Staying physically fit is difficult even for the most motivated among us. But it all becomes much easier once you start using technology to your advantage. And thankfully, we live in an era where fitness technology is diversified and plentiful.
Learn From a Variety of Sources
One of the best features of living in a society rich with technology is getting answers to all your burning questions. In the span of a few seconds, you can enter a question into Google and get a quick, immediate answer. For simple questions, search engines are a great tool; you can quickly find out how many calories are in a banana, which exercise is best for building chest muscles, or how long to rest after a tough workout.
For other, more complex advice, you can and should rely on a wide range of different sources. Fitness is a complex topic, and even the world’s foremost experts on the subject sometimes disagree on the best approach. If you gather information from many different people on many different platforms, you’ll have a much more accurate understanding of our current body of knowledge.
These are some of the best resources to look for:
· eBooks. eBooks tend to be in-depth guides that provide detailed information on various topics, such as cardio, resistance training, or nutrition.
· Blogs. For more digestible, quick information, consider subscribing to (and regularly reading) authoritative blogs.
· Forums. Forums are great opportunities to meet peers, ask questions, and exchange information.
· Influencers/social media. You can also get involved on social media, participating in public discussions and following authoritative influencers.
Work With a Personal Trainer
Working with a personal trainer, even if you’re only doing it online, is one of the best moves you can make for your personal fitness. Personal trainers work with you directly, getting to know you on a personal level, and analyzing your current level of knowledge and your current level of fitness. They’ll work with you to create a thorough fitness plan, including both dietary changes and the new exercise regimen you can follow.
Beyond that, they’ll work with you to make sure you’re following that routine – and motivate you on your toughest days.
Thanks to video chatting and other forms of communication technology, it’s easier than ever to get the personal trainer support that you need.
Track Your Steps (and Workouts)
Wearable devices are all the rage, and they make it easy to track how many steps you’re taking every day. If you’re just looking for a moderate improvement to your personal fitness, a modest goal like a few thousand steps each day could be all it takes to motivate you to succeed. You can also use digital devices to track all aspects of your workouts, including your running speed and how much weight you’re lifting.
Improve Your Sleep
Sleep technology is always improving, introducing new ways for us to track and improve our sleep habits. With the right devices, you can monitor how restfully you sleep each night and make changes that gradually improve your sleep hygiene. Don’t underestimate the value of sleep for health and fitness; not only does better sleep give you more energy and more motivation, but it’s also indispensable for building muscle and helping your body recover from tough workouts.
Set Automatic Alerts
It’s easy to drift away from your fitness goals when you stop paying attention. That’s why one of the best technological tools available to you is also one of the simplest: automatic alerts. Use automatic alerts on your phone to help you stay focused, direct your workouts, and eat appropriately.
Post on Social Media
If done correctly, publicly stating your goals can increase your motivation – and therefore, your likelihood of achieving those goals. Consider using social media to announce your weight loss or health and fitness plans; your friends and family members can hold you accountable and give you the support you need to succeed.
Analyze Your Progress
Finally, consider using technology to measure and analyze your progress. With the right app, or even a basic spreadsheet, you can keep track of your weight as it fluctuates and study how your physical capabilities improve over time. If you want to dig even deeper, you can use graphs and analytical tools to figure out reasons why you might be plateauing – and come up with a plan for how to become even better in the future.
Unfortunately, there’s no device or app that can help you lose weight magically, and there’s no technology that can make you stronger overnight. However, there is an abundance of technology designed to make health and fitness not only more accessible, but also more convenient for the average person. Utilize these technologies if you want a better chance of achieving your fitness goals.