Health, Fitness & Technology
How TapTap, a smart fidget toy, changed my relationship with exercise
The unexpected device that helps me stay fit and switched on
I used to be fit and very health conscious — a regular gym-bunny — until COVID and an injury put an end to my best intentions. Like many of us, I acquired a few extra pounds over lockdown, doing what I call “Netflix and Fill”; i.e. binging on your favorite shows and filling up on favorite snacks.
The motivation to get fit again literally came as a sign from above. One day, a stationary bike landed on my doorstep. I kid you not; a random, slightly angry dude was dropping off a second-hand bike that he was adamant had been ordered online to be delivered in person to my address. I attempted to tell him it wasn’t for me, he must have the wrong address; but he got angry and stormed off, leaving me with a slightly damaged bike I didn’t want.
Or did I?
I asked neighbors if the bike was for them, but half-heartedy. I was already feeling affectionate toward this old lime-colored bike. I liked its dents and scratches. It had character; wabi -sabi. Over the weekend I tooled it up, and while the display didn’t work, the resistance did. The seat just needed new screws, and the hand grips were easily replaced with foam pipe insulation.
I guess I had a ‘new’ bike! But it was only part of the puzzle. Limey (as I called it) sat on my porch gathering first dust, then cobwebs. I used him maybe once a week. I told myself “I get enough exercise walking my dog”.
I was lying to myself. I was walking more, but my fitness level wasn’t progressing. I guess I was like the stationary bike: not going anywhere.
Now, we have to take a little detour here. I’ve blogged before about the brain injury I’m recovering from. I have to do regular cognitive training to keep myself mentally conditioned (otherwise my words slide away into aphasia).
For my recovery, I have a gauntlet of tasks, puzzles, and brain-teasing workouts to do. But I have to keep switching them up so I don’t get too comfortable. I guess it’s a bit like physical exercises; you have to keep surprising yourself and finding new things to stimulate your growth.
So, I’m always on the lookout for new things to do, whether that’s sudoku, word games, even mastering new skills like juggling while practising my speaking skills (these are excellent rehabilitation exercises for anything from strokes to stuttering; according to both my occupational therapists and my own degree in Psyc and Communication). In my search of the educational toy aisle, I found a fancy new gadget I wanted: a TapTap.
But what is the TapTap? It’s a palm-sized, tactile gadget with LED squishy buttons (effectively a high-end smart fidget toy) with 5 inbuilt games. This isn’t a sponsored post by the way; I’m an honest to goodness fanboy of the simple design, the repetitive but challenging games (including the old standby: a Simon-inspired memory game), and the addictive buttons.
I do however have a discount code if you want to try one out for yourself: just add the code JIMTHEAIWHISPERER at checkout for $5 off a TapTap.
It reminded me bit of the 90s classic Lights Out (I would’ve liked if it had also contained that puzzle, or was programmable with new mini-games). Especially now that ChatGPT 4 makes coding games even more accessible.
Unfortunately the device doesn’t have an open-source platform or an API (Application Programming Interface) that would allow for customization. But the TapTap had more to offer than just reminiscent joys of gaming. I found it to be a game-changer in integrating brain and body workouts.
What drew me to Flycatcher’s TapTap was that it specifically targets:
- Memory
- Focus
- Hand/eye coordination
- Critical thinking
- Small motor skills
When you’re increasing blood flow to the brain, you’re feeding it. And by stimulating your brain in mental tasks, you encourage neurons to grow. And all five of these areas (Memory, Focus, Hand/eye coordination, Critical thinking, and Small motor skills) are key to maintaining cognitive function.
My rehab therapist has always emphasized the importance of incorporating physical movement with cognitive challenges to enhance neuroplasticity. The idea is to create a mind-and-body approach to recovery and fitness.
Why not just play a game on my phone? I found the TapTap easier to hold while cycling, and a game on my iPhone was less of a tactile experience. A phone doesn’t have the same attraction as a fidget toy, and I loved mashing the rubbery buttons rather than swiping a flat screen. There’s also a tiny joystick for some of the games, a microcontroller that requires fine motor.
With TapTap in hand, I began a routine of cycling while facing the various mini-games on the device. The coordination required to manage both tasks was demanding yet invigorating. It transformed my exercise sessions from a chore to an addictive challenge that I looked forward to daily. I found myself striving to beat my high score while cycling at a consistent speed.
Additionally, I didn’t have to keep track of calories, distance, or time. I was focusing all my attention on the game. It actually became a distraction from the physical exertion; when previously I had fixated on cycling, I was hyper aware when I got tired, and would be watching the clock. Ironically, to beat my own high scores, I now had to cycle longer (key to this was making the TapTap a device that I only played with while I was on the stationery bike).
This combination of cognitive and physical effort made my workouts feel more productive and less monotonous, quickly resulting in a noticeable improvement in my endurance, mood, focus, and overall fitness level.
It bridged the gap between the mind and body in a fun and interactive way, which motivated me to stay consistent. The real triumph was seeing the positive effects spillover into other areas of my life. My memory got sharper, my speech became more fluent, and I felt more energized.
Reflecting on this journey, I realized that finding the right tools and a little creativity can overcome the barriers that keep us from a healthier lifestyle. The unexpected arrival of a stationary bike and a smart fidget toy not only rekindled my love for exercise but also provided a fresh perspective on the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function. Not only am I back on track with my fitness goals, but also boosting my brain. It only goes to show: sometimes the best exercise is to let your fingers do the cycling 🚴
