Revitalise your exercise routine by stripping back your fitness tech and reassessing your goals
Do you know someone who won’t leave their house without their pedometer? It might seem as if the world has gone techcrazy, but there’s a lot to be said for leaving your phone at home before you head to your next yoga class. “Tech is great at outlining the basics, but its ability is minimal when compared to what a professional standing in front of you can advise,” says personal trainer Jason Briggs, (shoehero.com ). “Practically speaking, you don’t need technology for any exercise or activity.” While apps and smart watches can be helpful in analysing our performance and helping us ‘find our tribe’ as it were, experts in the fitness industry worry that it might be replacing the instruction of a trainer, as well as the valuable human interaction you get from bonding during a team-sport, or joining a walking club. Factor in optimising aspects such as hydration, heart rate, calorie intake, and other data to help you complete your objectives, and suddenly, your humble exercise routine gets a lot more complicated. But can ditching the modern complexity of tech help us reconnect with ourselves and improve our workout? We investigated what happens if you choose to go Fitbit-free…
Change it up
Staying mindful about how your tech impacts your fitness can help you figure out where you want to prioritise your exercise gains and highlight the areas of improvement. “Integrating technology based tools into your workout can be a great motivator and encourage novices and pros alike to reach new personal bests,” says Jason. “However, it’s also worthwhile putting your tech aside at least once a week, especially if you’re doing free-weights and running. Not only does this give the opportunity to try new forms of exercise, it also keeps us motivated. I’m a big advocate of changing up your workout routine. No week should be the same. And by leaving our phones at home, this presents the opportunity to focus on technique, provide some much-needed thinking time and decide what we want our goals to be (which will not necessarily align with the objectives set by our chosen tech).”
Touch up your technique
Do you check your wrist to see how many steps you’ve clocked up while you’re out on a walk? If so, you’d be better off checking your form. “People forget how important technique is,” says Jason. “A good technique can halve recovery time. When tech is used alongside a workout, it can be easy for it to become the main focus. Prioritise everything equally instead. Breathing is just as important, as is drawing your mid-torso muscles in to support your spine. Things like this get missed if you’re too busy tracking steps, or focusing on the time it’s taken you to complete an individual exercise. “A way of taking it back to basics is by deleting your health apps,” says Jason. “You’ll soon see how your priorities shift during your workouts and you can always re-download them if need be.”
Stay present
Taking a breather from our tech isn’t just good for our fitness, it can give our minds a much-needed reset as well. “I have a no phones policy in my classes,” says Jason. “When I tell people this, their initial reaction is panic. But exercise is a form of self-love and many of us are strapped for time. Exercise isn’t just about increasing fitness levels, but determining how you feel at that moment, realigning your emotions, assessing what deserves your attention and what energy in your day-to-day life isn’t serving you. Screen time can be a major interruption and hinder our focus. Going on a walk, or doing a class at your gym can be the only time that you have for yourself in a day, so don’t waste that.” Everyone is entitled to time away from their phones, so to make sure you don’t get distracted is to step away from listening to music once a week. “This does wonders for thinking time, boosts stamina and allows you to be fully present,” says Jason. “Even if you decide that you’ll keep your phone on you but not look at it, it takes restraint to not read the messages that flash up on your screen. Having no screens allow us to stay present.”
Little and often
Setting small goals regarding your exercise routine can help you maintain focus and motivation and you don’t need tech to set them. “Think about your personality type, objective, your current headspace and your relationship with exercise,” says Jason. “Some people are motivated by the aggressive goals set by their chosen technology, while others can feel overwhelmed. Make your own goals with pen and paper. Even little things, such as showing up to a class, should be commended. If you’re unable to complete a routine on an app, then that’s a new micro (or even macro) goal. I recommend using third-party tools that have a positive influence on our workouts and mindset. For this reason, if your chosen tech isn’t improving your wellbeing, ditch it.”
Want to go tech-less?
If you’re feeling inspired to head into your next workout with a bare wrist and free from your phone, here’s a few simple ways you can get your exercise endorphins without clocking-up screen time.
Lace up your trainers
Even if you’ve never tried running before, getting involved in your local running club is an easy way to boost your social interaction. Find your nearest one here, runtogether.co.uk
Look for tech-free gym classes
If Jason’s phone-free mantra sounds like your cup of tea, then why not look for a class in your local area. Gymbox offer a ‘digital detox’ exercise class specifically for the swipe-addicted, with yin yoga and meditation. For more information, visit gymbox.com
Go for a hike
The beauty of heading up a hill or a mountain is that you won’t hear the familiar ping of Whatsapp as you stare out across the landscape. Still in signal range? Airplane mode isn’t just for when you’re in the sky. Switch it on while you get climbing to help you reconnect with nature.
