PERSONAL trainer Dianne Boult says starting and maintaining a fitness routine need not be complicated.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Boult, who leads free Live Life Get Active Program in Mount Pleasant, said it was important people find exercise they enjoy in a comfortable environment and to work out in an appropriate way for their bodies and fitness level.
The Medibank-funded program in Mount Pleasant brings together people from all backgrounds and health motivations for each session on weekday mornings.
Programs are back in action on Wednesday as a new study recommends Australians exercise caution when downloading health and well-being apps.
Ms Boult said a benefit of working out with a qualified trainer in a group was in-person support and advice.
“I make sessions very simple. People generally don’t want a complicated work-out,” Ms Boult said.
"You just give lots of options. For example, some people don’t want to do burpees, they might be injured, you just have to be mindful of what people are presenting with.”
Live Life Get Active has been running in Mount Pleasant, based at the recreation reserve, since October 2017.
Ms Boult said there was a constant flow of new faces, all ages, including retirees, casual workers, new mums and mums working out while children were at school.
“Some people haven’t got the money to go to the gym or don’t like the environment or atmosphere of working out in the gym,” Ms Boult said. “We’ve got a good crew.”
A new study from VicHealth and Deakin University has found apps are still incredibly popular among health-conscious Australians, with more than 30 per cent of people turning to apps in a bid to to improve health and well-being.
The report found two out of the 348 apps reviewed got a four our of five-star rating for ability to help people change behaviour.
VicHealth principal advisor Lyn Roberts said most people look to apps for convenience but research showed most health and well-being apps were not based on evidence.
“Apps that were rated highest included those that allow people to set goals, track their behaviour, rewarded positive behaviour and send notifications and prompts,” Dr Roberts said.
“...Beware many apps might be free to download but have sneaky costs.”
Meanwhile, health insurance giant Medibank has announced what it claims as an industry first with the launch of Live Better app in which customers with hospital or extras cover can earn points to use towards premium payments.
Live Better will combine data from most major health technology devices, wearables and wellbeing apps into one location – giving people a clearer picture of their health and wellbeing.
The app, available to all Australians, will also track progress and enables users to set goals with others.
For more details on Live Life Get Active in Mount Pleasant, click here.
VICHEALTH’S TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING A HEALTHY LIVING APP
1. Make sure the app is enjoyable to use
You will use an app more often if you find it engaging and it will feel like less of a chore
2. Find an app that suits your needs
Choose an app that’s suitable for your age, fitness levels or accessibility needs.
3. Choose an app supported by someone you trust
Not all apps have the same quality of information.
4. Use an app that supports what you already have
Find an app you can incorporate with equipment you already have access to.
5. Make sure the app allows you to create and modify your own goals
Setting yourself a goal will help you to build healthy habits and stick to them, such as doing more physical activity next week.
6. Choose an app that lets you track your behaviour
Keeping a record of your behaviour will help you change it.
7. Choose an app that shows you how to do an activity
If you don’t know how to perform an activity, watching it being done will help you to get started.
8. Use an app that allows you to share your progress with your friends
This can be on social media or with other users of the app community to help you achieve your goals.
9. Find an app that has notifications
Let the app remind you of when you had planned to go for a walk or eat a piece of fruit instead of that snack. This will help you build habits and stick to your plans.
10. Choose an app that rewards you when you succeed
Getting a reward for doing a specific activity will help reinforce it.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
