New fitness technology, both wearable and virtual, has become very popular in the last several years, along with cross training and interval training. “People now have more flexibility in how they want to get fit, both at home and with groups of people,” says competitive athlete and Orthopedic Surgeon Evan Ekman, MD. Here, he shares his thoughts on fitness and making it work for you.
Q: How does wearable fitness technology work?
Fitness or activity trackers work by providing feedback on your weight, activity, sleep, heart rate, distance traveled, time and so much more. The feedback is a good motivator in achieving your fitness goals, and some trackers have daily challenges, adventure routes, daily goals and other engaging features. It helps make fitness fun, and when getting healthy is fun, you’ll want to do more of it.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of working out at home?
The advantages of doing your fitness routines in-house include convenience; no need for a special outfit; you don’t have to drive anywhere; and if you aren’t feeling enthusiastic, nobody will know but you. But by staying at home, you miss out on interaction and fellowship with others, as well as accountability. Some people really enjoy having a workout partner to help keep them motivated, and they are less likely to skip a workout if they know someone is there supporting them.
Q: What are streaming or virtual fitness workouts?
These live or on-demand workouts can be accessed by different apps, websites or specific equipment like a stationary bike or treadmill. They are usually subscription-based for a monthly fee, and some give unlimited access to a wide variety of classes, such as yoga, cross-training, high-intensity interval training, spinning, running and more. With live classes, you can participate from wherever you are and interact on the screen. It’s like “skyping” in a workout.
Q: What are HIIT workouts and cross training?
HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, consists of very intense, short workouts lasting about 15-20 minutes. HIIT is not for beginners, but designed for those who are experienced and are looking for a challenge to take their fitness to the next level. Cross training can be done at any level of fitness and involves alternating activities for improved total fitness. For example, running one day, cycling the next day, and stair climbing the following day. The bottom line is that no matter what routine you choose, make it fun!