Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Garmin for Macs!!!

That's right people.

Beginning in spring 2006, Garmin will offer a Mac version of its popular Training Center software. Used with Garmin’s line of Forerunner and Edge series of fitness products, the Training Center software lets users plan and analyze workouts. Fitness enthusiasts can create their own workouts or use workout templates that can be downloaded into the unit for any level of personal training. The software also offers interactive analysis tools that will now allow Mac users to chart their performance information like speed, heart rate, cadence, elevation, and pace.

Also in spring 2006, Garmin will make the www.MotionBased.com upload interface Mac compatible. MotionBased.com translates GPS data into performance analysis, online mapping, and route sharing for endurance and outdoor athletes. Data collected by a Garmin GPS device is uploaded to MotionBased.com where time, distance, speed, elevation, cadence, grade, and heart rate analysis is displayed through charts, illustrations, and reports. This activity data can also be displayed as a route and replayed on street, photo, topographic, and elevation maps as well as the popular Google Earth service. Members can also use the TrailNetwork database to seek out and download new activities in their region, to find popular routes while traveling, or to engage in "virtual races" with other MotionBased users.

The new Garmin Forerunner 205 is pretty cool too. It's real small, about the size of a normal sports watch and is said to have much better reception/better coverage as in better for under heavy tree cover or between tall buildings. Plus you can download all the workouts to your computer and keep track of EVERYTHING. It also looks like you can upload to the watch a previously run route and the time you ran it and then race yourself so you can see if you are getting better/worse. It also has a virtural training partner where you can tell it, ok I want to run 9 min/miles and there is a little computerized image of a runner running that pace and then a computerized image of you running whatever pace you are running so you can see if you are "winning".

Ok, I actually don't have one of these the above is just things I have read about the watches. I currently have a Timex version which I love and works fine for me. I do like the upload ability though, but they didn't have all the software for macs....but looks like the world is a changin'


2 comments:

Triseverance said...

Shhhhhh don't tell Amy but I ordered a 205 a couple of weeks ago. From what I hear it ships Feb 13th I am pretty excited to get it.

LeahC said...

oooh exciting!

you'll have to let me know how it works.