Online Fitness Aids

If you’ve been watching Workout, the WNBA playoffs, or, heaven help us, pre-season football, and are inspired to get in better shape yourself, you may like some of these online resources:

• Hyperstrike is a new “online personal fitness” program I’ve been using for a few weeks. Despite a name that sounds like a video combat game, it has a lot to recommend it. After you enter some personal details, such as height, weight, age, sex, current fitness level, goals, and frequency of workouts, Hyperstrike creates an ongoing, trackable program of exercises for you. One of the best things is that it’s not a static set of exercises to repeat day after day. Each workout is different, varying strength, conditioning, and muscle groups. Excellent 3D animated models show you how to do each exercise correctly (though I wish they’d show female figures as well as male ones). Most exercises can be done with simple hand weights, although some presume access to basic gym equipment such as a weight bench or exercise ball. Still, Hyperstrike offers alternative exercises for the same muscle group so you can choose what works for you.

  While Hyperstrike has programs from basic fitness and weight loss up to competitive performance, I think it’s best for those who have some background in athletics or with a live trainer. Even though the instructions and animations are very clear, there’s no substitute for a real person to correct your form and answer questions. If you have some prior knowledge, then it’s easier to go it alone. (I feel the same about online investing.)

  Hyperstrike is currently in beta test, and free, although it may have for-fee premium services in the future. I’ve found it’s given me some good variations on my standard old weight routine. There are a few additional features I’d like to see, such as the ability to add exercises that aren’t on their list, but overall, I like the direction they’re taking. Definitely worth a try.

• If you want to fit your workout in with a young child’s activities, try a playground workout from Cleveland.com, Los Angeles Family Magazine, or Parent Guide.
• If you have a really young one, StrollerFit and StrollerStrides are two fairly new franchises offering classes to do with baby and stroller in hand. You could also buy a stroller workout DVD if you don’t want to invest in classes or there are none near you. I have no personal experience with any of the above, however, so caveat emptor. (Leave a comment if you do.)
• Finally, the Workout Web site has video fitness tips from the trainers on the show. It’s nice to see their real professional skills rather than just the personal issues that the show highlights.

With so much in the news these days about the importance of kids getting enough exercise, it’s important for us to set good examples, to the best of our physical abilities. As always, check with your medical professional before beginning any new workout program.