The article focuses on one app in particular, FitStar. FitStar is a personal training app that costs only $40. This app has the ability to build customized work outs based on the user's fitness level and goals. FitStar paired up with exercise physiologists and personal trainers to develop a library of exercises suitable for each individual user. In addition, "The app doesn’t require weights or other equipment, which makes it easy to use anywhere. It integrates with MyFitness Pal, which is...an app for tracking calorie intake. When you perform a workout, FitStar automatically sends the number of calories burned to MyFitness Pal, so you know how many more you can have that day" (Test of Strength, 2015, para 14). Hiring a CPT encompasses multiple benefits that an app simply cannot provide. Individualized programming is a blatant benefit from working one-on-one with a trainer. Something that "works for one person, may not work for another when it comes to choosing an exercise program. A personal trainer will develop the most effective program for you based on your fitness evaluation results and personal goals. Beginners in particular benefit from instruction on how to perform specific exercises and program planning" (Top Ten Reasons, 2015, para 1). In addition, CPTs provide a source of motivation and support for their clients. This increases the likelihood of a client's commitment to their fitness program and assists them in their transition from sedentary habits to a healthy lifestyle.
As a CPT, I think these fitness apps are a great resource for exercisers who have a general knowledge of fitness. Although, most clients I work with begin with no background in lifting technique, poor nutrition habits, and a lack for adherence to any sort of exercise routine. By working with a CPT, we provide not only support and motivation, but we help clients weight train and partake in cardio safely and effectively. We provide our clients with the knowledge to be able to implement a workout routine on their own without needing to rely on an app for information or assistance. While a Personal Trainer may be costly in the beginning, the long-term payout is unbeatable. I would much rather a client lift lighter weights with proper form, than lift heavier because they are unaware of the detrimental mistakes they are making. I think that an app for inexperienced people trying to educate themselves on fitness is not only inefficient, but dangerous.
Do you think fitness apps are beneficial? What could other benefits be from working with a CPT? If a person trying to get into exercise cannot afford a CPT, what other routes could they take? Do you think there are risks/ethical concerns with the replacement of CPTs with apps like FitStar?
Kali Morgenstern
References:
Top Ten Reasons to Hire a Personal Trainer. (2015, January 1). Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/updateable/update_display.aspx?pageID=575
Wood, M. (2015, February 11). Test of Strength: Fitness Apps vs. Personal Trainers. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/12/technology/personaltech/workout-test-myfitnesspal-and-fitstar-vs-personal-trainer.html
Kali,
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting dilemma for those who are Personal Trainers. My niece in San Diego is a personal trainer so I will check with her to see what she thinks about such apps. My initial reaction is that I would be opposed to them, for many of the same reasons you mentioned. As someone who taught tennis for a living for many years, I cannot imagine that someone could get the same thing out of an app that they would get from personal contact. Motivation is the biggest thing that I believe someone in person can give. Having to pay less for an app might make it more affordable, but it could also make it easier to ignore. I just think the personal contact is really valuable, so I am not likely to be in the market for an app. One other question - are there any legal ramifications for someone using the app who uses it incorrectly? How would that be handled?
Thanks for sharing on this topic.
Dr. Spencer
I don't necessarily see the benefits in the app other than the fact that it is cheaper. Maybe convenience can be argued but if that's the case why not just look up workout and meal plans online? Why not just purchase insanity or other workout dvds? I personally think that it is the personal aspect of a personal trainer that makes that experience productive. I do not have a personal trainer, with that said I know how difficult it can be sometimes when it comes to motivation. Therefore I don't see how an app could be a favorable option because having a physical personal trainer would have that motivating factor that you need. Another benefit of having a CPT is having someone hold you accountable. Other options someone can take if they cannot afford a personal trainer are workout DVDs, or they could Google or YouTube workouts. As far as risks or ethical concerns, I wonder how they replace spotting someone. It is very dangerous to have high intensity workouts, especially with weights and have no one there in case there was an accident. Form cannot be monitored correctly through an app, the amount of weight cannot be monitored effectively through an app, this could cause serious issues.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Kali that apps are a great asset, but definitely cannot, and should not, replace a coach or trainer. Especially when it comes to heavy lifting, like doing squats and bench press, it is essential for beginners to be under the supervision of an expert. And while some of these apps might be harmless, in that they only show you how to do simple core exercises with your own body weight, one thing that has developed through the last years, and which I consider highly dangerous, is that many people plan their workouts based on online tutorials (such as YouTube clips a la “How to get buff”) or dubious articles from the internet.
ReplyDeleteThe fitness industry has been booming, and workout forms and equipment come out almost on a daily basis. Thus, people who are inexperienced in exercising often fail to properly evaluate different fitness trends, that often promise miracles, and first and foremost cannot decide whether a particular workout meets their specific needs.
Furthermore, unlike working with a qualified trainer, apps, DVDs or online tutorials do not take important parameters, like weight, heart rate or blood pressure into consideration when designing a workout plan.
Andreas Khuny
DeleteI believe that fitness apps can be very beneficial depending on who is utilizing them. For someone who has an active lifestyle already and would like to try out a trainer I think the app would be a quicker/more efficient way of doing so. The benefits are amount of time and effort it takes to setup a trainer at a gym. I do believe that some people NEED an actual person as their trainer because they need the face-to-face interaction to get a benefit. The main concern I would have is that people may buy an app and think they are doing the proper workout with the required amount of energy and effort. The app doesn’t have eyes and can’t tell you if you’re working out properly. Therefore, I think ethically, it could cross some lines and put inexperienced people at risk. The app is good for busy people who are already in decent physical condition.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I downloaded the app Fitstar to practice yoga. I think this kind of app is very useful to me, because I can practice yoga whenever I want without making an appointment with a personal trainer, the Fistar does save a lot of time for me. In addition, if the video goes too fast, which displays the poses, I can replay it repeatedly.
ReplyDeleteEven though the app could provide some benefits to people who enjoy using it, problems still exist when someone does exercise without the help of personal trainer. I still remember Kali’s presentation last semester. She mentioned some people did exercise by themselves in a wrong way, and it may cause injury to their bodies. I totally agree with this point, because when I do yoga at home by myself, I am not sure if my pose is the standard one or not; sometimes it confuses me. I think the biggest benefit of a personal trainer is that a personal trainer can give clients feed back, which is different from an app. In addition, I think another great benefit of personal trainers is they can customize a plan for each client, because each different person has different physical body conditions. Some complex poses may be too harsh to somebody, and some people’s condition may not allow him or her to do the high level poses.
If a person could not afford a CPT, learning some background and training methods from books is a good way. I think he or she can also go to local sport gym to work out with other people who may have had training before.
As I mentioned before, if CPTs are replaced by apps, people may get injuries.
-- Veeco Zheng
I think there are many pros and cons to fitness apps. I personally have used one because it was free and convenient. I can get workouts whenever I want that can be aimed to achieve various goals. There are cardio circuits or even short workouts to focus on a certain muscle group. They are helpful for someone like me, who occasionally gets lazy or unmotivated to go to the gym after a long day at work. It’s quick and can be as difficult or easy as I want.
ReplyDeleteWorking with athletes and being present for all practices and lifts, I consider myself knowledgeable on proper techniques when lifting and exercising. However, watching someone else train is very different than actually performing the techniques yourself. I know I could benefit from a CPT. Maybe I don’t need to work with someone consistently for several months, but a few sessions would definitely change my workout habits for the better. I believe this is true for most people. There are many fitness classes like Zumba and yoga but I’m sure many people would benefit from a weight lifting class as well. A class to merely learn the techniques and not only what the right form looks like but what it feels like as well. These classes may already exist, thus confirming my laziness and need to hit the gym!
Allie McDavitt
I understand how apps and different video packages are becoming so popular. For those that aren't able to make it to the gym they become great options. I have never used an app or program but I have got a few workouts offline to challenge me more and give myself a better plan when I get to the gym. It is a little repetitive but I also believe these apps can be beneficial to the right individual. Someone with a background in athletics or training would be one. They have a solid foundation of body movements and usually know correct technique. As much as these techniques can benefit the average joe I believe a CPT would be better. They are able to teach an individual correct form and explain what exercise benefits what part of the body and why they structure workouts the way they do. Motivation is a huge piece as well. I know I hate working out by myself. I tend to be slightly competitive especially in the weight room so if I have someone that challenges me and pushes me to be better I get more from it. If I am working out on my own I'm more likely to throw in the towel before I finish my workout. Motivation is a huge piece, especially if they are just being to be active. Being a former athlete and exercise science major I would not pay for an app but I see how so many people are willing to do it based on the cost differences between one session with a CPT and the cost of the app.
ReplyDeleteCourtney Cox
Amanda Notley
ReplyDeleteI think the fitness apps can be helpful o an extent, however there is no way they can replace an actual CPT. As stated in the blog a fitness app cannot personalize a workout or teach someone how to properly lift. those two reasons alone is why so many people do decide to quit their fitness goals. I think that it is very important that a person, especially a novice, is taught how to properly do things to avoid injury and get the full benefits of a workout. Calorie trackers are great to input your calorie intake and output throughout the day but the apps that give out workouts are not 100% accurate and could quite possibly cause injury to a person. The app also loses the added benefit of motivation, someone to keep them accountable and to just have fun with. All in all I believe that the fit apps will have a greater failure rate than with working with a CPT.
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