Misc. – BlackFitness101.com

Fitness Apps Can Help, But They Cannot Do The Work For You.

Leroy Smith — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:52:25 +0000

(BlackFitness101.com) I’ve spent enough years on a gym floor to know the truth about technology. It’s a gift. My watch tracks my steps, flags my heart rate, and reminds me to stand up when I’ve been sitting too long building programs for clients. I use it every single day, and I’d tell anyone to do the same.

But there’s a line I make sure every person I train understands early. A device can measure the effort. It cannot supply it. That watch on your wrist will never grab the dumbbell for you. It won’t pull you out of bed at six when the room’s still dark and the sheets feel just right. That part belongs to you, and it always will.

It’s summer now, which means I’m watching the same thing unfold again.

Every June/July it’s the same movie. Folks show up to my gym fresh, brand new shoes squeaking on the floor, tracker snapped on so tight it’s leaving marks. Downloaded the whole app store before they even broke a sweat. I don’t laugh at them. I want them to win. But here’s the thing about tools. A hammer in a drawer never built nothing. You actually gotta pick it up and swing.

Now what these apps do good, I’ll give them their flowers. They remember. They keep the receipts. You might swear up and down you’re sleeping eight hours and the data’s sitting there going, nah, more like five and a half, partner. You might feel like a champion after leg day and the numbers say your heart rate barely woke up. That kind of honesty? Useful. Real useful. Because most of us, myself included some days, we lie to ourselves a little. A good app makes it harder to lie to yourself.

Had a guy last spring. Sharp brother. Big job, two little ones at home, no time to breathe. Comes to me hot, frustrated, saying his tracker’s broken, doesn’t work, waste of money. So I sit down with him. We pull up the numbers together. And you know what I found?

He was checking that app forty times a day. Forty. Open it, stare at the rings, close it, open it again two minutes later. But moving? Actually moving his body? Almost nothing. He thought looking at the data was the same as doing the thing.

That’s the trap. That’s the whole trap right there.

The screen becomes the workout. Scrolling your stats feels like effort. Comparing this week to last week feels productive. Feels like you’re handling business. But none of it burns one calorie. Not one. You can read a menu till your eyes cross and you’ll still go to bed hungry. You gotta cook. Same deal.

Don’t get it twisted though. I’m not one of these guys who hates the tech. Pair these tools with some real intention behind them and they shine. Set a step goal and actually chase the thing down, that little buzz when you hit it can carry you. Log your food honest, no fibbing, and all of a sudden you see where the sugar’s been sneaking in. Run a real program through an app and you got a map for the days your motivation’s just gone. The magic was never in the device. The magic’s in the person who decided to show up.

And listen, since folks always ask me which ones are worth the space on your phone, I’ll give you a couple I actually point people toward. If you just want to log your lifts clean with no clutter, Strong is hard to beat, it’s basically a notebook that remembers your last set so you can chase it. Hevy’s nice too, free, and it’s got that little community feel if knowing somebody might see your numbers keeps you honest. Fitbod’s the move if you don’t wanna think, you tell it what you got, dumbbells, a bench, whatever, and it builds the session for you. Jefit’s good for the heads who love their data and want the thing nudging them to add weight. And for my runners and bike folks, Strava, all day. Pick whatever fits how you train and leave the rest. But hear me real clear on this. Not one of them is gonna sweat for you.

Think of it like a coach in your pocket. A coach can holler at you, write the plan on the board, hype you up. But that coach cannot run your laps for you. I been doing this a long time. The people who change their lives, it’s never the ones with the shiniest gadgets. It’s the ones who got quiet one night and decided they were done being the same. Watch just came along for the ride.

There’s an old truth no software has cracked yet. Discipline.

People flinch at that word. Don’t. It’s not punishment. Discipline is just keeping a promise to yourself when nobody’s clapping and nothing about it feels good. The app reminds you. That’s all it can do. It can’t choose for you. That notification hits at the end of a long, ugly day, close your rings, and the decision still lands in your lap. Get up, or don’t. Phone goes quiet either way and it don’t care which one you pick. You’re the one who has to live in that body.

My uncle used to work out in the backyard when I was a kid. No tracker. No app. No playlist, no nothing. Bolted a pull-up bar into a tree and just went. Kept the count in his own head. Strong man. Steady. Dependable as the sunrise. He never needed a screen to tell him if he earned his rest, he felt it in his bones and he trusted that feeling.

Now I’m not telling you to chuck your phone in the lake and go full caveman on me. Keep your stuff. I’m just saying his strength came from somewhere you can’t download.

So how you supposed to use this stuff the right way? I’ll keep it plain.

Pick one tool. Maybe two. Let the rest go. You do not need seven apps fighting over your attention all day. Choose what helps, mute the noise.

Then put it down. Once it’s done its little job, set the screen aside and go live. Check your numbers, learn what you can, close it. The data’s a mirror. It is not a magic spell. Staring longer don’t make you fitter.

And the big one. Build your why before you build your routine. Apps are real good at what and when. They are terrible, just awful, at why. That part’s gotta come from your own chest. Maybe you want to keep up with your grandkids without gasping. Maybe you want to catch yourself in the mirror and feel something other than disappointment. Maybe the doctor said a number out loud that scared you straight. Whatever it is, hold it close, because on the rough mornings that reason is the only thing strong enough to move you. No buzz on your wrist is replacing that. Ever.

I want you walking away encouraged, by the way. This ain’t me wagging a finger at you. This is me across the table, telling you the truth a good trainer owes you. You’re more capable than you been giving yourself credit for. The fact that you even bought the watch, downloaded the app, set the goal, that tells me something already stirred awake in there. Good. So let’s feed it. Let’s take that spark and grow it into something that don’t need a battery to keep burning.

Summer’s the perfect runway too. Days are long. The light’s good. Use it. Take the walk early before the heat gets mean. Hit the park, find a bench, knock out your dips and your push-ups right there in the open. Let the app count it if you want. But let your own pride count it louder. There’s a feeling after real effort that no graph ever captured. Tired. Satisfied. Sweaty. That quiet knowing that you showed up when you didn’t have to. Chase that feeling. That one’s real.

Let me leave you with something.

Years from now, when you look back and measure how far you’ve come, the software won’t be what you thank. Trust me on that. You’ll thank the version of you that decided to get up. That old app data may not even matter by then anyway. But your body, your habits, the strength you put in with your own two hands, that stays. That belongs to you, and nobody can delete it.

So wear the watch. Open the app. Count your steps and chase your rings, all of it. Just never lose sight of who’s doing the lifting. It was never the machine. It was you the whole time. Let the tech guide you, push you, keep score, that’s exactly what it’s built for. But when the weight is in your hands and the choice is sitting on your shoulders, the effort comes from one place and one place only.

You. It always has, and it always will.

So get out there. The season’s long and the light is good. Go put it to use.

Staff Writer; Leroy Smith

I have spent more than 20 years in fitness and health education, helping people build stronger bodies and healthier habits. My work is rooted in uplifting the Black community through movement, knowledge, and long term wellness.

One may contact me at; LSmith@BlackFitness101.com.

Breaking The Old Stereotype About Black People And Swimming.

Leroy Smith — Sun, 17 May 2026 00:59:24 +0000

(BlackFitness101) Every summer the same tired jokes start floating around again. Somebody sees Black folks near a pool or beach and suddenly the old stereotype about Black people not swimming comes right back out. A lot of people laugh it off, but truthfully, that stereotype ignored generations of history, exclusion, and limited access that shaped how many Black families viewed water for years. What should have been about recreation, freedom, and family time became attached to ignorance and mockery instead.

But things are changing now.

As an older Black man, one thing I enjoy seeing during summertime is more Black families embracing the water without apology. You see children taking swimming lessons earlier. Fathers teaching sons at community pools. Mothers encouraging daughters to feel confident near water. Brothers swimming for fitness, peace of mind, and stress relief after long work weeks. Slowly, the old mindset is fading, and honestly, it needed to.

A lot of younger people do not fully understand the history connected to this issue. There was a time when segregation kept many Black Americans away from public pools, beaches, and swimming facilities across the country. Some places outright banned Black people from entering certain pools. Other communities created environments where Black families simply did not feel welcome around those spaces.

That history matters.

When generations grow up disconnected from swimming opportunities, eventually fear and unfamiliarity get passed down too. Then over time, stereotypes replace the real story. Instead of talking about the historical reasons behind the issue, people turned it into jokes.

But summertime today looks different than it did years ago.

You see Black families outside enjoying themselves more around water. Fathers teaching sons. Mothers helping daughters feel comfortable in pools. Community programs introducing swimming lessons to children early. That kind of exposure changes things over time.

And it should.

Swimming is not only recreation.

It is also survival.

That part deserves more attention.

Every year stories come out about accidental drownings involving children and adults who never fully learned how to swim confidently. That alone should push more communities to take swimming seriously. This is bigger than stereotypes or jokes online. Water safety matters.

I always tell younger brothers this. Never feel embarrassed about learning something later in life. Too many people allow pride to stop them from growing. If a grown man never learned to swim as a child, there is nothing wrong with learning now. Matter of fact, there is strength in being willing to learn despite fear or insecurity.

That mindset applies to life in general honestly.

Some men are afraid of looking uncomfortable while learning something new. But growth usually starts with discomfort anyway. Nobody becomes confident overnight around water if they were never exposed to it properly growing up.

That takes patience.

I have noticed summertime especially creates opportunities for people to reconnect with water differently now. Beaches packed with families. Pools full of kids laughing. Brothers swimming laps for exercise. Community centers offering affordable lessons. The atmosphere feels more welcoming than it did years ago in many places.

That matters for younger generations.

Children should grow up viewing swimming as normal instead of something distant from their culture. Once kids become comfortable around water early, confidence develops naturally over time. Then eventually they pass that comfort down to their own children one day.

That is how old patterns get broken.

One thing I respect now is seeing more Black athletes, instructors, and public figures encouraging swimming openly. Visibility matters whether people realize it or not. Young people seeing somebody who looks like them comfortable in the water can shift their thinking mentally.

Representation changes confidence sometimes.

Especially for children.

I also think many people underestimate how peaceful swimming can feel mentally. There is something calming about water once a person becomes comfortable with it. During summertime especially, being near water can help clear your head emotionally after stressful days. Some brothers use basketball or weightlifting for mental release. Others find peace swimming laps quietly.

That release matters.

Life feels heavy for many people right now. Financial pressure, work stress, nonstop bad news online, relationship struggles. Sometimes simply being in water helps calm the mind for a little while. That is one reason more adults are becoming interested in swimming beyond recreation.

It helps mentally too.

And physically, swimming is one of the best workouts a person can do without putting heavy pressure on the joints. Older people especially benefit from it. Men dealing with knee pain, back issues, or general soreness from years of hard labor often find water workouts easier on the body while still staying active.

That is important as people age.

I think another reason this stereotype needs to disappear is because it creates unnecessary shame. Some Black children grew up hearing jokes about swimming so often that they became embarrassed even trying to learn. That type of teasing pushes people further away from something that could actually benefit them.

That makes no sense when you really think about it.

Communities should encourage learning, not mock it.

One thing older generations can do now is help younger people feel comfortable trying new things without judgment. A child learning to swim should feel supported, not laughed at. The same goes for adults. Everybody starts somewhere.

And honestly, many people from all backgrounds struggle with swimming initially. Fear around water is not exclusive to one race. The difference is certain stereotypes got attached unfairly to Black communities historically.

That narrative needs to change completely.

I also think more fathers should become involved in helping children feel safe around water early. A father teaching confidence matters. Even if the father himself is still learning, simply showing willingness can inspire children too. Kids pay attention to effort more than perfection sometimes.

That energy stays with them.

Summertime creates perfect opportunities for families to build those experiences together. Pool days. Beach trips. Community center visits. Those moments create memories while also building confidence around water naturally.

That combination matters.

And let me say this too. There is nothing weak about learning new skills as an adult. Too many men carry pride that keeps them from growing. Whether it is swimming, fitness, finances, fatherhood, or emotional growth, life keeps teaching lessons long after childhood ends.

The strongest people stay willing to learn.

That is wisdom.

As an older Black man, I honestly feel hopeful seeing more change around this issue now. Younger generations seem far more open to breaking old stereotypes instead of accepting them blindly. More families are prioritizing lessons. More community programs are opening doors. More people understand the historical side of this conversation now instead of reducing it to jokes.

That progress matters.

Because at the end of the day, swimming should never have been treated like something disconnected from Black life in the first place. Water belongs to everybody. Peace belongs to everybody. Learning belongs to everybody.

And summertime should feel like freedom, joy, family, movement, and growth for everybody too.

Not fear.

Not shame.

Not outdated stereotypes that never told the full story to begin with.

Staff Writer; Leroy Smith

One may contact me at; LSmith@BlackFitness101.com.

Physical Therapy is a Challenge.

Staff — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:06:21 +0000

(BlackFitness101.com) In the battle to be strong and healthy, and stay that way, injury can pose some serious setbacks. Once injured, depending on the severity, you may find yourself in the hospital, enduring surgery, and coming to grips with physical therapy. If you are not an athlete whose been injured, or you’ve never been injured, this experience can be terrifying as you don’t know what to expect outside of pain. In your mind you might believe if I can just manage my pain everything will be okay. Dealing with pain is just the beginning of recovery. Once injury occurs it can definitely be hard to deal with mentally as you are trying to come to turns with limitations you are not use to accommodating. Furthermore, you might find it difficult to trust your body. Physical therapy is a critical part of recovery, but it is definitely a challenge not to be taken likely.

After an injury, a surgery, it is very easy to fall into inactivity. You want to do whatever you can to ease pain, and the last thing on your mind is forcing the body to move on purpose in ways that will make you want to scream. Sometimes long-term athletes have a better understanding going into recovery from an injury that physical therapy will be a serious challenge. They understand in some instances the road to recovery might be just as, if not more, painful as the initial injury. However, it is vital to gaining full use of the injured area going forward. Movement will be key, and mental preparedness will be a necessity. you will find that you must summon your will to get your body through the ordeal of injury.

You guessed it…the worse thing you can do is opt out of physical therapy and go home to sit. When this happens, you will become stiff and risk losing your range on motion in the area injured. Another unwise choice would be staying inactive post injury or surgery then deciding to just get up and go to the gym.

I understand watching the scale tip may motivate you back into your gym but going back cold turkey could cause you to re-injure yourself doing more damage. Series injuries and surgery causes loss of muscle memory. Physical therapy is an opportunity to train your muscles to regain muscle memory in the same fashion that a baby intuitively learns to walk by using those same muscle groups repetitively. Unfortunately, unlike with a baby learning to walk…this will be painful, and your body doesn’t have the same level of resilience.

Be sure to undertake physical therapy with a professional that is qualified to rehabilitate your body in the injured area. You want to be comfortable with the person you are working with, and that will help you get through the challenges you will face with physical therapy. Furthermore, working with the right therapist decreases the chances that you would do too much, or not enough in your session. There is a degree of pain that comes with the process, but there are pains that would indicate the rehabilitation is going south. Prepare your mind to recover you body so that you can return to a strong and healthy state. Don’t opt out of physical therapy…embrace the challenge. Your body will be the better for it.

Staff Writer; Christian Starr

May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.

Keep the Fight Out of the Gym.

Staff — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 01:38:41 +0000

(BlackFitness101.com) Working out in the gym can bring out your ambition as you’re are in an intense battle with your body, as you work towards getting said body into its best shape. It’s understandable that some workout to alleviate stress. Life can be tough, and people can be a pain in the neck. Some choose to take out their aggression’s through their workout. This is indeed turning negative energy into productive energy. There are gym members that are rather solitary. They don’t really talk to others, outside of speaking as a mannerable gesture, and you always see them working out alone. Then there are those that tend to come into the gym in a group. Sometimes its co-workers, family or just friends…they are social, and want to have a good time while working out. Neither method is wrong as long as both are respectful of one another.

I was working out recently, and I’m the loner, minding my business on the dreaded treadmill. While trying to zone our listening to Kendrick Lamar I was brought back to reality by yelling that I could hear over my music. One treadmill from me were two ladies having a heated disagreement. At that moment someone should have asked them to take that outside or squash it. However, the situation escalated into a fight.

Ladies, the gym isn’t the place for a street fight. It’s a place where everyone is there for the betterment of themselves, and there is no room for that kind of energy which ruins the workout for everyone else. The group of women fighting had no idea what anyone else in the gym was dealing with. I for one tend to go to the gym to work out my grief regarding the loss of my dad when it becomes to much. The last thing I wanted to do was run off my treadmill to avoid the physical altercation that was hurling itself in my direction. Evening if you were to go to a boxing gym there are rules and guidelines.

Working out in a group may be fun, but if there are issues within the group please don’t wait until you get in the gym for situation to come to a head. Deal with the matter amongst yourself, or choose to workout separately. No one wants to be in the middle of a workout, and find themselves distracted by the arrival of the local police.

Quite a few people choose to end their workout early…I was one of them. It’s important to protect spaces that allow people to cope with the craziness in the world, and the things they are personally facing. The gym is no place to handle disagreements. Those involved are likely to hurt one another, but then innocent people can get hurt as well in an unnecessary situation.

Be mindful of your safety, and that of others around you in a gym community. Strive to keep the energy one that exudes wellness, betterment, and competing with self to become a stronger self. Keep the strife, and fighting out of the gym.

Staff Writer; Christian Starr

May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.

Gym Courtesy is Important.

Staff — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 17:14:56 +0000

(BlackFitness101.com) As many move towards overall wellness and fitness the gym has become a frequented spot. This is a positive trend, but just like with anything one would want to be courteous of others in that space. Though the gym may feel comfortable, and like home to some, it’s not your house and there are spoken and unspoken rules. It’s important to be courteous in the gym so that your workout experience is not unpleasant for someone else. When joining a gym, it is important to find out the guidelines and adhere to them. The rules vary by location.

Some gyms are large with plenty of cardio equipment so there is no time limit, but others may have a cardio machine time limit that you would want to follow. Though a gym can evolve into a community for you it is very much so a different kind of community with a set purpose…working out. Often times this purpose can be lost in the need for conversation, loud phone conversations and the manner by which one chooses to dress in the gym. Below are just a few known gym courtesies, or rules, that allow the gym atmosphere to remain productive and comfortable for all members.

1. It would be wise to make sure your workout clothes are clean. Granted, many of us grew up watching “Rocky” and we remember the beat-up workout clothes…but Rocky worked out outside quite a bit. It’s hard to focus on one’s workout when the person next to you is smelly…and we don’t mean just sweat.

2. Though working out is not a fashion show if you want to be fashionable go right ahead. However, it would be courteous to make sure you are covered in a way by which your personal parts aren’t in someone’s face. Furthermore, gyms have lots of mirrors but they aren’t for make-up application.

3. Wiping the equipment when you are done is definitely a must. No one want to exercise in the previous persons sweat. That’s just nasty.

4. Put the equipment back when you are done. If you are strong enough to lift the weight you are strong enough to rack it. It is rather inconsiderate to use free weights, and leave them out. This is a safety hazard, but the next person lifting might not be able to move the weight. Just be courteous and rack what you use.

5. The primary purpose for the gym is working out, and though it can be social, be mindful that some are focused on their workout. If you want to talk to someone that looks like they are “n a zone” don’t interrupt. Consider speaking to them when they are in a rest period. Everyone in the gym is not going to be chatty.

6. If you are sick consider working out outside, or at home. There are some that use working out as a way to get better when sick. This is understandable but if you are coughing and sneezing everywhere there is a chance you will get others around you sick. Using a sauna is understandable, but just moving around the gym floor sick can harm others.

Gym courtesy goes a long way, and it allows us to respect each other as we work towards bettering ourselves. Everyone in the gym is different and those differences should be respected. Safety and gym guidelines should be known and followed. There is no need for bad experiences when working out can make us feel great.

Staff Writer; Christian Starr

May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.

Glam at the Gym.

Staff — Wed, 24 May 2017 22:22:19 +0000

(BlackFitness101.com) As women, we tend to want to look nice where ever we go. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, and that also applies to working out. There is an entire fashion market for workout apparel geared to give us the best look, and coverage during our workout. Women have more choices than ever from apparel to shoes. Some of us are definitely glam at the gym. However, if we aren’t careful glam can go too far and cause health and presentation problems.

Part of a good work out is working us a good sweat. When we do this our pores have an opportunity to release toxins and impurities through our skin by sweating. This can become complicated when one insists on wearing full face makeup to the gym. Your pores are encountering your full-face base when sweating which in some cases can also present a mess if you sweat a lot. No one wants to look off in the face so maybe considering a makeup conducive to working out, or saving the full face for after the workout would help.

Underway is very important. Some prefer to roll free or with specialized underwear but this is actually unsafe when working out. When you don’t wear the most supportive bra in an effort to rock your cleavage you can damage your breast tissue. When one chooses to wear thongs, and g strings, you can run into issues with boils or yeast infections if you aren’t careful. Again, sweating helps the body release toxins so not having the proper undergarments for absorbing that moisture is a problem. Furthermore, when using the equipment…it can just be nasty. Let’s be real everyone should wipe down equipment but they don’t. So, if you are free and sweating…then don’t wipe equipment after usage that’s just double nasty.

You can maintain your glam, and be appropriate. There are many kinds of people in the world, and some of them are not kind. We shouldn’t have to worry about safety at the gym, outside of making sure we use the equipment properly, but we do. Making sure you are not exposed can help you feel safe. When we neglect the right undergarments, we can end up feeling exposed on certain machines in ways we never intended regardless of if the gym is co-ed or women’s only. No one wants to be doing deep squats in front of the mirror and feel like our private areas are focused on because they are showing due to the nature of the exercise. No one wants to be on the treadmill, male or female, and end up exposed because the workout attire was lacking.

Feel free to be glamorous in everything you do including working out. It can help boost confidence and self-esteem. Just make sure you remember it’s a gym, and you want to be sure you are safe. Having the proper apparel that fits correctly is important to your health, and your sensibilities.

Staff Writer; Christian Starr

May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.