Things I Love: 8fit

You recognize I like to share cool, helpful, affordable sources with you all. I imply, what’s the point of keeping stuff like that a secret? That’s why I began this weblog—to share info with you that I think is valuable and helpful for living a wholesome life. At the moment is all about a new (to me) health app I’ve been using for 2 weeks. 8fit. Have you heard of it?

For those who haven’t heard of it, this evaluation should provide you with a fairly good idea about what it's and the way it works, and whether it would benefit your life.

I’ll start by saying I both love and hate to workout. By that I mean I really like the way in which I really feel throughout and after a workout. I like the best way working out usually keeps my moods stable, my metabolism fired up, and my muscle tissues toned. However I hate carving time out of my day to go to the gym, finding a class I like that matches into my schedule, or having to buy equipment I won't use regularly. So I’ve tended to be hit and miss with actual workouts. Yes, I stroll, and practice yoga nearly each day. But it surely’s important to additionally hold working on strength and muscle building/maintenance all through our lives. It’s just a undeniable fact that muscle mass keeps our metabolisms in high gearp, and if we don’t use them we lose them.

I have some dumbbells right here on the house—the sort you lift, not the sort you roll your eyes at. (Well, truly I've both but that’s another story.) And about twice every week I might do a lifting session with them, but I wasn’t really seeing the results I wanted. I additionally don’t really really feel like joining a gym and coping with that aforementioned time problem, not to point out site visitors and contracts and all the other stuff that goes together with gyms. I must be able to workout at dwelling, when it’s handy for me. And I don’t all the time need to spend 30-forty five minutes on a strength/bodyweight workout. Quick and Dirty is all I can manage most days. So I did a little bit internet digging and found an app that focuses on quick bodyweight workouts, has totally different levels of workouts, and a scheduling/reminder feature. How may I resist trying that out?

Enter 8fit. This app was launched two years ago, however I had by no means heard of it. Not shocking considering how many apps there are in this category. But with somewhere around one million downloads, and a stable 4 star score, I figured it was price checking out. There are each free and pro (read: paid) levels of the app, and I’m currently utilizing the free version. I’m frugal. Having said that, the free model has loads going for it.

Let’s begin by speaking about among the non-exercise points I like. 8fit google play, https://www.bloglovin.com, integrates with the Apple Health kit app built into your iPhone, and the Apple Watch. I like that. I know I’m in all probability within the minority, but I really use Apple Health kit. I additionally run FitBit and MyFitnessPal simultaneously. And so they integrate with each other, and MFP integrates with Apple Well being, so I've a loop of knowledge sharing which lets me see how each day workouts are affecting my metabolism, body composition, blood pressure, caloric intake, etc. That data could or may not be as thrilling for you as it's for me, however I really like it. That information is the kind of stuff I live for—being able to track effort and results retains me motivated and engaged. I do not have an Apple Watch (however my birthday is developing, hint hint), however if I do get one sooner or later I’m sure I’ll love the app integration there, just as much as I do on my phone.
One other tech feature I like is the scheduling and reminder functions. Every 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 one of those individuals who gets concerned 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. In fact I can ignore the lock screen reminder for a while if I must, however it would sit there mocking me until I do something about it…at which point I'll as well just do the dang workout.
Then there’s the information integration feature. As quickly as my workout is full, 8fit dumps the time and caloric data into my Apple Well being 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 quick as doable, mixed with as many reps as doable in a set quantity of time. B-R-U-T-A-L and effective. Luckily, there are ranges of workouts available, newbie, intermediate, advanced, and some exercises have modification/alternate suggestions if it's good to keep away from certain movements. You may keep on the identical degree so long as you need to, or move up when you full all of the workouts in your current level.
I began with the newbie workouts, and am now into the intermediate program. I suggest that everybody start on the newbie stage unless you are well versed in Tabata movements and have your type down pat. Appropriate form is very important in avoiding injury, and getting the most effective results. But don't think for one second that the newbie workouts are easy. No, no, no. You can be sweating within five minutes and should you’re like me, your dog will change into very concerned about your grunting and attempt to ‘help’ you by whining and licking you while you sweat/cry/grunt your method via 9-quarter-hour of exertion.
The paid version includes meal plans, recipes, grocery lists, and coaching through a chat feature. There are various ranges of the professional model, ranging from $39.99 for three months to $79.ninety nine for a full year with a coach.
As I said, I’m currently using the free model, as I don’t want the added options of meal plans and shopping lists. With the free model, you possibly can access fitness, vitamin and train guides, which could be helpful. I especially discover the train guides to be useful for familiarizing myself with new moves.