Buzz
There’s this image of the phone-addicted gym-goer taking up space while they ‘just sit and scroll.’ Excuse me, I’m tracking my sets and editing my training clips, and, alright, I admit, I got caught up in Reddit, and yes, TikTok snuck in there too. Oh, and there’s a work email—wait, I’ll check it now...
Yep, I’m not the only one who can get sidetracked mid-workout. I’m sure you’ve done it too. That’s why I’m all about this tip from powerlifting coach Claire Zai on setting a ‘focus’ mode for your phone when training.
How your phone can actually boost your focus during a workout
iPhones offer a ‘fitness’ option when setting up a new focus mode. This includes an automatic trigger that activates when you start a workout, but you can also manually turn it on from the focus menu in Control Center whenever you wish. For more details on how to activate focus modes in iOS, click here, and Android devices have a similar feature.
With a focus mode, you can:
Select which apps appear on your home screen (fitness-related ones, of course)
Mute notifications from work or social media apps (they’ll appear once you leave the focus mode)
Create a wallpaper with something motivating or practical, like a list of goals or an inspiring quote
Add widgets that enhance your workout experience
I created one for myself. On my fitness-focused home screen (shown above), I’ve got apps I use to track workouts, like Intervals Pro (a timer) and Polar Beat (which tracks heart rate using a chest strap when I need it). I also included music and podcast apps for listening, plus Mideo for easy video recording even with music playing. My wallpaper is a photo of weights to keep me reminded I’m in workout mode.
Here’s an alternative version, which is a bit more motivational. I have a list of goals on the cover of my training journal; the lock screen here is a digital version. On the home screen, above the apps, I have a widget from the Countdown app showing how many days are left until my next major competition.
You can set fitness mode to activate whenever you start a workout, or at a specific time or place—like when you walk into the gym. Alternatively, you can manually start it from Control Center (by swiping down from the top right of your phone) and set it to stay on for an hour, until you leave your current location, or until you turn it off. Now you’re ready to complete your workout, free of distractions.
