iPhone Workout Apps

The first iPhone was released on June 29, 2007. Since that day, many fitness apps have been created for people to download on their iPhones, iPads, iPod touches and Mac computers. People have started relying on electronic devices as their personal trainers than actual human beings.

According to the Crimson Fitness website, The Huston Huffman Fitness Center at the University of Oklahoma has created a website and an app for students to use for video-based workout routines and builders, thousands of exercise videos and nutritional information for over 600 popular websites.

Casey Burns, a sophomore nursing major at the University of Oklahoma, started using different iPhone apps like Nike Fit and Half Marathon Coach when she came to college because she was no longer using a personal trainer to help her workout.

“I use these apps about five times a week when I work out,” Burns said, “I like using apps more than an actual personal trainer because they are so much cheaper than using a trainer, sometimes even free, and I can work out at my own pace as well.”

            Brent Wilson, who works at the Huff, has noticed many students using their phones to workout for running and exercise purposes. Even though students are using their phones to workout, the classes that the Huff offers are still going strong.

            “The workout classes are still extremely popular,” Wilson said, “The cardio, spin, yoga and pilates workouts are still booked and a lot of people keep buying the passes.”

            People have decided to depend on their electronic devices a lot more than personal trainers because the apps have the same effect. The cost is so much cheaper because most apps are free or until two dollars, which people are interested in because of the economy. People still take group classes because they are pretty cheap or are included in their gym pass, but do not rely on personal trainers as much anymore.

Midterm

Dr. Harold Mortimer is a first year professor at the University of Oklahoma in the musical theatre department. His goal for the first couple years while at OU is to start an international program through the musical theatre department for students to go to Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa to study abroad.
Mortimer received his Doctorate and Masters from the University of Washington. After college he performed in operas and musicals, but soon after found his love in teaching. Mortimer taught at Ball State University, where he started his partnership with Tshwane University of Technology.
“I had never been out of the country and was looking for an experience to travel,” Mortimer said, “I thought that starting an international program would be a great way for students and myself to learn more about musical theatre and interact with students from different countries.”
The first time Mortimer went to South Africa was in 2008. He spent half of the year conducting research and teaching classes. Mortimer has gone back to Tshwane University each summer to teach workshops, sit in on classes and master classes for two to three weeks. This past summer, he accepted the opportunity to direct Spring Awakening for two months.
Victoria Abhalter is a freshman at the University of Oklahoma majoring in musical theatre and is in Mortimer’s music theory class.
“Dr. Mortimer has told our class about his plan to start an international program here and I would love to take part in that,” Abhalter said, “You get the chance to learn from a different country and experience how the students in South Africa perform.”
Mortimer starts meeting with the international program board this week to find out how he will start up this program. His program will be helpful for musical theatre majors because the students will get the chance to study abroad, get different perspectives on their major and also stay on track on when they will graduate.


JONES Run time: 2:09

Vibram FiveFinger Shoes

The Vibram FiveFingers shoes for Barefoot Runners have become very popular. These shoes are marketed as a “natural” alternative for outdoor activities. People started buying these shoes for running purposes, but there has been some concern that these shoes may not be great for running after all.
According to the Vibram FiveFingers website, the shoes deliver sensory feedback that improves agility and equilibrium and allows immediate form correction. There is evidence that training without shoes allows you to run faster and farther with fewer injuries.
Bobby Impson, sophomore health and science major at the University of Oklahoma, started using the Vibram FiveFingers and noticed he had a more natural and better feel while running after one month of using the shoes then started to feel discomfort.
“The more I ran on concrete while wearing these shoes, the more pain I felt in my knees,” Impson said, “I started wearing different running shoes on concrete and the pain went away almost immediately.”
Kayla Swanson, sales associate at MetroShoe Warehouse, mainly gets good reviews from customers with the occasional bad review of the Vibram shoes. She wears the Vibram shoes for hiking and different shoes for running because she also experienced pain.
“I always walk around barefoot, so I like these shoes on a day to day basis,” Swanson said, “These shoes are good for the lower body and feet and I can tell a difference when I go hiking but I stick to Nike shoes when I go running.”
Despite the negative reviews about the Vibram FiveFingers shoes, doctors recommend them. They have the most natural fit and are good for running long distances on any surface. It takes awhile for some people to get used to them, but after they build up to wearing them for a long period of time, they will have no issues with these shoes. Not everyone likes the Vibram shoes, but the majority of people give great, positive reviews.