exercise
management
Member MOTIVATION
Research shows that real-time feedback helps people stick to their exercise programmes. So how are exercise management tools maximising their potential to motivate? Kath Hudson reports
“O
ffering real-time feedback not only allows a person to make adjustments to the exercise programme as needed, but also holds people accountable to staying on track,” says Molly
Conroy, who led the research team for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) study into this topic last year. The study specifically looked at the role of physical activity self- monitoring on weight loss and exercise adherence.
“Incorporating feedback messages tells the participant that someone is paying attention, and this could provide powerful, positive reinforcement for exercising and achieving their goals,” Conroy adds. So what are exercise management systems doing to move
beyond simply logging activity? How are they developing their products to further motivate users, and how can clubs make the best possible use of them? We ask the experts...
PAUL LANDAU FITBUG: CEO
In our experience, it’s the constant visibility of data that can motivate people: letting them know how they are doing, and using this to give nudges and praise when needed. Fitbug gives people online or mobile feedback whenever they upload their data: they have access all the time and can really see their achievements. We’ve found that, when this online feedback is combined with a face-to-face session with a gym instructor every 12 weeks or so, it’s very powerful. The gym instructor can give people a summary of their achievements and pointers as to what they now need to do to keep their training on track. Gamifi cation (see HCM June 12, p46) is also being
introduced, which is proving to be highly motivating. Fitbug has put activity data into a number of game scenarios, for people to take part either as individuals or as teams (see also HCM July 12, p14). One of our games uses Google maps technology to do walking challenges, such as from Land’s End to John O’Groats, or along the Great Wall of China. This is working really effectively, with lots of corporate clients using this functionality.
Fitbug has incorporated activity data into some game scenarios
august 2012 © cybertrek 2012
KIERAN SLOYAN 222 SPORTS LIMITED: MD
Swimtag is currently the only in-club system that measures swimming performance – such as lengths, stroke type split times and calories burned. It’s like being watched by a coach, which motivates people to work harder and improve on their previous swim. We upload each swim to the user’s account and can post it to their Facebook page too, which is popular. Swimming is a solitary sport and this gives it a social aspect. We’re
always
listening to customer feedback, and have found that people want exercise management tools to inject some fun into their workout. Online challenges are currently popular – for example, swimming the Channel or swimming around the Isle of Wight. These can be done individually or as part of a team. Competition is also very motivating: we’ve developed some intelligent training plans on which people can be scored, which encourages them to try and beat their last score.
Swimtag can motivate people to improve their swimming performance
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 61
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