You’re always on your phone, so why not use it to support your health and fitness goals? After all, you may have a goal − to lose a set amount of weight or even to work out a certain number of times per week − but not know how to attain it. The right health and fitness apps can help.
So, what’s the problem and why don’t more people already use these health apps?
For many people, it’s because there are so many health and fitness applications. It’s confusing as to which is best. Here, we’ve taken a comprehensive look at the top health and fitness apps to recommend the 8 best for you. The list that follows includes a wide range of apps, so even if running isn’t your preferred method of working out, there are still other apps on the list that you can try!
Our favorite health apps:
1. Couch to 5K
Most people who want to lose weight turn to running to do so. After all, running requires no equipment, other than a pair of running shoes, and helps burn calories long after the run is over through a process called “afterburn” − an elevated post-workout energy expenditure at rest.
Couch to 5K is for those who are trying to get into running, but perhaps haven’t done it before or, even if they have, haven’t had a specific plan to support their weight loss goals. The app is free and provides eight weeks of workouts, three per week. The app’s goal is to get anyone from their starting point to running 5 kilometers. By gradually building intensity and alternating between intervals of walking and running, the app is successful at doing so, and can work for you too!
2. MyFitnessPal
If you’ve heard of a health and fitness app, MyFitnessPal is probably it. Users turn to MyFitnessPal to track steps, calories, and other health-related metrics.
Most users turn to MyFitnessPal because its database includes more than five million foods. This makes it simple to track what you’re eating and create the caloric deficit necessary for weight loss. MyFitnessPal also includes an exercise database so you can easily determine how many calories you’ve burned from a wide range of exercises based on your weight and the duration of the activity.
Read: Why Food Looks Even Better When Dieting
3. ACTIVEx
If you enjoy working out with friends to stay motivated and accountable, ACTIVEx is a great app to consider. In fact, this app began as a “workplace wellplace” program, meaning it was designed for you and your workout group!
Some of the best features of this app include the Tabata-based interval workouts and other group training plans, all of which come complete with in-app coaching for additional assistance or motivation where you need it. The best part is that the app comes with unlimited workouts, so you’ll always have something new to do!
4. Sworkit
Sworkit, which stands for Simply Work It, is an exercise app that includes videos of every workout, demonstrated by personal trainers to show the proper form. The best part is that the app comes with workouts in a number of categories, including 7-minute workouts, “Rump Roasters,” yoga for runners, advanced full body, stretching, and 5-minute abs. This means that regardless of how much time you have or what kind of workout you want to get in, you can find something that suits you.
You can select from pre-made workouts or customize one for what you want. The possibilities are endless, making this an app you’ll use both now and in the future.
5. Runkeeper
Another running app, Runkeeper is GPS-enabled and logs the basics of your run, including distance, time, and pace. It’s designed for simplicity, so you aren’t confused by overly-complicated analytics when you just want to know the basics of your workout.
The app doesn’t just track your run, either. It allows you to set goals and then coaches you to help you achieve those goals, so you can increase your pace, distance, or both. You can also set goals for weight loss or improving your general fitness levels.
6. Fitstar
Fitstar, owned by Fitbit, is a personal training app you can use to work out at any time and any location. The concept behind the app is personalization − in every sense of the word.
For example, you can design workouts of any duration from 7 to 60 minutes, personalize the routine based on your current fitness capabilities and goals, and receive guided coaching for perfect form and to push you through each workout. Fitstar also makes recommendations for future workouts to ensure that you don’t focus too heavily on one area and that you continue to progress over time.
7. Pocket Yoga
Everyone should balance running, weightlifting, and interval training with yoga. And if you’ve never tried yoga, Pocket Yoga is a great way to get started!
The app’s database contains illustrations, descriptions, and information about the benefits of more than 200 poses. The best part is that the app is designed for all experience levels, so whether this is your first time trying yoga or you’re an experienced yogi, you can still benefit from what the app has to offer.
8. StrongLifts 5×5
Weightlifting is a great way to build muscle and burn fat. With StrongLifts 5×5, you can lift without having to track your exercise, number of reps, rest, and weight.
The app includes a 45-minute workout, three times per week. The idea is that the app does all the thinking for you by tracking your progress and noting when you plateau to ensure you’re always getting the best workout possible.
Try all of these apps to find what works best for you!
You aren’t going to love every app you try, but you’ll find some along the way that give you the inspiration and guidance you need to stay on track and active with your fitness journey!
The apps above are a small sample of the best of the best. Whether you’re looking to track your food, find personalized workouts, or otherwise get started on your fitness journey, you can do so here.
And when you combine your newfound activity with a comprehensive supplement like PhenQ, you can burn more fat and have the energy to run, bike, train, or participate in any number of other exercises.
