Choosing A Fitness App: Wellness Tip for Busy Women

With thousands of fitness and weight loss apps available, how do you choose one which will actually help you meet your goals? That’s a good question! Several studies have been conducted recently which provide clear evidence suggesting well designed apps can increase activity levels and keep you motivated. As I wrote in an article on HealthyWay , one study was critical of most apps for failing to meet all of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Guidelines for Physical Activity, but I don’t think that is really the issue. Most Americans get just eight minutes of physical activity per day, or 56 minutes per week. ANY increase in activity is beneficial. If a free app reminds you to get up and move around more, that is excellent. According to a study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, fitness app users are more likely to exercise had have lower BMI than non-users or those who used an app for a while and then quit.  This is good news. So, what makes a fitness app effective? It turns out even just setting goals and tracking your progress can do the trick.  An Irish study, indicates that participants who used an interactive app which provided feedback about progress towards goal significantly increased daily activity over a group which used an app that simply logged steps. Look for fitness apps that combines elements known to support behavior change: Positive and interactive: Providing uplifting messages, support, and motivation is key. The FitBit app doe...
Source: Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Award Winning Blog Source Type: blogs