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Social media fitness communities -

Online groups and communities enable you to do everything from share progress to get support, and even help you stay inspired when motivation is running low.

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Social media fitness communities - The vast world of social media means countless opportunities to connect. Included here are just a few ideas: Facebook groups dedicated to fitness goals and challenges; fitness subreddits for sharing experiences and workout routines; and online communities focused on specific activities like running or yoga.

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Habit-building apps -

Apps can help you set fitness goals, track progress, and build workout routines into your everyday life.

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Habit-building apps - Some of the top habit-building apps out there today are: MyFitnessPal, where you can track calories, macros, and workouts; Nike Training Club, which offers free and paid guided workouts; and the Peloton app, which provides access to cycling and other on-demand classes.

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Achievement rewards and badges -

Gamification, a concept defined as the process of adding games or game-like elements to something (such as a task) to encourage participation, is applicable to fitness technology. For example, earn virtual rewards and badges for completing workouts, adding a fun element to fitness goals.

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Achievement rewards and badges - Apple Fitness+ rings are one of the most popular and where users earn badges for closing their activity rings. Additionally, there are Fitbit challenges where your steps are tracked and then you can compete with friends for a set period of time.

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Workout streak trackers -

These tools allow users to maintain their motivation by tracking workout streaks and celebrating milestones. Acknowledging even the small wins can help drive users to continue towards their goals.

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Workout streak trackers - Tools for tracking workout streaks include Strava, which can track your running and cycling activities while maintaining a streak counter. Additionally, the Freeletics app shows your current workout streak.

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Progress tracking tools -

As your fitness journey continues, it can be extremely insightful to monitor your progress over time and ideally with detailed data analysis from wearables and apps. By knowing where you were versus where you are, it can further motivate you to continue with your health and wellness journey.

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Progress tracking tools - Noteworthy tracking tools include the Apple Health app, where various health and fitness metrics are recorded over time. Garmin Connect is another one.

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Virtual trainers -

The days of wasting time commuting to the gym are no more! Now, athletes and everyday people alike can get real-time coaching and feedback from virtual trainers during workouts.

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Virtual trainers -

Peloton, obé Fitness, and Future offer live and on-demand fitness classes with virtual instructors.

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Wearable trackers -

Wearable devices are available and can help monitor everything from your heart rate and calories burned, to steps taken and much more, providing valuable data to optimize your training.

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Wearable trackers -

The most famous wearable tracker on the market currently is arguably the Apple Watch, followed closely by the Garmin Forerunner series. Coming in third, the Fitbit Charge series is a more affordable option that offers basic activity and sleep tracking.

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Personalized workouts -

Every person on this earth is unique, and so are their health and fitness needs. Realizing this, dozens of apps and online platforms began to create personalized workout plans based on specific goals, fitness levels, and preferences.

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Personalized workouts -

Aaptiv creates personalized running playlists based on your pace and goals. Fitbod provides personalized strength training programs based on your equipment and preferences. For its part, the Nike Run Club app offers personalized caching plans for runners of all levels.

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On-demand workouts -

Whether you’re home or away on vacation and want a quick workout, on-demand gives users direct access to a vast library of workout videos led by certified trainers that are available anywhere and at any time.

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On-demand workouts -

On-demand workout options include YouTube Daily Burn. Obé Fitness and Peloton offer subscription-based access to a wide variety of classes.

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Smart exercise bikes and mirrors -

Love being outdoors but can’t today because it’s pouring rain? Maybe you live in a part of the world where it snows half the year. Whatever the case, there is interactive equipment available that provides immersive workout experiences led by virtual coaches.

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Smart exercise bikes and mirrors -

The infamous Peloton Bike comes to mind for most. For those of you who are less familiar, Peloton is an interactive stationary bike with virtual coaching and scenic rides. For mirrors, there is the MYXfitness Mirror or Echelon Reflect.

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Smart home gym integration - The environment you work out in can make or break your concentration and negatively impact your progress. Enter: the smart home gym era. If you want to control lighting, music, and even temperature with your voice while working out, it's now possible!

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Smart home gym integration -

Smart lights can be programmed to change color based on workout intensity, while smart thermostats can automatically adjust temperature for comfort during exercises.

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Fitness trackers with GPS -

If you run or cycle outdoors, consider adding a GPS fitness tracker to your wish list. These devices can give you detailed mapping and distance data. An informed fitness enthusiast is usually a successful one!

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Fitness trackers with GPS - Fitness trackers with GPS include options such as the Garmin Fenix series and the Polar M430, the latter which is a GPS running watch with built-in heart rate monitoring.

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Nutritional guidance apps -

Get personalized meal plans and nutritional advice based on your workout goals.

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Nutritional guidance apps -

MyFitnessPal offers premium features with meal planning and calorie tracking. MacroFactor is an advanced app for tracking macros and receiving personalized nutrition coaching. For its part, Noom provides personalized meal plans and coaching based on your goals and preferences.

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Sleep tracking with fitness trackers -

These tools help you optimize your sleep for better recovery and improved workout performance.

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Sleep tracking with fitness trackers -

Topping the list for sleep tracking devices are the Oura Ring, WHOOP band, and the Apple Watch Series 9.

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Fitness technology for the win! -

From communities to game-changing health and fitness apps, and everything in between, technology is dramatically shifting ways in which we are active. The landscape will only continue to evolve as the years come and go, so hang on for even more personalized options!

Sources: (PCMag) (The Verge) (LinkedIn) (WIRED)

See also: Things you didn't realize are harming your mental health

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