Using technology to exercise and get fit

We would probably all like to be fitter, but often life just seems to get in the way of trips to the gym or evening jogs. What we need is a plan and a bit of inspiration to help us stick to it.

A healthy exercise plan benefits people of all ages. It starts from your current fitness level and builds up in safe, achievable steps to get you to where you want to be.

It should fit exercise into your life and take account of all your other physical activity ­ from housework and gardening to swimming and aerobics.

Thankfully, there is lots of help available so you can stick to your plan, ­ from gadgets that suit your needs and budget, to exercise planning software, websites and online forums. They can be the springboard to motivate and inspire you to keep exercising, whatever your age or lifestyle.

Before you start
Confirming that it’s safe for you to start exercising and getting an idea of your current fitness level are the first steps of any sensible exercise plan. If you already exercise quite regularly, you may feel fit and ready to start exercising immediately.

But if you have any concerns about your health, visit your doctor or health centre for advice.

As with all good plans, you need to have a goal and think about how you can realistically meet it. Do you just want to get a bit fitter or lose weight? How much time can you spare each week to exercise? Is there an event or race you want to enter?

Then work out how you are going to get there in achievable steps. Your goal might be based around a level of exercise, ­ say going for half an hour’s brisk walk five times a week.

Or if your long-term goal is to complete a running event, training plans are available online, which we’ll look at shortly.