Listen to this Podcast: Wellness, Technology and the Web
Health and Wellness in an online course dealing with Web technology???? What??? Why?? Exercise??? Health???? BORING!!!!! Exactly. Health and wellness can be boring, that is why they are perfect “targets” for technology! Isn’t the goal of technology to improve our lives? Wouldn’t it be great if we could use technology to remove some of the tedium from working out? What if you actually liked to work out? What if the time went by and you didn’t even realize it? What if you were able to use technology to ensure that the time you spent exercising was high quality and the most beneficial to your goals? What if exercising was as much fun as playing was when you were a kid?
According to the CDC, thirty-four percent of adults in the US are over weight! CDC Study High blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are all directly linked to over eating and lack of regular exercise. You know this, you have heard this all before. Unfortunately, for many people, it doesn’t become real or important until the statistic is you. Technology might just be able to help you prevent that from happening. Lets take a look at some technology that will make your workouts more enjoyable and focused.
Wii are Sweaty!
Nintendo’s Wii is a popular gaming platform here at the library. In December of 2006, David Pogue mentioned it in this article The Wii Workout Have you tried the Wii yet? My first experience with the system was when the digital products group was testing them prior to distributing them to the branches. One of the digital content specialists and I squared off in some virtual boxing and by the end of the first 3 minute round, we had worked up quite a lather! The Wii is an effective workout system! Take a look at this gym in Canada that created its own Wii workout room. Wii Workout Room
Heart rate monitors and Pedometers
Heart rate monitors and pedometers are very simple technology tools that can be used to ensure that you are exercising at an effort level that is consistent with your fitness goals. Good quality but inexpensive heart rate monitors can be found on eBay for less that $40. When you speak with your doctor about your fitness program, ask her what your target heart rate should be for your fitness goals. Then simply increase or decrease your effort to keep your heart rate where it needs to be. Here is more info: Target Heart Rate
Here are some excellent pedometer resources for those that enjoy walking as a way to keep fit:
About.com Fitness Walking
10,000 Steps
Google Map Pedometer
MP3 based workouts
Listening to music is a natural when it comes to working out. Even Rocky had his own music! So it wasn’t a huge leap in technology use when people began to use their MP3 players during a run. The bigger shift began when trainers began producing MP3s that mixed the entertainment of music with motivation and coaching. The Washington Post published a recent article that introduces the idea of MP3 assisted workouts: MP3 Workouts
Nike+ Workouts and Itunes: This is the Cadillac of all technology/fitness combos!! Nike has developed a sensor that fits into their shoes and collects data about your runs. Using their Nike+ website, you can log your miles and connect to a community of other runners (ala social networking) They have also tied into Itunes to provide music and coaching for runners to listen to as they run. Very cool! NikePlus Click the arrow to see how Nike+ works.
Cardio Coach offers a selection of MP3 files for purchase that offer constant motivation, coaching, instruction as well as a motivation sound track. This program lacks some of the sophistication of the Nike+ program but in contrast, it works with a much wider range of equipment and exercises. It is great if you need some focus to your elliptical or treadmill sessions. Check it out: Cardio Coach
Need a low dough solution, maybe free is me??? There are many websites out there that can help you out for free. Youtube can be source of information for your motivation and perspiration. The variety is huge but the quality can vary. Take a look: Youtube Pilates(You don’t have to watch the entire video but do take a look around and note all the different types of exercise represented on Youtube)
Other helpful websites:
Explore Activity – check out these websites and see if they can help you out. In your blog, let us know what you liked and how you think it will help you. Enter the information from your lunch into Nutrutional Data to see how it graphs out. Listen to some of the Cardio Coach workouts to see if they might help you. Sean wants you to speed up your walk for 20 seconds then rest for 40 - you can do that five times right? Give it a try and live longer for doing it!!
Adventurer Activity – Sign up and participate in OCLS’s Health and Wellness program
OCLS Health and Wellness
