Amid the talk of technology making us slaves of the indoors, staring blankly at bright screens, come fitness apps and wearable tech that have changed the way you can monitor your health and exercise routine. From apps that provide a count of the calories you consume with every meal to those that monitor your daily routine with a fitness coach, they give a new dimension to staying fit. Cutting to the chase, do these fancy gadgets help you get off that couch and exercise?
For bank officer Prakash Kumar, the Google fit app made him fitter and ensured that he adhered to his exercise routine. “I did not trust pedometers and other such gadgets that have flooded the market. I liked Google fit, since it works in my phone, allows me to monitor my routine and also sends updates about meeting my fitness goals. This makes me want to constantly beat my own average. From walking about 2,000 steps on my busiest days, thanks to the app, I walk and jog almost 8,000 steps. I am not sure about others who follow a strict routine; this app has helped me a lot.”
Vishal Gondal, the CEO of GOQii, a wearable band that allows you to share your fitness data with friends and a personal coach, says, “It makes you want to improve your scores by competing with your friends.
The trained coaches help devise an apt programme for you. We have always felt motivation and guidance is the key for a successful fitness regime and this band aims at doing that. You do not need to head to a gym or a fitness centre and can train at home. The coach will give you constant inputs and will improvise on your plan based on your schedule.”
He adds, “Smart phones and social media have made us really interested in fitness. People are running marathons now, inspired by people they see on their social media feed. I feel that as far as fitness goes, this is a time of exponential growth in India.”
Fitness apps helped technical writer Genevieve Ayesha lose almost 13 kilos. “I tried everything, including a stint at the gym. But it did not work for me.
However, I managed to lose weight just using these apps and exercising in my bedroom. Fitness apps are like having a personal trainer. As long as you have the drive, you will be able to see results.” A week after I turned 24, I stood on the weighing scale and was shocked to find myself 20 kg overweight. That's when I decided that I was really going to do this, and, I did not need to spend huge amounts of money at the gym, fitness centres, or for personal trainers.
I could do this myself, at my own time, and in my own room. I did need help, yes. And, that help I found in fitness apps. There are various apps available – calorie counters, diet and workout plans, support group apps.
I also began to follow fitness videos. They have started incorporating more exercises, music playlists, even personalised workouts and diet plans. I definitely see an increase of fitness apps usage in the coming years.”
Dietician and fitness expert Wanita Ashok is not completely sold to the concept. “I feel that it is very important for a person to have a human interface for any fitness related activity. Some apps do offer personal trainers, but they are very few.
I feel that it is rather dangerous to start on an exercise routine with blind faith in an app rather than experts.”
However, Wanita does agree that apps that help monitor food intake and calculate the steps taken and calories burnt on a regular basis are a positive development.
“It helps you control your diet. You would not, for instance, grab an extra pav bhaji if an app told you that would ruin your calorie count for the day. The Internet and the resulting social pressure to look good is one of the main reasons for the proliferation of these apps.”
