Random Thoughts

I was browsing online about ways to make myself get excited on workouts, when I came across this article about apps that you can use for fitness. Very timely. Read on.

Fitness Apps For Your Specific Sport by Leyla Shamayeva

Data, especially organized data, gives insight into any subject. Take what Calorie Count provides as an example. The app is perfect for tracking all the details of your diet (right?), and the numbers help determine nutrient problem areas, eating patterns, and make you aware of and accountable for your food choices. When it comes to fitness, there are activity trackers like Fitbit, Nike+ Fuelband, or a simple pedometer that encourage a more active lifestyle...but your smartphone is useful as well. Try these apps (they’re some of my favorites!) together with Calorie Count to track the specifics of your sport.

For Walking, Running and Cycling

I’ve tried Endomondo, Runkeeper, and even Zombies, Run! to map my walks, runs, and bike rides, track time and mileage, and challenge my own personal bests. Currently, however, my favorite app is Moves, available for both iOS and Android. As long as you have your phone on you, Moves will accurately track every step you make, total your active time and miles for the day, estimate calories burned for each activity, and even map your movements. Best part? You don’t have to do anything. The app is smart enough to differentiate between when you’re walking, running, cycling, and driving. Although the app does cost a few dollars, it does more than costly pedometers you wear on your body, is pleasant to look at and easy to use.

For Yoga

A yoga studio isn’t the only place to obtain the benefits of yoga. When there’s no time (or money) to attend a session at your favorite studio, use an app to setup your own routine at home, or just add a few body-stretching poses after your workout. One such app is Pocket Yoga, available for iOS, Android, and Windows 8. It provides step-by-step instructions and detailed pictures for poses of varying difficulties, but is limited in the number of poses and full classes it offers. Yoga Studio is a similar app with a larger library of postures. One more recently released app by EA Sports is Yogify. Read the review by our Family Fitness Expert here.

For Tabata-Style Workouts

No time? Bored of your workout? No problem. Tabata-style workouts help you bust common workout excuses, and when you only have 15 minutes and no clue what moves to do, Nike Training Club is the perfect go-to app. Available for both iOS and Android, the app provides a large library of tabata and HIIT-style workouts to choose from for beginners, intermediates, and advanced users. You can choose to get lean, toned, strong, focused, or all 4 with a 4-week program that you create. Detailed videos, built-in timers, and voice guidance get you concentrated on your form and performance. In addition to quick 15-minute workouts, there are 30-60 minute options as well. Best part? The app is free (although it does require a bit of data).

For Making Fitness Fun (and Weight-Lifting)

If you’re looking for a game-like approach to fitness to “level up in real life,” try Fitocracy. This app prides itself for being “the fitness social network” that motivates users to continuously evolve in their fitness capabilities. A large supportive community paired with points and badges (similar to ours!) awarded to each workout logged brings you up in levels in the app. The best part? A very extensive database of exercises, including videos, descriptions, and tips on how to perform them, as well as detailed analysis of your performance in these exercises over time. Although there is a larger focus on weight-lifting exercises, the community welcomes everyone. I credit this app for sparking my interest in weight-lifting, and if you are anything like me you’ll quickly find yourself motivated to try new moves and work out with the app.

SOURCE.

This is one of the reasons why I love technology. It literally make our lives easier. Right?