Fitness in Your Pocket

A lot of people wonder just what ARE the advantages of an online fitness program? What features does an online program offer that a DVD can’t for example. Well, there are a few things. Most notably, is the portablilty of the program. As the DVD video playback format is being replaced by flash-memory devices, such as USBs or MMC cards, accessibility to a DVD player when travelling is becoming increasingly more difficult. Online fitness programs are accessible from virtually anywhere. The shift of technology in recent years has focused on mobility, and will continue to do so, as more phones and other portable devices have increased memory storage and more features.

An online program also allows for user feedback as well as the ability to keep a log-all on one platform. The platform can follow you anywhere, and this allows you more freedom to customize your workout. Online fitness programs are almost always cheaper than a gym membership as well, and can actually save you more money through the cost of fuel required to travel to a gym. In this sense, online fitness programs can be considered “eco-friendly” as they don’t require patronizing a gym which requires large amounts of energy resources to run its facility. So using an online fitness program can be healthy for the environment as well.

According to the New York Times, a report issued this month by the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggests that children as young as 8 years of age be screened for cholesterol and be given cholesterol-lowering drugs if necessary. This shocking report comes as no surprise, especially as physical activity, which is so important for the development of children is at an all time low in this country. The root causes of this are lack of exercise and a diet which is high in fat. Never before in the history of the United States has such a large-scale public health issue emerged that has a root cause in the choice of the individual. If steps aren’t taken to stop this trend, the ramifications will be crippling, decreasing life expectancy and having a debilitating effect on the economy.

The solution, I believe, is prevention. By encouraging exercise at an earlier age and controlling the diets of our children, much can be done to head off this national crisis. One of the most effective methods for children is online video workouts. Online video workouts are effective for teenagers because it uses a medium that they already enjoy using, and in this sense, can be integrated into their daily lives. For fitness to become a routine for young children and teenagers, it must mesh with their lifestyle, which is technology-driven. Fitness routines that can be downloaded to portable devices, such as iPods would be especially appealing to children, who routinely download MP3 and MP4 files to their devices.

Is it Tae Bo or Tai Chi?  Finding a video workout that’s right for you can be a good substitute for a trip to the gym and can make working out more fun.  While there are many choices available, which one is right for you? Determining which workout is the most effective for you is usually a matter of trial and error, but there are some basic considerations you should take into account:

1. Is it fun? Many video workouts don’t engage the viewer enough to keep them interested in the program.
2. Is it something I can fit into my daily schedule? Many times, video workouts can be long-some over an hour. Is this something you can devote time to everyday? Shorter workouts maybe the answer for you. Workouts of 20 minutes can by just as effective as longer workouts, providing they are performed regularly.
3. Is it effective? Does it give you the results you wanted? Is it too easy or too hard? These are important points to consider.
4. Does it require equipment? Some video workouts require equipment, which can limit WHERE you can do these programs.
5. Does the program have increased difficulty levels to keep you challenged?

Remember, a fitness program is something you will be incorporating into your lifestyle, and as such, it must fit seamlessly into your schedule. Fitness is not something that is acheived and checked off a list-it is an ongoing commitment to your personal health and well-being. With this in mind, it is extremely important that you enjoy your video fitness program as well as integrate it into your daily life.

by djwhelan

There are many programs today which offer fitness plans and programs that are quite effective-if you can stick to the schedule. Sticking to a schedule requires self-discipline, and the average person just simply doens’t have the time to commit to a workout regimen. Usually, fitness is something that we squeeze in where we can, and it is not high on our priority list. The key componet to an effictive fitness program is personal accountability. If you are required to provide input on your fitness progress during the course of the program, you are more likely to follow it.

Before starting a fitness plan, it is important to take some time and develop a schedule that will work for you. Being realistic instead of idealistic is the key. Determine times you can realistically set time aside for your workouts. A common mistake is to set near impossible goals, with the hope that somehow you will be motivated by these goals, and aspire to accomplish them. In business, as well as in many other aspects of life, this system may work-but not when it comes to a fitness program. It is important to be realistic, because failure to attain idealistic goals can lead to extreme dissappointment and you may decide to give up on your program.

Remember, getting fit and staying fit is something you will have to incorporate into your lifestyle. It is not something that can be accomplished and forgot about-it is an ongoing process.