Cellphones and Working Out
We spend hours on our cellphones writing messages, talking and using social media. But should you use them when you work out?
While there are some people who do choose to workout with their phones, keep in mind that cellphones can hinder you from meeting your workout goals or from enjoying your leisure time.
Making the most out of your workout with a cellphone
Anything can offer benefits when used or done correctly. Cellphones can be helpful as long as you don’t use them obsessively; it’s not only true for your exercise routines but also for work, relationships and even sleeping habits.
Exercise technology
Cellphones can be a great way to know how many calories you burn during a workout. They’re also great for counting your daily steps or running distance and speed.
You can also use them to measure your heart rate as you rest or exercise to make sure you’re meeting your goals. By keeping track, you can progress accordingly and base it on the resulting numbers.
All of those functions are available through free or paid apps and usually use features such as sensors to collect data directly. For example, some heart rate sensors attach to the user’s chest or wrist and connect to the phone with BlueTooth technology.
Cellphones are a way to learn new routines
We can access information about exercise models and other health recommendations with the internet. Just being able to look through them as you work out is a big help as they can resolve any questions you might have.
In addition, you can find videos and posts that teach routines step-by-step. They allow you to learn the right techniques and movements in addition to supplying you with workout schedules to meet your physical goals.
Encouragement
According to certain studies, when we receive a message or gesture that makes us happy or excited, our brain releases a substance that puts us in a better mood to finish what we’re doing at that moment.
But, emotions are a double-edged sword. When we receive bad news, it can also affect our physical performance and even lead us to throw in the towel. Everything and anything can impact your mood.
When cellphones do more harm than good
Just as with everything else in life, abusing your cellphone can leave you with a negative impact on your exercise goals. More often than not, people who abuse their phones have to face these consequences:
- Distraction during a workout: according to science, if we focus as much as possible on what we’re doing, we can increase productivity by 25 percent. Hard to believe right? But it’s true, distraction can reduce productivity in your workouts.
- Less exercise time: resting between sets is crucial. But resting a little bit longer to answer a call or to check how many likes you’ve racked up will cut down on your actual exercise time.
- Worrying too much about the phone: exercise equipment and machines tend to be very dynamic. But using cellphones during a workout will rob a certain amount of concentration to keeping it safe.
- Resting insufficiently between exercises: many people believe that breaks are simply physical rest but they’re wrong. Your mind needs rest as well. Your body uses energy on mental efforts to finish workouts as well.
- Negative impact on stability and coordination: according to this study on physical performance and health, using a cellphone during a workout causes dizziness and people to lose their balance due to the abrupt change from doing a physical activity to one that’s more mental while requiring more hand-eye coordination.
So, should you use your cellphone or not?
There will always be certain exceptions. For example, you might be expecting an important phone call or updates on a family member. In those kinds of situations, you should let yourself take your phone to work out.
But, if that’s not your case, you’re putting your workout at risk from distraction. The big question is: will you change your habits to focus on what’s really important?
Take control of your phone habits! Put it away in your gym bag and in a few days, you’ll notice how focused you can be in your workout and relationships at your fitness center. Use your cellphone wisely and you’ll make big strides without distractions.
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