Stocking your phone with the best fitness apps is an
excellent way to keep you motivated and on track for becoming the version of
yourself you want to be. Because your smartphone and apps are always with you,
they are a constant reminder to check your progress, stay the course, and keep
your willpower strong. Whether you're trying to lose weight, walk more steps in
a day, or make time for a seven-minute power workout in your living room,
fitness apps can help.
While some apps for fitness connect you to a community of
people who cheer you on and send their support, others motivate you through
competition. Some fitness apps let you compete for cold, hard cash (she who
hits the gym most in a month wins the pot). In others, such as Strava, glory
comes from having the shortest time when running or bicycling a segment in your
neighborhood while competing virtually against everyone else using the same app
and covering the same ground. One app featured in this list is actually a
text-messaging robot who coaches you to make the healthy choice when faced with
temptation. The options for support and motivation are endless.
Some of the apps highlighted here operate as tracking tools,
in which you log your workouts or calories eaten, while others automate the
tracking process for you while you're working out. Some are coaching apps that
march you through a fitness routine, and others are a combination of all these
things. Most of these apps can pair with an
activity tracker to
further help you keep an eye on your total fitness. But most important of all,
the best fitness apps let you set your own goals and maintain a pace that's
right for you.
Cyclemeter
Free; $4.99 Elite Upgrade optional
Available on: iOS only
The best bicycle-ride tracking app I've tested is Cyclemeter by
Abvio. This iOS-only app collects a wealth of data, is very accurate, contains
several well-thought-out features, and appeals to fitness enthusiasts who
participate in more than one sport. Despite the name, you can use Cyclemeter to
track walks, runs, and other activities. It does not include a calorie-counting component, but it is packed with
data about your biking outings.
Digifit iCardio
Free app; requires compatible heart rate monitor (about $50
to $100)
Available on: Android, iOS
If you want real hard stats about your workouts, accelerometers and GPS aren't
enough. You need a heart rate monitor...and an app that can access the information
it collects. One option is the
Digifit iCardio app
for iPhone and Android (it's called simply iCardio in Google Play). You can
pair it with any supported heart rate monitor to track your runs, bicycle
rides, and other workouts. Digifit iCardio
records heart rate, of
course, but also distance, time, and pace. All the components needed to track
heart rate can add up, so plan to spend somewhere in the $50 to $100 range to
get full use of this app. If you're in the market for a heart rate monitor, I
recommend the
MIO
Link wristband.
Endomondo Sports Tracker
Free to $4.99 for Pro
Available on: Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Phone, and Web
Endomondo focuses on the community aspects of staying motivated to reach your
fitness activity goals. The app uses GPS features on your phones to track
running, cycling, jogging, skating—any sport that you can measure by distance
(plus a few others). You then share your progress with friends by connecting
Endomonodo to other online social accounts, such as Facebook, so that not only
do you keep an eye on your progress, but your friends do, too. If you like
social accountability and support, Endomondo is a good app to try. It can
connect to other fitness-tracking devices, such as Garmin sports watches, too.
source: http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/292474/the-25-best-fitness-apps/4
by Jill Duffy
http://www.buyetail.com