Every so often new trends in fitness and exercise emerge. Usually, these trends are unhealthy fad diets like the grapefruit diet, the cabbage soup diet, or even the five-bite diet. However, there appears to be a new Mindful Exercise™ movement that could prove to be healthy and frugal: hi-tech fitness.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), known as America’s Authority on Fitness, surveyed “1,500 personal trainers, exercise scientists, group fitness experts, and lifestyle and weight management coaches.” From their findings, ACE created a list of the top nine fitness trends of 2012. ACE listed the “influence of technology” as number five.
Hi-Tech Fitness Ideas
So how can technology aid psychical activity? Listed below are a few Mindful Exercise™ and Mindful Technology™ suggestions.
Online Personal Trainers
There are many websites popping up that are dedicated to online personal training rather than face-to-face meetings at a gym. Shape magazine points out that many people are attracted to the flexibility that online coaching can offer. Some of these programs cost less too. You can find online personal trainers at websites like iBodyFit.com or JWWFitness.com.
Tech Fitness Diaries
With all of the advancements in technology, it is now possible to manage your weight with your smartphone. Apps like iMapMyWalk let you track and record your runs. You can also log your speed and calories burned. The B.iCycle app lets you record your speed, altitude, and calories burned for your biking sessions. And Health magazine has a CarbLover Diet app that helps you plan meals and track carbs and calories.
Social Media Motivation
Staying motivated and dedicated to an exercise plan is an important factor to staying fit. Luckily, technology has made it just a little easier. With Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites, people are creating online communities dedicated to exercise. They are sharing their stories and motivating others over the internet.
Fitness Gaming
Last but not least, developments in gaming devices have taken exercising into a new and fun world. Some examples include Nintendo’s Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Kinect. Some popular examples include Xbox’s Just Dance, Zumba Rush, and Your Shape. There’s also the Wii’s Fit Plus, EA Sports Active, and My Fitness Coach.