Geek Fitness

In the world of the walking dead, no one is safe — so tie those shoes, put on headphones, and go on a running adventure with the Zombies, Run! app for iOS, Android, and Windows ($4 on iOS and Android, $2 on Windows; originally $8). Finding the motivation to get fit for 2013 is tough, but throw some zombies into the mix . . . now, that's a different story.

Cocreated with award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman, Zombies, Run! turns workouts into an exciting (and terrifying) game, with 33 different in-ear storytelling missions. Runners — I mean, survivors — must go the distance to collect supplies like medicine, batteries, and ammo, then decide who to distribute the goods to. There's even an online dashboard called Zombielink to track progress and keep record of completed missions.

And if you dreamed a dream of running a 5k, Zombies, Run! has a special training app ($2) just for you. The eight-week program will get beginners race-ready with 25 new workouts.

The only downside? GPS will need to run (no pun intended) in the background in order for the missions to work properly, and that'll drain batteries quickly. But on a full charge, your phone should be good for at least a couple of hours. So, what are you waiting for? The future of the human race depends on you!

It's no secret that we need all the help we can get when it comes to running, and RunKeeper's (free) new and improved iOS app is determined to help a girl out. The intelligent fitness app puts a personal trainer and support club in your pocket so you can work toward your goal and keep an eye on your friends' progress too.

Version 3.0 is sleeker and more social than ever, with a completely made-over user interface and "cleaned-up code" for improved stability. In the latest update, the in-app photo feature allows runners to capture pics from their workouts and share with friends on Facebook. Those with RunKeeper Elite ($20 upgrade per year) can enable live tracking so that your support network can cheer you on.

RunKeeper tracks fitness activities with detailed stats and works with a number of heart-rate sensors like Fitbit. But the app's best feature is its built-in audio cues that help you keep a consistent pace. RunKeeper is available for Android users, but Version 3.0 hasn't been released for Android devices just yet.

Keep working toward those new year health goals, geeks! And be sure to check out FitSugar's Get Fit For 2013 series for more fitness tips all month long.

If you're a fan of The Walking Dead, you know that those undead don't just walk — they run. So prepare your bod for a potential World War Z now by lacing up your trainers and downloading Zombies, Run! as soon as it hits the iTunes Store later this month and the Android Market this Spring. This app won't just help you increase jogging speed and endurance. You'll also be immersed in a world where you're outrunning zombies in order to collect things like medicine, weapons, and food — just like you would during a zombiepocolypse. Combining the best elements of fitness and video games, the Zombies, Run! audio track will keep you entertained so you can run for longer, while preparing you for end times.

Check out the demo video below and preorder Zombies, Run! for $12 now.

Nike introduced the Nike+ FuelBand ($149) into the competitive fitness gadget arena today. Like Striiv, Motoactv and Jawbone Up did before it, the Nike+ FuelBand will come with some familiar tracking features that monitor your steps, calories burned, and time, but introduces a game-like point system (called FuelPoints) to keep you motivated.

FuelPoints are a metric to measure your overall fitness, based on your oxygen intake. The more you move, the more FuelPoints you'll earn. Seeing how many FuelPoints you're earning is easy, too — a series of 20 LED lights goes from red to green as you earn points. You can even set your FuelPoints goals ahead of time to challenge yourself day to day.

Ready to kick-start your 2012 fitness goals? The ergonomic Nike+ FuelBand will be available for preorder in the US starting today! See it in action in the demo video after the break.

This year's CES didn't just teach us about gadget trends and the future of the industry — it also taught us a few things that we'll remember in our everyday lives as well. Here, we offer up a few tips to take with you on your next journey to a big tech conference, or to keep in the back of your mind for life. Trust me: our pain is your gain!

1. Get plenty of sleep. Between long hours on the show floor and various industry parties (and afterparties), there's a good reason we'd love to see siesta lounges at CES. But if you can't nap during the day, be sure to get enough shut eye at night. This is true even for the real world, where you've got emails, shows, and news to catch up on. Put away the laptop at a decent hour and get your beauty rest. You'll wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day's to-do list.
2. Carry water. Downing coffee, cocktails, and Diet Cokes, coupled with the dry weather in the desert, and filtered air in the hotels and casinos can cause dehydration fast. Keep a bottle of water on you at all times. This not only keeps your skin fresh, lips hydrated, and head clear, but it'll keep you from overheating due to thirst.
3. Wear good shoes. Did I mention how much we walked at CES? Seriously, the biggest expo I've ever seen, it spans the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels. It's not hard to walk six miles in a single day. Multiply that by three or four days, and you've got yourself a good workout. Dress your feet appropriately for CES, and everyday life, since it can save your back later down the road.
4. Get in the lunch line early. Hungry bloggers line up to get their lunches far before the 11:30 a.m. call time. Although we never saw a shortage of food, who wants to wait in another line when you're tired and hungry? This is another way to say "eat your lunch." Skipping meals can lead to headaches and crankiness, symptoms you don't want to experience when you're in a fast-paced and crowded space or in your office.

Check out the rest of the list when you read more.

LG's home appliance lineup will be getting a little geekier (and healthier) with new Smart Thinq technologies. In general, Smart Thinq connects your mobile device to your home appliances so you can monitor things like your laundry cycle and cooking times from anywhere, but new refrigerators may actually help you achieve your 2012 weight-loss goals with the inclusion of a feature called the Health Manager.

This feature will help you build a personal profile, then suggests recipes, daily and weekly meal plans, menus, and food selections based on age, gender, weight, height, and BMI. Dropping a few pounds gets even easier when you can select and send a shopping list to your phone, and send recipes to a LG Smart Oven, which will then automatically adjust cook settings. It's almost like having a digital butler . . . except you'll still have to prepare the food yourself. Bummer.

Stay tuned for pricing and release date information!

The family binging events are over, so now it's time to talk resolutions and fighting off some of that bulge you may have picked up during the holiday season. Good news is there are plenty of ways to burn some calories without spending half an afternoon in the gym. Fire up your favorite gaming console and pop in one of these titles that will have you working up a sweat in no time.

1. Your Shape Fitness Evolved ($34) — Working with the Xbox 360 and Kinect sensor, this game provides a personalized fitness program based on your skill level, but the Kinect actually senses where your joints are to give you proper form tips while you're playing. Add in special martial arts and weight loss classes led by actual celebrity trainers, and you have yourself a pretty amazing fitness game that really isn't a game at all.
2. The Fight: Lights Out ($20) — I like The Fight (which works in conjunction with the PlayStation Move), and in comparison to other fitness specific video games it doesn't feel like a workout; it just feels like fun.
3. Get Fit With Mel B ($) — Another PlayStation Move title, Get Fit With Mel B seems like it would be a good alternative to the gym; mostly cause Mel B is ripped, and if this helps her stay fit, it's gotta work for me, right?
4. Just Dance 2 ($34) — Like DDR before it, the Wii-compatible Just Dance 2 lets you work up a sweat with some awesome moves, and sing along to popular music. It doesn't get any better than that!
5. EA Sports Active 2 ($45) — I'm already a big fan of the EA Sports Active titles, so pairing it with the Kinect system is sure to give me an even better, more engaging workout experience.