LIVE's #Five Things to Share -- September 10, 2012

1. This drummer stole the show, and Kelly woke her kids up to watch it. 
Do you have a YouTube video you love? Send the link to Kelly and Michael via their inbox, 
with the subject YouTube video. 
2. Can you walk the model walk? Michael's fiancé, Nicole Murphy, walked the runway in 
Omar Salam in New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. 
Kelly showed us her fiercest model walk and now we're wondering -- do you do it too? 
Tweet us (@KellyandMichael) with the hashtag #modelwalk to tell us when you do it. 
Example: I #modelwalk to work…in the middle of #NYC.  
3. Our website has changed! You can now find us -- 
and all the behind-the-scenes info -- at LIVEKellyandMichael.com.  
4. Homework, who needs it? 
Michael spoke about Gaithersburg Elementary School in Maryland that got rid of homework. 
Are your kids reading this and jumping for joy? Do you think homework is necessary? 
 
5. Tomorrow, we have a HUGE show -- our cutest kid finalists join us to fight for a cruise…for four! 
Don't forget to check your local listings to tune in for all the fun. 

Fitness Apps and Gadgets with Lance Ulanoff, Editor-in-Chief of Mashable.com

Lance Ulanoff, editor-in-chief of Mashable.com, shares his favorite tips and gadgets to get you moving this year. Most of the apps are available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. 

 

Apps

Zombies, Run!:
Zombies, Run! is an immersive running game and audio adventure. Experienced actors and writers have created the mobile game's incredible storyline. All you have to do is run. There are currently 23 audio missions available. Your character "Runner 5" will collect supplies, ammo, medicine and battery along the way, which you must distribute at the end of the mission. Survivors of the post-apocalyptic world are counting on you. The app was originally backed on Kickstarter. Price: $7.99 for the iOS, Android, or Windows Phone app

 

Charity Miles:
You'll walk, run and bike for longer, knowing your miles are earning money and raising awareness for charities. Charity Miles is a free and easy-to-use app that tracks your exercise mileage. Walkers and runners earn $.25 per mile and bikers earn $.10 per mile. There's currently $1 million to give away. Select which charity you're exercising for when you launch the app. The charity will receive your winnings after you share your activity on Facebook or Twitter from the app. The nine charities currently signed on with Charity Miles include Feeding America, the U.N. World Food Programme and Achilles International. Price: Free iPhone and Android app.

Nike+ Running:
We're loving the newly redesigned Nike+GPS running app. With it, we're tracking all our outdoor and indoor runs. Before starting a run, it's easy to set the app up to calculate how fast and how far you're going. At the end of the run, share your success with Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest friends. In the app, there's a record of your farthest run, longest run, fastest mile, fastest 5k and other important stats. Every run can be set as a distance run, time run or speed run to beat your own records. Price: Free iPhone app

Strava Cycling:
Strava is a company hoping to empower runners and bikers with their GPS-powered apps. The technology puts workouts, commutes and movement into context on the Strava.com website — graphing heart rate, distance and progress. Different kinds of statistics are meant to enhance your training. Users are encouraged to best their own personal records or challenge friends to a competition. Connect with Facebook or Twitter to challenge friends' records. In the app's feed, you can also "give kudos" and add comments to encourage friends' activity. On the app's "Explore" tab, find local paths and areas to run. Or, compete in official Strava app-wide challenges such as running 50 kilometers in three days — for fun. Price: Free Strava Cycling iPhone app, Strava Running iPhone app, Android Strava Cycling app and Android Strava Running app

 

All-in Yoga: 300 Poses & Yoga Classes:
Fitness fanatics should be stretching their limbs in between cardio and strength training days. All-in YOGA: 300 Poses & Yoga Classes is a great yoga app that can be used any where and any time. All-in YOGA: 300 Poses & Yoga Classes leads users through 300 different poses. The app even comes with photo, video, audio guides and 3D muscle models accompanying each pose. Price: $.99 iPhone app

Fleetly Fitness:
Fleetly offers loads of workout routines for different sports and targeted for different body areas. There are also quick full-body exercise routines for when you're low on time. Every workout comes with a description, video, tips and an area to log your progress. With Fleetly, users can also join open challenges such as "36,500 Push ups in 2012" or "500 miles in 2012." Fleetly also gamifies exercise, which encourages users to move to earn points and badges for workout accomplishments. Price: Free iOS app

One Hundred Push Ups:
This app is for muscly men and women who love doing entirely too many push-ups at one time — in our opinion. The end goal of using the app is doing 100 consecutive push-ups, following the mobile six-week training program. The app tailors the training schedule by considering your initial fitness level and age. The app's Facebook and Twitter integrations also help users stick to their upper-body regimen. Price: $1.99 iPhone app and $.99 to test drive the Android app.

 

Gadgets:

Withings Scale: (CES)
Hold yourself accountable with the Withings Wi-Fi Body Scale with the WiScale app. The high-tech scale measures your weight, BMI, fat, lean muscle mass, your weight, heart rate, the temperature of the room you're in, and that room's air quality. The scale automatically shares the data with your computer or mobile device, where you can view your fitness data on a graph over time. You'll be less likely to skip out of your workout knowing you can automatically send your weight, BMI or fat percentage directly to Facebook or Twitter by stepping on the scale. Use the app to monitor all your health and fitness data. Price: Free iOS app--Lance at CES with Scale.$179.99

BodyMedia Core 2: (CES)
Tool that allows you to achieve your health and weight loss goals in a 24/7 commitment. The BodyMedia counts every calorie counts, each activity and even your sleep. It helps you determine and reach your targets everyday. Because BodyMedia FIT is in contact with your body day and night, it knows where you stand with these targets at any given moment.  The Body Media Core is smaller the size of an iPod nano. There are interchangeable faceplates to chose from as well so you literally dress your tracker to match your stile. The BodyMedia, like other fitness devices lets you upload data right to its app or online software. It also integrates with other fitness apps like Runkeeper and My Fitness Pal. Prices are expected to run between $119 and $149.

Movband:
The MOVband is a wristband with a pedometer inside. The device measure movement, as well as steps, so every calorie burned counts. MOVband also tracks miles and time. The company suggests the MOVband is good for groups, like schools, clubs and companies. The MOVband must be purchased with the MOVchallenge -- a program designed to get groups moving and active. Organizations have used grants to purchase the MOVbands, the company writes on its website $29.99


Basis:
The Basis band's top-notch sensors pick up on and track heart rate patterns, motion, perspiration and skin temperature. Choose a healthy habit and set a goal to reach that habit. Using the MyBasis account and the device, you'll be guided with tips as well as charts showing your health data. The band costs $199.


Sensorium Tinke ($119)

Measures  cardio respiratory health and stress levels

Plugs into iPhone works with App.

 

FitBug

Bluetooth Wow (Scale) -

Orb (tracker) - $49.99

Luv (blood Pressure monitor)

 

Lifespan Treadmill Desk DT-5:
One of the first mass-market entries in a relatively young category of gadget: the treadmill desk. You are able to work and walk. We hope these things become commonplace, because the DT's current cost on the LifeSpan website, even with discount, is $1,299.

KICKR Power Trainer:
Wahoo Fitness has unveiled the KICKR Power Trainer, the first iPhone-connected bike trainer, designed to gives you a realistic road ride. It connects to your iPhone using Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ technology, so while you're pedaling, you can increase or decrease resistance, to simulate various bike course.   $999.99

Jawbone Up $129

Nike Fuel Band $149

Gym Pact (App) iOS    FREE   Get money by going to the gym and cashing in on those who didn’t go.

 

The President's Challenge: Adult Fitness Test

Want to see if you're "in shape?" Meaghan B. Murphy, deputy editor, SELF magazine, joined Kelly and Michael to test their fitness and now, we're offering you all the rules to test yours. To learn more about the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, visit this website. To take the Fitnessgram test, visit this website.

Did you take the test? Calculate your results here.

 

The test includes a 1.5 mile run, half-sit-ups, push-ups, the sit-and-reach test and then offers you directions to test your Body Mass Index (BMI). 

 

1.5- MILE RUN

Aerobic fitness is a measure of how much oxygen your body uses during exercise or physical work. The score is your maximal oxygen uptake and the higher the value, the better your aerobic fitness.

For this test you must run all out for 1.5 miles and record your time. Keep in mind that you need to pace yourself for the full 1.5 miles. We recommend that you take this test with a partner who can record your time and count laps. You may also want to keep track of your time using your own watch as a back up.

This test can be performed on a treadmill. When running on the treadmill, be sure to let your arms swing freely at your sides (do not hold on to the handrails). Keep the incline of the treadmill level (at zero). You or your partner needs to record the time on the treadmill when you complete 1.5 miles at your testing speed (keep in mind it takes a few seconds to increase the speed of the treadmill).

 

HALF SIT UPS

The half sit-up test is mainly an indicator of your abdominal muscular strength and endurance. However, you also use other muscle groups while performing the test. Scoring in the “below average” to “very poor” category shows that your muscular strength and endurance may be low and needs to improve. Low abdominal muscular strength and endurance may lead to muscle fatigue and may lead to back injury.

What you will need:

*Mat or rug

*Stopwatch or watch with a second hand

*Four strips of tape to place 3.5 inches apart on mat or rug to provide start and end position for the curl-up

*Prepare the mat or rug with the tape strips as shown in the picture. You need to be able to feel the tape as your fingers move across the mat or rug from the starting and ending positions. We recommend that you do the test with a partner.

Directions:

1. Lie face-up on mat or rug with knees at a right angle (that is, 90º) and feet flat on the ground. The feet are not held down.

2. Place hands palms facing down on the mat or rug with the fingers touching the first piece of tape.

3. Flatten your lower back to the mat or rug, and half sit-up so that your fingers move from the first piece of tape to the second. Then return your shoulders to the mat or rug and repeat the movement as described. Your head does not have to touch the surface. Keep your lower back flat on the mat or rug during the movements – if you arch your back, it can cause injury.

4.Your partner will count the number of half sit-ups performed in one minute. Pace yourself so you can do half sit-ups for one minute.

5. Record your results.

 

PUSH-UPS

The push-up test score is an indicator of your upper-body and shoulder muscular strength and endurance. Scoring in the “below average” or “poor” category shows that your muscular strength and endurance may be low and needs to improve. Poor upper-body and shoulder muscular strength and endurance may lead to shoulder pain. Remember, better strength and endurance make everyday activities easier to do. 

*Males start in the standard push-up position (elevated). Hands should be shoulder width apart, arms extended straight out under the shoulders, back and legs in a straight line, and toes curled under. 

*Females do a modified push-up with knees bent and touching the floor. Starting in the up position, hands should be slightly ahead of the shoulders so hands are in the proper position for the downward motion.

Directions:

1. Lower until the chest is about 2 inches from the floor and rise up again.

2. Perform the test until you cannot complete any more push-ups while keeping your back straight and, if you are a male, keeping the legs straight as well. The key to completing the test properly is to maintain a rigid position and keep the back flat. If necessary, you can take a brief rest in the up position (not lying on the floor).

3. Record your results.

*Normative data for the push-up and modified push-up are based on a population that is 20 years of age and older. 

 

THE SIT-AND-REACH TEST

This test, while not perfect, provides some information about the hamstring muscle group. The more the hamstrings allow one to reach forward, the less it restricts movement of the pelvis.

The test score gives you an idea of how flexible you are for this particular task. Having a low score indicates that more work is needed to improve the ability of the hamstring muscle group to stretch when you do the sit-and-reach movement.

What you will need:

*Tape measure or yardstick and tape and a partner to help record score.

Directions:

1. Perform a series of static stretches. These stretches should focus on stretching the trunk and legs. Following the stretches, you may also want to do some brisk walking.

2. Place a yardstick on the floor and put a long piece of masking tape over the 15 inch mark at a right angle to the yardstick.

3. Remove your shoes and sit on the floor with the yardstick between the legs (0 mark close to your crotch), with your feet about 12 inches apart. Heels should be at the 14 inch mark at the start of the stretch to account for the fact that the legs tend to move forward when performing the stretch.

4. With the fingertips in contact with the yardstick, slowly stretch forward with both hands as far as possible noting where the fingertips are to the closest inch. Exhaling when you stretch forward and dropping the head may allow you to stretch a bit further. Do not use fast and sudden motions, which can injure your hamstring muscles.

5. Perform the stretch three times with a few seconds of rest between stretches.

6. Record the best measurement.

 

BODY COMPOSITION 

Body Mass Index (BMI): BMI is a number that is based on a person's weight and height. It can be used to identify people at risk for some health problems. ¹ Higher BMI values indicate greater weight per unit of height.

BMI is related to the risk of disease and death. The score is valid for both men and women, but it does have some limitations:

*It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build;

*It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

 

What you will need:

*Scale

*Tape measure of piece of string

*Yardstick

*Pencil

 

Directions:

Weight:

1. With shoes off, measure your weight on a scale.

2. Record this measurement.

 

Height:

1. With shoes off, stand with your back to the wall, heels close together and as close as 

possible to the wall.

2. Have your partner place the yardstick on top of your head such that it touches the wall 

and is parallel to the floor. Partner makes a small mark on the wall under the yardstick. 

3. Measure the distance from the floor to the mark (in feet and inches).

4. Record this measurement.

 

Waist Circumference can serve as another indicator for some health risks for individuals who may have a BMI classification of normal or overweight (a BMI score between 18.5 and 29.9). A high waist circumference is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, elevated blood lipids (fats like cholesterol and triglycerides), hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in patients with a BMI between 25 and 34.9. ² Recording changes over time in waist circumference is important since it can change even when body weight remains the same.

 

Directions:

1. Stand upright and have your partner wrap the tape measure or a piece of string around 

your bare abdomen just above the hip bones (see diagram). Pull the string or 

tape measure so it’s snug, but not compressing the skin. Keep the tape level.

2. Your partner holds thumb and finger on the measuring tape or string where the two 

ends meet. If you use a piece of string, have a yard stick or other measuring device handy 

so you can measure the string.

3. Record this measurement (in inches).

 

To find your BMI, use this chart.