Get Fit Gadget Challenge Blog #1 [Powered by Fitness First]
THE CHALLENGE
Gadgets augment our lives. They let us send emails on the fly, watch live TV from half-way around the world without having to lift a finger and play video games for far longer than we probably should. Today we email instead of walking over to work colleagues, spend hours glued to interactive maps instead of going outside, order groceries online, make friends online and pretty much live, online.
At the same time, we’ve seen our global waistlines balloon, diabetes is on the up and being ‘slightly fat’ is quickly becoming the norm. Which begs the question – are today’s gadgets and technology making our lives so easy that we’ve become little more than sloth-shaped beings, addicted to our next fix of fast food and sugar-filled carbonated water?
Here at Stuff, we don’t think so. We think gadgets are great (it kind of goes with the job description) and reckon if technology put us in this flabby mess, then surely it can get us out of it. Gadgets make our lives simpler right? That should go for getting fit and healthy, too.
That’s what we’re out to prove, that with a little time (ten weeks to be exact) and the right technology, apps and gadgets, you can ditch the flab and live a happier and healthier life.
No, we’re not talking about those machines that supposedly zap your belly with gamma rays and then claim six-pack results – we’ll be putting the fate of our flabby tums in gadgets, games and technology that are readily available to the public, and in most cases absolutely free.
Of course, we’ve also drafted in some likeminded support. Each week online, and every month in the magazine, we’ll be talking to Fitness First about all the gadgets, apps and gear we’ve tested, to see what the experts have to say about our get fit challenge. Oh, and we’ll also be sneaking into Fitness First’s excellent fitness clubs to try out their awesome facilities each week – you can look out for those updates right here.
THE STUFFERS
TOM
It’s fair to say that since starting work here at Stuff, healthy eating went out the window, along with most of my exercise and regular sleeping patterns – replaced instead by endless trays of canapés at corporate events, midnight gadget launches and many hours spent slouching over my desk. But enough is enough, I used to be fit and now I’m looking to get back in shape using whatever gadgets necessary. I’m looking to prove that you don’t need to take three months off to get fit. You can do your job and lose weight; all you need is the right mix of apps and tech.
PAUL
When I joined the Navy 15 years ago I was fighting fit. Months of training left me in the best shape of my life, and I felt like I could run a marathon in my spare time and hardly break a sweat. How times change. My Dubai diet of sugary drinks and burgers have left me, err… a bit on the chubby side. And while going out every weekend is good fun, it’s not doing me any favours in the health department. I’ve just learned that my cholesterol is through the roof, and my doctor warns me that I might be at risk of diabetes. Let’s see if we can turn that around, shall we?
BEN
I’m a typical gamer so say that I have a typical gamer’s body; honed by hours clicking away at my computer (I’m a level 56 Night Elf Hunter, thank you very much) late nights and less-than-healthy fast food. But it wasn’t always this way, I used to dapple in Boot Camp Fitness classes and Thai Boxing on the weekends. I want to use this challenge to get back into being healthy. I want to augment my body with gadgets that make me stronger, fitter and faster (think Deus Ex) and ultimately, level up my fitness for good. I want a fit bod without the Photoshop.
THE FACILITIES
We’ve partnered up with Fitness First – the biggest and best get-fit-franchise in the world – to help get our big behinds back in to shape. Each month, we’ll be using their amazing facilities across the UAE, everything from the air-conditioned gyms with the latest equipment to the sweat-inducing weights areas, to help us get results. Of course, we’ll also be grilling Fitness First trainers on what they think of our space-aged fitness gadgets, and we’ll find out whether or not the experts think our tech can do the job. Oh, and they’ll also be there to make sure we don’t end up with one arm bigger than the other – and to wipe our sweaty brows, naturally.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK…
We check out the facilities at Fitness First, ask some of the qualified trainers what they think of all our kit and delve into our first week of hardcore exercise. Wish us luck, and see you next week for another update. Oh, and our fitness stats will go up online too. Gulp.
About the Author
I agree in part to this article, but maybe
i need to think about it more