FEELING PHITEN GOOD
The keyword of the week (at least around my cube at the office) was "titanium". If I showed a bit more enthusiasm during a meeting, someone would say "it must be the titanium". Or if I told a really funny joke...you guessed it: "titanium".
It all started last Friday afternoon. While at the ING New York City Marathon press conference, I noticed elite marathoner Paula Radcliffe wearing a unique bracelet and necklace. She also wore them on race day. Curious, I did a search online and discovered Phiten.
It's a Japanese company that manufactures a variety of sports apparel and accessories containing liquid titanium. The idea is that these products are supposed to increase your circulation which helps boost oxygen levels, reduce stress, and relax muscles. I know, it sounds like an over-the-top informercial ("and it'll dice onions and wash your car too!"). There's been a lot of debate about how and whether these products work among experts in the medical field.
Despite that, I was willing to give Phiten products a shot. Afterall, if it works for a world-class athlete (who doesn't do many endorsement deals outside of Nike) it can't be all snake oil without bite. Right?
Monday afternoon: Pick up a Phiten bracelet and necklace at Paragon Sports. Had been under the weather for the past week. Was congested with a headache (despite taking an Advil in the morning).
Monday evening: Headache is gone (Advil or titanium? Hmmm...).
Tuesday morning: Wake up after only hitting snooze twice (unheard of for me).
Tuesday evening: Go for a 30-minute run outside. Haven't run outdoors in over a year. Only sporadically indoors on a treadmill (when schedule and energy permits).
Tuesday night: Go to bed at 11:30 pm (again, unheard of).
Wednesday morning: Wake up after only hitting snooze once or twice (I'm on a roll).
Wednesday evening: Pick up a Phiten band for my ankle.
Thursday evening: Go for a 30-minute run outside.
Friday evening: Go for a 30-minute run outside in the freezing rain.
I have to say I was pleasantly suprised by the results. You could argue that all this is nothing more than a placebo. But I can assure you positive thoughts alone aren't enough to get me -- someone who's a bit burnt out from the hectic film schedule -- to roll out of bed earlier or run in the freezing rain at the end of a work week.
For now, I guess you can call me a Phiten believer. To be continued...
DLM
athletemovie.com
P.S. -- Here are a few articles about the Phiten phenomenon and controversy that are worth checking out:
On the Home Stretch (timesonline.co.uk)
Middle of article discusses Paula Radcliffe's use of Phiten products.
The Most Feared Man in Football (timesonline.co.uk)
Great article on Paula Radcliffe's German sports doctor who introduced her to titanium products.
Players Take to Unique Neckplace (mlb.com)
Accessorized for Success (ocregister.com)
Showing Their Metal (si.com)
Is Your Bat Speed a Bit Off? Try a Titanium Necklace (nyt.com)
Randy’s Secret: Liquid Titanium (dailyrecord.com)
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It all started last Friday afternoon. While at the ING New York City Marathon press conference, I noticed elite marathoner Paula Radcliffe wearing a unique bracelet and necklace. She also wore them on race day. Curious, I did a search online and discovered Phiten.
It's a Japanese company that manufactures a variety of sports apparel and accessories containing liquid titanium. The idea is that these products are supposed to increase your circulation which helps boost oxygen levels, reduce stress, and relax muscles. I know, it sounds like an over-the-top informercial ("and it'll dice onions and wash your car too!"). There's been a lot of debate about how and whether these products work among experts in the medical field.
Despite that, I was willing to give Phiten products a shot. Afterall, if it works for a world-class athlete (who doesn't do many endorsement deals outside of Nike) it can't be all snake oil without bite. Right?
Monday afternoon: Pick up a Phiten bracelet and necklace at Paragon Sports. Had been under the weather for the past week. Was congested with a headache (despite taking an Advil in the morning).
Monday evening: Headache is gone (Advil or titanium? Hmmm...).
Tuesday morning: Wake up after only hitting snooze twice (unheard of for me).
Tuesday evening: Go for a 30-minute run outside. Haven't run outdoors in over a year. Only sporadically indoors on a treadmill (when schedule and energy permits).
Tuesday night: Go to bed at 11:30 pm (again, unheard of).
Wednesday morning: Wake up after only hitting snooze once or twice (I'm on a roll).
Wednesday evening: Pick up a Phiten band for my ankle.
Thursday evening: Go for a 30-minute run outside.
Friday evening: Go for a 30-minute run outside in the freezing rain.
I have to say I was pleasantly suprised by the results. You could argue that all this is nothing more than a placebo. But I can assure you positive thoughts alone aren't enough to get me -- someone who's a bit burnt out from the hectic film schedule -- to roll out of bed earlier or run in the freezing rain at the end of a work week.
For now, I guess you can call me a Phiten believer. To be continued...
DLM
athletemovie.com
P.S. -- Here are a few articles about the Phiten phenomenon and controversy that are worth checking out:
On the Home Stretch (timesonline.co.uk)
Middle of article discusses Paula Radcliffe's use of Phiten products.
The Most Feared Man in Football (timesonline.co.uk)
Great article on Paula Radcliffe's German sports doctor who introduced her to titanium products.
Players Take to Unique Neckplace (mlb.com)
Accessorized for Success (ocregister.com)
Showing Their Metal (si.com)
Is Your Bat Speed a Bit Off? Try a Titanium Necklace (nyt.com)
Randy’s Secret: Liquid Titanium (dailyrecord.com)
SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG: RSS + Email | SHOP: ATHLETE Movie Store