It’s all about becoming a better human – a better version of yourself. Is there any technology out there that can help in the better human quest??
I try to heavily integrate technology into fitness, but only if it makes my life easier and not more complicated. I am not interested in getting the latest and greatest application simply because it is the “new thingâ€.
Almost a year ago I posted “Helpful Fitness Technology For Your Day to Dayâ€. As I reviewed that post from last October I realized I currently only still use one of the apps I had listed in that post…that means it is time for an update!!
Today, I thought I would share some fitness technology, whether it be on your phone or on your laptop, these are some things that have worked out great for me and maybe they will work well for you too!
The Top 3:
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1.) The Ultimate WOD Log
I am a complete nerd when it comes to fitness and technology (I mean I would have to be to invent something like this, right?). Every time I try to start, and keep, a written workout log it fails in some way, even though I have recently been pretty good at it (knock on wood).
The Ultimate WOD Log is simple and complex, and that is why I created it and that is why I use it. It is simple in the fact that it runs off of excel and it is a file you can just keep on your computer. No need to upload a “profile picâ€, you won’t have others look at your workouts and no sharing your latest workout to facebook. I realize some people want the social sharing with their workouts, but I am not one of them…sorry
It is complex because of how many algorithms and formulas that were used behind the scenes to get it to work. It tracks workout metrics and nutritional data and a ton of other stuff. A lot of work went in behind the scenes, but it has worked out great as my log.
2.) Science Behind Sweat
This one is geared toward CrossFit, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for multiple domains of fitness. This one also appeals to the nerdness in me. Honestly if I could blend what the guys are doing at Science Behind Sweat with The Ultimate WOD Log I would have a masterpiece.
I will not get into all of their features because there are a lot of little things like pulling in workouts from a CrossFit affiliate and facebook sharing that I don’t care about.
What I do care about is how awesome this tool is for programming and looking at the big picture of what you are doing. I do not think most CrossFitters, or anyone else who chooses to use this tool, realizes how beneficial what these guys have created actually is!
Two main analytics that they provide is work capacity, in ft. lbs., and muscle group involvement. At a glance you can tell if you have been on the low-end or high-end for work capacity and you can tell if you have been over using a specific muscle group or neglecting a specific muscle group.
As a programmer for athletes and as someone who trains 2-3 times a day this tool is amazing. I can tell each week if my volume or work was lacking as compared to previous weeks and I can adjust my programming accordingly. I can also go easy on a specific muscle groups if they seem like they have been overused in a certain week.
3.) Coach’s Eye
This app has been instrumental to a self-taught fitness guru like myself, and as someone who trains athletes (remotely) on a daily basis (this service soon to be offered to all).
Coach’s eye is an amazing tool. You can take a short video of yourself or, if you train others, they can text you a video and you can start a critique right away.
Once the video is ready in coach’s eye just hit the record button and you can do all of the following:
- Record voice to the critique
- Put video in slow motion
- Pause video and move frame by frame
- Add lines, boxes, arrows and circle to highlight areas
Then you can easily take the new critique video you made and upload it to YouTube, email it or share in many different ways. If you are truly committed to perfecting your movements and becoming better at fitness, this is a must have app.
Notable Mentions
Below is my notable mention category. Apps, or things I do, that are helpful but not as instrumental to fitness as this ones I have listed above.
4.) Camera/Whiteboard
If you use a whiteboard to write down your workouts and you have a camera on your phone you have a very easy way keep track of your workouts without putting any real effort into it.
- Step 1: Write down your workout on the whiteboard
- Step 2: Take a picture of the whiteboard with your phone
- Step 3: Setup a free blog account at tumblr, blogger or wordpress
- Step 4: Upload that picture to tumblr, blogger or wordpress
That is an easy way to keep track of your workouts, which after the initial setup, takes about 30 secs. To log everything you do. Blogs also let you use “tags†so if you wanted to get more in-depth you could take your picture with words like “bench pressâ€, “personal recordâ€, etc. That way you can easily reference those types of workouts later.
5.) Pandora
This one takes little explanation. I listen to pandora in almost every single one of my workouts. I love Pandora.
It seems these days you are either in the Pandora camp or the Spotify camp. I’ll let you choose, but never be without great tunes!
6.) Sleep Cycle
This is a cool app in the apple app store. If you are interested in finding out more about your sleep cycles, which is very important (as we have discussed). This is a great app to add to your phone! You don’t have to use it forever, but I recommend using it for a month just to see how well you do or do not sleep, then make changes accordingly.
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What technology do you use??
Add it to the comments!
-Jerred