You’re only as efficient as the tools you use for fitness. This saying is true in just about anything you’re trying to accomplish. For me, I spent a great deal of time looking for the perfect combination of what I am trying to accomplish health-wise.
These are the tools I use on a regular basis.
Home Fitness Tools
Xbox 360 Kinect
Yes, I am still a big fan of the Xbox 360 and the Kinect. I know it’s an outdated system, but I’ve burned more calories playing games like Your Shape: Fitness Evolved and Avengers: Battle for Earth than any other home workout.
Part of this is because of how hard I play. I don’t just stand there and wave my arms. When I play something like Kinect Sports Season 2: Tennis, I am jumping around the living room and really playing tennis.
In fact, there have been times when I’ve burned more calories than most people going to the gym for a cardio workout. This goes to show that if you put in the effort and make the experience fun, you can really get that heart rate up.
Oculus Quest 2
The Oculus Quest 2 is the newest addition to my workout tools. I am currently looking for games that compare to what I play on the Kinect to see which one has the better calorie burn.
I plan on doing a review of the Oculus on ColoradoPlays.com, but for now, I’m in the “checking it out” phase. That’s because I don’t review something unless I’ve actually used the product.
And so far, I’m kind of impressed with how well it works. Well, aside from having to wear my glasses, which is slightly uncomfortable.
Apps I Use as Part of My Fitness Tools
MyFitnessPal.com – MichaelBrockbank98
MyFitnessPal has a great database for tracking food, exercise and meeting new people. All users get a miniature blog they can use to write about their experiences.
MyFitnessPal also allows you to create your own private recipes for food while helping you track the nutritional value of your creations. I’ve met quite a few people so far, and I like how this system integrates with everything else I am using.
One thing I love about MyFitnessPal is that you can use it whether you’re on a mobile device or a desktop computer. The web browser version is just as easy to use with a wide variety of functions available.
Exercise.com – Archangel76
Once called WeightTraining.com, this website is full of information regarding exercises and weights.
Exercise.com is essentially a one-stop location for healthy development with the added bonus of being able to connect with professional trainers. It connects to MyFitnessPal in order to track calorie burn and activities in real-time.
Lately, though, I’ve been using it to keep track of personal records.
RunKeeper – Archangel76
RunKeeper is an app for mobile devices that tracks your movement by GPS location. It can track running, walking, riding, swimming and even rolling if you’re in a wheelchair.
RunKeeper is another app that will let you set goals for getting more cardio exercise. There is a huge list of activities and is quite accurate when it comes to movement and speed.
This one also integrates will all my other apps.
Fitbit Charge 4 – Archangel
My Fitbit Charge 4 is probably one of the most prominent tools in my collection. It tracks steps, heart rate, calorie burn, stairs and is integrated with MyFitnessPal.
As I can charge my Fitbit Charge 3 on my computer or through a power socket, I can keep it activated regardless of where I am.
The website dashboard is quite elaborate, and you can set personal goals in many categories.
I usually focus more on calorie burn than steps, though. That’s because I work and play at my desk, which really isn’t conducive to physical movement. However, I am always improving myself by getting up and moving about.
Even if it’s just a walk around the back yard or cleaning house.
Find What Fitness Tools Work Best for You
I’m not saying the above apps are the best for everyone. They are simply my favorites which I use regularly. The trick is to find something that works for you and maximize your effort.
There are plenty to choose from whether you want to simply lose weight or build muscle mass.