on-it-online

On it, ONLINE!

As we steam through 2015 it becomes more and more apparent that the trend for online workouts and challenges are now a permanent fixture within the fitness industry.

Now in our opinion DVD workouts have had their day. Lets be honest, you buy it, use it a number of times and get bored. Now with online workouts they have the advantage of more regular updates and in many cases are free. All that is require is subscription.

Is it a good thing in regards to the fitness community as a whole?

A forever growing trend are web based challenges. Where a challenge is posted and results uploaded. Whether that be via you tube videos, evidence. Then leagues, charts and results are released. This allows people to see how they fair against other individuals they might never met.

If you type the word fitness challenges into google, you will see a vast array of different ones. From losing weight ones to competitive cross fit, weight lifting ones. There really is a wide variety. Whole competitive communities are forming due to the reach of the World Wide Web.

There are many that support and champion this approach. Arguing that it ensures and drives people to the gym to compete in such results based competitions such as weight lifting and cross fit.  It can also improve links through-out the fitness community, improving links on other social media sites such as twitter, Facebook.

Whereas some fitness professionals, especially personal trainers state that weight loss workouts and challenges make potential clients stay at home and also miss out on the interaction side of a gym, helping to breed social skills and confidence.

It’s an interesting argument, that in reality both sides have an argument. Those individuals whom are avid gym goers and need new challenges, it does seem to really work and is an excellent motivator. Giving an individual something to train for and ensures that the old phrase “find any excuse” in regards not going to the gym becomes a less frequently used phrase! It also links communities, areas and individuals together, in a way that could never have happened until the internet became a fixture in today’s society.

Then you can also see the other point of view. Especially those who never venture into these surroundings. It can become another reason not to interact socially. “Why do I need to leave home, as I am getting results.” These type of online weight loss plans and exercise workouts do miss the point of the social aspect of gymnasiums and exercise classes. Helping some improve the social circles, develop new friendships and improve standard of living.

In fact exercise can help boost self-confidence and help prevent depression and can reduce anxiety. Releasing chemicals that make us feel generally happier!

There has been research that suggests physical activity can improve social skills within children such as leadership and empathy.

These social interactions help improve individuals self esteem, perceptions of ones self and social behaviours. There have been countless studies into these fields, just looking on google scholar, will bring up countless published papers. If we are honest we have all had some interaction within in a gym and many become friendships.

Now this isn’t saying online weight loss workouts and competitions are bad, far from it. As some individuals are far too self-conscious and find the gym or classes far too stressful. Although they do limit certain psychological benefits that exercise classes and the gym environment can provide.

It’s a difficult one. What do you think?

Loxley

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