CHENNAI: They say that putting 5 minutes of exercise into your 24-hour day can make a difference. A lot more if you can do these five minute exercise cycles more than just once a day. To help you get your fat levels down, an app called SimpliFITy was launched to provide smartphone users with constant alerts through the day to make them do 3 or 5 minute exercise cycles - optimised for your daily home and work life.
"Over 90 percent of the people whom we have surveyed across the country and across demographics don't do a single thing for their health sake," said Narasiman Santhanam, Co-founder and Director of Energy Alternatives India (EAI), the firm behind the fitness app. Power walking, stationary jogging, stepping up on stairs are among the exercise packs that the app will make you do when you've got 5 minutes to kill, during your work day.
Currently available on Android, the app has been developed over the past year with Indians and their health burden sharply in their focus. "People like to talk about how their environment doesn't allow them to do simple exercises. That's why we looked at the challenges and designed the app for the average Indian. All the activities are short and easy to do in whatever environment you may find yourself in," he said.
The packs are suggested based on what time of day it is, but a user can combine practically any exercise pack with another if they have extra time. The app not just gives you guidance on how to do the exercises, there are triggers at customised intervals to keep reminding you to put your effort in, "There are also some cute analytics that inspire you to keep going and lose weight along the week," said Santhanam.
But does this make sense for the larger group of people who take at least 'one hour's walk in the morning'? "The problem here is that despite taking that hour's walk, the rest of the day you will continue sitting at your desk where the negative effects are worse. Instead if you can take 4-6 quick power walks the effects will be a lot better through the day," he added. Besides the exercise packs and walking modules there are also deep breathing packs that can help better respiration.