Google unveils fitness App to Nigerians, trills journalists

Biodun Abimbola

In a bid to help people track their fitness goals, Google Nigeria has unveiled a mobile App, Google Fit.

At the mobile device, wearable tech and app demonstration during Get Fit with Google

Google Fit app is essentially a set of APIs that lets developers dig in to rival apps and combine data for deeper insights, similar to Apple Health.

The Google Fit was unveiled to the world back in June, promising a platform to help increase life expectancy across the world which currently falling as a result of malnutrition and people across the world not taking exercise serious.

The Google Fit app, while a useful tool in itself, is also Google showcasing its own APIs, as it lets you connect third-party devices and apps to gather all your data in a single place. Naturally, it connects with Android Wear too.

With the conviction that technology should be a part of everyday life, Google Nigeria on Thursday at Bodyline Fitness and Gym, Ikoyi, Lagos organised a ‘Get Fit with Google’ event for journalists to demonstrate how mobile devices can be incorporated in fitness regimens to improve the efficacy of workout sessions.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and PR Manager, West Africa, reviewed that global Google search trends for health/ fitness /gyms peak in December and January, while in Nigeria, they followed a quarterly pattern, with Nigerians searching for gyms more than health, wellness or fitness.

At a group session where mobile devices were tested, Analytical Lead at Google, Mr Abdulsalam Abdullateef, demonstrated how a variety of Android apps and Android wearable devices are used during exercise or just to make daily activity such as checking the weather news, asking for directions, surfing the internet, taking dictation much easier.

Google Nigeria trilled Nigerian journalists with the new set of technological innovation that helps their body keep fit even while doing their daily activities.

The event was rounded up with workouts session through aerobics exercises, cycling and a Zumba session with the Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan in attendance.

Earlier this year, confirmed partners of Google at launching included Nike, HTC, LG, RunKeeper, Withings, Motorola, Noom, Runtastic and Polar. So someone who prefers to use the Runtastic Orbit fitness band when running and a Moto 360 smartwatch the rest of the time can centralize all their data within Google Fit.

At the mobile device, wearable tech and app demonstration during Get Fit with Google

Zumba session

Getting a sweat up on the bikes

Communications & Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Google, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade making a presentation to participants during Get Fit with Google

Google Executives Taiwo and Abdul with Gym instructor