Helpful Fitness Apps

Helpful Fitness Apps

When you’re looking for new ways to help your clients stay engaged and motivated, consider recommending some of the many fitness apps now available for smartphones and fitness devices. Recent comScore data indicates that smartphones now make up more than 70% of the U.S. mobile phone market. That means it’s very likely that most your clients are already carrying a powerful tool that can aid in their workouts with the addition of some free or low-cost apps.

The fitness app industry is booming and new apps go on the market all the time. Here are some of the top-rated fitness apps of 2014 that are available for both iOS and Android. Check out the ones that sound interesting and see if they might be a good addition to your clients’ workouts or even your own fitness regimen.

Running/Walking/Biking

• RunKeeper – One of the many apps that use your phone’s built-in GPS to track runs, walks and bike rides. It tracks your stats and progress and lets you link up with friends for added encouragement.
• MapMyRun – This app also tracks runs, walks (including dog walks!) and bicycling with your GPS. Like RunKeeper, it has an audible updates feature that lets you know your pace, time and distance each mile.
• Virtual Runner – Take treadmill running to a new level by immersing yourself in iconic race courses via this video-heavy app.
• Charity Miles – If you like to help others while you help yourself, this app lets you earn corporate sponsorship donations for charity with each walk, bike or run workout.
• Zombies, Run! – For those who need a really good reason to run, this app layers on a gaming and storytelling element to spur on extra athletic performance with the idea that you’re being chased by the undead.

Workouts

• DailyBurn – Features more than two dozen different workout programs at all levels, ranging from weight training to dance to yoga.
• Runtastic Six Pack – A variety of ab workouts with social sharing capability so you can keep your Facebook and Twitter friends apprised of your progress.
• 7 Minute Workout – High-intensity workouts that you can do with just yourself, a wall and a chair.
• Hot5 (iOS only) – A collection of five-minute workouts you can carry with you to get in some quick exercise when you have some time to kill or tack onto your regular fitness routine.

Extra Motivation

• Fitocracy – This app is part of a fitness-themed social network designed to let its users encourage one another as they pursue their fitness goals.
• Pact – If money is a good motivation for you, this app raises the stakes by paying you when you meet your fitness and health goals and charging you when you don’t.

These are just the tip of the iceberg, especially when you consider the other fitness and activity tracking devices available, many of which also pair with smartphone apps to track and share data. No matter what you enjoy doing for exercise, there’s an app for that.