Technology is changing the way individuals are working out. (Healthy Travel)
In such an increasingly mobile and connected world, many of our daily activities have been streamlined and made easier by the Internet and technology.
In fact, for some of us, it’s hard to imagine life without a smartphone. Our devices ensure that we are always connected, even when we’re away from home. Having access to the internet on the go is a convenience we’ve grown accustomed to, but how has it shaped the fitness industry?
Tracking Fitness in Cyberspace
Fitness tracking websites, apps, and devices have skyrocketed over the past few years, trending along with our need to be connected. MyFitnessPal is a calorie counting app and website that has grown in popularity in recent years. With their prodigious database of nutrition details, you can accurately count your calories and then use their exercise features to stay on pace with your fitness and weight loss goals. All of this can be done simply and easily on a mobile app. MyFitnessPal has over 65 million users – and is still growing.
As you can imagine, MyFitnessPal, with its widespread use and tracking nature, has created one of the largest databases of its kind. This data is at their disposal to analyze for demographic segmentation, personalization, and further innovation of their products and services, among many other uses. MyFitnessPal is not done yet, either, as they recently announced a partnership with Garmin, a leader in GPS technology. With Garmin’s GPS technology in tow, yet another avenue of fitness tracking is available to users of MyFitnessPal services. Compatible devices link up to your MyFitnessPal account and using the massive database, will compare calories consumed against calories burned on a daily basis to give you an overall view, in turn keeping you on track with your health, fitness, and weight loss goals. This technology will allow both companies to use analytics for all of the new data collected in order to enhance the future of technology as it relates to health and fitness.
Another major player at the intersection of technology and fitness is Fitbit. These wearable bands use sensors and wireless technology to track your movements throughout the day, automatically syncing with your smartphone and computer, in turn helping you seamlessly integrate fitness into your busy daily schedule. They can help you keep track of calories, map routes for walking, jogging or running, and much more. Much like the aforementioned Garmin partnership, you can connect your Fitbit band to your MyFitnessPal account and take advantage of their huge collection of accurate data to better plan your meals and exercise routines.
The technology behind Fitbit is based on its accelerometer system, which allows the devices to accurately track motion and even the degree of intensity behind the motion. This data is collected throughout the day by your device and then converted by Fitbit’s proprietary software algorithms, which have been perfected over time. Once the motion is converted by the algorithms, it is able to tell you how many calories you burned with your activity throughout the day. You can then view this information on a mobile app and helpful online tools to see your progress on an intuitive user interface.
A Growing Market of Wearable Tech
The Nike FuelBand (Nike)
Wearable devices seem to be the latest trend in consumer technology, from smart watches to fitness bands. While Fitbit has been at the forefront of the wearable movement in fitness, many other companies are eager to have a hand in the growing pot:
Nike has the Fuelband, which, although noticeably pricier than most versions of Fitbit, is very stylish and gets the job done. It counts your actions during the day – whether you’re actively exercising or not – and converts them to Fuel points to let you know how you’re doing
Strava Run and Cycling are bands aimed towards runners and bicycle enthusiasts; much like Garmin technology, they tap into GPS for enhanced accuracy but can be a bit cumbersome with the necessary attachment to your mobile phone
The Griffin Adidas Armband is similar to the Strava in terms of functionality – but the design is more forgiving as your smartphone resides in a patch that’s attached to your arm
Fitness in Video Games
No longer can video games be associated with laziness and low activity levels. With the onset of interactive video games, you can now engage in fitness in the comfort of your own living room on your favorite console. Some examples of fitness technology in video games are the Wii Fit and Xbox Kinect. Practices like Zumba, popularized in gyms and clubs across the country, are now being utilized on video game consoles.
The Wii Fit is one of the longest standing and most popular fitness video games. It uses the Wii Balance Board along with the Wii sensor to track user's movements during interactive games. The Wii Balance board has load sensors in each of its four corners to track movements as you shift your center of gravity and weight over the board. This technology has tapped into the need to be entertained while exercising, and has been a success for Nintendo. Xbox has followed suit with their Kinect sensor and there are now quite a few fitness games you can enjoy on your console.
These are just a few examples of how technology is revolutionizing fitness as we know it. With fitness tracking apps connecting to the devices we use every day – along with the adoption of new devices – it’s never been easier to stay active and on track with your fitness goals. Look for technology to continue to morph the way we stay healthy and active.
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