Expat's smartphone application promotes fitness

Krissa Hjartar talks about how Starters is working with social networks such as Facebook. [Photo/Provided to China Daily]

Bogged down with the hectic life of freelancing and contract work in design consulting, apprehensive about outdoor cardiovascular activities in polluted Shanghai and generally missing a regular workout routine, Krissa Hjartar saw a need in her life.

She soon realized that she was not alone in this need, as friends often complained of not having time to start and follow through with a workout program.

From there, the Iceland native set out to create what has quickly become one of the fastest growing fitness smartphone applications available, Starters.

Personal fitness and working out have always been a part of her life, Hjartar says, and growing up in a town of just 1,200 people she tried every sport available. But it wasn't until she tried judo that she found her favorite activity. She went on to become a national champion in the sport from 1992 until 1999.

"I fell in love with it right away and loved the fact that you use the opponent's force, weight and speed to your advantage," she says, adding that she was intrigued by how anyone, young or old, could train.

"Most important, it's a sport that requires constant learning. It's like chess, you are always learning a new game plan, but with your body."

It wasn't until moving to Shanghai less than two years ago because of her husband's job that the champion-turned-design-consultant decided to "restart" her fitness career in a new form.

Hjartar's idea for Starters came when she began sending workout videos that she created to friends.

It was when a friend, Joe Luttwak, told her that his chronic back pain was beginning to subside after only two weeks of doing her video workouts that she knew she wanted to help others too.