Coach's Rant : Cel phones, iPad , etc... Are we using it too much ?

"As I started to warm up, I noticed this lady next to me walking briskly on the treadmill, and I thought: "Cool to see older people healthy and exercising, something always inspiring" but it all started to change when she picked the phone and stopped walking to text, or FB or something and it was doing it for a pretty long time, at least 5 min...."

Dear Athletes,

I just got back from the gym and I decided to write this article/blog about gadget addiction as I believe it could be even worse then people think.

The inspiration started when I was running on the treadmill, doing my planned 45 min. with some hill repeats. As most of of us, I had a limited time this morning (60 min.) so I want to make sure I get my run, my core and stretch in and be done in 60 min.

As I started to warm up, I noticed this lady next to me walking briskly on the treadmill, and I thought: "Cool to see older people healthy and exercising, something always inspiring" but it all started to change when she picked the phone and stopped walking to text, or FB or something and it was doing it for a pretty long time, at least 5 min. Then she started walking again and I thought : "OK cool, it was maybe an emergency but she's back, awesome !!!" Well my excitement did not last more then 1 min. as she was back on the phone and have now also pulled an iPad from her bag and started to play with..

45 min. went by and I only saw her walking maybe 5-8 min.... The rest of the time she spent on her phone or iPad..

Exercising was something that we used as a "relief" or an "escape" from our day to day, to alleviate stress as well as to get fit.. I know I'm bad about my phone  as well and I'm trying really hard to get better but one thing I always do is to NOT bring my phone when I'm training ! Of course I carry when I ride for safety reason but not because I need to check my email every 30 min. 

Not only it's not good for your mind as you never "turn off" whatever you were doing/thinking before but for sure it will REDUCE the quality of the workout you're doing because of all the distractions ! When I train I like to focus on what I'm doing, my technique or even enjoy the nature and appreciate how blessed we are to be able to do what we do...

Having a phone with you and checking it all the time, will not only reduce time available to train but also never get the whole benefit of the training as your missing the most importantly thing - "be present". 

As I walked to do my core, an young guy on his phone, standing in front of a bench with some weights on the floor, I did a full set of 20 reps of lower back exercises and the guy was still there at the same position !!!

Of course some people need to be reached 24 hours a day but I know that most of us do not ! I guess we can all be away from our phones for 45 min. or even 2hours without any catastrophe happening right ?

Stay present, enjoy the moment, let your minds to be free !!!

Have a great week !