Tip Of The WeeK: Best Comprehensive Health And Fitness Apps That Are Worth To Install

 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat—you likely know about the big-name apps that help you connect with loved ones, share photos or listen to music.

But what about the apps that can help you improve your health?

According to a recent study, participants who used fitness apps were much more active compared to nonusers. Current users also had a lower body mass index.

The authors of the study believe apps help people overcome barriers like a lack of understanding or organization, which leads to better exercise habits. In other words, fitness apps guide people who may not be knowledgeable or motivated enough to improve their health on their own.

If you're interested in adding a few apps to your mobile device, top picks of health and fitness apps are outlined; they will make leading healthy lifestyle a snap. Before you fall down the rabbit hole i.e. the app store, here are some lists of apps to consider

1.      Couch to 5K

If you’ve wanted to try running but never known how or where to start, Couch to 5K should be the next app you download. The free eight-week program gives users three workouts per week that get you ready for your local Trot or Charity road race. (Free; available on Android, iOS)

2.      Fitness Buddy

Whether you’re a bodybuilder or new in the gym, Fitness Buddy is the app for you. It has a database of over 1,700 exercises, instructions for how to do them, and what muscles they target. It also has workout routines and the ability to log your progress and exercise done. Bonus: Want to focus on a particular muscle group? Fitness Buddy will recommend exercises for it. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

3.      8  Minutes Abs Workout

Now you can Get Your Six Pack at home in just 8 minutes a day without any equipment, weights or large bills at gym. Easy or hard, beginner or pro - the training video will guide you hand-in-hand throughout the whole workout. Bonus: Available in 13 languages, 6 virtual trainers - choose the one you like and you can use it offline. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

4.      Six-Pack App Pro
With more than 1 million downloads; Six-Pack App Pro offers something for everyone. You get exercise instructions for specific body parts – chest, shoulders, back and legs – with tips and detailed illustrations of the muscles involved. Do's and don’ts are also included. The app has a variety of workouts for all levels, along with travel routines. Some exercises require dumbbells, exercise tubes and balls. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on iOS)

5.      RunKeeper
This app uses your phone's global positioning system (GPS) to track your running route on a map and monitor activity, just like a costly GPS watch.  It tracks distance, time, pace and speed, as well as calories burned. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

6.      Stronglifts 5X5

No need to carry around a pen and paper while lifting at the gym anymore. This app keeps track of the exercise, number of reps, and rest time, so all you have to worry about is getting to the gym and getting huge stronger. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

7.      Endomondo
Similar to other running apps, the Endomondo  uses your phone's GPS to monitor exercise or sport activity,  be it running, biking, hiking, skiing, kayaking , swimming walking even aerobics. It plays music and lets you plan routes in Google Maps. You can get audio feedback on your performance, and friends can instant-message real-time pep talks to keep you moving. It also keeps a history of exercise or sport activities and lets you compete with others, no matter what GPS device they use. Cardio exercise can quickly get boring and repetitive. That’s why Endomondo is so great. Set a goal for your run, walk, bike ride or swim, and the app’s virtual trainer lets you know if you’re on track to meet it or if you need to speed up. It’s great to compete against yourself (and your goals), but it’s even better when you can use Endomondo to challenge or cheer on friends. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on iOS and Android)

8.      Lose It!
Simple and fun, this app lets you set a daily calorie budget and record food intake and exercise. It includes a comprehensive database of edibles and activities to track nutrients too, such as carbohydrates, protein, fat and more. Add friends for motivation and share progress on Facebook or Twitter. (Free; available on Android, iOS)

9.      Daily Burn
Instead of tracking calories on one app and exercise on another, this combines the two with interactive diet and fitness tools to help you lose weight, build strength and achieve a healthier lifestyle. Features include a calorie counter with more than 350,000 foods. Scan a product’s bar code with your Phone camera and get nutrition information instantly. Set and track calorie goals, even get a breakdown of your daily intake of carbohydrate, protein, and fat more. You can also graph weight and body fat over time. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

10.  Map My Fitness

This app will give you the widest range of supported activities; Map My Fitness has more than 600 activities. As with most fitness apps for running, walking, cycling, etc., Map My Fitness uses GPS to track the routes you travel, and shows you a map of the ground you covered when you're done. It also displays length, in both time and distance, as well as pace, maximum speed, and a few other statistics. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

11.  Charity Miles

Earn money for charities every time you walk, run, or ride bicycle by using the free Charity Miles app. Corporate sponsors (whose information you'll see as a backdrop image in the app) agree to donate a few cents for every mile you complete. Browse the app's list of charities, find the one that you support, and then hit the road. When a lot of people use Charity Miles, those little bits of money add up. (Free; available on Android, iOS)

12.  Nexercise

Nexercise is motivation in your pocket, and motivation is what most people lack when it comes to developing a healthier lifestyle. The app encourages you to do small things each day that will make you successful at losing weight and living a healthy life.  The app is simple; Workout, get rewarded.  Users can win free samples or discount every time they exercise, which can be used toward gift cards or donated to charity. Favourite thing: The rewards you receive are just a by-product of your hard work. The app is great because unlike other fitness app that set unrealistic goals for people who have just started working out, this app lets users workout at their own pace and only asks that you indulge in a minimum of 15 minutes of physical exercise per day. Since the app has so many workouts to choose from this can be anything from running and yoga, to dancing, housework or playing a game of tag with your kids. (Free; available on Android, iOS)

13.  MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is the most popular health and fitness app in the world, and for good reason. The app features database of 6 million foods and counting, makes it easy to track your diet, no matter what you eat. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or put on muscle, the app helps determine the best things to eat to meet your goals. Of all the calorie counters I've used, MyFitnessPal is by far the easiest one to manage, and it comes with the largest database of verified foods and drinks. Favourite thing: With the MyFitnessPal app you can meticulously watch what you eat 24/7, no matter where you are. Log your meals, track your macronutrients, and see how your daily exercise affects your net calories. Scan a product’s bar code with your Phone camera and get nutrition information instantly. You can find Nigerian food and meals and you can also create and save your own meal(s) in the app. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android)

14.  DietBet

Just like its name implies, this app makes you to put your money where your mouth is and show you’re not full of hot air when it comes to your weight-loss goals. Users enter into a challenge where they can bet they’ll lose either 4% of their weight in four weeks or 10% of their weight in six months. Progress is monitored by DietBet’s referees, and the pot is then split between everyone in your group who achieves their goal weight. (Free to download, $25-$25 per bet; available on iOS and Android)

15.  Calorie Counter by FatSecret
You can exercise every day for hours, but successful weight loss means controlling food intake. FatSecret can help by tracking calories, weight and workouts. Find full nutritional info on your favourite foods. Track calories burned by recording food and workouts or activity. You can also sync and access your online account 24/7. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android/BlackBerry)

16.  ExerciseTV
Exercise anywhere, anytime, with this app’s 10- to 45-minute exercise videos streamed to your phone daily. Certified personal trainers and fitness coaches offer routines for cardio, strength training,  abs, dance, Pilates, yoga,  and boot camp and more. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

17.  Jillian Michaels’ Slim Down Solution

This app has everything you need to get into the shape of your life, with the famous pro fitness coach Jillian Michaels personally training you at the forefront. Not only do you get a calorie counter and food and fitness tracker but you also get recipes, sample plans, and even training videos from Jillian Michaels herself. There is a subscription available for a nominal fee that also gets you access to personalized fitness plans, custom meal plans, and more. You get access to the Jillian Michaels message boards (online community for 24/7 support) here you can post questions and participate in discussions with millions of other people just like you. If you are looking for new exercises to incorporate into a fitness routine or are willing to pay monthly fee for a more inclusive plan, this app could be beneficial for you. (Free with optional in-app purchases; available on Android, iOS)

18.  Vida Health Coach

Need a professional health coach to help you meet your fitness goals? For a weekly fee, Vida Health Coach gives you in-app access to a personal coach who works with you one-on-one no matter what your health or fitness objectives are. Once a week, you can talk to your coach by phone or video conference, too, to get real advice. The coaches have a range of certifications and specializations, so if you have, say, gestational diabetes, you'll be able to work with someone who understands your special needs. ($15 per week; available on Android, iOS)

Before you download a lot of apps, be careful, if you're in good health, most apps should be fine to use – but adopting a workout or diet program through an app may not be the best approach for new exercisers (in case where an app offers workout and meal plan). That’s because exercise and meal recommendations on most apps don’t consider individual health issues. Consult your doctor before beginning any fitness program, especially if you have medical or orthopedic issues.

Preforming advanced exercises when starting out can increase injury risk. If you are new to exercising or a fitness beginner, start slowly, gradually increasing workout intensity and staying within your abilities.