Easy
Today’s musing, like many before it, was sparked from a conversation I had with a client in the gym this week.
By way of complaining about streaming services increasing subscription fees, we got to talking about “the great consolidation” that seems to be taking place in the tech industry. As someone who has a troubled relationship with technology at times, I can also appreciate that tech is undoubtedly necessary to run my business effectively.
This client and I both commented on how it seems like the streaming platforms are moving backwards by increasing subscription prices so that you can avoid advertisements. Feels like we should just go back to cable, right?
There are so many options now, and you need several subscriptions to find the content that you’re interested in. It’s expensive and frustrating. Consolidation here feels like it could be a win for all of us.
So what about the fitness industry? I recently had a friend comment on how there were so many fitness apps and programs constantly vying for our dollars and attention. He uses a nutrition tracking app, a habit tracking app, my fitness programming app, and another one that’s linked to his smartwatch to track his running. Wouldn’t it be easier if all of that lived in one place?
Maybe. Maybe not. My client reminded me of the simple truth as to why that seems like a great idea in theory, but less so in application.
He told me about when he first got an Apple Watch. He said, “I was so excited to get out for a run and see the fitness tracking features. I thought it would make working out consistently way easier. Five minutes into my run, I realized that running is still really freaking hard!”
The problem with the apps and the tech is that they make you believe complex and challenging things can be really easy. In some contexts - ie. navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps - this idea holds true. Maps and navigating the world are incredibly complex. Map apps make it much easier.
Shouldn’t a fitness app do the same thing?
The app would likely start with a promise that you can get in the best shape of your life. It could use AI to amalgamate all of the training programs that celebrities have used to get in crazy shape for their biggest on screen roles. Like Henry Cavil for Man of Steel, or Gal Gadot for Wonder Woman… You could have all that information right now on your smartphone.
But you still have to do the workouts. You still have to get in your car and go to the gym. You still have to load the bar and push yourself. The best app doesn’t make that process any easier.
The best nutrition app can lay out a macro plan and give you a database full of every barcode in the supermarket, but you still have to prepare the food and put it in your mouth. The hardest part isn’t reading the label, it’s choosing to eat the green beans instead of the salt and vinegar chips!
We have this constant need to make our lives easier through the use of applications and technology, but maybe some things aren’t meant to be easy. In fact, I think that’s one of my favourite things about lifting weights. The only way you learn, grow, and get stronger is by spending more time under the bar. Period. You have to do the reps. Sure, you can watch videos on how to improve your technique. And I would recommend that you find a training program with some sort of progress tracking features. But there isn’t an app out there that can load the bar for you or make that process any easier.
And you wouldn’t want it to be, either.