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Most of us in the field of athletics have already adopted a number of gadgets to help us in our training journeys. We’re all too happy to use smartwatches and heart rate monitors, connecting them to platforms like Strava to track our progress. Although smartphones play an important role in these systems, we usually refer to them as an intermediary, not really responsible for much of the actual workload.
What we often fail to remember is that just because there are a lot of tools made directly for fitness, it doesn’t mean we can’t implement our own design systems and ideas. After all, each of us is different, and customizing our smartphone usage to suit us may not work for everyone. So what can we do here, and what can an alternative approach achieve?
Setting and using your tone
The best way to create a system that works for you is highly individualized, which means the best starting position is to look at the elements that bother you the most. As a personal example, we’ve had friends who wanted to track their workouts but didn’t want to count on perfection exercise app when something much simpler will do. In their case, they simply created a text file on their phone’s notepad and kept a running tally that they would update after each set.
Another approach could be to alleviate the boredom of long training sessions with gamification techniques, such as creating unique mapping plans. If you like to run, for example, you can make a game drawing pictures with your route just like a real-life Etch a Sketch. It’s already tried and tested for artistic and athletic purposes, and it’s a great way to plan new routes and keep your workouts fresh.
Gamification is big business, where apps themselves rely on game principles to inspire and motivate users. Strava offers medals for completing challenges using examples from providers such as online casino UK games to create an engaging experience for users.
Relying on a secondary device
There’s also serious potential to be unlocked by many of us turning to a second cell phone. This may seem like a no-brainer, but as anyone who’s had their only phone crash while exercising will tell you, sometimes having a backup can be important. A secondary device can be especially useful if you’re into a sport that involves impact, such as bouldering. If something really happens and it’s a cheap device, it’s not really a problem.
One of the biggest unfortunate truths about exercise is that no one approach works equally well for everyone. Some people may never have a problem staying engaged, while others may struggle every step of the way. If you’re in the latter group, there are almost always ways to make your trip more appealing, but it may take some time.
Give it a try, don’t worry if what you’re doing feels weird, and you’re much more likely to find something that works for you. Whether it’s listening to game show audio while you run or mapping your journey with Google Maps to check how you’re going, don’t be afraid to be unconventional with it. Even if it doesn’t work out, such an effort can make for a great story and help you narrow down perfect aids in the future.
