For those that like to keep detailed data these devices work great and can be a great tool for monitoring how effective their workouts are as well as make sure they stay on track. Generally speaking, the more you can measure your progress towards a goal, the more likely you are to achieve it. Fitness tracking devices and other exercise gadgets can really help keep you motivated as well.
A lot of manufacturers are starting to incorporate wi-fi into their devices as well. This allows the user to save whatever data they are tracking to a computer or website. Many companies use this to create a social component to help motivate people as well. By allowing you to share your data with other users online, communities form which fosters competition and creates accountability that may not otherwise have been possible alone.
Fitness + Technology = Lots of Data
For example, one of the largest communities of this kind belongs to Nike+. Nike makes a whole range of fitness accessories that can track your runs, monitor calories burned, sync stats to your phone, and all kinds of other cool stuff. Working out suddenly becomes like a video game where you can collect rewards and unlock achievements for different activities as well as compare and compete with others. In fact, they are even about to introduce Nike+ Kinect training for the Xbox 360 in the fall that will create personalized training programs and coaching that evolves as your body does.
With the explosion of mobile apps, there has been a huge increase in the number of fitness related apps in the marketplace. Apps can help you count calories, provide personal coaching, map out where you've walked, play music to get you pumped for a run and just about anything else you can think of.
Sleep trackers have also become a very popular in the last couple years. They allow you to track things like the quality of your sleep, how long you slept for, how long it took you to fall asleep, how much you moved during the night and all kinds of other interesting information. Over time, gathering this kind of data can really go a long way towards helping you pinpoint patterns or problems that may be preventing you from getting a good nights rest.
Of course this kind technology is not for everyone, and like with any other technology, it can introduce a whole other level of frustration and complexity to your exercise routine. But even if you are not really techy type person you can still get a lot of benefit from keeping track of your fitness goals, even if just on paper.
For the most part, these gadgets are exactly that. But if you like playing with toys and technology they can be a really fun way to add another dimension to your exercise regimen. There are really a lot of neat little accessories out there, so if you have any interest at all when it comes to fitness and technology, they are definitely worth checking out.
There is a famous quote that says "what gets measured, gets managed" and when it comes to working out those words are very true. If you don't take the time to track your progress and see whether or not you are improving then it's tough to know if your workouts are effective and be able to make the necessary adjustments.
After all, if you are going to spend the time and energy to get fit, then wouldn't you want to make sure you are spending that time in the most efficient and productive way possible?
Exercise and fitness should be about leading a healthy lifestyle, and the Exercise Equipment Fanatic is all about providing information and tips to help get you there. We look forward to seeing what new and exciting fitness gadgets companies come up with!
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