Our Favorite Health & Fitness Apps
Written by James Kicinski-McCoy
Photography by Photographed by James Kicinski-McCoy
You may have noticed a theme going on here at Mother with all of the self-care, reflection and goals, and health and fitness topics we’ve been covering. That’s because we are onboard the new year, new you train like the rest of the world—at least for a couple more weeks. And while your resolutions may be inline with ours, sometimes keeping track of all of these good intentions is easier said than done. Luckily, we all have one thing in common—our smart phones—believe it or not, those babies can help you with your goals in health and fitness big time! We’ve gathered all of our favorite, tried and true, motivational apps to help you on the road to a better you.
Sweat, free 7-day trial, $4.61 per week, iTunes.
This is the be-all and end-all app for achieving that perfect bikini bod. Instagram superstar Kayla Itsines guides you through the most efficient and effective moves that cut to the core of toning and shaping. Get beach-ready in a matter of weeks, sweating and training for less than $5 a week. Plus, no awkward gym or class time because you can work out whenever and where ever you want. Yes, please.
Yoga Studio, $3.99, iTunes.
Too busy to make it to yoga? Looking to practice in the comfort of your own home? This app is for you. With 65 different classes to choose from and unlimited class time, you can get your yogi on at your own pace, without judgement, and for much less than a normal stretch sesh, which evens out to be about the same price as a cup of coffee. Namaste!
My Water, Free, iTunes.
Over half of Americans don’t consume enough water per day. Are you one of them? The effects of dehydration are scarier than it sounds, which is why it’s important to stay on top of your H20 consumption. Maybe your New Years resolution was to up your water intake? If so, this helpful and incredibly easy to use app will keep you on track so you can get on to the better, more hydrated you.
NikeTrainingClub, Free, iTunes.
Women, this one’s specifically for us. Here, you’ll find 85+ instructor-narrated, voice-lead and video-demonstrated fitness routines plus custom workouts created by Nike’s professionals, celebrities, and pro athletes. This app tracks your progress, allows you to curate playlists, and even rewards your efforts to keep you driven.
My Fitness Pal, Free, iTunes.
If you’re the type that needs a workout buddy to stay motivated, meet MyFitnessPal. This digital partner is a health, fitness, and diet tool that helps track your daily steps and workouts, and allows you to log calories, import recipes, specific foods, and more. The best part is, it’s free and seamlessly connects to various devices and other apps to keep your journey to being fit organized and all in one place.
Couch To 5k, $2.99, iTunes.
Have you always admired those friends who run marathons? Never thought you could do it? Now you can BE one of those people—trained and ready in just 9 weeks. All it takes is 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week to get your body ready. Log workouts, share progress, track distance and pace with GPS, sync playlists, and even get the support of a personal coach and running support community.
Spotify Running, Free or premium for $9.99 per month, iTunes.
For all you music-gurus out there, look no further because your app is here. We all know how much of a buzzkill it can be to have a slow, ill-fitting song come on shuffle while you’re getting your workout on—not anymore. This beat-driven app uses sensors to detect your actual steps-per-minute and matches songs with a similar tempo to keep you going. Damn skippy!
LoseIt!, Free, iTunes.
This 4-star rated app is geared towards those who want to do just that. Whether you’re looking to loose a few pounds or 100, this app will help you succeed—and keep it off! You’ll find all the tools you need to slim down, like customized weight loss plans, calorie-tracking, recipe-sharing, food-logging, goal-setting, community support, and more.
MindBody, Free, iTunes.
For those who prefer classes, group workouts, and more, Mindbody will be your go-to. Here, you can search, discover, and book the best fitness and wellness services in your hood, or around the world while traveling. Save your favorite places, read reviews, and even squeeze in a last-minute session on the fly. Plus, you’ll find specials and limited offers you wouldn’t find otherwise.
RunKeeper, Free, iTunes.
Runners everywhere, rejoice! Your new best friend comes in the form of an app that logs your activity, builds personalized routes, creates challenges and goals, makes playlists, and responds to voice commands. Keep up with your fitness by scheduling monthly runs and get rewarded from major brands in the form of gifts, just for running and keeping up with your schedules.
Trainer Road, Free, iTunes.
For dedicated cyclers, this app is the sh*t. Use it along with your power meter, electronic trainer, or connect a speed sensor to track your heart rate, power, speed, and cadence data while you train. The app is actually guaranteed to make you a faster cyclist with interval-focused workouts and personalized training plans. Can’t beat that.
Have any apps that didn’t make our list, that help keep you in check? Share them with us in comments below.
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