Estate Living Magazine New Beginnings - Issue 37 January 2019 | Page 39

C o m m u n i t y
L i v i n g
If it’s healthy eating that’s your concern, Muir suggests downloading
MyFitnessPal: a free app that calculates the calories of absolutely
everything you’d like to munch on. Simply scan the food you’re
eyeing, and the app does the rest – it’s up to you to decide whether
or not the indulgence is worth it.
There are, of course, plenty of others. Techradar.com recommends
the Nike+ Training Club (free for Apple and Andriod), which presents
a range of training programmes targeting strength, endurance and
mobility. If HIIT is your thing, Freeletics is the app for you. Into yoga?
Check out Daily Yoga (free on Apple and Android).
Clearly, whether you prefer squats or Surya Namaskar (yogic salutes
to the sun), you’ll find an app to teach you, guide you, monitor you
and, ultimately, help you improve. That’s one area where online
fitness has a definite advantage over real life: you can download
an entire gym onto your phone, without paying the associated
membership fees (especially since most apps, if not free, have
significantly lower monthly costs).
What’s more, you’ll be able to train at a time that suits you, rather than
waiting until your favourite class is featured on the gym’s timetable
– only to find out that it is already full or that you have a meeting that
simply cannot be moved.
Because they are regularly updated and revised, you can count on
an almost endless supply of fitness inspiration and ideas for new
moves.
The other advantage is that most apps don’t simply show you how
to do the moves or even tell you where you are going wrong, as an
instructor would: they also keep track of how much stronger, fitter
and faster you’re becoming. That’s excellent motivation if you’re
struggling to remain focused on your fitness goals, and invaluable
information if you’re training for a particular event.
The conclusion? If you’re looking to top up your training, if you’re
away from your usual gym or if you’re already well-versed in your
activity of choice, you may well benefit from downloading an app. If
possible, consider asking a personal trainer to work through it with
you before you go it alone, so that you know what you’re in for and
whether there are any tricky bits you should be wary of.
But does that mean that your device can replace a personal trainer?
Not if you’re serious about training, unfortunately, or if you’ve just
started out on a new regime. One of the most valuable contributions
made by a personal trainer is checking on your body’s stance
and position during key moves, or making sure that you haven’t
overreached yourself. It’s all very well to have a cyber instructor
broadcasting encouraging motivations, but if you’re performing a
move incorrectly or doing a workout that’s too advanced for your
strength or fitness level, you may put yourself at risk of injury.
What’s more, a personal trainer will eventually get to know the
particulars of how your body moves – which is critical, given
Lisa Witepski
I
On the other hand, if you’re just starting out on a fitness programme,
have experienced prior injuries or simply have no idea what a
hamstring is, it’s probably advisable to put in some time with a face-
to-face trainer.
Plus, apps are programmed to help you shift and revise goals.
that everyone has a different range of motion or ability – and can
therefore tailor your programme accordingly. This also makes
training a more personal experience.