Fitness: Technology and training

Pictured: Bay Tennis and Fitness owner Tom Behan tries out the new Star Trac spin bike with interactive screen during the recent IHRSA show in San Diego. The bike is not yet on the market, scheduled for release this fall.

By Glenn Stark, Fitness Director

Bay Tennis and Fitness, Harbor Springs, Michigan

I recently had the chance to attend the 2008 IHRSA (International Health & Racquet Sports Association) in San Diego, held the first week of March. This is one of the largest fitness shows in the country.  Every vendor displays their latest and greatest designs in equipment, programs, as well as the latest accurate health and fitness information essential for professionals in our industry.

An underlying theme among all these vendors was an emphasis put on technology. Not just the design and function of the equipment itself, but on how you interact with equipment. It emcompassed everything from having internet access on treadmill and Elliptical machines, to getting preprogrammed workout programs downloaded to your I-Pod.  Among all this technology, I had to ask myself: ‘Do we really need all this technology, or is this a lot of smoke and mirrors to market to members in fitness and gym facilities across the country?’

Technology has a lot to do with the modern day obesity problem plaguing many parts of the advanced world today. It would be so easy to blame this problem on super-sized meals at fast food restaurants or misunderstanding how to read food labels. Sure these definitely would be a part of the obesity pandemic puzzle, but the fact is most people today are eating more and moving less. This can be directly linked to the introduction of things such as computers, video game consoles, and the internet which has led to less movement and a more sedentary lifestyle.  

I can remember when I was growing up, my brother and I would play outside all day, squeezing out every last minute of sunlight we could before our mother would start calling for us to come inside. I also remember going to bed tired yet refreshed and excited for the next day to come so that we could go out and do it all over again.  Today, however, many kids and adults do not get out and move, live and breathe. We all need to be more active.

Now don’t get me wrong I am gadget guru guy through and through, just ask my wife. I love it. I think it is amazing some of the things that you can do with all this modern technology. Take for example Nike’s Rock ‘N’ Run. With a sensor in your shoe and a special receiver in your iPod Nano, you can listen to power songs as you run, as well as have other vital information displayed such as current miles, workout time, and pace rate. It also has a feature with voice feedback that can notify you when you have reached your fastest pace, longest distance and time, or most calories burned. Now, how cool is that?

Speaking of Apple, nearly every vendor’s product had the ability to link up iPod or MP3 players. This enables you to interact with your device via a touch screen console, allowing you to select your own play list or movies on your own video screen.  Another feature on some of the equipment was the ability to surf the web. I have to admit I was a little taken back when I saw this. What are they thinking, I thought to myself. You have got to be kidding me, the internet while you are working out, why? Why would a fitness company be trying to advocate such a relationship? Is this a reason so many of us have developed a sedentary lifestyle?   After some reflection, I realized some folks would welcome being able to scroll through a day’s emails, check their portfolio and current stock trades while they burn off a day’s accumulation of calories. I have to say this sounds like a great idea to me, so long as you keep your intensity high. At least we are getting people to move more, and that can make a huge difference.

Another piece of technology I was impressed with was a new spinning bike on which you can watch a screen in front of you displaying a real ‘outdoor’ ride that was prerecorded. Imagine being able to ride the Tunnel of Tree’s with a narrator describing the ride. Or riding to your own spin class that would adjust to your predetermined pace or workout program.  Look for this one in the future at our club.

The relationship between technology and the fitness industry is a bond that will grow stronger in the future. With that said, let me also note no amount of technology will do the work for you. Technology can assist you in achieving some of your fitness goals, not to mention assisting you at keeping boredom at bay.  You should always remember to keep your workouts fresh and exciting, be active, choose activities that will challenge you. I think my friend Zig Ziglar sums it up when he says “You do not pay the price for good health, rather you enjoy the benefits of it”.

This is a link to the Nike/Apple Rock ‘N’ Run        http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/run.html

This is part of the online edition of Northern Michigan Life.

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