Exercise. It’s something we all need to do, with the exception of those among us who are genetically gifted. But it is too easy to get caught in a rut, slogging through the same workouts each day. Or to avoid working out entirely because a meeting ran late, the car is in the shop, dinner needs to get made, or the moon isn’t full. There are a million ways to track the workout you didn’t do, but what about learning how to work out?
That’s where GAIN Fitness comes in. It’s an app used in conjunction with a website that not only show you different workouts, it also helps create workouts that fit your goals and time constraints. I had the chance to chat with Nick Gammel, GAIN’s CEO, and learn a bit about the service, the app, and how to maximize workout time!
First, we talked about what GAIN is and how it works. It isn’t a “log your workout” app. Instead, the service uses your background to create a custom program of workouts for you, using algorithms and exercises designed by personal trainers and fitness experts. There are baseline exercises and expansion packs that target different areas.
The company’s whole strategy is to view exercise in four areas: endurance, strength, balance, and mobility; the idea is that by doing so you won’t end up with a 100% cardio plan or nothing but weightlifting instructions. The purpose is to help you get into and be in all-around better shape, by using the time and resources you have. If it is 20 minutes 4 times a week at home, GAIN designs your plan with those parameters in mind. If you are more of a gym rat, they can help there too!
What I found really interesting is how GAIN looks at their users to learn more about how to refine the service. Nick said that right now their big expansion pack offerings are exercise bands and kettle bells, since those workouts are in demand and can be done at home or the gym. Unsurprisingly, there’s a split between website users and mobile users based on where they prefer to work out. Gym users are on their iPhone, while home users prefer the website and the option of a bigger screen to see the exercises. As the service expands, they’ll start offering more expansion packs tailored to users, like a boot camp/circuit training option, as well as yoga, Crossfit style workouts, and even rehab type exercises. The goal is to take everything from workouts to plans to execution and make them easy to follow in one simple service.
GAIN Fitness has made some big changes lately, and you can check out more about the service here. The app can be downloaded for free from the AppStore, though you should be aware that expansion packs cost money. However, the packs are far below the price of a personal trainer, a gym membership, or even many workout DVDs.
Here’s the promotional video for GAIN Fitness:
Stay tuned to Gear Diary, because I will be giving GAIN a shot!
My biggest issue is that all I like to do is run, but I know that’s not a balanced approach to overall fitness. I will spend the next four weeks trying the baseline plan the app has laid out, using only the fitness equipment and furniture around my house (hey, it asked if I had a heavy table, so presumably my dining room is about to become a homemade gym)! I’ll post an update in two weeks, and again when I finish out the four weeks with my thoughts!
Are you using GAIN Fitness or a similar service? Let us know in the comments!
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