If you are like me, when the gyms closed for COVID-19 I had no idea how I was going to maintain a stable workout routine; however, I have been able to find fitness apps that have gotten me out of the monotonous routine of being stuck at home and laying on the couch. Whether your gym is closed, or you are hesitant to be back in a space surrounded by people, COVID-19 should not be the reason you do not reach your fitness goals. There are thousands of apps available to help you with your fitness journey. Whether you are looking for an at-home High-Intensity interval training (HITT) workout or something to help you track your runs, there is an app for everything. For today’s Tech Tuesday blog, I want to discuss how technology can help you get back your fitness.
Running Apps. If you are not a fan of running, there is a running app called Zombies, Run that may make your route a bit more entertaining. Zombies, Run is an IOS and Android app that GPS tracks runners and gives runners a mission through the headphones. As you run, jog, or walk to complete the mission, Zombies will chase you, requiring you to speed up to evade the zombies and complete the mission. There are over 200 missions, so you will never run out of motivation, and the app allows you to choose routes that could help you train for a 5k, 10k, or a marathon, among other features.
If you do not need zombies to motivate you, and you would prefer an app that will regularly track your runs, brands such as Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas have running apps with GPS trackers that track the time, calories, and distance of your run. In the Nike Run Club app, you can not only track your distance, but you can also compete with others in monthly challenges. Nike also offers personalized coaching plans to help you reach your fitness goal.
Weightlifting Apps. If you are not a fan of running, fear not, there are other workout apps that better accommodate you. The app Workout Trainer: Fitness Coach is set up to meet your workout needs. Workout Trainer offers a variety of workouts including, but not limited to, HIIT, bodyweight, and yoga, which are perfect for a quick at-home workout. The basic app is free but limits the user’s access to fitness programs and workouts; however, for $6.99 a month, you get access to more workouts and programs. Workout Trainer also offers personal trainers and allows you to compete against your friends.
If you are still attending the gym, but don’t know how to begin weightlifting or whether your technique is correct, the app JEFIT Workout Planner Gym Log is perfect for you. Upon entering the app, you answer questions such as gym level (beginner, intermediate, etc), how often you work out, etc. The app then generates a workout plan for you based on your information. For example, if you have access to the gym JEFIT will give you a weightlifting plan for a week that includes what day you work a specific muscle group and the exercises and reps you should do. JEFIT also offers workout plans for at home workouts as well. JEFIT is a free app that offers the basic information for workout plans; however, for $6.99 a month, you can unlock multiple workout plans, analyze your results, and have access to videos that explain workouts.
Healthy Eating Apps. One of the most important pieces to a healthier lifestyle is proper eating. Personally, being stuck at home has led to eating out of boredom instead of hunger. A good way to watch and manage your eating habits is downloading a calorie tracking app, of which there are an abundance of options. MyFitnessPal is an IOS and Android app from Under Armour that allows the user to put in their current weight and their goal weight. The app then tells the user how many calories they should eat per day in order to reach their goal weight in a reasonable time span. MyFitnessPal allows users to track their food and water intake and their workouts to help manage calories. MyFitnessPal is just one of many calorie counting apps. Other recommended calorie apps are Lose It and MyPlate.
I hope one of the applications mentioned above will help you get motivated in your fitness journey! This blog only outlines a few of the thousands of fitness apps available. I encourage you to research other fitness apps to find the one that best suits you.