Innovative Insights on Digital Fitness: Day 11 Reflections
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Chapter 1: The Evolution of Sports Technology
What a remarkable period for innovation in sports! Here are some key takeaways:
I engaged in a 10-minute run through the Nike Run Club's 5K training program. During this session, I experienced a mix of joy and tears due to the exceptional coaching — and this wasn't my first time participating. Meanwhile, Wahoo Systm has been guiding me towards a more positive mindset. I've felt stuck for the past few years, but their coaching resonated with me. The mention of afferent neurons in yesterday's Knowledge podcast caught my attention, and I’ll revisit this when I review my notes. It's vital to understand how your body operates. I’m here to assist with that later. Plus, Wahoo is set to teach me some style and take me on a virtual tour of Norway. Fun fact: my dog is named Oslo, and I've completed an ultramarathon through the Fjords in Tromsø, which makes me a huge admirer of Norway. Given the chance, I would relocate there in a heartbeat.
Section 1.1: The Role of Community in Cycling
Zwift doesn’t conform to my conventional, performance-driven approach to cycling, which is actually a positive aspect. I was on the verge of canceling my subscription until I focused on creativity during my meditation session on the first day with Headspace. When I opened the Zwift app afterward, I was greeted by a community ride where the leader encouraged stronger riders to support those struggling instead of racing ahead. I then came across an article in Japanese, showcasing not just the emotional intelligence of Zwift's community but also their proficiency in global communication. If I genuinely wish to learn more about cycling, it’s clear that keeping my subscription is essential. True wealth lies not in monetary accumulation but in enriching experiences — money is just a minor aspect of that equation.
Subsection 1.1.1: Personal Insights on Growth
What worked well for me? Zwift successfully recognized my Wahoo Cadence sensor. The creativity exercise from Headspace guided me to visualize a spark in my heart expanding beyond my body, town, state, hemisphere, world, solar system, galaxy, and into the multiverse. This perspective shift profoundly alters my approach to Wahoo and Zwift. I’m not just focused on winning a sprint triathlon in 2023; I’m on a journey to enrich my human experience.
Wahoo enhances this journey by teaching positive thinking techniques that help me seize control of my mindset. In contrast, Zwift presents reality in a cartoonish format, adding humor to our experiences. Regardless of whether life is a computer simulation, it remains enjoyable — albeit challenging. As Nike's Head Coach Chris Bennett wisely stated, having fun during training leads to better results faster than a tedious approach.
Section 1.2: Addressing Accessibility Challenges
However, not everything has gone smoothly. As someone who designs digital experiences across various platforms, including augmented and virtual reality, mobile devices, and laptops, I believe the primary challenge for both Wahoo and Zwift extends beyond their design systems or user interfaces; it’s about accessibility.
A significant portion of the global population lacks access to their platforms, not due to technological limitations or financial constraints, but rather motivational barriers. Effective communication is key, whether it’s person-to-person or computer-mediated interactions.
My hypothesis suggests that channels of communication necessary for fostering behavioral change are not adequately open. This is not solely a fault of digital fitness companies; Wahoo and Zwift are leaders in human-computer interaction and are paving the way forward. Nevertheless, there’s room for them to enhance their outreach efforts to better connect with people.
The core issue isn't technology but rather the commitment to care. This fundamental principle can often become obscured by the daily grind of life. Deadlines, self-doubt, and resource constraints can cloud our vision of this guiding star. However, as Headspace emphasizes, that guiding principle is always present.
Chapter 2: Redefining Product Design in Fitness
Currently, there is no design to propose since the problem itself hasn't been clearly articulated. In my quest to understand how to better motivate individuals in fitness, I searched for the "most popular mobile phone in developing countries," only to find articles from Women Love Tech and BBVA that were not based on recent research. This reflects my insufficient research efforts and echoes my earlier frustrations with sensor functionality.
There’s a pressing need for more thorough research and a more comprehensive perspective, recognizing that my access to and interpretation of information is heavily influenced by cultural conditioning.
Next Steps
Moving forward, my focus will be on meditation and rigorous training. I will keep augmented reality for fitness design at the forefront of my thoughts. Innovation requires balancing current challenges with future possibilities. While I’m uncertain where this journey will lead, I remain open to exploration. Additionally, I plan to follow up on creating a small project on Gitcoin to gain insights from engineers about this topic. I also need to complete my FTP test, as Jase S. continues to motivate me with his encouraging feedback on these articles. Thank you, Jase!