Technology-Defined Fitness: Why We Use Next Generation Fitness Devices?
With the Internet of Things changing and improving almost every aspect of our lives, we have grown accustomed to tracking, storing and analyzing all sorts of data, therefore, integration of technology into our fitness experience comes as no surprise. It seems that with the plethora of devices and platforms at hand, old school group workout sessions have become a thing of the past.
Thanks to the newest technology advancements, our workout experience has never been more productive or more personalized. Each producer of the new tech fitness devices out there is emphasizing the importance of a personal approach in tracking data gathered from each individual as they engage in their daily fitness routines. Whether you are a professional athlete or just a recreational fitness enthusiast, you can enjoy the benefits latest technology is integrating into the world of fitness.
Personalizing the workout experience
Remember the times when all you had to do was put on a tracksuit and go outside for a jogging session? No one does, anymore. With the plethora of fitness trackers and other wearable devices designed to track your biometrics or provide coaching, our active hours (and sleep, likewise) have changed significantly.
Companies like Fitbit, Moov or Xiaomi have established themselves as trendsetters in the industry that produces tracking fitness devices for the past few years and are continuing to move boundaries by improving design, adding more features, partnering up with fashion or sports brands and adding more advanced sensors to their devices. These trackers provide a personalized view and analysis of important biometrics thus providing us with appropriate workout plans and coaching, designed to meet our individual needs.
This way, one gets a direct insight into how his or her body changes after the training and can translate the physical effort into something less abstract. Correspondingly, people have additional motivation to train more regularly and bring their body to a perfect shape. Such positive effects were confirmed in a study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which examined how FItbits help overweight, postmenopausal women get motivated to practice more regularly. Commenting on the study results, Lisa Cadmus Bertram suggests:
“Fitness trackers combine the key ingredients for motivating people to reach their health goals such as self-monitoring, setting goals, getting frequent feedback on your progress, revising goals as needed, social support and developing a sense of self-efficacy.”
Wearables as the new fashion essentials
In addition to their motivational capabilities, fitness trackers are increasingly becoming fashion accessories. Smart sensor technology has been integrated into clothing as well, giving us the experience of wearing smart socks, or any other piece of garment in the future, as predicted by Stacey Burr, VP of wearable sports electronics at Adidas, for Wareable. By reducing the size of sensors and accompanying equipment, smart clothing is going one step further in making our fitness regimen more enjoyable and goal oriented.
Moreover, to encourage more people to actually start wearing smart clothing, technology providers are making partnerships with popular fashion houses. One of the most recent examples of such a deal is Google’s work with the iconic Levi Strauss on integrating smart technologies into everyday clothing.
Connecting the community
Newly designed fitness apps are also addressing personal needs and tracking personal progress with the possibility of connecting with like-minded fitness enthusiasts. One of those is GymSelfie, an app that gives our love of selfies another purpose. By taking and framing your gym selfies in a variety of ways, you can keep track of your progress, or you can share it with your connections to get feedback and create your own cheering team for those days when you lack motivation.
Utilization of latest technology advancements is reshaping the world of fitness leaving us no excuse to be unhealthy or unfit. We never had so much information accessible about our body functioning before, during or after our workout. It is up to us to make the best of it by choosing the right smart device or app to communicate with in the process.
