If you’re looking through the iOS App Store or Google Play Store for the perfect solution to help you kick-start your exercise regime, here are some features you should look for in the best fitness apps.
1. Apps That Offer You a Variety of Exercises
One of the most off-putting things about exercise for many is the element of boredom. Repetitive routines will quickly start to annoy you. Worse still, you risk overworking some muscle groups while neglecting others.
The fitness apps you’ll stick with contain a variety of exercises within a regularly refreshed and updated catalog. That way, you won’t fall into the trap of going through the motions.
2. A Personalized Fitness Program That Tracks Your Progress
Of course, everyone has individual fitness goals, and your needs will differ from those of other app users. That’s why the best exercise apps start with a questionnaire that allows you to enter key information about your starting point and fitness goals. In return, you receive a personalized training program for your fitness journey. So many brilliant exercise apps offer this feature that you can disregard any apps that don’t customize their programs to suit you.
Look out for apps like Seven that will record and track your progress through your program and even allow you to unlock more advanced workouts as you meet your targets. Many apps also provide induction programs to acclimatize you to the exercises on offer, just like a good gym would offer.
3. Compatibility With Your Fitness Tracker or Wearable
Fitness trackers and smartwatches are popular options for anyone who wants to record and track their health data. If you own a wearable device, you’ll undoubtedly want to make sure that any fitness app you download will support it and log your exercise.
Some wearables have a whole health and exercise infrastructure to support them, such as Google Fit for Android devices or Apple’s Health and Fitness+ services. Many apps integrate with the most common fitness trackers. For example, My Fitness Pal connects with numerous activity and step trackers.
4. Apps That Offer You an Element of Challenge
You’re much more likely to persevere with a fitness program if you can set and achieve goals and then challenge yourself further. The element of challenge ensures you’re constantly improving. Choose an app that will guide you on this journey. One of the most famous running apps, Couch to 5K, helps you develop your cardio levels by following a nine-week program that will prepare you to run a 5K race.
5. Incentives That Will Motivate You to Exercise
Working out in return for virtual badges or stickers might be acceptable for younger users, but if you’re serious about getting fit, look for apps that offer incentives that will actually motivate you. So, think about what would get you up and moving and choose an app to suit.
For example, if you’re keen to beat your friends or other app users, you might select an app with social features, such as Nike Run Club. This app offers a great range of challenges you can join, or you can even set one up yourself. Connect with your friends, see your place on leaderboards, and meet your fitness goals with others.
6. Exercise Options to Suit Your Lifestyle and Interests
You need to look forward to your exercise; otherwise, you’ll find excuses to skip it. Find an app that helps you to learn new skills or a new sport. For example, these great boxing apps can push you out of your comfort zone and unlock hidden potential. Alternatively, choose an app that suits your current interests. For example, if you love gaming, you could try apps that gamify your fitness routines.
If you live a busy lifestyle, you’ll benefit from workouts that don’t take too much time out of your day, such as this series of seven-minute workout apps.
7. Apps That Make Exercise Affordable
One of the best features of using apps to guide your workouts is that it’s so much cheaper than joining a gym. Many are completely free or have reasonable subscription costs. And you can also opt for workouts that require very little space or expensive equipment and don’t annoy your neighbors.
8. Apps That Teach Exercise Clearly
Bad workout apps don’t clearly explain the right way to perform exercises. At best, this is annoying, and at worst, you can injure yourself by incorrectly performing movements. Always look for apps that offer clear instructions accompanied by demonstrations, such as Workout Trainer from Skimble. This app provides audio, photo, and video instructions from experts for every move.
9. Fitness Apps That Remind You to Exercise
During a busy day, it’s easy to forget to make time for exercise. You’re far more likely to keep an appointment for a scheduled workout than to remember to fire up an app on your phone. That’s why you should seek out an app that allows you to schedule a class or workout in advance and even add it to your calendar. Then you can receive an alert reminding you when it’s time to move.
10. Apps That Consider Your Whole Well-Being
Wellness is holistic; the best apps appreciate this and offer solutions for your mental health and well-being alongside your physical fitness. Look for apps that contain mindful meditations and breathing exercises alongside cardio and strength programs. Yoga-based app Asana Rebel includes an excellent meditation section.
Although it’s easy to neglect this part of your well-being, mindfulness is a crucial element that you can easily incorporate into your stretching or cool down at the end of your workout.
Find an Exercise App That Suits Your Individual Needs
With so many excellent apps out there, there’s no need to stick to any exercise program that doesn’t meet your needs. Try out some free apps and make the most of the free trials often offered by subscription-based programs. You’re bound to find the right one for you.
