It's raining, it's pouring, but this umbrella's not boring. Turn heads with the Rain Glo umbrella (ella... ella...), the shaft of which lights up, thanks to the built-in LED bulb that never needs to be replaced. Now that it's dark when we leave work, we like the idea of being more visible in rainy rush hour traffic. The umbrella has a 46" arc when open, comes in several colors, and requires 3 AAA batteries to light up.

Add a comment

Remember the Perfect Pushup gizmos with the rotating hand grips? The same company also makes the Perfect Pullup. Like its predecessor, the Perfect Pullup has rotating handles so you can engage more muscles - and strain fewer joints - in your arms, shoulders, chest, back, and abs. The bar has a swinging arm design, so you can move it down for standing rows and other exercises. And you can remove the bar entirely when you're not using it (but we think it would be a great place to hang the dry cleaning). The Perfect Pullup holds people up to 300 pounds and fits any doorway 27" - 36" wide.

Add a comment

Backpacker magazine recently did a feature on how to make perfect coffee while camping. The MSR MugMate got high marks because it's so small and easy to use. The MugMate weighs less than an ounce and works for both coffee and tea. Just put it in your cup, load it up with your favorite (ground) coffee beans, and pour in hot water. No muss, no fuss, no filters. And you can store the MugMate inside your mug before and after breakfast. Now if MSR can just come up with something that makes lattes that easily, we might actually go camping.

Add a comment

Traditional volleyballs apparently have 18 panels. The Mikasa MVA200 volleyball, which they are using in the Olympics, only has 8 panels, which allow for greater hand contact on the ball, a better feel, and therefore greater accuracy and control. According to Wired, the Mikasa also sounds different when you hit it; it doesn't "have the same satisfying pop as a traditional volleyball." Which sounds like a challenge to hit it even harder, but maybe that's just us. See all Mikasa volleyball gear.

Add a comment

As seen in the latest Oprah magazine (and as used by some personal trainers we know): Kettlebell weights. These traditional Russian fitness tools are supposedly making a comeback with modern athletes as well as regular people trying to increase their balance, strength, and endurance. Using them challenges your muscles and your cardiovascular system at the same time, even if it looks like you're holding bowling balls with handles. Kettlebells come in various colors, sizes, and weights. Note: Your lower back advises you to start light and work your way up.

Add a comment