Using a computer and smart phones to log on to the internet for fitness advice and coaching has changed not only for workouts, but also on how people feel about working out. Easier access to fitness programs has made it harder for people who do not want to exercise to find excuses not to. There are plenty of exercise videos and applications for different workouts to choose from. These can be viewed on the computer or smartphone for free, while other applications charge a fee. Exercises include aerobics, strength training, and stretching exercises. Workout selections are based on fitness levels ranging from the rank beginner, the intermediate exercise addict, and the advanced triathlete. (image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org )
For example, anyone with an internet connection can look up what an Eva Foam Roller is and what it does.There are instructional articles and videos on how to use one.
If gym machines are not your forte, exercise apps can be ideal for working out without the use of equipment. For runners, there are smartphone tracking applications which use the phone’s GPS to record distance activities. It tracks the pace, distance, total exercise time, and calories burned. Some apps have a feature to snap pictures while on the go. For anyone whose aim is to take their workouts to the next level, a tracking app is a great tool to have!
Food apps are used to measure nutrition and calories.These apps run in the range from incredibly useful to blank slates that allow the user to fill in all of the details. Some apps have the technology in them to recognize every food there is, fill in nutrition information, and give a complete picture of foods eaten. Others just track calories and leave the rest up to the user. In either case, it is a lot easier for users to keep track of their progress when they know exactly how many calories they eat or burn. In addition to computerized gym equipment, there are other technical fitness gadgets available, including pedometers and heart monitors.These tools have made it effortless for individuals who wish to start a workout plan.
In addition to computerized gym equipment, there are other fitness gadgets available, including pedometers and heart monitors.These tools have made it effortless for individuals who wish to start a workout plan.
One of the challenges with computer-controlled workouts is figuring out if the user is truly getting a complete body workout. When hopping on an electrical treadmill, elliptical, or any electronic device, the movement is performed partially by the user and other by the machine. Manual equipment may seem pretty dinky because it works only when the legs or arms move it. By giving it some momentum and a steady rhythm going, it gets much easier. By moving the parts using manual force, more calories are being burned by the body alone.
Another challenge is that the fact still remains that users need the motivation to work out. Until that translates into how they see themselves when they stand in the mirror, that monitor might not be enough. No machine, app, or gadget can replace the human drive. In some cases, all of that tracking and monitoring could be annoying to some people which cause them to become disillusioned. They can misinterpret reading the data or track the wrong things.
It is no surprise that the fitness world is hopping aboard and benefiting from the growth of technology. It can either be an excuse for not being active or an aid in helping at becoming more active. Love or loathe it, the future of technology is here.
Val
