“There’s an app for that.” An overused phrase? Yes, but that’s only because it’s true. And when it comes to fitness and health, there are plenty of apps from which to choose. We’ve rounded up our top five fitness favorites to get you motivated, track your progress, and to keep you entertained.
Pocket Yoga: When there’s not a studio in sight or you need to “om” away from home, the Pocket Yoga app allows you to practice your poses any place you lay your mat. Choose from different yoga practices, time limits, and intensity levels to create the perfect yoga experience just for you. Against the background of light music, an instructor voice will guide you through the practice with cues for inhaling and exhaling. An included pose dictionary will help you explore new movements and develop strength and flexibility.
Cost: $2.99
Availability: Android, Apple, Windows
Map My Fitness: Don’t bother retracing your run or bike route in your car to determine distance; the Map My Fitness app can take care of that. The GPS tracking follows your path, records the pace, and allows you to save the data for history of your workouts. If you decide to take a run sans smart device, you can still track and store your progress after by simply tracing your route on a map. When you’re not exercising, use the app to log what you eat and share your workouts with friends.
Cost: Free
Availability: Android, Apple, Windows
[adrotate banner=”26″]Nike Training Club: It’s easy to get into a stale routine of doing the same workouts every week. A personal trainer is one way to make a change, but if you can’t afford the cost, try the Nike Training Club app. It allows you to select goals, time duration, and body parts to work. You can then choose your workout and review the exercises in advance with instruction so that you know what you’re doing before it starts. From there the countdown begins, and your playlist comes in so that you have your favorite fitness tunes. There is even a Nike Training Club trainer to give you pointers along the way. When you’re done, you can review your results, which help you to earn badges and other app goodies.
Cost: Free
Availability: Android and Apple
Zombies, Run! 2: Are you an avid follower of The Walking Dead? Did you watch World War Z and wonder if you’d survive? If you answered “yes” to either, than the Zombies, Run! 2 app is for you. Using a mix of gameplay and storytelling, the Zombies, Run! 2 app gives you a reason to run–your life! Zombies are on the attack, and a narrator tells you how to keep moving to stay safe and gather supplies, while at the same time using music from your playlists. Whether you look at it as a chance to train to save your brain, practice your cardio-based survival skills, or just be entertained, this app will help you pick up the pace.
Cost: $3.99, which includes more than 60 missions. A beginners 5K Training version of the app is available for $1.99.
Availability: Android and Apple
Teemo: Say goodbye to not having time to workout; the Teemo app just squashed that excuse. This app is focused on turning small amounts of spare time into opportunities for exercise–no gym, equipment, or workout clothes are necessary. Use Teemo on your lunch break, while waiting for a bus, or whenever you have a few minutes to pick an adventure theme and complete the short, simple exercises. You can do these on your own, or create a social team and work together virtually. As you, or you and your team, progress, you’ll earn online rewards that encourage you to continue to exercise.
Cost: $2.00
Availability: Apple
With so many apps to choose from, it was difficult to narrow down the list. Tell us in the comments which fitness app keeps you moving!
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Carrie Anton is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, and sports. She's been published in Self, Women's Health, Oxygen, and Maximum Fitness.
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