Nike Fuel Band Review

Nike Fuel Band Review

A few weeks ago Nike launched their brand new fitness product the Nike Fuel Band. Like the FitBit and the Jawbone UP Band the Fuel Band aims to turn your exercise activity into a quantified game. I had the opportunity to try out (and own) an advance copy of the product and here is my review of the Nike Fuel Band.

What is the Nike Fuel Band?

When Nike first debuted the Nike+ running system, it was a cant miss tool for runners to monitor and quantify their workouts. The problem however was that the Nike+ system only worked for running. But what about the rest of your sport and exercise life? Enter the Nike+ Fuel Band.

The Nike+ FuelBand is a rubber bracelet worn during exercise, sports or physical activities to measure “steps, calories, time & Fuel metric (currency measured by oxygen kinetics)”. It’s a better designed, better marketed, and obviously better product than its fellow competitors.

How does the Nike Fuel Band work?

The Nike Fuel Band doesn’t measure miles ran, stairs climbed, or laps swam. What it does is measure the amount of oxygen your body is costuming using “oxygen kinetics”. It then converts that information into a universal currency called NikeFuel. It doesn’t matter what activity you are doing; boxing, running, making dinner, or swaying your baby to sleep, the Nike Fuel Band will measure it all.

What I Liked About The Nike Fuel Band:

The most unique aspect of the Nike Fuel Band is that it appeals to anyone and everyone who participates in any form of physical activity. It doesn’t matter if our are running a marathon, skateboarding, shooting free throws, or making pizza. The Nike Fuel Band can be used for any activity and will measure any firm of physical activity.

I also liked that at any given time you can look down and see exactly what progress you’ve made on your daily fitness goals. That feature alone makes this band worthwhile.

The biggest thing I didn’t like: IT’S NOT WATERPROOF. That means you can’t take it swimming and swimming is arguably the best full body workout. I suppose the USB port and ‘oxygen kinetics’ are to blame for this but what are you going to do. Making it waterproof would have made it an instantly “can’t miss product”.

What I didn’t like about the Nike Fuel Band:

This seems odd but the thing I didn’t like was that it’s a bracelet which must be worn on the wrist. I don’t wear jewelry (a watch on certain occasions) and I found it odd to have something on my wrist. Nike however did do a great job of designing a product that doesn’t look awkward or cumbersome but for me, a prodct like thismwouldmbe best hidden away.

The device isn’t exactly groundbreaking as there are several iterations already on the market and some even have better features. Nike however will make several changes to this product and I’m sure the Fuel Band version 2 or more will be better. I wouldn’t hold off of purchasing quite yet as you never know when a better version will come out.

It was cool to constant see your status as you worked towards our goal but I would be just as happy looking at my phone as my wrist or even better, getting a text or message when certain fitness goals were met.

Key Aspects of the Nike Fuel Band:

Small, lightweight, and fashionable. The 20 dot LED display is also very cool and makes you feel like a spaceman when worn

- 3 access accelerometer to track movement
- 4 day battery
- Weighs 1 oz
- Water Proof
- iOS and website support
- Built in USB
- Syncs over Bluetooth
- Connects to Facebook, FourSquare, and Path

Cost of the Nike Fuel Band?

On par with its competitors ( FitBit and JawBone ). It clocks in around $150 and will be available almost everywhere when it comes out in February

How The Nike Fuel Band compares to the Jawbone UP

I used the JawBone UP when preparing for my first marathon last year. It’s a great product, very valuable and even has a few features the Nike Fuel Band does not. For example, the UP tracks your sleep patterns and can even track your eating habits. However, even after a very limited trial period, here is why I prefer the Fuel Band to the UP:

Unlike the UP you don’t have to tell it when you are doing activities. There is no exercise, still, or sleeping mode. The Fuel Band automatically recognizes when you are engaged or not engaged in activity and measures you output accordingly. Also, with the Fuel Band, all of your relevant information is displayed right in the band instead of on a separate app like the UP (note: the Fuel Band also has an app which will be out soon).

The JawBone might have more features but the Fuel Band is a better product. Often, less is more and in this case, the Nike Fuel Band wins out.

Final Review of the Nike Fuel Band:

For me, it’s awesome. I’ve always wanted a quantifiable way to view my exercise stats. This has helped kick start my 2012 goal of getting in better shape. Just having a constant reminder of where you are in your daily fitness goals is what makes the Nike Fuel Band paramount to any other product. it’s a personal trainer/motivator on your wrist.

That does it for my review of the Nike Fuel Band. If anyone has any questions, comments, or concerns I will gladly answer them in the comments.

10 Steps To Being A Better Man

I apologize in advance to all of my female readers but this one is geared towards men. Women, if you agree or disagree or have any other suggestions, please leave them in the comments.

This guide is pretty basic but it’s 10 simple things every man can do to better his life. I plan on writing several of these about individual topics so this one is going to be broad and rather generic.

10 Steps To Being A Better Man

1. Find your signature cocktail. Every great man from James Bond to Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski has his signature drink that he orders at a bar. It’s cool, it’s classy, and chicks dig it. It makes you look not only smart and sophisticated but it also makes you appear like you have your shit together and that my friends is paramount to anything else. Pick your favorite spirit and base your drink around that. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something you enjoy and something everyone will know how to make. Need help choosing a drink? Check out this cocktail guide from arguably the best bar in New York City: PDT – The PDT Cocktail Book

2. Get a pair of basic black or dark wash denim jeans. No embroidered pockets, not ankle flair. Get Em, wear Em, make them yours. Make sure they stay dark and don’t fade. Scratches, rips, and the worn in look are ok and highly encouraged but try to keep the color fresh.

3. Always open doors for women. Also, wait until THEY exit the elevator before you get off. Chivalry never goes out of style.

4. There is nothing wrong with facial hair. For some men, it makes them. Just make sure to keep it beat and orderly. Buy a simple trimmer if you need it. Check out this one: Braun Cruzer

5. Get a signature smell. Buy a cologne that complements you and smells great. Not sure what to buy? Go to a store and have a sales associate help you sample different scents. There are even bespoke options available through most luxury brands like Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and others. Do lots of research and find something you AND other people are comfortable with. If you need help, bring a girl along with you and ask for her advice. The best way to leave your calling card with a girl is your scent on her. Girls love that.

6. Get some Kiehls Menfor your skin and Bumble and Bumble products for your hair and body. Anything else is a waste of cabinetry space and it will make you look like you’re trying out for project runway. Less is more!

7. Get in shape. Seriously, get in fucking shape. Need immediate help and don’t know where to start. Try this: The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

8. Always bring something to a party. Doesn’t matter if it’s football with your boys or dinner with your girls parents. ALWAYS bring something. People remember things like this and a gesture like this goes a long way. Asses the situation and buy accordingly. With friends? How about a sixer of quality beer for the host. Girlfriends parents? Nice bottle of wine or something artisan from Trader Joes. Just don’t be a jackass and show up empty handed.

9. Read. This is easy. Just read. Read fiction and non fiction books, magazines that aren’t Maxim, the classics, newspapers, anything. Stay informed, stay cultured, stay in the know. Check out my Recommended Reading Guide for some suggestions.

10. Don’t be an asshole. Ever. Despite what Tucker Max tells you, don’t ever be an asshole. EVER!

There you go. 10 very simple and (nearly) cost free steps to get out in the path to becoming a better man or human being.

Do you have anything suggestions or tips? Feel free to add them in the comments and I’ll add them to the next list.

How To Smoke On An Airplane

Is it possible to smoke on an airplane in teh 21st century?  Short answer, YES!  In today’s post I am going to show you two different ways you can smoke on an airplane.  As always, both are easy but one is obviously more risky than the other.

2 Ways To Smoke On An Airplane

Method 1:  Use The Airplane As Your Personal Vaporizer 

This method is definitely the more riskier of the two and involves actually lighting a real cigarette in the airplane bathroom.  For this method we are going to assume that you want to smoke an actual cigarette and not an e-cigarette (see next method).  To smoke on airplane using a real cigarette use the following steps.

Step 1:  Lock yourself in the airplane bathroom

Step 2:  Locate the smoke detecter in the bathroom and place a 10 inch x 10 inch piece of plastic rap over the detector.  On some planes the smoke detectors are difficult to find so just look for an perforation in the ceiling and place the plastic wrap there.  Be sure to not mess with any switches, wires, or cables.

Step 3-  Press and hold the ‘flush’ handle on the sink unit.  Place your hand flat against the bottom of the sink and check to see if the suction is satisfactory.  I tend to gauge the suction on weather or not the skin pulls on my hand.

Step 4-  Keep the ‘flush’ handle pushed down, put your cigarette in your mouth and light it with your mouth/cigarette as close to the suction as possible.  Its best if you use a lighter instead of matches as lighters dont emit smoke residue when struck.

Step 5 – Keep your head in the sink with you mouth and cigarette point directly down the drain.

Step 6-  Smoke away!

Step 7 – When finished run the water in the sink with the ‘flush’ handle pushed down as before.

Good luck and happy smoking!

Method 2:  Purchase an E-Cigarette

E-Cigarettes like PURE E-Cigs have become extremely popular as the list of places you can smoke is geting small and smaller.  E-Cig’s emit a water vapor from the tip instead of smoke. There is no fire, lighting, matches, or smoke.  Perfectly legal and safe for any environment including an airplane.  Please note however that different airline carries have different rules regarding electronic cigarettes.  Its best to check with the flight attendent in your section to see if its OK to use your device.  My recommend method is to ask if its ok to use your “nicotine inhaler”.  Flight attendants tend to show a little more sympathy/apathy towards that request than if you were to ask if you can use your e-cigarette.

Here is a video of someone using an e-cigarette on a flight back from Hawaii.  Notice the ‘smoke’ coming from his mouth is actually water vapor from the device, not smoke.

Nice!

So there you go.  Two simple methods to smoke on an airplane.  Good luck and be safe!!!

Resources:  Pure E-Cigarettes – The Cig Store – E-Cigs on Amazon.com

How To Fall Asleep Instantly

With the recent publication of Tim Ferriss’s brilliant but semi-controversial new book The 4-Hour Body there has been a lot of discussion on the chapter regarding The Perfect Night’s Sleep.  Tim’s methods include everything from changing the temperature of your room, changing your eating and bathing habits, and even changing your light bulbs.  While this information does work (for research and out of curiosity I tried all of them) I can tell you that there is a much simpler way to achieve a perfect night’s sleep.  Below you’ll find my easy 5 step life-hack guide to falling (and staying) asleep in less than 5 minutes:

Only Go To Sleep When You Are Sleepy – This might sound strange but it’s the truth and the easiest step to follow.  Forced sleep when in an awake state is detrimental to the sleep process and can lead to chronic insomnia.

Only Use Your Bed For Sleeping Purposes – No reading in bed, watching TV in bed, chatting in bed, resting in bed, etc…  Napping is also included in this step.  The goal here is train your body to recognize your bed as the only place where sleep can occur, much like your bowels are trained to empty while sitting on a toilet and not in a chair.  This is the most important of the 5 steps and the one that must be followed with the strictest adherence.

Do Not Nap – Boooooo!  Sorry, I know but this is important.  No matter how tired you may feel during the day DO NOT NAP.  No power naps, espresso naps, desk naps, or couch naps.  None!

Wake Up Every day At The Same Time – Set a constant alarm that wakes you up at a constant time on both weekdays and weekends.  The time should be standardized and adhered too.  Note, you may find the early days/weeks of this step difficult but your body will eventually adapt and with a little extra training, you’ll be able to wake up at your set time consistently even without the aid of an alarm clock.

Stay Up As Late As You Can – If you still cannot fall asleep and find yourself tossing and turning, get out of bed, leave your room, and stay up as late as you can.  Much like step 1, you should only sleep when you are tired.  Your body must be trained to recognize your bed as a place sleep and if you aren’t sleeping than you have no business being in bed.

Bonus tip:  If you are still having problems sleeping try a cooled pillow to expedite the process.  I have used both the Chillow (clever!) and the Iso Cool Side Sleeping Pillow with great success.  If you are comfortable with the pillows you currently have and want the same effect as the Chillow or Iso, simply placing a damp towel over your head and eyes should do the trick as well.