Discover the Brazilian workout app awarded by Apple

This text was written by a TecMundo columnist; Learn more at the end.

The App Store Awards are an annual celebration hosted by Apple to recognize the best and most impactful apps and games on the App Store and the developers behind them. Brazil was on the list for the first time in 2023 with two applications.

One of them is make-up in the iPad category – Prêt-à-Makeup, and the other is physical exercises SmartGym was selected as the Apple Watch App of the year. It was the #1 health and fitness app in over 30 countries; Let’s get to know him better.

Explore the SmartGym app

Developed by Mateus Abras The SmartGym app is exclusive to Apple devices, and the offering aims to eliminate the hassle of working out on paper at the gym. or view the tutorial in a notebook. But it goes further with interesting features.

The app currently has a database of over 700 exercises. The difference of the application is its autonomous structure through the watch, as the user can train only with his Apple Watch, without the need for a mobile phone. The constantly updated application is in version 7.0.2 and offers more than 130 workouts.

Featuring a minimalist design, the app clearly and directly displays the exercise name, sets, reps and weight, as well as metrics, tracks and records 35 different types of data from the practitioner, including traditional heart rates (beats per minute). and expenditure.calories. The platform also requests access to the health app, which syncs the user’s health data for further personalization.

How does the application work?

When opening the app, 4 steps are required: the first relates to one’s training experience (beginner, intermediate or advanced), the second is the selection of equipment available for training (such as weights and ropes, benches, bars, machines, aerobics and others), the third is related to the personal goal of training (strength). , hypertrophy, resistance, and HIIT) and fill out step 4 (fast, short, normal, and long) regarding the days of the week and workout duration.

What makes the application different?

In addition to using the app directly on the Apple Watch, another twist to the app is Smartrainer, which uses artificial intelligence to create workouts with the user’s existing equipment. It works like a personal trainer directly from your watch or mobile phone.

Next you need to create a training page. These are daily exercise sheets. To do this, it is possible to create from scratch (configure each exercise separately and create your own pages manually), rely on the application (smart trainer selects and assembles the workout for the whole body) and create for specific muscles (one selects muscles). configures your preferences for training and creates a smart trainer workout).

If the practitioner is open to new things, the smart trainer automatically designs workouts for specific goals in the explore tab, such as home workouts, full-body workouts, HIIT, weight loss focused, upper, lower extremity or core focused workouts. hypertrophy or by definition. Example: The “light sweat” workout takes 7 minutes and can be done at home. There are 10 full-body exercises performed sequentially, each lasting 30 seconds, such as jumping jacks, squats, abdominal exercises, among others.

There are also training sessions focused on improving sports performance such as cycling, running, football, swimming, tennis, basketball, skiing/snowboarding, golf, martial arts, frisbee, but this option is only available in the Premium version. APPLICATION. In this version, it is also possible to gamify trainings with rewards. There is a 7-day free trial opportunity to try the paid version.

Other interesting features of the app include: training with friends using FaceTime and doing HIIT workouts with voice guidance. The application is completely in Portuguese and is very promising. The app reflects the #1 global fitness trend of recent years, wearable devices for physical activity such as smartwatches. There are already more than 4 million downloads worldwide and this can be a start to exercise.

Obviously, an app won’t save your fitness journey, but it can help to some extent.

Advantages include attractive graphic design, a wide range of exercises in the palm of your hand, recording of training data and continuous self-monitoring. These last factors aid motivation.

Doctor Daisy Motta rated the app as the best among the apps she tested: “SmartGym has stood out as the best bodybuilding app on iPhone and Apple Watch since its founding in 2014. Its difference lies in the simplicity and efficiency of training, offering a variety of exercises divided by body parts ”, reports the scientific supporter, highlighting some features such as outstanding personalization, training flexibility and detailed tracking, as well as integration with Apple Watch.

“Its success in awards such as these is a reflection of the quality and innovation it offers,” says Daisy, whose review positions the SmartGym app as the undisputed leader in her opinion: “Its intuitive interface, robust features and flexibility make it the ideal choice for every bodybuilding enthusiast”, she says Motta notes. One limitation is the lack of an Android version. “The CEO of SmartGym is a Brazilian from Minas Gerais, just like me,” he concludes casually with a local touch.

Although the app offers a version that personal trainers can use with their students, We know that nothing can replace human interaction and that the guidance, supervision and exercise prescription of a PE professional is vital..

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Fábio Dominski He holds a PhD in Human Movement Sciences and a degree in Physical Education from Santa Catarina State University (UDESC). He is a university professor and researcher at the Laboratory of Sport and Exercise Psychology (LAPE/UDESC). he is doing scientific dissemination on social media there podcast available on Spotify. Author of Physical Exercise and Science – Facts and Myths.