Things I Love: 8fit

You understand I like to share cool, helpful, affordable assets with you all. I imply, what’s the point of keeping stuff like that a secret? That’s why I started this weblog—to share data with you that I think is valuable and useful for dwelling a wholesome life. At this time is all a few new (to me) fitness app I’ve been utilizing for 2 weeks. 8fit. Have you heard of it?

Should you haven’t heard of it, this overview ought to offer you a fairly good concept about what it's and the way it works, and whether it would profit your life.

I’ll start by saying I each love and hate to workout. By that I imply I really like the way in which I really feel throughout and after a workout. I really like the best way working out often keeps my moods stable, my metabolism fired up, and my muscle groups toned. However I hate carving outing of my day to go to the gym, finding a class I like that fits into my schedule, or having to buy equipment I might not use regularly. So I’ve tended to be hit and miss with actual workouts. Yes, I stroll, and apply yoga virtually each day. Nevertheless it’s essential to additionally keep working on power and muscle building/maintenance throughout our lives. It’s just a indisputable fact that muscle mass keeps our metabolisms in high gearp, and if we don’t use them we lose them.

I've some dumbbells here at the house—the type you lift, not the type you roll your eyes at. (Well, really I've each however that’s another story.) And about twice a week I'd do a lifting session with them, however I wasn’t really seeing the outcomes I wanted. I additionally don’t really really feel like joining a gym and coping with that aforementioned time drawback, not to point out traffic and contracts and all the other stuff that goes together with gyms. I must be able to workout at home, when it’s handy for me. And I don’t always need to spend 30-forty five minutes on a power/bodyweight workout. Quick and Soiled is all I can manage most days. So I did a bit of internet digging and found an app that makes a speciality of quick bodyweight workouts, has different levels of workouts, and a scheduling/reminder feature. How could I resist trying that out?

Enter 8fit. This app was launched two years ago, but I had never heard of it. Not stunning considering what number of apps there are in this category. However with somewhere around one million downloads, and a solid 4 star rating, I figured it was price checking out. There are each free and pro (read: paid) levels of the app, and I’m presently using the free version. I’m frugal. Having stated that, the free model has quite a bit going for it.

Let’s begin by speaking about some of the non-exercise features I like. 8fit integrates with the Apple Health kit app built into your iPhone, and the Apple Watch. I love that. I do know I’m in all probability within the minority, but I really use Apple Health kit. I additionally run FitBit and MyFitnessPal simultaneously. They usually integrate with one another, and MFP integrates with Apple Health, so I've a loop of knowledge sharing which lets me see how daily workouts are affecting my metabolism, body composition, blood pressure, caloric intake, etc. That information may or might not be as thrilling for you as it is for me, but I love it. That knowledge is the type of stuff I live for—being able to track effort and results retains me motivated and engaged. I would not have an Apple Watch (but my birthday is coming up, hint hint), however 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.
Another tech characteristic I like is the scheduling and reminder functions. Every day I can schedule my next workout day/time, and then receive 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 characteristic inbuilt, versus me having to set a calendar reminder, keeps me on track. Of course I can ignore the lock screen reminder for a while if I have to, but it'll sit there mocking me till I do something about it…at which point I may as well just do the dang workout.
Then there’s the info integration feature. As quickly as my workout is full, 8fit dumps the time and caloric data 8 ft into inches, http://8fit.launchrock.com, my Apple Health kit app, which then posts that info to MFP, which then posts it to my FitBit app. Squee!
Now on to the workouts. Holy sweatbands! As I discussed, these are bodyweight workouts, and most are Tabata type, that could be a set number of reps performed as quick as attainable, mixed with as many reps as potential in a set quantity of time. B-R-U-T-A-L and effective. Fortunately, there are ranges of workouts available, beginner, intermediate, advanced, and a few exercises have modification/alternate options if you want to avoid certain movements. You'll be able to keep on the same degree so long as you need to, or move up if you complete all of the workouts in your present level.
I started with the beginner workouts, and am now into the intermediate program. I counsel that everyone start on the beginner degree unless you might be well versed in Tabata movements and have your kind down pat. Correct type is essential in avoiding injury, and getting the very best results. But do not think for one second that the beginner workouts are easy. No, no, no. You can be sweating within 5 minutes and if you happen to’re like me, your dog will grow to be very concerned about your grunting and try to ‘help’ you by whining and licking you while you sweat/cry/grunt your approach through 9-quarter-hour of exertion.
The paid version contains meal plans, recipes, grocery lists, and coaching through a chat feature. There are various ranges of the pro model, starting from $39.99 for 3 months to $79.99 for a full yr with a coach.
As I mentioned, I’m presently utilizing the free model, as I don’t need the added features of meal plans and shopping lists. With the free version, you possibly can entry health, diet and exercise guides, which might be helpful. I especially find the exercise guides to be helpful for familiarizing myself with new moves.