Tag: Apple

By: Emma Faulkner

Exercise. That dreaded “to-do” that somehow always gets shoved to the bottom of my list. I have had a long love/ hate relationship with exercise in my life. If you are like me, going to the gym is a personal nightmare. In the past, I had absolutely no idea what to do and every machine scared me. When I finally gained enough confidence to try something, I became aware of the people around me noticing how lost and confused I looked. So I would mosey on over to the elliptical, unwilling to try anything else. I’ve had ups and downs in my personal fitness journey, I’ve tried various gyms, workout programs, and trainers. Nothing worked and it all seemed either too personal or too impersonal. About a month ago I came across an app called aaptiv, and it’s been a game changer. This app provides me with not only the guidance I need to get a full work out but the tools to keep me motivated.

When you open the app you are given choices for your workout which vary from strength-training to elliptical to yoga and meditation. They also vary in skill level, duration, trainer, and music genre. All workouts are audio-led, with music backing the trainer and in some, there are short video clips to give you an example of what the exercises look like. This is extremely helpful for someone like me who knows little to nothing about how to properly exercise. You can also choose a multi-week program with day-to-day workouts to help with a specific goals such as cross-training for a 5K or exercise for weight loss.

Another reason this app is great is because this isn’t something that needs to be paired with a gym membership. You can get in a good workout from the comfort of your home. When I don’t feel like leaving my house I grab my yoga mat, JAM wireless headphones, ThermoFlask bottle, and my phone and I’m set. I have found myself trying new things like yoga and and strength-training because it’s so easy and accessible.

I start my workouts strong, but just as my motivation begins to fade and the voice in my head says, “please stop, everything hurts,” a friendly voice in my ear guides me and motivates me to keep going. This guidance and motivation is something I need to be consistent about working out and it really pays off. I have also found that it’s easier to push myself to grow, run more, work harder, and not give up. I am working out at least three to four times a week, alternating between at-home and in-gym workouts. I have learned that setting goals and achieving them is empowering. I have become a more energized and happier person because I feel stronger and healthier than I have ever been. I highly recommend this to anyone who is hesitant about working out or feeling stuck in their current fitness plan.