Ever tried working out without your phone?

It might seem like a simple detail, but the benefits of switching off while you exercise could be huge. We break it down. 

With many of us working from home for the majority of 2020 and 2021, switching off from our daily activities has never been more important. We’ve all had that feeling before where we want to go out for a run, walk, swim or gym then suddenly, just as you reach for your keys, your brain comes flooding with a million and one excuses as to why you shouldn’t exercise? Not to worry, this happens to the best of us.

No matter how tired we are, there’s always one activity which we don’t have trouble finding time for, though? Scrolling through our precious mobile phones. It is reported that the average person spends around 3.5 hours on their phone. A report conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that 55% of adults did not meet the physical activity requirements in 2017-18.  However, we all know that exercising daily is easier said than done. 

Crunching the numbers

If you work out, it’s likely that you’ve had your phone with you at least once during your run, walk, fitness class or lifting session. After all, if you don’t take a photo of your workout for social media, it didn’t happen right?

A study found that people who texted during a 20-minute workout only spent 7 of those minutes in a high intensity zone, whilst people who worked out without a phone spent 13 minutes of the 20 in a high intensity zone.

In another study conducted, using a mobile phone during a workout will affect our ability to maintain balance. As a result, this may increase the likelihood of falls and injuries during your exercise.

Okay so, it seems that using a mobile phone during your workout will have an influence on the way you exercise but does this mean that you shouldn’t use technology at all during your workout?

Not at all, you can still use a smart watch to help you during your workout. Nowadays, there are many features on a smart watch which will help you smash those fitness goals. Most smart watches have the ability to monitor and track your heart rate, ensuring that you’ll exercise at an optimal intensity throughout your workout. In addition to this, just like your mobile phone, you’ll have the ability to sync your favourite music, podcasts and audiobooks to your smart watch. This can be useful if you’re going for a run or at the gym as it’s one less thing that you’ll need to carry.

At the end of the day, only you can decide the amount of times your phone is used during a workout. To lower the risk of injury, we’d recommend keeping your phone usage to a minimum. If the temptation of looking at your phone during your workout is too much, try leaving your phone behind and see how you go. 

Find balance with Optus Pause. With the push of a button, you can control and “press pause” almost all of your Optus mobile and home wi-fi connections from My Optus app.