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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google unveiled a new strength training experience on the Pixel Watch 5.
- It’s one of the first I’ve seen built into a mainstream smartwatch.
- It could replace other strength-training apps.
I’ve been strength training for over a year, and while I can confidently navigate the exercise equipment and heavy weights at my gym now, that wasn’t always the case. When I started my weight-training journey, I was a complete novice.
At the time, I did my own research to find a strength training app that could take my beginner status and feeble frame into account, track my reps, create exercise routines for upper body, lower body, and full body days, and encourage consistency through clear progress documentation. That ended up being Fitbod, an app I still use to this very day.
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Fitbod gave me consistent strength-training exercises that helped me make progress week over week. It made core strength-training exercises, like bench presses and squats, regular parts of each workout while incorporating some peripheral, nice-to-have exercises. The app helped me learn how to do so many new exercises that target different muscles. That not only allowed me to familiarize myself with the proper form for each exercise, but it also encouraged me to explore the machines and equipment in my gym, while building strength through a consistent routine.
The app has a tab where I can see my overall strength through push, pull, and leg exercises, and I can review past workouts through the log tab. Fitbod builds rest time into each set: once I’m done with my first round of bench presses, I hit the “rest” button and a timer counts down to my next set. It’s an essential app for beginners and advanced weight trainers alike.