Playing sports or regular exercise as part of your daily routine is a key component of healthy living. Not only does getting proper exercise help you physically, but it also has positive effects on mental health. Many people don’t get the necessary exercise, which may lead to many problems, including heart disease and obesity. Thankfully, technologies are available to help make online exercise an easy part of your daily life. This tech makes your virtual workout more effective, fun, and engaging. Read on to learn how you can exercise using various online tools.
Online Tools to live a Healthier Lifestyle
In today’s modern world, people seem to have less free time than ever, and exercise is one thing that typically takes a back seat. Thankfully, new technology is changing how people exercise, making daily workouts more accessible than ever before. With VR sports training and workouts, you can get the physical activity you need anywhere and anytime. This technology provides you with a wide range of fantastic benefits.
- Using virtual workouts allows you to get exercise based on your schedule. The flexibility allows you to work out anywhere you’re at, whether it’s on the road traveling, in your home gym, or even while on a break at work.
- Since these workouts are virtual, they provide users with easy access via smartphone, tablet, or computer. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can start your virtual workout any time you’re able and ready.
VR workouts also offer a wide range of options, from low-impact to serious cardio. This allows you to work your way toward more rigorous exercise when you’re ready or to tweak the level of your workout based on your specific situation. For example, quick-fire virtual workouts are ideal for those with little time to exercise. These fast and hard workouts allow you to reap the benefits of exercising from a short session.
- Many virtual workouts and VR sports training programs are incredibly affordable, and some are even free of charge. Whether you follow a coach on YouTube or download an app to your phone, these plans come at a wide range of price points to fit your budget.
- After you regularly engage in virtual workouts, you’ll notice an improvement in your physical strength and self-confidence.
- Even if the weather is bad, you can take advantage of virtual workouts indoors. If you prefer outdoor activities, like running, biking, or hiking, these virtual workouts are an excellent supplement on the days when you simply can’t get outside.
Tracking Your Progress
When you participate in an online fitness program, it’s essential to track your progress as you go.
- Use wearable technology like fitness watches to help you track your fitness journey.
- Use wearable heart monitors or sleep monitors to track important health indicators like blood pressure, heart rate, and how much sleep you get each night.
- Take advantage of monitoring your sports performance by using the information from your devices to set a goal. As you improve, you’ll feel motivated to continue doing more.
- Make sure you take advantage of nutritional tools online that log your food intake, record calories in v. calories out, and analyze your nutritional macros to help you stay on track.
Smart Fitness Equipment
Smart fitness equipment is similar to traditional exercise equipment, but it includes technological features like digital screens that track your progress, connections to virtual workouts, and more.
- Utilizing smart fitness equipment is better than traditional equipment because it logs your activity, tracks your progress, and offers you more access to a variety of workouts that incorporate the equipment you’re using.
- While this technology is certainly helpful, it also requires constant access to the Internet, and it can cost more than standard equipment.
- If you use this type of equipment, make sure you’re in an area with a solid Wi-Fi connection and optimize your Wi-Fi speed for the best results. Look for Internet companies near you that offer high-speed packages to help you maximize every workout without any hiccups.
Online Exercise
Taking part in virtual workouts provides you with new, creative options for fitness at home. Here are a few workouts to try, how to use virtual training apps, and more.
- There are plenty of fun online fitness classes and workouts available. Yoga, Pilates, cycling, dance, cardio, and strength training are the most popular, but it may take a few practice sessions to determine which option is the right option for you.
- On-demand training videos allow you to access various classes whenever you want to — and from anywhere. These on-demand videos let you work out on your schedule. Pre-recorded or on-demand classes provide convenience, while live-streamed classes provide a sense of teamwork and belonging as you work with an instructor and other exercisers.
- Look for free programs you can find online. Many YouTube instructors offer a large library of training classes free of charge. If you sign up for a paid membership, make sure you use it as often as possible — otherwise, you won’t get the most out of your money. Look for an app or online program that offers you a selection of workout options under one account rather than paying for them separately.
- Virtual training apps are accessible from any smartphone or tablet, giving you a fun workout experience on the go or from any location. They also allow you to tweak your settings and preferences as needed. Training videos aren’t as versatile and are just videos you can watch via an online platform, either on your phone or computer.
- Some of the best workout apps to download include Apple Fitness Plus, Sweat, Nike Training Club, and EvolveYou, but many more are available.
- Find an open space in your home to set up a home gym or virtual reality room. This could be the garage, a spare bedroom, or the basement. Depending on which workouts you plan to do, you’ll also need some basic equipment like weights, an elliptical machine, a treadmill or stationary bike, and yoga gear.
Virtual Reality Fitness
VR or virtual reality exercise involves using immersive technology to create an ever-changing, realistic environment while you work out. This new technology is increasing in popularity and makes working out more fun and exciting.
- To get started with this type of exercise, you’ll need a virtual reality headset. This equipment is vital to ensuring that you get an authentic VR sports training or workout experience.
- Look for programs tailored to your fitness goals, such as free weight workouts, walking or running, or cardio.
- Motion sickness is common in people who first use VR. Start by participating in small, short workouts and gradually work your way up from five minutes at a time to 10, 15, and 20 minutes as you get used to using the gear.
- Many professional athletes use VR sports training because it’s easy to tailor it to a specific sport or workout goal. You can also use this type of workout to customize your training at the gym or at home.
- Once you get used to virtual workouts, you’ll notice an improvement in your overall fitness level and reaction times. This applies to a wide range of sports, from tennis to track and more.
- Look for training games or platforms designed for athletes by athletes. It’s the best way to ensure you get the most out of every workout.
Video Games and Sports
You can improve your athletic skills by playing sports-based video games.
- When you play sports-related games online, you’ll learn about the sport, learn new techniques, and hone your skills as you improve.
- Certain interactive video games can also improve hand-eye coordination, body coordination, and responsive skills, giving you the edge over the competition.
Esports 101
Esports involve video gamers playing games as a traditional sport while spectators look on. The popularity of Esports has dramatically increased, although many feel that considering playing video games a real sport is disingenuous.
- Amateur Esports players typically play at home or compete virtually. In contrast, professional players tend to enter tournaments with real-life spectators looking on, and they may win a prize or money if they win.
- Most Esports players train by watching others play the game, practicing at home, and even hiring a coach to help them learn the ins and outs of a specific game.
- If you want to start playing Esports, you’ll need a quality high-speed internet connection, a PC with plenty of memory, a headset, a gaming keyboard and mouse, and a quality gaming chair.
- There are plenty of tournaments that take place all year round, with the Le Mans Virtual Series being the most anticipated event of the year. Look for tournaments near you or find out where you can get tickets to participate or attend.
- The popularity of Esports fans and communities has increased significantly over the last few years. An increase in marketing is one reason why the game has become more popular with fans and participants. The global market reached a size of $1.28 billion in 2021, a 32% increase over the previous year.
Whether you’re just starting out playing sports, want to improve your workouts, or need to incorporate exercise into your life, virtual workout technology and online classes make it easy. Remember these tips to help you find an online workout that’s right for you.
by Teresa Siqueira