Best Fitness Apps For Getting (And Staying) In Shape
Whether on Android or iOS, apps help keep track of your health, and can even make workouts fun.
Finding the right fitness app can be a frustrating experience. Take a look at the App Store or Google Play, and you'll find hundreds of apps all promising to help you get fit. Some are tailored for specific activities, some are free, and some require subscriptions or in-app purchases. There's no single recommendation that will suit everyone, of course, but the following should help you narrow your search.
Charity Miles
It's not exactly the most full-featured running app, but Charity Miles is a simple and straightforward option if you're just looking for something to track your distance. But more notably, the app's arrangement with sponsors means it'll donate 25 cents for each mile you run (or 10 cents a mile for biking) to your choice of over 40 charities.
Couch to 5K
As the name suggests, Couch to 5K is squarely aimed at couch potatoes who'd like to get a little more active. Based on a popular training program, it starts you off slowly and gradually ramps up over the course of eight weeks, at which point you should be able to do a full five-kilometer run. There's plenty of apps that will let you follow the same plan, but the official C25K app offers an especially good range of coaching features geared towards beginners for just $3.
Fitbit
You'll need a Fitbit device to get the most out of this app, but Fitbit's smartphone app is a fairly good activity tracker all on its own. It will track your activities, give you voice cues during your runs or walks, set fitness goals, and log your meals to help you determine if you're burning enough calories.
J&J Official 7 Minute Workout
Like Couch to 5K, the 7 Minute Workout is another popular workout program that's available in a whole slew of different apps, but Johnson & Johnson's Official 7 Minute Workout is both free and good (and ad-free, short of the fact that the app itself an ad). In addition to the original 7 Minute Workout, it will also guide you through your choice of a range of other quick workouts, or a smart workout tailored to your fitness level.
Runkeeper
If running or walking is your primary workout activity, Runkeeper is a longtime favorite that will help you track your progress and help you reach your desired fitness level through a range of training plans and challenges. The free app alone will likely be enough for many, but a premium version and additional training plans are also available if you find yourself looking for more.
Runtastic Pro
Runtastic started out as a single app for tracking runs or walks, but has since expanded to include a range of companion apps including trainers for push-ups, sit-ups or complete workouts, and dedicated trackers for road or mountain biking. All are available in free versions that you can try before stepping up to the more intense Runtastic Pro apps that cost a couple of bucks apiece.
Strava
Most running apps will track cycling, but Strava is one of the most popular choices among those who live a two-wheeled existence. It'll let you track your rides (and runs, too), and can be paired with a range of cycling computers and activity trackers if you need even more data. It's also notably one of the more social-heavy fitness apps, letting you follow your cycling or running buddies and compete with them and others.
Zombies, Run!
If you need a bit of extra motivation on your runs, nothing helps like the apocalypse. Zombies, Run! turns each of your outings into a "mission," complete with an audio drama to keep you engaged. Beginner runners can also opt for the Zombies, Run! 5k Training app for a more adventurous alternative to the standard C25K training program.
Google Fit
Price: Free (Android)
It's only for Android users, but Google's own fitness tracker covers all the basics for tracking runs, walks, or bike rides, and will let you set goals and reminders. What's more, while it can be used on its own, Google Fit can also be connected to a range of other fitness apps including Runtastic and Runkeeper and let you pull all your health data into one place that can be checked from any device.
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