Gamification of Health and Fitness

kristikitter

juliebowman4 wrote: »

When I read the title of the post, I immediately thought of a trend I've noticed here:
Boutique Fitness Studios.
Instead of a traditional gym, they offer classes you may not find elsewhere: hot yoga, barre, etc. Then, after your class, sit down for a manicure or get your hair done. The gym/studio itself is usually glamorized with fits and finishes you wouldn't see in a traditional gym. (Chandeliers, fancy furniture in the entrance)
It seems to me like a lot of hype and an expensive price tag for limited classes.
It must be the trend of the week. I'm sure it will pass like all the others.

If I was promised a haircut/blowdry after each workout... I would be a size 4 with the glossiest hair ever

lemurcat12

dykask wrote: »

lemurcat12 wrote: »

NorthCascades wrote: »

dykask wrote: »

* You can't know from day to day if you have a calorie surplus or not.

That may or may not be true. Let's assume for the sake of discussion that it's absolutely true. That still wouldn't support the idea that exercise causes people to gain weight. Only a calorie surplus causes weight gain in the sense that we're concerned about, and that's true whether you measure the calories or not. Exercise burns up (opposite of provides) calories, so it cannot cause weight gain.

Exactly.

What does the ability to measure the calories from exercise have to do with whether exercise burns calories?

What does burning calories have to do with building lean body mass? Both are just side effects of exercise.

Let's recap:

This thread is about whether gamifying exercise is a good thing and helps more people make exercise a part of life or whether it is not (as you might not exercise when it's no longer a game or the game gets boring). It is assumed that exercise is a good thing, and I think that's a pretty indisputable thing -- it is good for health, it also can help with weight loss, according to the doctor I saw talk recently, it even helps prevent Alzheimers. Yay, exercise.

You jumped in and said that exercise shouldn't be assumed to be good because it may cause weight gain.

Setting aside the rather absurb claim that one could be gaining weight from exercise when at a calorie deficit (you could add some muscle depending on the circumstances, but not enough to offset the fat loss and gain weight -- you aren't that efficient), even if that were true, it doesn't support the claim that exercise is not a good thing. (1) adding muscle is normally good for health, and (2) if you don't want that side effect, it's easy to prevent.

Therefore, I think we should respect the OP's request and get back to talking about the gamification of exercise.

My own question, above, is whether the game approach is really any different from other ways of motivating yourself, like training for a race? I don't think so, and I think often the initial hurdles (your mind telling you it's not fun, the fact that you are out of shape at first, which makes it less fun) are the hard ones, so things that help get over that can be beneficial in helping people form lasting exercise habits.

The only really useful thing about measuring workout calories it to make a game of it. However, it can also be harmful because that can encourage people to over train or to do the wrong kind of training too. It really depends on the goal, doesn't it?

I don't think anyone is discussing measuring workout calories as the sole or even major way to do gamification. I don't do it myself. (I think you brought in this red herring to claim that people didn't know their workout calories and North Cascades challenged you on that.) I do do some things I'd call "gamification" such as training programs, races, MFP themed challenges, even Crossfit or group classes or Computraining with a specific course.

I don't mind the tracking because it is fun. But sometimes it is a lot smarter to lose a competition and take care of your health. So the game aspect is good for getting people to start but maybe not always a positive thing.

I don't think this is specific to the game aspect -- people can go over board even without it. I was talking to my dad last night, who has been training for a half marathon, and this was actually good for him since he realized that to do it (at his current age and in his current condition, which isn't bad) he had to slow way down and is now enjoying running again. He had been frustrated since he was trying to run at speeds less embarrassing to him (he's 72 and used to be into marathons and all sorts of racing stuff but has been mostly biking in recent years) and was always feeling sore after and frustrated that he couldn't do it. Now that he had to back off to get the distance off he's turned the corner to seeing the run as more for fun and not goal-based, and not even looking at his speed.

NorthCascades

I've never been motivated by challenges, like in the challenge forum.

lemurcat12

For me, depends on the challenge. Committing to doing something can be motivating for me, but for gamification I was thinking of stuff like the Harry Potter challenge.

CSARdiver

I would be one of those who is impacted and motivated by this. Without a goal / purpose I'm not getting the motivation I need to accomplish a task. This is how the successful become so - documenting goal, establishing plans, and reinforcing good habits.

There was a fascinating TED talk about the use of the Achievement points on the Microsoft XBox 360 platform and how this could be expanded into other elements to social engineer from a positive reinforcement rather than punitive measures. He made several proposals on the potential of this and it would be remarkable if implemented correctly. For example - maintain a BMI within range and receive achievement points that result in tax deductions, lowered insurance premiums, etc.

The rise of Fitbit and similar tracking tools are nothing more than this - positive reinforcements through challenges. MFP uses the same model in a similar manner as well although indirectly.

guinevere96

I don't really do it with my food intake, but ive been "gamifying" my life for ages just to make myself a more organized person. Ive used Habitica (a productivity website) to organize my life for about 4 years now and it works on a reward system, and turns your life into an RPG. I didn't think it would work long-term but I honestly don't know what id do without it now. It keeps me productive and hitting all my goals and making sure im getting everything accomplished in my day to day life, and makes it fun!

I have a daily goal of X minutes of exercise daily and if I fail, I lose health points. If I succeed, I get coins which go to purchasing the little rewards ive set up for myself, like a new outfit or a new book or something of that sort. If I fail too many times, my character dies, and I lose all my coins. Its a bit of an honor system but if you stay honest with it, it can be very motivating.

vanessa40

stealthq wrote: »

I like and use Zombies, Run, so I like some of it. I'd still run even if I didn't use the app. Music suits me fine. An audio book would be even better.

OMG.. Did someone say Zombies,Run
My favorite running app

vanessa40

I also use an app for my treadmill runs called RunSocial
You download it to your phone or iPad and you can "run" in different countries

canadianlbs

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

[I don't see what's wrong with boutique gyms, or having a mani/pedi after your workout.

you know what i want? a gym that is also a laundromat.

i would KILL to belong to something like that. why has nobody ever come up with that?

tomteboda

canadianlbs wrote: »

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

[I don't see what's wrong with boutique gyms, or having a mani/pedi after your workout.

you know what i want? a gym that is also a laundromat.

i would KILL to belong to something like that. why has nobody ever come up with that?

I built my own world in The Sims 3 when I played regularly. My proudest feature was my gym / laundromat / coffee shop , with on-site daycare.

tmoneyag99

Gonna be an @$$ here but Game theory is a theory of "the study of mathematical models of conflict and cooperation between intelligent rational decision-makers." Ie statistical probabilities related to rational decision making. Think "Beautiful Mind"

Gaming Psychology or Behavioral conditioning is probably the theory used in the "gamification" of health and fitness.


carry on.

tmoneyag99

tomteboda wrote: »

canadianlbs wrote: »

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

[I don't see what's wrong with boutique gyms, or having a mani/pedi after your workout.

you know what i want? a gym that is also a laundromat.

i would KILL to belong to something like that. why has nobody ever come up with that?

I built my own world in The Sims 3 when I played regularly. My proudest feature was my gym / laundromat / coffee shop , with on-site daycare.

In College there was a laundromat that had a bar and restaurant next door, They also had a small study lounge. Close enough.

They also had an awesome folding service. When my husband and I go back for games occasionally we bring our dirty laundry with us.

canadianlbs

tomteboda wrote: »

canadianlbs wrote: »

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

[I don't see what's wrong with boutique gyms, or having a mani/pedi after your workout.

you know what i want? a gym that is also a laundromat.

i would KILL to belong to something like that. why has nobody ever come up with that?

I built my own world in The Sims 3 when I played regularly. My proudest feature was my gym / laundromat / coffee shop , with on-site daycare.

see? is this not a business idea that totally has to happen?

#someone else do it. i can't businessman my way to the end of the block. right now all i have is the terrible temptations of a gym built on the top floor over a library. oh gawd there are times when that's hard.

DisruptedMatrix

I think it depends on the person. I know there are tons of people who would do best with a leveling up system. It would inspire them to compete against them self.