Living a healthy lifestyle is a way to live long and prosper, but it isn’t easy, that’s for sure. Accomplishing fitness goals can be overwhelming and with so many ways to go about it, analysis paralysis holds back many would-be fitness fanatics. To help get the ball rolling we’re recapping some of our favorite workouts, fitness tips, and healthy snacks to enhance your fitness regimen and get you ready for summer.

Cycling

For the last few years, cycling has been at the forefront of the fitness world. Leading this surge in popularity has been SoulCycle, which burst onto the scene in 2007. SoulCycle offers 60 minute high energy classes, with light weight and resistance training. Ruth Zukerman left SoulCycle in 2009 and started FlyWheel Sports. At the end of each class, you can check on your online profile to see your performance and stats.

If you aren’t quite ready to cough up the big bucks for a class, set the stationary bike on random and pick a comfortable level of resistance. Don’t forget your Logitech UE 900 earphones, which cancel out the noise around you and provide premium sound, allowing you to get into the zone. Stretch before and after your workout for maximum benefit!

Running

Running is one of the best full body work outs you can do. Some of the benefits of running are full body slim down, stress relief and even disease prevention. Running can also lower the risk of breast cancer in women, and help reduce the risk of having a stroke. Additionally running has been recommended for people who suffer from high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and/or are in the early stages of diabetes.

Remember, don’t keep track of miles, focus more on minutes, even if you run 15, 20 minutes, it’s better than nothing. Make a playlist of your favorite tunes and get in the zone with Logitech’s UE 500 earphones. For playlist ideas, check out our #MusicMondays for full lists of get-you-going songs.

Just remember to stay safe when running outdoors by not blasting the sound too loud.  Staying in tune with your surrounding is important. Retailing for $79.99, these miniature loud speakers are a great investment for your fitness plan.

Yoga

Originating in India, this full body workout is the physical, mental and spiritual practices or disciplines with a goal to attain a state of permanent peace. Over the years many different forms of yoga have become quite popular including Bikram yoga, which is practiced in a room at 105°F (≈ 40.6°C).  Bring an extra towel because you are going to sweat!

Prefer doing yoga at home than in a class? Check out the UE BOOM. Plug it in, toss a relaxing soundtrack on and unwind in the comfort of your own home, backyard, or in the park. The UE BOOM not only provides 360-degree top quality sound, it connects to your smartphone through Bluetooth so you can play your favorite songs right from your smart phone. The UE BOOM comes in a rainbow of colors and retails for $199.99.

Healthy Eating

An old adage says that abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. While we’d argue it’s a combination of both, the point is well made. Once you’ve chosen the right fitness regime for you, it’s vital that you keep the right foods on hand. Getting into shape, means you’ve got to eat right. Our friends at Shape Magazine have a handy list of 20 healthy snacks that will help keep you on track.

How do you keep in shape? Tweet us your favorite workout or healthy snack @Logitech.

 

Gone are the days of students toting heavy textbooks and notebooks from class to class. Today, schools are increasingly purchasing iPads for use in the classroom – taking testing, studying and note taking to a new level. While tablets in the classroom have increased productivity, there are still some challenges. For example, when also introducing wireless keyboards for the iPad, teachers would need to simultaneously pair multiple iPads with multiple wireless Bluetooth keyboards. That’s why we developed the Logitech® Wired Keyboard for iPad.

Designed for hassle-free plug-and-play connectivity, the Logitech Wired Keyboard for iPad has an integrated Lightning Connector or 30-pin Connector, so students can now simply plug it in and start typing.

Instant connectivity aside, the keyboard improves typing with the iPad and offers the superior quality you’ve come to expect from Logitech. Its full-size keys provide the familiar fluid feedback you’re used to when typing and shortcut keys help you easily access iPad functions. It has a spill-resistant design and a key lifespan of more than five million strokes, so you know it will withstand the general wear-and-tear of the classroom.

The Logitech Wired Keyboard for iPad will be available in the U.S. later this summer and if you’re headed to the 2013 International Society for Technology in Education conference in San Antonio, Texas in June, be sure to stop by Logitech’s booth (number 5295) to see the keyboard in action.

Today we’re excited to introduce UE BOOM by Ultimate Ears, a social music player made to help you rage, riot, party and play the music you love, out loud.

Ultimate Ears developed this wireless speaker with a specific set of features designed for listening to music in today’s mobile-powered world. For starters, UE BOOM is the first stereo speaker to offer 360-degree sound. You won’t believe the amazing sound that can blast from its go-anywhere shape — you have to hear it to believe it. Plus, it’s wrapped in a specially developed acoustic skin that’s water and stain resistant, so you can bring it anywhere.

Have a friend who also owns a UE Boom? Great! You can double the sound by wirelessly connecting two UE BOOMs together through the free UE BOOM app for twice the sound. As if that’s not enough, UE BOOM will outlast any party, with its impressive 15-hour rechargeable battery and a 50-foot wireless range.

UE BOOM delivers sound that’s meant to be shared. As part of our effort to make music social again, Ultimate Ears has teamed up with YouTube comedy channel JASH and music expert Reggie Watts to produce an original comedic Web series titled The Social Music Experiment. In the series, Reggie acts as Ultimate Ears’ first ever Head of Socio-Musicology, taking a UE BOOM and his crazy hypothesis to the streets to understand the effects music has on everyday people in everyday places.

The series launches today on JASH’s comedy channel on YouTube and new episodes will be premiering periodically through June so be sure to check back for more. And check out the video below to see UE BOOM in action.

 

It’s almost summer, which means it’s time to start planning your summer music festival experience. This year there are more chances than ever to dust off your passport, pack your duffel and cross off a bucket list event you’ll be talking about for years to come. From Japan to England, Spain to the U.S., there are options abound (just don’t forget to pack your UEs on the trip). Ready to make a musical memory that will last a lifetime? Then check out our picks to click below and don’t forget to send us a postcard.

Taico Club

Date: June 2-3

Where: Nagano, Japan

The maximum capacity of this festival is 7,000, so tickets usually go pretty fast. Despite being a fairly new festival, Taico is becoming one of Japan’s hottest attractions, gaining popularity fast among music lovers alike. If you have children, you might want to hire a babysitter because the Taico Club does not allow kids at this over 20’s music event. Set alongside the gorgeous mountains of Nagano, attendees can go hiking in between sets on the snowcapped mountains. Adventure seekers rejoice because this is the festival for you! This year’s lineup includes Animal Collective, Ricardo Villalobos and Machinedrum.

www.taicoclub.com

@ TAICOCLUB

Photo Credit: farm4.staticflickr.com

Bonnaroo

When: June 13-16

Where: Manchester, TN

Bonnaroo is an annual four-day music festival created and produced by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment, held at Great Stage Park on a farm in Manchester, Tennessee, USA. In addition to four days of music, attendees can also check out stand-up comedy acts, movies, ride on water slides and more to stay entertained between music acts. This year you can expect an eclectic variety of musical talent including Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Billy Idol, A$AP Rocky and more.

http://www.bonnaroo.com/

@Bonnaroo

Photo Credit: clatl.com

Hellfest

When: June 21-23

Where: Clisson, France

Hellfest is back with a bang this year featuring rock heavyweights Def Leppard, Kiss, ZZ Top and White Snake. Metal bands often don’t get as much attention at other festivals, but at Hellfest they are the main attraction. The festival originated when a small group of friends obsessed with hardcore metal got sick of traveling long distances to see their favorite bands and decided to bring the bands to them. Forward to 2013 and Hellfest brings in more than 50,000 attendees every year.

www.hellfest.fr

@hellfestopenair

Photo Credit: sydandjim.files.wordpress.com

Glastonbury

When: June 26-30

Where: Glastonbury, England

Since 1970 the Glastonbury festival has been bringing together music lovers worldwide to the namesake small countryside town. This summer the legendary Rolling Stones will be headlining the festival alongside a slew of big name music acts including Mumford and Sons, The xx, Azealia Banks, Solange and many more. Fun fact:  In 2011 Beyonce made history as the first woman to headline the Glastonbury!

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

@GlastoFest

Photo Credit: eftekasat.net

The Festival Internacional de Benicàssim

When: July 18-21

Where: Benicassim, Spain

This festival differs from many others where concert goers must abide by a curfew, but here the music starts at 5 p.m. and goes until the early hours of the morning. It’s also one of the few festivals where you can relax on the beach during the day and buy your own food in nearby supermarkets instead of coughing up big bucks for food vendors. Extra bonus? The festival has its very own outdoor showers! This year’s lineup includes Artic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age, La Roux, Benny Benassi and Christian Smith.

http://benicassimfestival.co.uk/

@fiberfib

Photo Credit: josoutherd.wordpress.com

Lollapalooza

When: August 2 – 4

Where: Chicago, IL

Lollapalooza is one of northern America’s most popular and longstanding music festivals. The festival was originally created in 1991 by singer Perry Farrell as a farewell tour for his band Jane’s Addiction and hasn’t looked back since, bringing in music’s biggest names from around the world year after year. Set in the windy city, attendees can spend time outside of the festival by touring Chicago’s other numerous attractions including the Sears Tower and the magnificent mile of shopping. The 2013 lineup is star-studded with The Killers, Nine Inch Nails, Steve Aoki, Lana Del Ray and Crystal Castles, to name a few.

http://www.lollapalooza.com/

@lollapalooza

Photo Credit: media.musicfeeds.com.au

World Electronic Music Festival

When: August 17-19

Where: Ontario, Canada

Formerly known as the World Trance Festival, the World Electronic Music Festival is three days of non-stop dancing, fist pumping and beat dropping from more than 150 international artists. This giant rave is for the die-hard clubber who wants to party with thousands of other sexy, dubstep loving fans.

www.wemf.com

@destinyevents

Photo Credit: travelimg.org

Electric Zoo

When: August 30-September 1

Where: Randalls Island Park, NYC

Electric Zoo is a popular electronic music festival held every Labor Day weekend. This year the concert is celebrating its fifth year with five different stages, two main stages and big name acts like Aviici, Benny Benassi, Martin Solveig, Tiesto, David Guetta and A-Trak. The great thing about this festival is the proximity to NYC and its fellow boroughs. Giving concert goers plenty of travel accommodation options and places to explore.

http://www.madeevent.com/ElectricZoo/

@ElectricZooNY

Photo Credit: liveforthedrop.com

 

Budweiser Made in America

When: August 31-September 1

Where: Philadelphia, PA

The Made in America festival was started by legendary hip hop mogul Jay-Z just last year and its already become one of the United States most coveted events to attend. Believe it or not, Jay-Z himself handpicks each and every performer, no surprise his wife superstar Beyoncé is a headliner this year. The second annual Made in America festival will feature DJ’s Calvin Harris and Porter Robinson, as well as Empire of the Sun. Best part is tickets are still available for the festival!

http://www.madeinamericafest.com/

@MIAFestival

Photo Credit: livedesignonline.com

 

This week, Logitech was featured in a number of technology and lifestyle blogs, and news of our Logitech Eye Candy Color Collection announcement spread quickly. Check out a snapshot of the news below!

Chip Chick covered the Logitech Eye Candy Color Collection announcement, stating that of the new line of mice, “…our favorite of the bunch is the ‘Tweet Tweet’ design, which seems to be Twitter inspired.” Check out the article here.

 

James Kendrick of ZDNet chose the Logitech Keyboard Folio mini as his “top gadget of 2013 so far,” noting that it is the gadget that “…has most impacted [his] routine.” He decided that the Keyboard Folio mini has changed the way he approaches his daily wandering this year. Read his article here.

 

 

 

In the June print issue of PCWorld, Alex Cocilova wrote a “Touch and Go” roundup feature of products for Windows 8 and included four of Logitech’s offerings.

Overall, he rated the Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 4.5 out of 5 stars, Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400 3 out of 5 stars, Logitech Touch Mouse T620 3 out of 5 stars and the Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650 4 out of 5 stars.

 

 

Apartment Therapy’s Jason Yang posted an updated buyer’s guide to Logitech’s Harmony line, comparing the Logitech Harmony Ultimate, Logitech Harmony Smart Control, Logitech Harmony Touch and Logitech Harmony 650. Jason noted that the Harmony Ultimate “adds RF wireless capability, the one ‘super feature’ missing from the Harmony Touch.” View his buyer’s guide here.

 

 

 

 

Logitech G is intensely focused on delivering science that directly improves gamers’ experience. To us, science is all about questioning the status quo and asking “how can we make this better?” We love working with other companies that share this philosophy. Riot Games is definitely one of those companies. The explosive growth of League of Legends continually pushes the boundaries of eSports and is bringing in millions of new fans to PC gaming. We had a great time sponsoring last year’s League of Legends Season Two, so we are proud to announce Logitech G is continuing on in 2013 as the official Mouse and Keyboard sponsor of the League of Legends Season Three Championship Series.

“Our fans love Logitech’s gaming accessories, and we’re excited to have them back as a sponsor this year,” said Dustin Beck, VP of esports for Riot Games. “Plus, they have great rapport with the gaming community, which makes our partnership with them a natural fit.”

What does the sponsorship mean to gamers, beyond supporting exciting and fun eSports entertainment like League of Legends? For Logitech, sponsorships go beyond slapping a logo on a screen or hanging a banner at an event. We’ve been working closely with Riot over the past months to add some great capabilities to the Logitech G lineup, particularly for all you summoners out there. We’re happy to announce a series of hardware features now supported directly in the League of Legends client. New features include:

· All G-keys in our mice, keyboards and headsets are now selectable as bindable keys directly in the in-game interface.
· The multi-color LED lighting in our new Logitech G510s and G19s keyboards will switch to indicate the color of your team, including in colorblind mode.
· The Logitech G510s and G19s GamePanel LCD now displays constantly updating stats typically only available in the character subscreen, such as cool-down reduction, or stats not previously available, such as gold per minute.

We hope you’re excited as we are about these new features. Thanks to the Riot team for working so hard with us to make it happen. Stay tuned here for more updates on Logitech’s gaming sponsorships, and best of luck to all the teams in the League of Legends Season Three Championship Series!

    

Spring is (finally) in full gear and if you listen long enough you might hear summer knocking on the door. Most of us are inevitably daydreaming about summer travel plans.  Be it getting ready for a beach weekend, planning a family cruise, or splurging on a trip abroad, preparation is key to make these daydreams turn into relaxation realities. One part about preparation is obviously the packing, and we’ve got some thoughts on what should make the cut and what should stay at home.

For work, play, and everything in between, a tablet is a great travel buddy, able to capture the experience as well as give a crucial resource for reading, mapping and exploring in general. But it can be hard to keep your tablet safe from sand, sun and airports. This year’s quintessential travel accessory has to be the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Cover. It’s water repellant, lightweight and arrayed in a spectrum of bold colors. It will make packing simple and will ensure protection.

Music is another vital part of travel; escaping into your headphones at the airport makes the vacation start sooner. That’s why the Logitech UE 9000, with its noise-canceling abilities and immersive sound, should be at the top of your packing list. Cushiony, long lasting and paired with a lightweight travel case, the UE 9000 shames flimsy airplane headphones right back into the seat pocket.

Want to pack something that’s an instant music-sharer, party-starter and cord-free oasis of fun? Enter the Logitech UE Mobile Boombox. It’s the most portable speaker you’ve ever seen (or heard) and its Bluetooth® technology allows for wireless phone or tablet music streaming from you or your friends’ devices. Travel never sounded so good.For more helpful tips on what and how to pack, check out USA Today’s Top 10 traveling tips:                 http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/advice/2012/12/12/10-packing-tips-every-traveler-should-know/1764207/

In celebration of our Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, the other half of your iPad, we commissioned a global survey that revealed – in many cases – we value our technology more than our loved ones. The results (which can be found here) were surprising.

They found that we live in a modern day love triangle, which consists of our loved one, our tablet and us. These results inspired us to focus on the positivity that can come from the combination of tech and love, and we launched our first-ever initiative to sponsor a tech-related marriage proposal. The results are finally in!

We’re happy to officially share the re-proposal from Michael to Annie. Married for more than 20 years, Michael was looking for the perfect way to re-propose to his better half and the mother of his two children for the past few months. Check out the video below to see how Logitech helped make his dream a reality.

What started with a survey that found three’s company in bed, led to a call for marriage proposals that combine tech and love, and ended with one mother’s dream coming true.

We wanted to take this opportunity to both share this sweet story with you all, and to also wish everyone a very Happy Mother’s Day. Whether you’re in the U.S. and celebrating today or in France and celebrating in a few weeks, we hope this day is perfect!

Video credit: Paparazzi Proposals: www.paparazzi-proposals.com

This week, some our favorite products, from gaming to PC peripherals, were featured in Mother’s Day gift guides and product reviews. Here’s a look at some of the great pieces:

 

Stereophile’s Ariel Bitran posted his review of the Logitech UE 4000 Headphones, which he recommended as dependable and affordable. Ariel noted that the “Logitech UE 4000s project music with impact and solidity,” while coupled with a comfortable fit and stable sound. Check out his review here!

 

 

 

James Kendrick of ZDNet posted his “Spring 2013 guide to keyboards for the iPad and iPad mini.” Five Logitech tablet accessories made the list, including the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio, Logitech Keyboard Folio, Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio, Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and Logitech Keyboard Folio mini. Of the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio, James said, “Logitech has taken an innovative approach with the keyboard by molding the keys into the cover.” James’ top picks can be found here.

 

SPIN Magazine’s Mother’s Day 2013 Gift Guide featured the Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 as one of 12 top ideas. Recommended for mom, or even “the most tech-savvy teen,” Logitech’s K810 is noted to solve the problem of overly-cramped typing. See the full gift guide here.

 

 

When is Mother’s Day? Depending on where you live, the answer may be surprising. While more than 80 countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day in some form, the customs vary from country to country. Here’s a selection of celebrations that we know our own moms would love, paired with gift ideas inspired by these wonderful local traditions.

United Kingdom

Mothering Sunday takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent and was traditionally a day when children were given a day off from work to visit their mother and family. Simnel cake, a fruit cake with two layers of almond paste and 11 marzipan balls, is a classic dessert for the holiday (as well as Easter in general). (BBC)

Gift Idea: Remember when Mom used to make the best cookies in the world for you? Return the favor and treat her to a homemade dessert and a trip down memory lane.

Japan

Celebrated on May 12, Mother’s Day (haha no hi) in Japan was introduced after World War II. Picking up a bouquet of flowers for Mom? Make sure they’re carnations––symbolizing sweetness and endurance––and the customary flower for this day. (Scholastic)

Gift Idea: Does your mother love flowers? Pair her favorite flowers with a perfume that has matching floral notes.

Mexico

Día de las Madres (May 10) is an especially important holiday in Mexico. Rooted in strong family bonds and commemorated with large, extended family gatherings over a special lunch, it’s estimated that 200,000 extra waiters work on this busy holiday. (WashingtonPost)

Gift Idea: Can’t travel to Mom to celebrate this year? Don’t forget our Logitech TV Cam HD can help you connect with the people that matter most with a wide-angle HD to get the whole family (including the dog!) in the video call.

What traditions do you love to celebrate with your mom?