News reporter tests web-based fitness system

15:03 13th January 2009

A journalist from the Guardian has expressed mixed feelings after testing a web-based system which aims to get people in shape.

In a report published today (January 13th) in the newspaper, Alok Jha describes his experiences using 'MiLife', which purports to be the first "personalised online coaching system".

The user must wear a wristband which records all physical activity, before the software processes the results and offers a number of charts and suggestions for subsequent training plans.

The system - which is powered by the 'Idapt engine', the result of five years of research on weight loss strategies - will even text or email the user to admonish him or her for missing a session.

Mr Jha wrote in the newspaper: "Just knowing that all your movements are being recorded is surprisingly rewarding and motivational.

"Small bits of low-level exercise can add up, and visualising all the jogging and cycling with the bar charts every day was (when I was wearing my geek hat) addictive."

However, he noted that the website was particularly slow and frustrating, while he found the software difficult to operate on his Apple Mac.

Nevertheless, the advent of such products may be the motivation for someone to go ahead with the IT training course they were considering in order to put it to good use for their health.

MiLife claims that its users can sustain a weight loss of around 2lbs per week.