The Advantages and Disadvantages of using Fitness Applications
Is using a fitness application beneficial for you? Recently, this question swirled in my head as I gazed down at my phone for a mileage and pace check during a run.
The use of fitness applications and devices has grown in popularity over the last decade. According to a study published by market and consumer data company Statista, In 2022, there are estimated to be 86.3 million health and fitness application users in the US. Some of the most popular fitness applications in the industry are Strava, Mapmyrun, MyFitnesspal, and Peloton, to name a few. Each of these applications specializes in a specific niche in fitness and health.
As an avid runner, I use fitness applications daily. The familiar chime and automated voice telling me my pace and mileage has become a standard part of my workout routine. On the days I don't use the application, my workouts strangely feel incomplete. One example is before I start my runs, I wait patiently as my device connects to GPS. Sometimes I find myself aimlessly waving my phone in the air, trying to speed up the process, and I don't start until the app connects and permits me to run. Crazy, I know. But ask any fitness app user, and you will find my ritual is more common than you think.
The Benefits Of Using a Fitness Application:
1. Accountability
Staying committed to a goal is hard. Fitness apps can provide that extra motivation needed to keep you on track and accountable. Many applications have settings that will email or text you when it notices a lapse or drastic change in your fitness and health goals.
2. Easy To Use
Fitness applications have user-friendly interfaces that are easy to navigate and use. For example, the diet and exercise application Myfitnesspal integrates with your smartphone camera and allows you to scan packaged food's barcode and upload the nutritional data to your calorie tracker. Fitness apps Strava and Mapmyrun can use GPS via your device to map your workout route and track your pace and mileage.
3. Online Community
Connecting with others on the same fitness journey as you can be a powerful ally in accomplishing your goal. If you engage in the fitness application's online community, you open the opportunity to meet new friends who can help you along the way.
4. Fitness Tips / Coaching
Some fitness applications allow you to have customized fitness and health tips pushed to your phone or email. These options are not always free, so read the fine print before signing up.
5. Progress Tracking
You don't need to build an elaborate spreadsheet or keep a hard copy of your progress. The only thing you need to do is perform the task and populate the data. Easy Peasy.
The Bad:
1. Not a Replacement For a Doctor.
You should NEVER use an application to diagnose an illness or injury. Always consult a real-life physician if you suspect you have a problem.
2. Danger to Self-image / Self Esteem
Online communities are a form of social media. Studies show that social media can negatively affect self-esteem and cause depression, resentment, or jealousy. Hints if you do participate in the online communities offered in the fitness app, these are the things you need to watch.
3. Data Collection
When you use a fitness application, you agree to allow that company to collect TONS of your data. Read the company's data privacy policy to understand how the company uses your information.
The Verdict:
To sum it up, there's far more to gain by using a fitness application than not. The best way to avoid having a negative experience is by understanding how your application of choice operates and using it precisely for what it's intended. This way, you will reap the benefits of the positive things the fitness app has to offer.