Cookoo Get Connected Smart Watch Review

I'll start off by saying this video is going to get a bit Cookoo, that's because I'm reviewing a smart watch called the Cookoo! In terms of being a fitness watch, I would have to say it does not fall into this category other than you can use it to control your iPhone music while working out and also keep your iPhone in a safe location (still near by) while still being notified of any incoming calls, texts and and email, all without disturbing others around you. And for those absent minded folk, the Cookoo watch notifies you if your Smart Phone walks away on you or you walk away on your Smart Phone! There is also a very cool feature of the Cookoo Smart Watch that allows you to remotely take photos which would come in handy for those gym selfies!

So what exactly is a Smart Watch, in a nutshell it's a watch that can connect to your Smart Phone allowing information to be passed back and forth, generally using bluetooth technology. The Cookoo Smart Watch works with the iPhone 5/5s/4s, iPad mini, iPad 4th & 3rd gen, iPod touch 5th gen and also some Samsung Galaxy phones and Android devices. Check the Cookoowatch.com website for more info on Smart Phone compatibility.

What can the Cookoo Smart Watch actually do in terms of integration with a Smart Phone. Now my Smart Phone happens to be an iPhone 5s so I can only tell you how the Cookoo worked for me on my iPhone 5s. I do know that when the Cookoo watch first came out, the iOS software was based on iOS 6, since then, iOS has been updated to iOS 7 and some things have changed in terms of integration and features.

Here is a list of the advertise integration and features  that work with iOS 7 on the iPhone. (Based on iOS 7 Cookoo Life App version 1.4.1510):

• Incoming calls
• Missed calls
• Facebook messages and posts
• Twitter mention
• Calendar reminders 
• SMS
• Email notification
• Your device is out of range
• Low battery on iPhone or iPad
• Remote Photo : Perfect for taking group shots!
• One-button Music Control : Press the COMMAND button to play or pause the music, or hold the button to skip to the next song
• Find your phone : If you know your phone is around but you just can’t seem to find it, simply press a button to sound an alert and locate it. …and more as the CONNECTED APP develops!

 

Overall I like the look of the Cookoo watch, I went with the black and stainless version but the Cookoo watch comes in a variety of color choices suitable for men and women. The Cookoo watch is not too large or too small and fits comfortably not being overly heavy, the band is nice and stretchy. The discreet message alert can be set to make an audible beep and also send a vibration or any combination of the two or even none at all, I chose to go with the audible beep and vibration set to on and this setup worked fairly well to inform me of any incoming notifications. The Cookoo Smart Watch is water resistant enough for most day to day uses including showering and even swimming. Connection was fairly basic in terms of pairing the Cookoo watch with my iPhone 5s but I did have to play around with my notification setting a bit to dial in the features I wanted to be notified of.

Watch my YouTube video review of the Cookoo watch where I go into more details on using the Cookoo Get Connected Smart Watch:

CrossFit Langley - Max Shoulder Push Press Workout

It's been a while since I could go heavy on anything to do with shoulder press especially when a straight bar was involved. But I have to say my do-it-yourself shoulder rehab routine has paid off and I am almost at 100% again with my left shoulder (been doing lots of shoulder maintenance and stretching).

The actual last time I went for a 1 rep max for Push Press was way back in September of 2013, back then I did not break 200 pounds but then again I was a lot lighter and had not been training very long for strength. Even though I'm not a big fan of 1 rep maxes, I decided to see how far I could take my Push Press at Langley CrossFit. Leg drive is very important for push press and my leg strength has really come up since last year which I think has really helped me on out with my Push Press.

Well I got my Push Press right up to 245 and even made a nice attempt at 255 but fell a bit short. Still a great increase in weight and I am very happy with it.

Here is how this full workout went down...

3 Round Warmup:

• 5 Bar Push Press
• 6 Pushups
• 100m Row

Main Push Press Shoulder Workout (7 Sets):

• 135 x 5 Reps (Not Shown)
• 165 x 3 Reps (Not Shown)
• 185 x 2 Reps
• 205 x 1 Reps
• 225 x 1 Rep
• 245 x 1 Rep
• 255 x 1 Rep - (FAIL) 

Metcon Tabata 20/10 (8 Rounds): 

• Dumbbell Push Press (25 pounds)
• Shoulder Side Raises (20 Pounds)
• Skull Crushers
• Pushups

You can see how this workout effected my heart rate and how many calories I burned by clicking on this link.

NeriumAD Age Defying Treatment Initial Thoughts - How to look Younger and Better

I am going to be making a new category here on the Website and also a new Playlist over on my YouTube Channel specifically for stuff that is not so much related to fitness and health but rather aging and looking better. I am going to call it "How to look Younger and Better". I will be covering things that would be in areas like: Anti-Aging, Hair, Skin, Tips & Trick, pretty much anything that I would like to pass on to help others look as good as they can. Of course this will be coming from a guys perspective but there is a crossover for both guys and girls with some of the topics.

First off, I am reviewing a new Anti-Aging skin cream called NeriumAD from a company called Nerium International, this fairly new skin care product line has shown to produce very drastic improvements in skin quality by using an extract called NAE-8 derived from the Nerium Oleander Plant. The Nerium International website has some very impressive before and after photos showing some great results.

Overall at 45 years of age I am happy with my skin health but I do find under my eyes to be a problem spot for me, and this area makes me look tired and older than I feel, especially in the mornings as I suffer from under eye puffiness. I'm hoping that NeriumAD will help smooth this area out so that it matches the rest of my face, and the age that I feel.

During my research I came across a Television report conducted by CBS Los Angeles where they went into the report rather apprehensively. After CBS Los Angeles had two of their own people try the NeriumAD product for themselves, the two individuals wanted to keep using it and even start promoting it on their own since NeriumAD does have a "Multi-level" marketing system in place.

Yes I know what many of you are already thinking, it's "multi-level" stay as far away as possible! Personally, I don't care how a company decides to market their products, if it works then that's all that matters. I have been using Shaklee products for over 20 years and love the stuff and yes they too are multi-level!

Right now I don't know if NeriumAD Age Defying Treatment actually does what it claims but I am going to find out. I will be taking pictures every week for the first month and if all goes well will continue on with NeriumAD and take photos every month for a total of three months to see what the final results will be.

I may even become an independent distributer if I like NeriumAD and see positive results for myself? So stay posted as Nerium International is rolling out the Canadian program by starting with BC and Ontario first, launching April 21st 2014. I've signed up for the pre-launch for now since that is all I can do. If you are in BC or Ontario and want to sign-up for the Nerium Canada pre-launch you can do so by clicking on this link :)

• My Nerium landing page is: http://FitOver40.nerium.com
• My ID Number: 6739205

Watch my YouTube Preview Video of with my initial thought on NiriumAD:

How Muscles Work - Back to the Basics

I am pretty sure that everybody knows that your muscles are used for powering your body, they supply the force that moves you arms and legs and other body parts. Usually bigger muscles mean more strength and smaller muscle mean less strength. But how exactly do your muscles work, what are the mechanics that allow your muscles to move your body parts so effectively?

In this YouTube Back to the Basics Video I go over the names of the basic Muscle Groups, I talk about how a muscle applies force (Contracts or Pulls) on your body to make things like limbs and joints move and I go over the positions muscles can be in (Contracted - Extended or Stretched - Neutral or Rested).

I also go over the importance of having a balanced workout program so that your muscles are built evenly and do not create an imbalance that could negatively effect your posture and/or flexibility.

Please enjoy this Back to the Basic video about How Muscles Work:

Finding the Time to Workout - Get Fit Over 40 Video Requests

This Video Request is  from Roman who asks about finding time for workouts and how to make your spouse or "better half" understand the importance of gym time or fitness time.

Here is Roman's original email request:

"Hey! Just a question for a driver. I haul heavy construction equipment and work anywhere from 12-14 hour a days. And that leaves 10-12 hours for family, life and ME time. Now ME time is currently at 4 am most mornings.

How do you make it work Mike? I know you are as busy or more busy than me. Tell us how you make use of your time and how you make the puzzle pieces fit everyday.

I am 42 and have been trying to use your website and ideas to make a change in my life. I would like to lose fat and later on put on some muscle. I'm 6'7" and currently weigh 261. From my biggest weight of 290. So I have lost 29 lbs so far, by logging what I eat and trying to get strength/cardio in 5 times a week.

How about some time tips, and making your better half understand what our goals are here.

Thank you SO much for what you are doing, and know that you are touching peoples lives. Bless you and your work, take care. 

Roman"

If you have a Video Request question you would like to ask me, I will do my best to give you an answers, just send me an email using this link...

Watch my YouTube video below for my answer to Roman's question: