Things I Love: 8fit
You already know I love to share cool, useful, affordable sources with you all. I imply, what’s the purpose of keeping stuff like that a secret? That’s why I began this blog—to share information with you that I think is valuable and useful for dwelling a healthy life. Right now is all a few new (to me) health app I’ve been utilizing for two weeks. 8fit. Have you heard of it?
In case you haven’t heard of it, this assessment should offer you a pretty good concept about what it’s and how it works, and whether or not it would benefit your life.
I’ll start by saying I each love and hate to workout. By that I imply I really like the best way I really feel throughout and after a workout. I really like the way in which working out regularly retains my moods stable, my metabolism fired up, and my muscle mass toned. However I hate carving outing of my day to go to the gym, finding a category I like that matches into my schedule, or having to purchase equipment I may not use regularly. So I’ve tended to be hit and miss with actual workouts. Yes, I walk, and observe yoga virtually every day. But it’s important to also hold working on strength and muscle building/maintenance all through our lives. It’s just a fact that muscle mass keeps our metabolisms in high gearp, and if we don’t use them we lose them.
I’ve some dumbbells right here at the house—the sort you lift, not the kind you roll your eyes at. (Well, really I’ve each however that’s another story.) And about twice every week I would do a lifting session with them, however I wasn’t really seeing the outcomes I wanted. I also don’t really really feel like becoming a member of a gym and dealing with that aforementioned time downside, not to point out site visitors and contracts and all the other stuff that goes along with gyms. I must be able to workout at house, when it’s handy for me. And I don’t always want to spend 30-45 minutes on a energy/bodyweight workout. Fast and Dirty is all I can manage most days. So I did a little internet digging and found an app that makes a speciality of fast bodyweight workouts, has completely different ranges of workouts, and a scheduling/reminder feature. How may I resist making an attempt that out?
Enter 8fit. This app was released years ago, but I had never heard of it. Not surprising considering what number of apps there are in this category. However with somewhere around a million downloads, and a solid 4 star ranking, I figured it was worth checking out. There are both free and pro (read: paid) levels of the app, and I’m presently utilizing the free version. I’m frugal. Having stated that, the free model has lots going for it.
Let’s start by talking about a number of the non-train elements I like. 8fit integrates with the Apple Well being kit app built into your iPhone, and the Apple Watch. I really like that. I know I’m probably in the minority, however I really use Apple Well being kit. I also run FitBit and MyFitnessPal simultaneously. They usually integrate with each other, and MFP integrates with Apple Well being, so I’ve a loop of data sharing which lets me see how daily workouts are affecting my metabolism, body composition, blood pressure, caloric consumption, etc. That information might or will not be as exciting for you as it is for me, however I really like it. That data is the sort of stuff I live for—being able to track effort and outcomes keeps me motivated and engaged. I shouldn’t have an Apple Watch (however my birthday is developing, hint hint), nonetheless if I do get one in the future I’m positive I’ll love the app integration there, just as a lot as I do on my phone.
One other tech feature I like is the scheduling and reminder functions. Each day I can schedule my next workout day/time, and then obtain a reminder on my lock screen when it’s time to workout. I’m a type of people who gets involved in what I’m doing and loses track of time, so having that function inbuilt, versus me having to set a calendar reminder, retains me on track. In fact I can ignore the lock screen reminder for a while if I have to, however it’s going to sit there mocking me until I do something about it…at which level I could as well just do the dang workout.
Then there’s the data integration feature. As soon as my workout is complete, 8fit dumps the time and caloric information into my Apple Health kit app, which then posts that information to MFP, which then posts it to my FitBit app. Squee!
Now on to the workouts. Holy sweatbands! As I mentioned, these are bodyweight workouts, and most are Tabata model, that is a set number of reps done as fast as potential, combined with as many reps as attainable in a set quantity of time. B-R-U-T-A-L and effective. Fortunately, there are levels of workouts available, newbie, intermediate, advanced, and a few workout routines have modification/alternate ideas if it’s good to keep away from certain movements. You can keep on the identical degree so long as you wish to, or move up if you complete the entire workouts in your present level.
I began with the beginner workouts, and am now into the intermediate program. I suggest that everyone start at the newbie degree unless you’re well versed in Tabata movements and have your kind down pat. Right form is very important in avoiding injury, and getting the best results. But don’t think for one second that the beginner workouts are easy. No, no, no. You may be sweating within five minutes and in case you’re like me, your canine will grow to be very concerned about your grunting and attempt to ‘assist’ you by whining and licking you while you sweat/cry/grunt your approach via 9-quarter-hour of exertion.
The paid version consists of meal plans, recipes, grocery lists, and coaching by way of a chat feature. There are varying levels of the pro model, ranging from $39.ninety nine for three months to $79.ninety nine for a full yr with a coach.
As I mentioned, I’m currently utilizing the free version, as I don’t need the added options of meal plans and shopping lists. With the 8 fit free workouts (https://www.storeboard.com/) version, you can entry fitness, diet and exercise guides, which may be helpful. I particularly discover the exercise guides to be useful for familiarizing myself with new moves.