ENJOY Fitness
Can an iPhone get you fit? We challenge a slightly lardy iPhone user to get fit with the help of apps on his device. The catch: he only has a tenner to spend
T
echnology’s great – but it’s part of the reason waistlines are expanding. These days, many people do little physical work, and rely on cars rather than their legs for getting around. As a writer, I’m immersed in technology daily, but my morning commute only involves going upstairs to my office. Unless I specifically make an effort to exercise, pounds gradually creep on, even if I’m not shoving a chocolate bar in my face every night. Lately, exercise has taken a back seat, and I’ve noticed myself becoming unfit.
Exercise has taken a back seat, and I’ve noticed myself becoming unfit… I’m going to find out if the iPhone can get me fitter rather than fatter 72 The 2011 iPhone app guide
So I decided to do something about it – and to get technology to help rather than cause. I’m going to find out if the iPhone can help me get fitter rather than fatter. Instead of spending time playing iPhone games, I’ll spend a few weeks trying out exercise apps. Since the iPhone’s expensive, the decision was made to restrict my app budget to a crisp (well, digital) tenner on the App Store – the sort of ‘impulse purchase’ sum most people would be happy to spend to get in shape.
Getting started
After researching options on the App Store, I decide on five apps: four exercise aids and one weight tracker. The most expensive, at £5.99, is RunKeeper Pro, a GPS tracker for walking, jogging and running. Using
iFIT The iPhone isn’t just about gaming and streaming video: it can also help you plan your exercise regime and gauge your fitness levels