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IF YOU’VE MADE a new year’s resolution this month, chances are it’s to either get in shape, or improve your fitness.
It’s something we can all relate to, but trying to find the time to fit in a workout routine while keeping up work and personal commitments isn’t easy.
This is where your smartphone can really help you out. There are a large number of fitness and exercise apps out there to suit you so whether you’re starting out or looking for a new routine, they can help you out.
Before you start
Before you start downloading any apps, it’s worth considering what your aims are. Decide what your goal is first (lose weight, improve your fitness or get toned) and work from there. If you only want to become more active, remember that you can do most exercises from home and most apps only require you to exercise for 30 minute segments when starting off.
Don’t set unrealistic aims like exercising almost every day if you’re only taking exercise up. It’s better to start with two/three days a week to help you get into the routine before you increase the amount.
The majority of apps listed below have both free and pro versions. While the pro versions offer more features and options to users, it’s worth trying out the free versions first to see what works for you.
One of the advantages of using an app to get you active is their use of push notifications. It’s handy to have them on at the beginning so you’re reminded to go for a run, but only have it on for one or two fitness apps at most. Any more and it gets annoying.
Also, it’s worth keeping battery life in mind when you’re using an app for the first time. Some of them require GPS, or work in the background, which is more taxing on your battery life so it’s recommended that your phone has at least 50 per cent of charge left before you do anything, or ensure that only one app is using GPS at any given time.
Couch-to-5K
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €1.79 (iOS) €1.59 (Android)
A popular choice for those who are just only starting off, Couch-to-5K aims to get you running that distance in the space of nine weeks. The programme only requires you to exercise for 30 minute segments, three times a week and eases you into a exercise routine.
(Image: Couch-to-5K/App Store)
Zombies, Run!
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €2.69 (iOS), €2.60 (Android)
If you need a little more motivation to run, escaping from the undead might do the trick. Zombies, Run! combines exercise with a story-based game as you run, collect supplies and complete missions, all while being chased by hordes of zombies.
Even better, you can listen to your own playlists while you’re running, which is broken up with radio messages and voice recordings to help advance the plot. If being chased by zombies isn’t enough to motivate you, then nothing will.
(Video: zombiesrungame/YouTube)
Moves
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €2.69 (iOS) Free (Android)
Moves is a handy little app that tracks all your activity and movement through your phone, even in the background.
Through a simple and easy to understand display – showing you data like the amount of time you spent moving, calories burned, and steps taken – it helps you understand just how active (or inactive) you are and what you need to do to improve it.
(Image: Moves/Google Play)
Human
For: iOS
Cost: Free
Human gives you one simple aim to achieve: be active every day for 30 minutes. Like Moves, the app tracks you in the background so when you do complete the 30 minutes, it notifies you and starts afresh the next day.
To prevent you from cheating, it only tracks steps taken outside so the only way to reach it is to go for a run, cycle or walk in the outdoors.
(Image: Human/App Store)
Nike Training Club
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
For those who want to work out at home, Nike Training Club provides you with a number of exercises routines to help get you in shape. It allows you to choose individual workouts or provide a 30-day schedule depending on your goals.
Each drill comes with a video guide and are designed to last 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much time you have to spare.
(Image: Nike Training Club/Google Play)
Pump Up
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Similar to Nike Training Club, Pump Up builds a custom routine for you by asking you a number of questions. Once it knows your fitness level, goals, and the amount of time you can dedicate, it chooses the most suitable exercises for you to do.
The workout routines provided don’t require you to go to a gym or buy equipment, although it helps if you do.
(Image: Pump Up/App Store)
Endomondo
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free (€4.49 for Pro version)
One of the original GPS tracking apps out there, Endomondo is a reliable app for anyone serious about running. It allows you to track your runs, compare with other runners, or cyclists in your area and plan routes while receiving audio feedback on your performance.
There’s also a pro version which adds extra features such as interval training and low power mode, which allows your phone to continue tracking your progress for longer.
(Video: Endomondo/YouTube)
Runkeeper
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free (€ for pro version)
As you may have guessed, Runkeeper’s purpose is pretty straightforward. Set a number of goals, let it track your runs and analyse your performance over time to see any trends in your performance. It’s handy for those who want to take their exercise routines more seriously.
(Image: Runkeeper/YouTube)
Runtastic
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free (€4.99 for pro version)
Runtasic is similar to Runkeep and Endomodo in functionality, but offers enough to separate it from them. A clean, colourful display helps keep things simple, and its power saving mode is useful if you’re running or cycling for long periods.
The pro version includes a feature called story running, a collection of downloadable audiobooks that are designed to keep you motivated. Each one is 40 minutes long, and the music and narration are designed to help you increase your speed at certain intervals.
(Video: Runtastic/YouTube)
Nudge
For: iOS
Cost: Free
Nudge is a health tracker that’s dependant upon the info you provide it. It helps you track your food intake and daily activity and uses that information to give you an overall score. Inputting this info is done with a few simple taps although it’s entirely dependant upon you remembering to use it every day.
It’s best used when it’s connected with other apps like Moves and RunKeeper so it can get a better picture of your day-to-day activity.
(Image: Nudge/App Store)
MyFitnessPal
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: Free
If you’re looking for something to help you improve your diet, MyFitnessPal is worth a look. Documenting a wide range of foodstuffs, you can document what you eat and make adjustments to help you improve your diet.
Similar to Nudge, it’s best used in conjunction with another app like Endomondo to get the full picture.
(Image: MyFitnessPal/App Store)
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Since the end of October I have lost 2 and a half stone thanks to tracking calories with My Fitness Pal and running with Couch to 5K.
I ran my 1st non stop 20 minute run last week (25 non stop tomorrow gulp!). Back in October a 20 second run for the bus would have killed me.
So used right they do work!
Great stuff Wayne, and it didn’t take long either.
Wayne, you are giving far too much credit to your phone and not nearly enough credit to yourself.
You are the one doing the hard work.
For some people, putting their phone down and getting up off their arses is a good place to start….
I spend an hour a week running around trying to find where I left my phone
It’s all avoidance tactics! Unless your phone is going to kick your ass if you don’t work out, it’s just another reason your getting tubby
Using my phone while running has let me see what distance I’m travelling and my km/hour etc. It has made it much easier to track my progress. I think people who are beginning to get fit should use their phone so that they can track their progress too!
My Fitness Pal is excellent for losing weight. Only thing that ever worked for me. Tried all the others.
Walking, as simple as that. No need for fancy apps that tell you much sweet you’ve collected in your runners. Just get up and go for a good walk.
I got myself a dog. His big eyes make me get off ass and go for a walk twice a day.
I use the runtastic app all the time. Very good. Has all I need to track my run and pace time etc plus I can play my music while it’s going.
Sounds fab, does it connect with your “friends” on Facebook to monitor there progress, you wouldn’t want to be lagging behind or the comments would cruel in a funny way ha ha. Anyway how fat are you now? That’s awful! Did you ever think of hitting the bottle!
You’re missing Strava. I use both Runkeeper and Strava. Runkeeper for training plans, but strava for motivation pushing myself on runs. Strava has segments and shows if anyone else has run the segment, keeps track of a table and tells you when you move up the table and when you get personal bests.
Hi John. You can do this by going Pro with Runkeeper. It allows you to set goals segments your runs and gives you analysis on graphs etc .
Was just going to say that,
Strava is a great app for cycling & running
Been using Strava as well since last May and it’s been fantastic in encouraging me to get up off my ass and out onto my bike.
Currently using the Pro in Runkeeper along with the Hubby it works really well! Love runkeeper I’ve been running just under a year with it and now starting on weights properly, lost about 2 stone in a year and not even eating that much better. Kettlebell work outs are great for toning! :) all videos on YouTube!
Chris, I have pro with Runkeeper. The big difference is strava segments you compete against anyone that runs the same route, it’s like your competing against the community. I’m still a huge fan of runkeeper for training plans, i started running at the start of 2012 and by following 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon plans I ran Dublin marathon in October. I could not have done it without these plans.
MapMyFitness is what I use, it’s good and you can join challenges etc
The Samsung note 3 has a step counter. I find I will try and reach my target of 10000 steps each day. Before I would not have been aware of how many steps I was taking per day.
sports tracker is a great app iv been using it since 2010
Without apps like Endomondo and Runtastic I wouldn’t have been motivated enough to do a marathon last year or run 14km up a mountain today for that matter.
I bought the zombies app after seeing it mentioned in this article. I tried it out today and I think it’s great. As you run you collect items and it tells you when there’s zombies behind you and what distance they are and then you have to pick up the pase or else you’ll lose everything you collected if they catch up. It made my run a lot of fun! I’m looking forward to doing mission 2 :)
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