Amp Up Your Workout With Tech-Enhanced Performance Gear

We’re not going to lie… winter often puts a damper on our AM workout plans because nothing’s better on a cold morning than an extra hour or two huddled under the blankets. And while, over the years, technology has acquired a similarly bad rep for contributing to our overall dormancy, of late we’ve been excited to see companies using tech to enhance performance wear and encourage more functional and rewarding workouts.

If Under Armour just isn’t cutting it anymore, check out this selection of tricked out workout gear that may just give you the extra encouragement you need to get moving… and they’re not bad looking, either. Want to be punished for missing a workout? There’s an app for that.

Laserkatz and Lisa Walde for Eastpack: KatzBag

This backpack, fashioned with red LEDs, is perfect for biking at night and the triangular, tribal feel (inspired by Laserkatz’s logo) is perfectly on-trend.

Burton and Nokia: Push Snowboarding

This open-source, wearable tech system is a mobile app designed to track a snowboarder’s speed, orientation, heart rate, foot pressure and galvanic skin response, relaying the real-time stats to a Nokia phone by Bluetooth. Download the source code and experiment with your own custom system.

Adrien Noirhomme, Renold Lee, Stefan Schneider: Adidas adizero f50

Much like the Push Snowboarding system, the Adidas adizero f50 aims to help soccer players track and improve their performance. A mechanism in the shoe’s outsole tracks 360-degree movement, average and maximum speed, steps and stride rates, and all the info is easily downloadable to your computer. If your stats are really impressive, you can even share with (aka brag to) your friends on Facebook.

Rafael Rozenkranz: Kinetic MP3 Jogging Suit

As if trying to keep sweaty earbuds in your ears while jogging wasn’t annoying enough, there’s always the problem of where to keep your iPod or MP3 player. That’s why this washable, kinetic-powered jogging suit with built in MP3 player is so brillant. Just think, you won’t be able to listen to that workout mix if you don’t keep moving. Plus, if you’re not brave enough to wear a unitard, there’s also a vest option.

Lucy Activewear: Lucy Nightlight Jacket

This sleek jacket is a runner’s must-have. A subtle reflective strip running along the front zipper and a single, blue blinking LED light in the back keep you visible, while convenient removable sleeves keep you temperate.

Thanks to Syuzi from FashioningTech for the tip-offs.