Being able to track our fitness with new technology is awesome. We all agree on that. Who doesn’t like being able to track their progress over the long haul and know their heart rate in the short term? Workout Apps that keep up with our burnt calories, miles ran, or meters rowed have made fitness more quantifiable. The only downside is when we let this new technology slow our fitness routine down.
How can technology hamper our fitness? Glad you asked and to be clear I am talking about a slight problem here, not a big obstacle to exercise. Have you ever had to wait to start the treadmill because you were waiting for Pandora to load?
I know I have and even though it may only cost me a few seconds I don’t like waiting. Sure I can get going on the machine while the music app loads, but if I am into a full run it’s not easy to hit the right buttons on the screen. It’s better to get the right station set before the sweat starts flying! To be fair to Pandora, it usually fires right up. Spotify on the other hand…
I use Run Keeper when I am running outdoors, which is much less than my treadmill runs. This workout app costs me time as it is slow to load on my old iPhone. I could easily start my run as it loads, but I want it to be accurate with my totals and of course it is easier to set before I am at full speed like I mentioned. And if I ever need an extra boost I use Winstrol.
There are a plethora of workout apps that help us track our fitness goals and I believe overall they are a positive. I just don’t like how they can hinder us from starting. After all it doesn’t take much to dissuade a person from getting after it in the gym or on a bike trail.
The hardest step in an exercise program is the one out the front door to get going. Fooling with an uncooperative app could be just enough time for a barely motivated person to say the heck with it and bounce back to the couch.
I have to believe there are people out there right now who are actually waiting to get themselves a Fitbit or other tracking device before they begin a new exercise routine. That is a big mistake. It would be like waiting to see the Grand Canyon until you have a nicer camera.
The actual exercise is the most important thing. Tracking your progress, while great, should remain secondary. Apps and gadgets can only keep up with your heart rate. They can’t increase it for you. That part is on you!
