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SALT LAKE CITY — Fitness is important. If you have a smart phone, put it to good use helping you get — and stay — fit. These five apps can help you accomplish your physical fitness goals.
There are many fitness apps out there, and this is by no means a comprehensive list. But hopefully it can get you thinking about whether or not you could use the help of a fitness app, and make it easier and more rewarding to exercise.
An exercise reminder app
This is probably the most important, and hardest, step to getting in shape; making exercise a habit.
There are hundreds of methods for creating good habits, and plenty of apps to help. When it comes to exercise, many people prefer comedian Jerry Seinfeld's "don't break the chain" method. This idea involves doing at least one activity a day to work toward your goal, and marking it off on a calendar so you can see your "chains" of accomplished goals.
For iOS, chains.cc is very popular. The app, also available in your browser, creates nice visual chains for you to see your progress, and uses iOS badge icons to remind you to mark off your goals.
Android users will like MyChain. It has a simple and easy to use interface, and includes widgets you can place on your home screen to see your progress.
There are many apps out there that can help you create a habit out of exercising. Find one that works for you, and give it a try.
An exercise tracking app
Tracking your exercise can be very rewarding. It allows you to see your progress and gives you great tools for pushing to beat yourself. Many apps also include a "share" feature, to brag about your progress to your friends.
iOS and Android users will want to check out Endomondo. There is a free and a pro version. Endomondo offers a clean, simple interface, and has support for running, cycling and walking. What sets this app apart from others is its audible feedback used to coach you to beat your previous record, its time and distance goals, and connectivity with bluetooth heart rate monitors. It can also be integrated with many popular calorie tracking apps.
RunKeeper and Nike + Running are also popular iOS apps. For weight lifting workouts, look for apps like Pumping Weight (iOS) or Gym Buddy (iOS). Android users can check out this list of gym companion apps.
An entertainment app
Yes, an entertainment app. Many people believe it is important to keep your mind occupied while you work out. This allows you to push yourself harder, and makes it easier mentally to commit to a workout if you know you have something you'll enjoy watching or listening to.
Aside from your basic music apps, check out some of the many online streaming options, such as Pandora or Spotify (iOS, Android).
A movie or TV show can be fun to watch while you're on the treadmil or exercise bike. Services like Netflix, Amazon Instant, and Crackle (free) all offer mobile apps, and make it easy to find something to watch on your phone while working out.
A calorie tracking appWatching what you put in your body is just as important to staying healthy as exercise. The idea is that once you realize how many calories you are eating, you will cut out un-needed calories. Once again, there are plenty of apps for both iOS and Android.
Popular among both crowds of smartphone users is MyFitnessPal. What sets them apart from the competition is their food database. They have a large collection of store-bought foods, fast foods and ingredients. It also integrates with workout information from Endomondo.
A better alarm app
Sleep plays a large factor in physical health. Many studies have shown that waking up between deep sleep REM cycles gives you a much higher quality of sleep.
Apps like Sleep Cycle (iOS) and Sleep Time (Android) are able to utilize your smart phone to improve your sleeping experience. They both have you put your phone somewhere on your bed while you sleep and keep track of when you turn and toss. They are able to caclulate when your are in REM sleep, and wake you up between cycles.
Did we miss your favorite fitness app? Let us know in the comments.
Taylor Wilson is an IT professional at a small Utah company. He has a passion for helping people with technology. Email: taylorwilson@testonetwo.com Online: www.testonetwo.com
