Aren't there like 1 million fitness apps?!
Exercising is so important, especially for physical and mental well-being. Among other things, it helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthens bones and muscles, and lowers the risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Physical activity is now recommended as a first-line treatment for depression; it also helps to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Yes, it seems like there are a million fitness apps, and like at least a new fitness app is added every day in the app stores! With so many choices, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. But don't worry! In this article, we'll help you sort through some of the options and find the best app for your needs.
What can a fitness app do for me?
Fitness apps can help you in many ways, depending on what you're looking for. Some apps simply track your steps or distance covered, while others also track your heart rate, calorie intake, and sleep patterns. Others focus on helping you learn new exercises or providing motivation to keep you going. Some apps make use of connected devices like smartwatches.
Other fitness apps come with built-in games or other features to make working out more fun - this is called gamification. Furthermore, many have social features that let you connect with friends and family members who are also using the app, sometimes offering you to create challenges to compete against one another.
If you have health problems and/or are sedentary, it may be safer to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program, or start slowly and gradually with walking only to test your tolerance: consult if you experience discomfort or shortness of breath. Also, seek urgent medical attention if you experience chest pain.
The Fitbit app, especially when used with a Fitbit bracelet or watch, is a leading app for health and fitness that can help you track your progress and meet your goals. With the Fitbit app, you can set goals, log food and water, track calories, and see how your activity, workouts, sleep, nutrition, and stress all fit together. The app also provides access to free video and audio workouts, meditation tracks, and sleep tools.
The Apple Health app provides a central and secure place for your health and fitness information, so it's easily accessible and under your control. The app can help with multiple health parameters, as well as with your fitness information. The app, especially when used with the Apple Watch, is a great tool to motivate beginners to exercise as well as for hardened athletes who want to track their health parameters.
Garmin Connect, with the connected smartwatch, can help you lose weight, get fit, and improve your nutrition and hydration. The app tracks your activity and provides detailed statistics and insights. You can also create customized workouts and courses, and compete with friends.
The Runkeeper app can help you reach your walking or running goals by providing guidance and tracking your progress. You can set goals, track your workouts, and see how you are progressing over time. The app also integrates with other health apps and devices to make tracking your fitness journey easier.
If you're looking to get in shape, Strava is a great way to track your running and cycling activity and see your progress over time. With its extensive stats and analysis, you can see exactly how you're doing and where you can improve. And with its large community of users, you can find new routes and challenges to keep your training interesting.
Yoga Down Dog is an app that helps you build a yoga practice tailored to your needs. With over 60,000 different configurations, Yoga Down Dog gives you the power to focus on specific areas of practice, or to simply vary up your routine. The app also features multiple yoga practice types, 6 english-speaking voices, dynamic changing music, and the ability to sync between devices.
Nike Training Club can help by providing a wide selection of workout programs, motivating trainers, and tips for complete wellness. The app also offers live and on-demand workout classes, led by Nike trainers, that are designed to be flexible and fit into your busy life.
Conclusion
There are a lot of great fitness apps out there, and the best one for you depends on your needs and goals. Some apps simply track your steps or distance covered, while others also track your heart rate, calorie intake, and sleep patterns. Others focus on helping you learn new exercises or providing motivation to keep going. And many have social features that let you connect with friends and family members who are also using the app.
So take some time to explore the options and find the app that works best for you!
Your health care professional can help you choose
Feeling confident is important. Get all the essential information about health apps by talking to your healthcare professional.
AppGuide provides reliable information about mobile health apps that allows patients and healthcare professionals to make informed, shared decisions about using a health app to track health status or act on your priority health goals.