Virtual Fitness Technology

The popularity of fitness apps grew by 46% within the first year of the pandemic, with experts predicting that the fitness scene will change permanently owing to the burgeoning popularity of home fitness solutions. As is the case with many remote services, home gyms have become somewhat of a norm in many households, since little more is required than a few weights and resistance equipment, a stationery bike, treadmill, or rowing machine. Apps such as Kinomap and iFit are helping home fitness aficionados feel far more confident about their workouts, with features such as personalised nutrition plans, virtual workout sessions, and social networking making the experience similar to working out at a gym, without the fuss of having to leave your home. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

EMBRACING HOME FITNESS

WITH THE KINOMAP AND IFIT APPS

KINOMAP: A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR PERSONAL HEALTH AND FITNESS

Kinomap is a free app that is available on most treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes, and other enabled gym equipment with Bluetooth connectivity. Once you are signed up, you are offered a host of workouts to choose from – so many, you would probably not be able to complete all of them in your lifetime. Imagine cycling through a realistic scenario where mountain and ocean views surround you. As you do so, the app adjusts the difficulty of your workout (increasing slope, wind resistance, and the like) in accordance with the physical characteristics of the actual route you are completing.

You can complete your workout while viewing your tablet, smart TV, or smartphone. The routes are real, having been filmed across the globe by the app developers. As such, you can roam around the world, running in Central Park, cycling along Tour de France routes, or rowing by islands on the Pacific. It all depends on what you feel like seeing and completing on a given day. Workouts vary in length and intensity and it is very easy to choose a different workout if the one you have chosen is a bit too hard or easy.

Kinomap has an added bonus: its thriving community. You can take part in group classes, create your own friend group, and share goals and results with those who cheer you on and inspire you to be your best.

Although the app is free to download, it does have payment plans to access a wide range of workouts. Currently, you can obtain a one-year subscription for around €90 though shorter and longer plans are also available. i www.kinomap.com

IFIT AND THE POWER OF INTERACTIVITY

iFit is similar to Kinomap, in that it allows you to take part in sessions led by virtual instructors or complete a host of routes along some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. It hooks up to specific machines by Proform and Nordictrack and can be viewed on your chosen device. Many users find that tablets are the ideal size since they can be connected to equipment and provide a better viewing experience than smaller phones. iFit is divided into four main categories: exercise, nutrition, activity, and sleep. This makes sense considering that when one of these four lifestyle factors is lacking in quality, all the rest are affected. In the exercise/ sports category, you will find an array of personalised workouts with interactive elements. For instance, if you are using a bike, you will feel its resistance changing in line with the specific workout you have chosen. You can also pair this app with your fitness activity tracker if you wish to receive important tips on how to burn more calories, be more physically active, and improve your fitness as a whole. Your activity tracker can additionally be used to help you discover if your sleep quantity and quality are sufficient. Finally, you can opt for personalised nutrition plans that align with your workout goals. iFit works with Google Maps as well, so you can plan your own routes and view completed ones using Google Street View. The app will then adjust the resistance and incline of your equipment appropriately.

Finally, iFit invites you to take part in a host of video workouts led by qualified instructors. From Olympians to personal trainers and even professional athletes, the team is truly impressive and vast, making it easy to choose trainers you find particularly motivating. All of this is available for a small membership fee (less than €150 a year per person, with special prices available for families).