasts.

Men Genific HD Youth Activating Concentrate 50ml/1.7oz by Lancome

time: 50sec
Keep tired skin looking younger with this concentrated serum. It contains natural extracts and a special anti-ageing formula to help boost your skin’s own restoration abilities and refine your texture.

LOCK STOCK AND BARREL 85 Karats LS&B Shaping Clay Volume Texture Paste For Men 100 grms / 3.53 Oz

time : 1 Min 30sec
Run your fingers through the tips of your hair with some product to give it texture and style. This versatile shaping clay gives great definition and washes out easily.

Philips nose & ear trimmer

time : 2 Min
Nose and ear hair is a big turnoff for women, so lose it.

Industrial Strength Hand Heale by Jack Black

time : 3Min 20sec 
This industrial hand cream repairs tough, calloused skin and cuticles. And it has been road-tested by golfers, carpenters and chefs, so it should work for you. Especially effective for those who wash their hands often or spend time outdoors.

Listerine Zero Mouthwash, Clean Mint

time : 3Min  50sec 
Don’t forget to freshen your breath before you hit the road. Use an alcohol free  formula for a less intense taste. This mouthwash helps reduce plaque and germs left behind after brushing and contains fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel.

Intensive Lip Balm by Eucerin

time : 4Min  40sec
Cracked, dry lips might scare away that bronzed babe. Lock in some moisture by treating your lips with a balm packed with beeswax and vitamin E. Your lips will stay hydrated and ready for action.

Credit : All images from amazon.com

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Wireless flash triggers - Remote Triggering Systems

Wireless flash triggers - Remote Triggering Systems

Remote Triggering Systems - Get creative with your lighting! Free your flashgun with one of these Wireless flash triggers.

Interfit Strobies iSync 4 Trigger & Receiver 

Pitting this simple little Strobies kit against some of the sexier set-ups here is almost cruel, but in fairness, the Interfit i Sync 4 has a lot to offer. It’s the smallest and lightest pairing here. Although its 30-metre range trails the competition, it’s enough for most scenarios. There are four available channels to avoid interference, or the receiver can be triggered by flash burst.
You can’t have it all for this kind of money, though: the Interfit Strobies i Sync 4 will only manage a single zone of flashguns and there’s no remote power control or TTL functionality. The build quality isn’t inspiring, either.
Interfit Strobies i Sync 4 - Accessible price for the kit; extra receivers. But its only offers manual flash
triggering over a short distance.

Phottix Odin TTL

This set-up is far from cheap, but you get bang for your buck. It immediately impresses with a large backlit LCD, similar to what you’d find on a high-end flashgun. This gives you control over three groups of flashguns in four frequency channels with A:B ratio adjustment, and allows you to remotely set their flash head zoom controls as well as power.
Available in Canon, Nikon and Sony variants, the Odin will wirelessly transmit TTL signals, and it can be configured to control one flashgun group manually while another uses TTL. It’s also one of the few triggering systems to support high speed sync capabilities.
Phottix Odin TTL -  Its a terrific triggering system that’s worth every penny.  Feature-packed; well-built; easy to control. But the menus aren’t the fastest to navigate; no flashgun pass-through.

PocketWizard MiniTT1, FlexTT5 & AC3  

PocketWizard is a name that carries plenty of kudos in this sector, and it’s easy to see why with this pro-level combo. The MiniTT1 will transmit Canon E-TTL or Nikon i-TTL metering signals to one or more FlexTT5 receivers over a 240-metre range or up to 365 metres with basic triggering.
There’s also full high-speed sync with compatible flashguns, allowing for super-fast shutter speeds up to 1/8,000 sec. The AC3 ZoneController lets you remotely control flashguns, but pushes the price to a level that’s hard to justify over the Phottix.
PocketWizard is a top-notch triggering system,  flawless performance and full compatibility with advanced features. But it’s starting to look overpriced , underwhelming build; plastic hotshoe mounts..
Credit : All images from amazon.

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