Today I used a really ROCKIN' iPhone Ap called Personal Trainer when I went to the gym.
(Disclaimer: Apparently I'm supposed to do some kind of disclaimer about whether or not I've been somehow compensated for this review...and so, in the interest of being totally honest and all that, I have received NO COMPENSATION from Personal Trainer (other than a kick-ass workout), In fact, I paid .99 for the ap from the iTunes Ap Store. I have an e-recipt for anyone in the internet police who wants it)
Anyway...you'd think after the debacle with the real life personal trainer, I might be hesitant about a virtual Personal Trainer, but it was only 99 cents...so WTF.
Truth be told, I think the reason I usually don't really like strength training is that I really don't know what to do. I mean how many sets, reps, circuits, cycles, whatever, and on which muscle groups should I be doing, moving, lifting, repeating, whatever.
In other words, I am a strength-training novice.
So this Ap is PERFECT for me.
First, it has a list of workouts to choose from. I did a workout called "Rushed for Time" because today I was rushed. It was a beginner workout.
Then, it gave me the list of activities in the workout and the number of reps I should do:
Then, when I didn't know what "Bicep curls with DB" were, it had a video to show me...
It even has a timer for those exercises that need to be timed. (I did two sets of planks for 30 second each...cake).
So...while the workout I did today was a beginner workout and was pretty easy, and while I probably looked like a complete dork wandering the gym while looking at my iPhone before every set (I used the right word, right?), I had fun AND I think I got a reasonable workout.
In the future, I can also create custom workouts. I was also able to keep a journal of the workouts I do. The only thing I wish it did was a calories burned, but since those kinds of things are deplorably inaccurate anyway, I figure it's not that big of a deal. I have other places to look for inaccurate calorie-burned counter.
Another thing that could be improved about the ap, is that every time I wanted to look at a video (which for me was almost every single time), the music playing on the iPod stopped and it took a couple of swipes and clicks to get back to the music. It would be better if the music started automatically once the video was over.
Anyway, if you have an iPhone, it is pretty cool ap, and if you are a strength training novice (like I am) or if you just need some mojo, it is well worth the 99 cents...and is way more affordable than a "real" personal trainer.
_____________________________
PS...wish me luck. I'm going for a followup foot X-ray in the morning. Should let me know if I can start running again. To be honest, I'm not optimistic.
Who would have ever thought we'd be getting exercises right from our personal cell phones??? Technology is unbelievable when you think about it!
ReplyDeleteI need to create my own app with kettlebell shit and then sit back and let the money flow in!!!
Wow working out to the cell phone. I need to get me an app like that
ReplyDeleteYikes, I hope everything is good with the foot!
ReplyDeleteThe ap sounds pretty interesting. I wonder if they have the same one or something similar for the Droid.
Good luck with the x-ray!
I SO wish that ATT had better coverage here. I'm dying for an iPhone. My booberry is good but it aint no iPhone.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool. My stinkin blackberry can't do that =(
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the xray. I have my fingers crossed for you!
What a great app. Too bad I don't have an iPhone. All I remember about my previous personal trainer was how to do the reps for slimming down (lower wts, more reps) or bulking up (higher wts, less reps) and that if you work one part of a major area, you must do the other part too. So, for instance, if you do an exercise for the quads, be sure to follow it up with one for the hamstrings.
ReplyDeleteHope your doctor's visit went as well as mine!
That is one cool app! sweet!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the xray, fingers are crossed, but probably wise to listen to your gut. Very cool app -- looks like one of the better ones I've seen when I was looking for something like that -- now I'm doing the P90X and enjoying that though... so more time in the gym I don't need right now heehee.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting however our gym does not allow us to carry cell phones...
ReplyDeleteI hate strength training! maybe I will try this new app myself.
ReplyDeleteI want an Iphone!! That app is so cool.
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool app. However, I do not have an iPhone. I have a stupid BlackBerry.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great app! I hate lifting weights, I always feel so unfocused when I do that. If I ever go back to a gym, maybe I'll get this!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hate this whole "disclaimer" nonsense, but I'll sarcastically play along, just like you've done!
That's a pretty cool app! You can't beat 99 cents!
ReplyDeleteOh wow. App store hit. App downloaded. Sorry you don;t get a commission!
ReplyDelete