Polar FT7
The point of Polar's FT7 fitness watch is to detect whether the main effect of the training you're doing is fitness improvement or fat burning, potentially saving you from hours of misguided workouts.
The watch counts and displays the calories burnt and connects with an online training diary at www.polarpersonaltrainer.com. With this web service the user can interact with other users, analyse training results, see their training load status, and get online guidance. It's a neat bit of kit that could help you make huge strides in reaching peak levels of fitness. Simple to use, it comes with eight different display languages.
From most sports retailers, Dh550
Terraillon mini-masseur
Not all of us can afford our own masseur, and yet due to bad posture in the office, the niggling pains of getting old or perhaps some psycho who's left you battered and bruised on the soccer pitch or basketball court, most of us could do with a soothing muscle rub now and again. Terraillon's range of mini-masseurs are perfect for your own vigorous personal full-body massage and are small enough to be kept in your desk drawer, bag or glovebox. They also cost about the same as a haircut.
Available from info@royalhouseuae.com Dh49
Creative Ziio Tablet
Significantly cheaper than most of its rivals, Creative's Ziio tablet, at first sight, is a tempting budget alternative to the iPad. It's even got pearly white plastic casing. It's only when you switch it on that you realise you're dealing with something that simply won't touch the iPad in terms of user-friendliness. To be fair, the specs don't promise much to begin with. This is a tablet running a slightly modified but still out-of-date Android 2.1, no 3G connectivity and no Android Market. The interface is thankfully very simple. There's a dock at the bottom of the home screen that holds icon links to the ZiiMusic, ZiiVideo and ZiiPhoto apps, and the web browser. The seven-inch touch screen could be more responsive (it works far better with the stylus) and the built-in VGA camera takes rather grainy pictures, exacerbated by the lack of screen clarity. On the side of the tablet there are ports for a mini USB, HDMI and 3.5 audio, as well as a slot for microSD, while two speakers, discreetly placed on the back of the device, provide acceptable sound quality. Unfortunately, many users have reported problems downloading apps, which is something that Creative needs to iron out before the glut of new tablets enters the market this year, otherwise the Ziio could be in trouble.
Available from all electronic retailers. Dh1,050
Recline Personal exercise bike by Technogym
Technogym's Recline Personal is the Rolls-Royce — or should that be Ducati? — of exercise bikes. Its touch screen not only provides a wide range of training programmes but allows you to access the internet, watch television and check your emails. It might also provide the most comfortable workout you'll ever have, with the seat and backrest designed by a leading furniture developer.
Technogym has been an official supplier to various Olympic games and athletic tournaments, as well as football clubs such as Chelsea and AC Milan, so it's fair to say that its products are used by the very best. And with the summer upon us, who wants to cycle outdoors?
www.technogym.com, Dh55,000
