The perfect solution for fun and engaging workout sessions whether you are under quarantine or not
By James Kwan
The pandemic has brought about a significant shift in the way we live and work. And while the changes have been difficult to cope with, the ones under quarantine have had it worse. Since the pandemic began, people suspected of having contracted COVID-19 are advised to quarantine for 14 days. Travelers are also advised of a two-week quarantine period to avoid the spread of the virus.
Living in isolation and being separated from loved ones comes with acute challenges – both physical and mental. A study of quarantined patients found that undergoing quarantine can cause acute stress disorders, detachment from others, anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, deteriorating work performance, and a reluctance to work.
Physical exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining sound mental health, especially during quarantine. Research suggests that engaging in exercises that elevate heart rate can help people manage symptoms of depression. Moreover, strength training exercises have been found to reduce anxiety even in those without an anxiety disorder.
To address this increasing need, Hong Kong-based QFit offers gym equipment on rent for people quarantining at home or at hotels. Focussed on improving overall wellness, QFit delivers smart, portable, and compact gym equipment for quarantined people.
I tried some of QFit’s services and here’s what I found. Although QFit focuses on renting out gym equipment, it also provides a host of wellness and health products including drink brewers, air purifiers, and more. All QFit products, including entertainment resources, are geared towards helping quarantined people maintain their mental and physical health.
The website is user-friendly and easy to use. Customers are provided options to rent equipment for seven, 14, or 21 days or to buy it outright. QFit also provides flexibility, allowing customers to extend their rental period post placing the order. In fact, even during the rental period, users have the option of purchasing the equipment by paying the difference between the rental and purchase price.
I rented the Smart Skipping Rope, Smart Boxing Gloves, and the Smart 4-in-1 Gym Set for 14 days. All equipment was delivered to my doorstep within three to four days of placing the order.
Smart Boxing Gloves:
These Smart Boxing Gloves are lightweight and connect with your phone using bluetooth. It syncs with the Move It Swift App and tracks your movement in real-time. The app contains a number of boxing courses, each having its own purpose, with varying levels of difficulty to help new users learn and challenge professionals to improve their performance.
The programs are easy to follow as it requires the users to mimic the virtual coach’s moves in the videos – almost like motion sensing video games. The app records and displays data such as force, speed, and calories of punches in real-time. This data is also compiled for an after-session report to help users track their progress.
What was interesting for me was that the app provided an option to compete with my friends, which fueled my competitive spirit and made the workout session more fun and engaging. The app has an online leaderboard that compares user progress with other users, which is not only motivating, but can also make one feel less lonely amid a quarantine.
Although I faced a little challenge putting on the gloves owing to its short straps, these gloves can be used without a punching bag which makes it especially convenient for people quarantining in restricted spaces. Overall, it is an easy to use and store equipment that offers engaging exercise sessions that can be as intense as you want.
Smart 4-in-1 Gym Set:
This Move It Smart 4-in-1 Gym Set can be used for effective cardio and endurance training. It comes with a set of smart handles that are compatible with four types of equipment attachments: Ab wheel, jump rope, Push Up stand, and Resistance band.
Like the smart gloves, this gym set is also compatible with a Move It App that can accurately count exercise moves and calorie burn for every session. To keep users motivated for regular exercise, the app offers training programs of varying difficulty, a virtual gym room, and allows users to compete with peers and share their workout on social media platforms. These social features can especially help quarantined people feel less isolated. The app also allowed me to track my performance and progress over time.
I found the Smart Dumbbells good for resistance training at a beginner level. While I would recommend this product to anyone looking to stay in shape, these dumbbells are not very heavy and may not be the right fit for those looking to bulk up.
Smart Skipping Rope:
Skipping rope is often touted as one of the easiest ways to lose weight and stay fit. Like the other smart equipment, this sleek and smooth Smart Skipping Rope connects with the Move It app and counts reps and calorie burn. Its historical data helps you track your progress.
The app offers similar social features for the skipping rope as other equipment. What I found interesting is that the rope is detachable and can be used with a TPR ball included in the delivery. This allows users to exercise in a compact space that may be too small for skipping rope. It is also user-friendly for beginners who are still working on their hand and foot coordination since there are no issues with the rope getting tangled. In other words, this skipping rope is perfectly suitable for quarantined users.
Overall, the experience of using the QFit service and the tech gadgets was engaging and entertaining. The best part about the QFit service is that you not only rent a piece of workout equipment, but also get a whole wellness package with instructions, training videos, courses, and challenges. I’m also a fan of the rental model, since I don’t have to incur the high cost of workout equipment or commit permanently, especially under quarantine. Unfortunately, since QFit is currently experiencing high demand, some of its products may be out-of-stock, although the startup is working to meet demands quickly.
Working out using the Move It products brought out my competitive side and added excitement to my workout sessions. For anyone under quarantine, QFit offers the right selection of fitness and wellness products to maintain physical and mental health.
https://www.jumpstartmag.com/product-review-move-it-swiftly-with-qfit/
