Monday, July 25, 2016

Increasing Activity with Pokemon Go and Other Gaming Apps

Whether you’re a gamer or not, chances are you’ve heard about the new Pokemon Go mobile app sweeping the nation. Its popularity has been taking over the news, along with a surprising benefit: an increase in users’ physical activity levels.

If you’re unfamiliar with this new version of a handheld classic, Pokemon Go is an augmented reality game and requires users to walk (and sometimes run) to catch and grow their Pokemon. The game utilizes GPS to track the players in the real world. Users say the gameplay— trying to “catch them all”— is highly addictive, and in terms of public health, this is a welcomed bonus. The other added perk, of course, is that it doesn’t feel like exercise.

But Pokemon Go isn’t the first non-fitness gaming app to increase the physical activity of users. If you’re not a fan of the original game, you can download apps like Zombies, Run!, BallStrike and Superhero Workout to increase your physical activity while having fun. Not a gamer, but still into the “hunt?” Try geocaching apps to get your steps in.

Bottom Line: There are over 40,000 health-related mobile apps available on both iPhone and Android, so don’t be afraid to explore different methods of meeting your exercise goals. Technology is no longer synonymous with living a sedentary lifestyle, and it’s making the journey towards a healthy lifestyle much more enjoyable. You can visit the Pokemon Go website here, or find it on the App Store/Google Play.


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