Filed under: Software, How-tos, Odds and ends
Getting in shape with iChat Theater
Whether it's because you're at school or work all day, finding the time and energy to workout is difficult. So, why not make it easier on yourself and find a partner to workout with via iChat Theater?
When iChat went Leopard, it included a series of features and enhancements. One of these enhancements was iChat Theater. iChat Theater allows you to share documents, photos and videos with your buddies in an easy and oh-so-Apple elegant way. With Snow Leopard, iChat Theater gained the capability of displaying content at a higher resolution: up to 640 by 480 pixels.
While photos and presentations translate well over iChat Theater, I've found that sharing videos is not without its hiccups unless you have an extremely fast and consistent Internet connection with robust upload speed. I've found both video and audio quality to be unacceptable for watching movies or TV shows.
But this doesn't really matter when you're working out.
Sure, there may be some lip syncing (audio delay) and the video quality may not be the greatest, but hey, you're working out: you've won the biggest battle already. And, you're not alone: your buddy on the other side of the iChat will push you along as well.
To start iChat Theater, click on "File" and then select "Share a File with iChat Theater." After selecting your file, you will be asked to start a video chat. You'll then need to highlight the buddy you'd like to invite, and the click on "Buddies" and then selecting "Invite to Video Chat."
Alternatively, you could start a video chat with a buddy and then initiate iChat Theater.
My sister recently purchased the P90X workout program for me as a gift, and an intense workout regimen it certainly is. After I opened up the box set, I immediately created an iPhone formatted version of it (HandBrake), which I take with me when I workout at the gym or the park with a friend of mine. On days when I'm working out at home (after a long day's work, of course), the workout sessions are done over iChat Theater.
So while iChat Theater can't do all the heavy lifting for you, it certainly finds alternative ways for you to motivate yourself to do it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rego said 2:15PM on 10-09-2009
Has anyone developed a way to use ichat with skype?
Reply
mikehild said 3:19PM on 10-09-2009
I don't quite get the post - it just said that iChat theatre can help you work out, but didn't really elaborate beyond saying "I watch the video on icat theatre when I'm at home."
My first thought is why? If you're at home, why is this better than just popping in the DVD or watching your ripped files in Quicktime or iTunes? I was expecting to read something about how there's a specific bot user that you connect to that shoots the workout videos to you over iChat theatre.
Reply
Mannie said 5:33PM on 10-09-2009
Go to a gym.
Reply
jftreko said 6:38PM on 10-09-2009
Hmm, virtual workouts in group form? Could be cool.
http://www.cadenceapp.com
Reply
Druckerpatronen said 3:50AM on 10-10-2009
Wow its seems to be a great blog and I really appreciate it lol.
I will be joining soon.
Druckerpatronen
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r said 10:33AM on 10-10-2009
I asked BeachBody about putting the workouts on my iPod and they said I was violating "two prongs of the Digital Rights Millenium Act" (or whatever that thing is called). I told 'em that I bought the disks, just like to work out with my iPod since we only have one TV. They no likey.
Reply
Kelsey said 12:17PM on 10-10-2009
Hey there! Great post so far. However, I think you can learn more about weight loss and getting optimum low body fat by visiting this website! www.threesixtyhealth.com
It includes fitness tips, and teaches you getting in shape. Weight loss should not be done using extreme diets or related things like that! Getting in shape should be much easier. Find a fitness buddy and guide each other the path down low body fat today!
Do visit www.threesixtyhealth.com
Cheers,
Kelsey.
Reply
SCOTT said 7:57PM on 10-10-2009
I'm sorry I'm a huge TUAW fan...but this has got to be the dumbest article I have ever seen on this site...
I'm no where near as critical as most of the people here...so I usually don't think the articles are bad or out of date etc...
but this one makes no sense at all...if you want to talk about iChat Theater...then actually talk about it...and give some sort of real world usage suggestions...not this dumb title and text...
I'm sorry but I have to finally say something when the level of articles comes to the basement...and I'm in Miami, we don't have basements...
Reply
Kelsey said 7:08AM on 11-12-2009
Hey there! Great post so far. However, I think you can learn more about weight loss and getting optimum low body fat by visiting this website! www.threesixtyhealth.com
It includes fitness tips, and teaches you getting in shape. Weight loss should not be done using extreme diets or related things like that! Getting in shape should be much easier. Find a fitness buddy and guide each other the path down low body fat today!
Do visit www.threesixtyhealth.com
Cheers,
Kelsey.
Reply