It’s time to start training smarter, not harder. As in, it’s time to start training with the assistance of SMART technology. Although you might think of SMART tech getting its name from the way non-sentient objects interact with us and guide our behavior, it’s actually an acronym for self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology. And having the ability to monitor, analyze, and report the way your body responds to physical activity means you have a better ability to maximize every workout you do.
SMART fitness tools take many forms. It could be as simple as an app on your phone—such as a pedometer app, which tracks your steps and miles walked. On the more complex side, you have fitness equipment that can guide your workout and assess your progress. Although SMART fitness had been gaining in popularity for several years before 2020, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic—when many people were isolated at home and couldn’t get to the gym—brought an explosion of interest in SMART fitness capabilities.
Think of Peloton, the SMART stationary bike that had 4.4 million users by the end of 2020. These bikes guided people through home workouts, helping them challenge themselves in new ways by automating the amount of resistance behind the pedals and measuring their progress. Similarly, Bowflex SMART dumbbells and JaxJox SMART kettlebells allowed strength trainers to adjust the weight of their equipment with just the push of a button—no more need to store tons of weights at home, where most people do not have as much dedicated workout space as they would at the gym.
Even now that many gyms have opened their doors back up, fitness enthusiasts like the convenience and efficiency they are able to get right from their own homes with SMART equipment.
So, why does SMART fitness continue to be so popular in 2023?
Here are the major reasons:
It’s easier to track your workout. SMART equipment comes with motion sensors that measure things like the steps you’ve taken or the reps you’ve lifted. There’s no need to count when you have tools that will do it for you.
You can monitor your heartrate with devices like a smartwatch, of which Apple Watches continue to be the most popular. Heartrate monitoring gives you an idea of how hard your body is working so you can push yourself while still ensuring you don’t overexert yourself. This is especially important if you have a heart condition or similar health concern.
It’s easier to store your data with your SMART devices and track your progress over weeks or months. No more need to write everything down on paper and try to do the math in your head. You can even download your data to your phone or computer if they are synced up to your SMART devices.
SMART technology can adapt to your schedule and provide reminders to you when it’s time to work out—and that’s some accountability that many people can use. After all, you might be less inclined to skip your Monday morning workout if you get a notification telling you it’s time to get moving.
There’s a sense of community behind SMART fitness. Most equipment syncs with guided programs where you can be shown what to do by professional trainers. You can even get an on-demand class 24/7. And because some equipment gives you the option of sharing your most recent workout stats to social media, you might find yourself more motivated to earn bragging rights among your peers who do that same SMART workout.
While some SMART fitness is expensive (SMART bikes and treadmills sometimes cost thousands of dollars, regardless of the brand), many users find that it’s a worthwhile investment.
So, no matter what your fitness goals are, you might consider jumping on the bandwagon and finding ways you can take advantage of the latest technology. After all, it’s about working smarter, not harder.
