Quantified Self
One app that I use to track myself is the Flywheel app. Flywheel is an indoor stadium cycling class that currently has locations in thirteen places around the world, including Dubai. Other than signing up for classes through the app, it also allows you to track your performance. You don’t actually need to input any information into the app other than creating an account, which is nice. It works so that every time you take a class, you can then after that class go and review your performance. It automatically tracks percentiles, trends and your class stats as well as your class rank. The class stats include your total power, average torq, max torq, average speed, calorie burn and total distance you biked. Your torq is your resistance. You usually start off with a low torq of about 10-15 and as the class goes on the instructor will advise you when to change it and what to change it to. Each Flywheel stadium has two large TorqBoards that are essentially just large flat-screens that display leaderboards. You can opt out of your numbers being posted on the screen, but your stats will still be inputted into the app. The app also tells you the length of the class and the instructor’s name. The class rank section shows you where you came in place overall.
This app could be improved easily with an option to input your goals and then be given a specific workout plan to reach them. It does not post to social media, as far as I know. I have found the app to be somewhat discouraging if I see that I’m towards the bottom of a class rank. Of course this could be attributed to a variety of factors such as maybe the class was full of people who are experienced cyclers whereas I am only a beginner. It is similar to what JJ said about his findings when he allowed his students to view their rank in the class, and noticed students towards the bottom almost gave up, whereas students at the top would do anything to get more points. I can imagine if I was at the top of the class it would boost my feelings of happiness and fulfillment, but I have not yet experienced that. I’m not sure whether other workout classes have taken this approach to allow people to track their performance, but I can definitely see it being more normal and prevalent in the future. When others post about their quantified self on social media it often makes me feel as though I need to compete with them especially if they are friends that I am comparing myself too. This app definitely has the aspect of competitiveness, as it plays a big part in the idea behind Flywheel.
If you’ve never been and have any interest in indoor cycling, or are just looking for a really great workout, I highly suggest you try it! Your first class is free. 🙂
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I think that it is important to have the motivation that apps like this can give you. This is especially true if you are a really competitive person. I understand what you are saying though. I think this could be good or bad depending on your personality.
This sounds like a really great app to keep track of your exercising. I really like how you really don’t have to include any extra information to be able to track your workout. I think I need to look more into apps like this for other types of exercises.
For me, this app would be really stressful in terms of supplying me with information about my rank. I would one hundred percent give up if I felt myself slipping in the ranks, and I know I would be discouraged–but I literally hate group fitness, so this is definitely a more personal stance on the matter. However, I do wonder what my data set would look like to people *whoever they are* that might be examining this information from Fly Wheel? I would imagine they’d have no idea that my feeling discouraged by a low rank in the class would be why I have the low rank…? Another thing, maybe keep in mind the next time you attend a cycling class if this self-confidence plays a role in other people whose rankings are low or high. It could be much more significant than the surface level might show!