Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
5 best new things in sports
Fan Angel
https://www.fanangel.com
Introduced this spring, Fan Angel is the social justice platform for your favorite NCAA players. Hey, not all D-1 athletes are getting free wheels!
This site is a crowdfunding platform which allows fans to legally pay athletes while the NCAA snarls in the distance. Go ahead, log on, and give money to your favorite NCAA athletes so that maybe, just maybe, they'll stay in school another year. Only bummer is that the money goes into an escrow account until the athlete's eligibility is complete -- that's the only way for the transaction to happen legally. However, it's basically exercising the same right every other scholarship or self-pay student on campus has.
Glukos
http://www.glukosenergy.com/
Need a big kick before a long run or intense workout? Glukos might be your new pre-game ritual.
Marketed as a 'natural energy food brand,' Glukos claims to be a healthier fuel for those needing that extra boost.
No high fructose corn syrup. No caffeine. And no artificial sweetener.
Check. Check. Annnnnd check.
As a long distance runner, these sound incredibly ideal.
Gatorade Recovery
You may have seen these new products at the supermarket in recent months. What sets Gatorade's protein-laced products apart from the competition? They're delicious.
The protein shakes come in flavors: vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter chocolate, cookies and creme.
The whey protein bars come in four flavors: caramel, chocolate chip, cookies and creme and mint chocolate.
Point -- they don't taste like chalk.
As someone who's been using these products over the last three months for marathon training, I can attest that they provide plenty of carbs to fuel muscle recovery. However, be sure you're working out hardcore in order to enjoy such a treat. You'll gain 20 grams of protein per serving, but also 20 grams of sugar. Unless you're body is seriously reeling from a tough workout, that sugar is likely to turn to fat. So make it count.
Red Bull Alert
Download for Android
Need a little inspiration to get up in the morning? Welcome Red Bull Alert.
Stop hitting the snooze and start hitting this highly visual sports-themed alarm clock for your phone. The app has customized sports themes with daily feedback, exclusive orchestrated music and a leaderboard that lets Red Bull Alert users see how they rank next to their friends over time regarding how much they 'snooze.'
Even better? You can share your conquest of waking up on time to the world by sharing on social media at the push of a button.
Hilarious and totally rad.
Key Features:
Instant Feedback: Innovative Snooze and Dismiss interaction, instant feedback on the lock screen, motivational background images
Detailed Stats: Set goals to motivate yourself, track your progress, detailed history data
Alarm Themes: Choose from nine different sports themes (Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Surfing, Aerial Sports, FMX, Rally, Formula 1, BMX, and Mountain Biking) with exclusive wake-up sounds and amazing imagery
Social Leaderboards: Compete with your friends, find out who wakes up first and fastest, and share through Facebook, Twitter and Google+
Localized in 6 languages: German, English, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Turkish and Russian
Gametime
Gametime App
Download for Android
Download for iPhone
Led by sports entrepreneurs and former StubHubbers, Gametime helps fans grab last minute tickets to the hottest sporting events at the best prices. With curated events, in-app stadium views, two tap purchase and all mobile ticketing, Gametime is the only app offering tickets up to 90 minutes after a game starts to cater to last minute planners.