To Hotels Wii Fit Will Go
LOS ANGELES -- Lots of hip, slick and cool hotels have started to offer more than just exercise equipment in their workout facilities. In fact, the Westin brand of Starwood Hotels (HOT) will be offeringNintendo's Wii in at least 10 of its hotels in the U.S. The hotel chain will be adding titles like Wii Fit and Wii Sports to its workout centers. This offers the mobile executive an alternative way to stay lean and mean on the road. Here is what Gadget Grrl experienced with her trail of Wii Fit. Plus, check out the Logitech Alto Notebook Stand -- you may want to dump your desktop.
Wii Fit |
Before starting all the games and exercises that come along with the Fit board, I recommend creating a Mii (user profile) and then entering your height and age. The Wii board will measure your Body Mass Index and calculate it with your age to give you an idea of how fit, or un-fit, you really are.
Finally, once you do a balancing test to see how strong you are on the left and right, you will get your Wii Fit Age. You can even set it up to include up to eight profiles of your friends, family or co-workers to chart the progress of your fitness compared to theirs. Betting office pools might never be the same if you introduce this device at the workplace.
There are more than 40 activities and exercises. I loved the yoga exercises. If you've ever priced yoga classes or tried to find time to take them, this feature alone would make the Wii Fit board worth getting.
If yoga isn't your thing, there are strength training exercises including things like push-up and jacknife challenges.
For those of you into aerobics you have to try the hula hoop exercise. It sounds simple but the more hoops you swing the harder it gets and you can really get your heart rate up on this particular piece of interactivity.
Another favorite of mine is the snowboarding. I can't imagine actually doing this activity outdoors, but this gets me as close to snow as I want to go with all the action of peeling down a slope.
The balance games are great for mobile executives who don't have time to hit the slopes but want to stay in shape so they won't be too embarrassed next season. Along with skiing, there are head games like Soccer Heading and Lotus Focus (sort of a mind/body) combo.
I like the tracking because it keeps you motivated to do a little exercise every day, especially when it's this fun.
Logitech Alto Notebook Stand |
This is a great way to ditch your desktop altogether and just come in for a landing.With the Alto Portable Notebook stand, your laptop inserts directly into the stand. Unlikeother stands, it's not just propped up.
There is a full keyboard allowing you to get off the touchpad and because the laptopscreen is elevated to approximately where your desktop screen is located, you won't misshaving a desktop. Many mobile executives I know, travel with their laptop and dread coming home to sync up all their data. This way there is no syncing -- if you can work off your laptop and not have to bother with another machine, why not?
Along with the pitch of the stand, there is a built-in USB hub to easily connect all your other digital devices.
The only thing I could ask for is a MAC model because the Alto is currently only built for PCs, but what a great alternative to slugging through all the syncing.
Of note here, too, is the soft, built-in arm rest on the keyboard, making data entry more comfortable.
Site to see
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National Do Not Call Registry: www.donotcall.gov
This site has been up for a while but it bears repeating because some of you may not have realized that it exists. When you go to this list, they will give you instructions on how you can have your number(s) removed from telemarketing lists. After registering, your number should show up on the list in the next couple of days. Once your number has been on the Do Not Call list for 31 days, telemarketers should not be calling. If they do, you have the right to file a complaint. Too bad you can't file it around dinner time.
Diana Forbes is a Los Angeles-based writer and media personality. Her "Gadget Grrl" reviews appear in various national print and online publications, and she demonstrates consumer products on national and local television shows. Click
to visit her Gadgetgrrl Web site.