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iFit Live - Summary and Review
The "Killer App" for Fitness Equipment
iFit-Live is the new motivational and interactive fitness technology
available on Exercise Bikes, Treadmills and Elliptical Trainers manufactured by Icon Fitness (the maker of Nordic Track, Proform, Healthrider and others).
With iFit-Live, you connect to the internet, wirelessly (via a Wi-Fi connection) to:
Download:
- Customized workout routines based on your own personal goals (via your iFit.com profile).
- Routes or Courses to simulate riding (walking, running) through any real world location (road, trail, etc.) that is available on Google Maps.
- Motivational and Inspirational workouts from trainers including Jillian Michaels.
Upload:
- Your real time workout progress (a laptop or smartphone is required to monitor progress on many models).
- Your workout results.
When they say that an Exercise Bike is iFit-Live compatible what that means is that there is a slot for the iFit-Live adapter but you must purchase the adapter separately.
You may want to order your iFit options when you purchase your exercise bike in order to fully utilize the features that are available on your exercise bike.
Note: As of 5/15/2012 The iFit-Live wireless module is on sale for $99 at NordicTrack.com with a free 1 year subscription. See iFit-Live Wireless Module for more information or to purchase this product.
Also Note: You can purchase the optional USB / SD Card adapter and iFit Exercise Bike Workout Cards from NordicTrack.com at: iFit Workout Routines at NordicTrack.com.
It's All About Motivation.
Nordic Track has had iFit technology on their fitness equipment for years now and iFit-Live has been out since 2010. This technology is designed to keep you motivated and to provide quite a bit of variety in your workout routine.
iFit and iFit-Live Technology Summary
 The original iFit technology consists of a series of workouts designed by professional trainers and available on SD cards. This technology was designed for fitness equipment with the iFit card slots (not iFit-Live although you can still use the SD cards with iFit-Live via the optional iFit-Live USB/SD adapter).
iFit-Live is wireless technology, with the features listed above, and is a major update to the original iFit card technology. iFit-Live communicates wirelessly to the internet via your iFit.com account.
You initially setup a profile on iFit.com that includes your own personal workout goals. You can also select or create rides or courses via Google Maps through this location. This allows your workout programs and courses to be transmitted, via the Wi-Fi signal, to the iFit wireless adapter on your exercise bike.
Your iFit.com account also allows your workout progress and stats to be uploaded back to your iFit.com account where you can track your exercise and diet. There is also an iFit iphone app and links to facebook, to share your workout information and goals, available with this option.
The workout programs and the virtual rides (routes and courses) that are downloaded to your exercise bike control the resistance levels (and in some cases the incline and decline) of your exercise bike.
The Google Maps feature allows you to load existing courses or to create your own course (using any location currently available on Google Maps) and to download the ride to your exercise bike.
iFit.com Subscription and Costs
There is really no manufacturer that currently offers this kind of technology, and it really is pretty amazing but you should be aware that there are some additional costs involved with for these options.
If you plan to use the iFit workout cards, there will be a one-time cost for an adapter and the cost of the workout cards themselves.
If you plan to use the iFit-Live technology to download workout programs and courses and to automatically upload your workout stats, then you will need the iFit-Live wireless adapter (sold separately, if it is not included on your exercise bike) and a subscription for an account on the iFit.com website (which involves an annual fee)
Currently you can get the first years access to iFit.com for FREE with the purchase of the wireless adapter - See iFit-Live Wireless Module for more on this offer.
About-Bicycles Review
The iFit-Live technology is currently the new "Killer App" for fitness equipment. What this means is that if you want the option to use this wireless technology to download workouts and courses and to upload and track your workout progress and stats, you will need to purchase an exercise bike (or other fitness equipment) that has this hardware (i.e. Nordic Track, Proform, Healthrider, etc.).
You may be considering purchasing an exercise bike with iFit-Live or that is iFit-Live comparable for other reasons (other features, overall quality, warranties). If so, keep in mind that you still have the iFit-Live options available to you at any time for additional motivation as needed.
Although iFit-Live does have the additional costs to consider, the costs are optional and having the motivational features available is a great benefit. I would definitely recommend iFit-Live for the motivational benefit and for greater variety in your workout.
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