There’s an app for virtually every activity people do on a daily basis, from monitoring water intake, to meditation, to task management. Apps are beneficial for helping us stay on top of things we might otherwise struggle with, since they ping us with regular notifications and reminders of our progress.
As maintaining a regular exercise schedule is something many people struggle with, it’s no wonder there’s a wealth of fitness apps available to assist with this challenge. So whether you’re trying to get in a few extra steps each day, training for a marathon, or working to improve your overall health and wellness, these nine apps may be just what you need to reach your fitness goals.
1. Charity Miles
Using Charity Miles each time you run, walk or cycle will not only benefit you, but also the charities you’ll be generating donations for. For each mile covered, the app awards the user with 10 cents when cycling and 25 cents if walking or running.
The donations are courtesy of corporate sponsors such as Timex Sports, Johnson & Johnson and Lifeway Foods, and the user is able to select the charity they wish they money to go to from a list within the app. Charity Miles is free to download and is available for both iOS and Android.
2. Fitbit
While this app is primarily designed to work in conjunction with the brand’s line of fitness trackers, you don’t need one to benefit from its features. The app can use the sensors in your smartphone to count the number of steps taken each day, as well as monitor your activity routes using the device’s GPS.
The Fitbit app also makes it easy to track your calorie intake with its food log feature. Additionally, it offers the option to record and monitor other health information such as your weight, blood pressure and glucose levels. The app is free to download from the Android and Apple app stores.
dennizn / Shutterstock.com3. FitStar
FitStar is an excellent download option for those at every fitness level, as the app develops custom workouts for each user. These custom workouts are based on your feedback about whether the exercises it recommends are too challenging, too easy or match your capabilities well.
The free version of the app, which is available for Android and iOS, includes two workouts per week. If you wish to upgrade to the Premium membership option, it’s USD$7.99 per month or USD$39.99 per year.
4. JETFIT
Whether you’re a weight-lifting junkie or simply incorporate such routines into a balanced fitness schedule, JETFIT will help you keep track of each activity’s sets and reps, as well as how much weight was lifted.
The app comes pre-loaded with an extensive database of routines that are targeted toward which area of the body you wish to work on, as well as instructions on how to properly conduct each exercise. You can also use JETFIT to build a workout schedule and track progress toward your fitness goals. The app is free to download for both Android and iPhone, but users can upgrade to the Pro version for USD$4.99 to get access to more features and an ad-free experience.
5. Sworkit
Sworkit, short for “Simply Work It,” is an incredibly versatile app that lets you select the type of exercise you wish to work on—whether it’s cardio, yoga, or strength training—as well as the length of workout you have time for.
The app builds its routines using series of randomized exercises from its database, each of which is accompanied by video demonstrations from personal trainers. Sworkit offers a free 7-day trial, after which users can upgrade to the premium version for USD$7.99 per month or USD$59.99 per year on both Android and Apple devices.
6. Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout App
One of the biggest factors holding people back from working out on a daily basis is time. The Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout App is trying to break down this barrier by offering effective workout routines in a very concise period of time.
You can increase the level of difficulty whenever you’re ready for a challenge, and the app also offers lengthier routines if you’re able to devote more than seven minutes to your daily fitness. And the only equipment you’ll need is a chair! This free app is available for both Android and iOS.
7. Pear Personal Fitness Coach
Pear Personal Fitness Coach offers a unique approach to fitness apps by having the voices of Olympians and professional sports stars guide you through activities that range from running, at-home workouts and yoga routines.
Available for iOS users, the app itself is free. But in order to take advantage of its ability to calculate your VO2Max, the “the maximum rate at which your body is able to consume oxygen during exercise,” you will need access to a device that can monitor your body’s heart rate.
Postmodern Studio / Shutterstock.com8. MapMyRun
Created by apparel company Under Armor, MapMyRun offers a database of more than 70 million routes to choose from. Users simply enter their zip code and select one that’s nearby. Alternatively, you can enter the distance you wish to run for, and the “Route Genius” function will determine a course for you to follow.
Not only will the app track the run’s distance, it will also monitor the user’s pace and number of calories burned. The company also offers similar apps for tracking walks, hikes and bicycle rides, all of which are free in the Android and Apple app stores.
9. Pocket Yoga
Making it to yoga class regularly can prove challenging for some, but a quick download of the Pocket Yoga app makes it easy to practice yoga whenever and wherever fits with the user’s lifestyle.
The app caters to all ages and skill levels, and each of the more than 200 poses in its database—which are designed by certified yoga instructors—is accompanied by animations and voice-over instruction to ensure proper movements. Pocket Yoga, which costs USD$2.99 in the Android and Apple app stores, also allows the user to track their progress and create personalized routines.
