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Dear Health and Fitness Enthusiast,

Welcome to the June 2010 issue of the BABY Training newsletter.

In May's issue I suggested that technology could be used to encourage more people to exercise. This month, in PART 2, I’ll continue the article by looking at various technologies such as WiiFit and EA Personal Trainer that show the potential of introducing exercise and technology to the mass market.

The digital revolution is here, but it’s not focused on fitness. We are more [virtually] social, we can buy almost everything we can think of online, we can communicate over vast distance using video, and yet the population is still out of physical shape. I see an opportunity to educate and encourage non-exercisers towards a healthier future.

The digital revolution is here, but it’s not focused on fitness. Technology is gearing towards us being more [virtually] social. Proof comes from the fact that Facebook is the second most popular website in the world! We have the capability to check friends’ walls and tweets on our phones.  Yet with all this tech we are not swapping enough exercise ideas, planning enough exercise routines or arranging enough runs in the park. If we did then our nation would be in better physical shape!

I see an opportunity to educate and encourage non-exercisers towards a healthier future using technology as a catalyst for improving health and fitness through excitement and enjoyment of gadgets.

How? For a start there are computer ‘games’ that encourage users to increase activity levels at home. One such game is the Wii Fit + Wii Fit Plus for Nintendo Wii. I remember first trying this game before UK launch a few years ago. It was easy to use with a pleasant interface that enticed me to play. Although it had many Yoga type exercises it now includes strength training exercises. I wanted to get one in the gym I was managing at the time but the owners laughed at the idea. It’s very popular being in the top 50 games for Wii.

Another ‘game’ is EA Sports Active: Personal Fitness Trainer for Wii. This includes a resistance band and leg strap. With the controller attached to your leg or in your hands, the software tracks your movements and moves your avatar on screen. The game describes the exercise and demonstration correct technique which is a nice touch.

The key thing with all these is that there is motion sensing technology. Soon to follow the system popularised by Nintendo, Sony Playstation Move and Microsoft 360 ‘Project Natal’ will launch this year. I expect there to be a new wave of health and fitness related titles to cater for the new audiences these platforms will attract.

These games may only promote is moderate to low intensity, but I think even with the basic exercises, a sedentary person will benefit from the extra activity. It could also be a ‘gateway’ to exercising outdoors and eventually a gym.

Nike + is a device that uses an accelerometer to gauge how far you’ve travelled and how fast. The sensor is either in a shoe or in an iPod. When your workout is finished you upload the collected data to the Nike+ website to see how far you’ve gone. You even get a congratulatory message from Paula Radcliffe if you beat your personal best!

With more innovative software and hardware hitting the consumer market, there will be a greater opportunity to engage users with fitness related content and activities. As a Personal Trainer and Tutor, I see this as a good thing. Educated clients mean you are more likely to raise your skills and knowledge to ensure they continue to learn and get the best results.

Simon Bubb © 2010