When it comes to fitness, the first day is mostly an adrenaline high. The second is a reality check, the third, resignation and the fourth, inevitable defeat. There are few who are not familiar with this recurrent behaviour cycle when it comes to exercise.
Often we turn to both animate and inanimate objects to motivate (read guilt) us into going for that early morning run. Pulling out that pair of denims from your college days to try and fit into or getting your roomie to psyche you into waking up early every day - take your pick.
Tech that tracks
Tech companies seem to have picked up on the cues and made uber-fancy gadgets to lure you into the fitness regime. Take Motorola for example. The company released a digital fitness trainer of sorts – the Motorola MOTOACTV – which not only tracks your run time, distance, speed, heart rate and calories burned but helps you analyse the data to see if you are sticking to your goals. It doubles up as a music player so you can tune in to ‘Eye of the Tiger’ during a run or a cross-country bike ride. You can download their free mobile app to track your stats and sync incoming calls and texts with your smartphone. The device, which costs a little more than Rs 8,000, also has a 1.6 -inch touchscreen that is sweat-proof, rain-resistant and scratch-resistant for extreme outdoor action.
Nike, known for its fitness and sports gear, launched the Nike+ FuelBand earlier this year. Designed to be worn throughout the day, the FuelBand uses an accelerometer to track your wrist movement via a LED display. It calculates activity based on time, calories, steps and NikeFuel. NikeFuel is the company’s alternate to counting calories burnt because that will vary from person to person based on their body type. You can set a daily goal of how active you want to be, and how much NikeFuel you want to score. LED lights on the Nike+ FuelBand change from red to green as you get closer to your goal. You can also sync the FuelBand with the Nike+ Web site to track your progress every day. You can order the device online for about the same price as the MOTOACTV.
Simple solutions
If you aren’t willing to spend too much on a gadget, go for apps that you can download on your smartphone.
There are some like Philips Inc. who have come up with apps for the cause. ActionFit, a free app by Philips (available for Apple devices) lets you customise your workouts. You can design a run with a designated time, distance or calorie goal and select your favourite music to go with it. Once you reach finishing line, you can share your workout results with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.
One of the most favoured apps on the mobile platform is Endomondo Sports Tracker.
Apart from the tracking the usual duration, distance, speed and calories stats, the Endomondo app also motivates you with an audio coach. It tells you how close you are to your designated target and helps you get there in time.
You can even configure it to get a live peptalk from your friends as they write a short text on the company’s Web site which is then read out loud to you seconds later.
Not only can you share your workouts but try and beat your friend’s personal records on the Sports Tracker. Endomondo also has an Activity feed online (similar to Twitter feed), where log-ins are runs are tracked. This app also has a paid PRO version (Rs 225) where you can configure an interval-based workout or customise set a goal depending on calories you want to burn or a specified time you want to finish a run in. The paid version also features a low power mode that retains your smartphone’s battery power during your workouts.