With technology expanding and growing tremendously quickly,
it’s beginning to take over everything that we do, even intervening in our
fitness regimes. The big question is whether or not it’s having a positive or
negative effect on the fitness industry? Here I have outlined some positives
and negatives of the revolution of technology.
IPods
Music has a big influence on our motivation to exercise and
this has been studied by many psychologists, it’s true. You’re able to create
playlists which encourage you to carry out certain exercises. It distracts you
and gives you something to think about whilst exercising, as sometimes it does
get a little boring. On the other hand, running with headphones in could be
potentially dangerous as you become less aware of the surroundings around you.
DVDs and WIIs
Workout DVD’s have been around for a few years now and are
getting even more popular and intense with many celebrities such as Davina
McCall joining in with the trend, creating their own DVD’s which have been
really successful. With the most intense
workout DVD being ‘Insanity’ which is said to provide you with a years’ worth
of results in just 60 days. On a downside, you might not have the discipline
and willpower to maintain this like you would if you were to have a personal
trainer or were a member of the gym. You also aren’t provided with
encouragement or clear results of your progress.
The Wii have designed the Wii fit game which comes complete with
a balance board, this device encourages you to take part in various different
sports including yoga, tennis and running all the privacy of your own home,
you’re able to play as a single player or even in a group on certain games. It’s
so effective and encouraging that many hospitals are even incorporating this
into rehabilitation programmes. The same as the DVD’s, to gain anything from
the Wii you will need to have the discipline. The intensity of the exercises on
the Wii are nothing like the intensity of going on a real run, therefore you
aren’t burning as many calories or getting as fit and healthy as you could be,
if you took that time and effort to go outside and do what you’re doing it
would be a lot more effective and worthwhile.
Apps
With the rise of smartphones and with the smarter they’re
becoming, we now have apps which are able to track your fitness. They can track
the route you’re running and how far you have run, count how many calories you
have burnt or consumed and provide you with workout routines- all on one
device. You now never have an excuse to why you haven’t exercised.
Big on the scene at the moment is the Fitbit Flex which is a light weight
wristband which monitors how many steps you take throughout the day using
intelligent software. All the information is then synced to a computer or a mobile
app which you’re able to access, enabling you to download the data which the
device has recorded and it is shown in Graphs and charts, allowing you to track
your progress. The Fitbit Flex is a reliable device made for the purpose of
exercise you’re able to set goals and reach them using this, compared to the use
of mobiles which can be unreliable as they haven’t been designed and made with
fitness in mind.
Machinery
Many people can be put off the thought of having to go
outside to run or go on a bike ride. We now have more machinery than ever
before which encourages more and more people to exercise and get fit with the
use of treadmills, rowing machines and cross trainers which are able to suit
anyone’s needs ranging from a low to high intensity setting. We now have gyms
providing top of the range equipment which can monitor how many calories are
being burnt, heart rate and even imitate steepness of hills on running machines
to make it more realistic- this is great and enables you to keep on track of
your progress, providing both motivation and encouragement to keep going. Although,
with more and more people using this equipment in their homes, there are many
people that don’t know how to use it properly as they have no support from an
instructor, this is causing injuries that could have been avoided.
General health
People’s general health is improving constantly, thanks to
the expansion and improvement of technology. For example, people are deciding
and to give up smoking thanks to the invention and use of Electronic
cigarettes; this is having a huge effect on fitness as after a few weeks of
non-smoking the lungs increase their endurance and lung capacity, eventually
healthy lung tissue will be produced which supports a greater capacity,
encouraging both fitness and exercise.
On the other hand there have been negatives to our increase
of technology. With many of the younger generation being encouraged to use
devices such as iPads and iPhones at such a young age it is taking away the old
school, playing outside with your friends and replacing it with talking on
online chat sites instead, this isn’t motivating and it’s encouraging laziness.
I feel with the time and energy you’re spending taking time
to search for the latest fitness apps or going out to buy the latest DVD could
be time spent going out for a run or a swim which is both free and of a higher
intensity and would be much more worth your time.
"Claire Louise Sheridan is a keen blogger, writer and marketer with aspirations of becoming a recognised member of the digerati. Until then, she's content seeing the world, watching live music, volunteering, playing with her kitten and eating all of the food. You can find her Twitter here" @xo_clairelouise
"Claire Louise Sheridan is a keen blogger, writer and marketer with aspirations of becoming a recognised member of the digerati. Until then, she's content seeing the world, watching live music, volunteering, playing with her kitten and eating all of the food. You can find her Twitter here" @xo_clairelouise
