With New Year’s resolutions still fresh in mind, Canadians are thinking about fitness. After a holiday season of indulgence, get back on track with the latest trend: fitness apps.
Global News takes a look at the top free fitness apps, how they work, and who they will work for.
My Fitness Pal
What: iPhone and Android mobile app and fitness tracker website (BlackBerry mobile app coming soon)
Where: www.myfitnesspal.com
The My Fitness Pal app and website work as a team, allowing users to input daily calories consumed and burned into either platform. The program does the calculating for you, by converting common foods and activities into caloric values.
The program boasts an extensive library of foods, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you are able to input caloric values directly, or create your own entry.
For users that need a bit of support, there is a My Fitness Pal community where you can share stories with other users, receive encouragement, and share tips.
Use it if:
You want to be able to access the service on your mobile and your computer. You can update your progress on the way to work after breakfast, from your desk during lunch, and from the sofa after dinner. The mobile app and website are automatically synced, so you can move back and forth between the platforms seamlessly. Because the app is accessible and easy to use, it’s more likely that you will update your progress regularly. The result is a more accurate picture of your fitness progress.
You want the support of a community, as well as a fitness tracker. My Fitness Pal has forums that allow users to ask questions, share success stories, and recipes.
Lose It!
What: iPhone mobile app
Much like the My Fitness Pal app, Lose It! allows users to input foods and activities on a daily basis. The app calculates the number of calories consumed and burned, and shows you how far under or over your target daily caloric intake you are.
Lose It! encourages you to set fitness goals. The app takes your weight, height, gender and age and calculates how many calories you should consume every day in order to reach your goals.
One drawback that is shared between Lose It! and My Fitness Pal is that caloric values for exercise are not completely accurate as they don’t take into account body fat percentage.
Use it if:
You are able to keep track of everything you eat and every calorie you burn. If you want to be thorough in your weight loss program, this is the app for you. The continual entry of foods and activities can become tedious for some, but if you don’t mind putting the work in you will get a detailed picture of your progress.
Pilates Interactive
What: iPhone mobile app
The Pilates Interactive mobile app offers 18 pilates mat exercises for users looking to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.
For each exercise the app lists the skill level of the move, how to start each pose and execute each movement. The app also lists the objective of each pose and offers tips to ensure you’re working out correctly. If you are a visual learner, you can watch videos of pilates instructors performing each move.
The app includes step-by-step workout routines that focus on getting users off the couch and learn the basics of pilates.
Use it if:
You are new to pilates and need detailed instruction on how each exercise should be performed. The moves will challenge those new to the practice, but seasoned pilates enthusiasts may become bored with the app after completing the three workout routines provided. Users can upgrade to the pro version for $3.99 and receive additional exercises and workouts.
NikeWomen Training Club
What: iPhone, iTouch, and iPad mobile app
The NikeWomen Training Club app is like having a personal trainer at your fingertips whenever you want, without the hefty pricetag.
The app boasts 60 custom workouts, each with audio guidance and step-by-step instructions from a Nike pro trainer. Users can choose from 15, 30 or 45 minute workouts. You can set your favourite workout as your quick-start option, target your workout depending on the results you want, and choose your workout music all within minutes.
Use it if:
You thrive when working out with a personal trainer. The app can’t literally whip you into shape, but the digital trainer provides significant guidance and motivation.
If you are a sucker for aesthetics you will also appreciate the design and layout of the app. It’s simple, sleek, and easy to navigate.
One drawback to the app is that it is large and takes up a lot of space on your mobile device. Users with limited space on their iPhone may not be able to install the product.
Gym Technik
What: BlackBerry mobile app
Where: www.gymtechnik.com
The Gym Technik app lets users customize workouts based on body parts they want to target. The app has tons of exercises for each muscle group, and each exercise features step-by-step instructions.
To set up the program, users must register at the Gym Technik website. Here you can review your completed workouts, setup a workout calendar, and track your progress over time.
Users enter the weight and repetitions of each exercise, and at the end of your workout the app produces a recap and automatically syncs it with your website profile.
Use it if:
You are a gym junkie. As the name says this app is for people working out in a gym with full access to weight and cardio machines. Each input page is simple and straightforward, so you won’t feel like you’re spending half of your workout typing on your phone.
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