The fitness sphere has exploded recently, especially regarding personal technology. We have new ways to track our fitness levels, tools to help us eat healthier, and even guided plans on building muscle. And that’s just the start!
There are so many ways to stay fit and many technologies to help us reach our fitness and health goals. There are just so many to pick from: there are apps for overall physical and mental health, nutrition, and even specific ones for fitness and weight loss.
Today, we thought we’d take a minute to focus on fitness. Some apps log calories burned during cardio exercise, others allow you to track what you eat, and others still offer professional fitness coaches and similar services. These Android and iPhone fitness tracking apps can help with whatever you’re looking for. Read on to find out more.
1) NutriSense
The NutriSense app works with continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to provide insights into blood sugar management and help you optimize your health.
CGMs allow you to make informed decisions about lifestyle choices like your fitness regime by providing real-time data on blood sugar levels.
The best part about this app is that you also receive one-on-one in-app support from a credentialed dietitian or nutritionist when you sign up for a commitment program.
Pros
- The app has a clean, simple interface.
- All your data from your CGM is imported into the app.
- The dietitian support helps you understand the data and tailor your fitness goals.
Cons
- You’ll need a NutriSense membership.
- You need an NFC-compatible phone to import data from the CGM.
Download NutriSense for Android, Apple
2) Runkeeper
Runkeeper is a fitness tracking app that uses GPS to record your speed and the distance you cover during a run, giving you the data you need to break down a particular workout.
Besides running, the app can track you when performing cardiovascular activities, including walking, cycling, hiking, and skiing.
You can use the app to meet your fitness goals, and there is even a training option for when you want to prepare for competitive running events.
Pros
- It’s well-suited to beginners.
- It allows for setting goals and targets.
- You get audio feedback during runs.
Cons
- Live run tracking, advanced metrics only in the paid version.
- It’s better suited to beginner runners.
Download Runkeeper for Android, Apple
3) JEFIT
The workout tracking app JEFIT puts you in control of your gym routine. It’s for those who want to get the most out of muscle-building, so it is a bit niche, but it does have valuable tips and tools to track your muscle-building workouts.
The JEFIT app is beneficial if your routine has become monotonous. The paid version is relatively inexpensive compared to other fitness tracking apps and includes progress reports, premium workout routines, and priority support.
Pros
- There are helpful instructions to help you perform exercises.
- You can customize the workout plans.
Cons
- It can be more focused on muscle-building than overall fitness.
- It’s not the friendliest user interface for beginners.
- The free version has ads.
Download JEFIT for Android, iPhone
4) Charity Miles
Charities funded by regular people who exercise sound almost like a Utopian dream: You download a free fitness tracking app, choose a charity from a list, and walk, run, or bike, and the charity gets paid out for every mile you complete.
But that’s what the Charity Miles app does, and it tracks your workout via GPS, donating money to the charities you pick.
You can stick with a single charity or pick a new one each time you exercise. The concept is interesting and serves as motivation for exercising.
Pros
- You can choose a different charity each time you work out.
- You’ll get fit and also feel good about donating to charities.
- It can integrate with other fitness tracking apps.
Cons
- The user interface can be confusing.
- The design may be a bit unintuitive at times.
Download the Charity Miles app for Android, iPhone
5) Daily Workouts
This app has short- and medium-length video exercises you can follow along with, targeted at different muscle groups. Certified personal trainers demonstrate the routines, and they have on-screen instructions and countdown timers, so you know how long each set will be.
The paid version is ad-free and has more workout routines, including Pilates, kettlebell, stretch, and ball workouts.
Pros
- It has a simple interface.
- The on-screen instructions are by certified trainers.
Cons
- The free version only includes basic exercises.
- It may not be the best motivational tool for some.
- The free version has ads.
Download Daily Workouts for Android, Apple
6) PEAR Sports
The PEAR Sports fitness app connects you with a vast selection of workouts and fitness training exercises spread across various categories. There is no free version; it is subscription-based only.
You’ll also need a wearable fitness device that tracks your heart rate.
However, you get personalized coaching based on your heart rate while exercising, and you can track your calories burned, pace, distance traveled, time spent exercising, and heart rate in the app.
Pros
- It has an extensive library of workout routines.
- They partner with fitness brands for detailed training plans.
- It offers relatively cheap subscription plans.
Cons
- There’s no free version.
- It requires additional devices such as fitness wearables.
Download the PEAR Sports app for Android, iPhone
7) Sworkit
An app that focuses on fitness plans and tracking to help you reach your goals, Sworkit makes for a lovely workout companion.
The app features a massive range of exercises and workouts, and you can customize workouts to find something that suits you best. The paid version adds trainer support and is relatively cheap.
Pros
- There’s an extensive library of exercises.
- You have access to customizable workout routines.
- The video and audio guides ensure good form.
Cons
- The exercises are pretty basic.
- Advanced users might be left wanting.
Download Sworkit for Android, Apple
8) Fitbit
The Fitbit app is excellent if you have a Fitbit device. The free version has everything you’ll need to track your fitness, with the paid version adding deeper insights and extra social integration.
The app can also integrate with other fitness apps, such as MyFitnessPal and Strava, so you can use your Fitbit device to share your exercise activity between those apps.
Pros
- It includes mindfulness and meditation sessions.
- It can help you track your sleep.
- It syncs data with other fitness apps.
Cons
- The advanced metrics and guided workouts are behind a paywall.
- There’s limited content for advanced fitness users.
Download the Fitbit app for Android, Apple
9) FitOn
One of the more recent apps, FitOn, offers free workout and fitness plans. There is a paid version of the app, too, which includes personalized meal plans, workout music, and the ability to connect a device to monitor heart rate.
The FitOn platform has a good selection of workout videos spread across various exercise types; however, there seems to be no overarching structure to the videos.
Pros
- All the workouts and exercises are free to access.
- There are decent workout video options.
- It includes exercise videos from celebrity trainers.
Cons
- The real-time heart rate monitor functionality is only available with a paid subscription.
- The exercise videos are separate entities.
Download the FitOn app for Android, Apple
10) MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal isn’t a fitness app in the exercise sense, but it can help with weight management and calorie counting. It allows you to track the foods you eat and see how they match your weight loss goals.
The system has a nifty graph of your weight, telling you how you’ve done over time. It’s simple but requires a bit of user input.
Pros
- There’s an extensive library of foods to choose from.
- Many essential features are available with the free version.
- It has helpful tools for weight management.
Cons
- You have to enter calorie and weight values manually.
- Weight loss and gain predictions are possibly inaccurate.
- Entering data manually can be time-consuming.
Download MyFitnessPal for Android, Apple
11) Forte
Forte is an app offering on-demand and in person personal health and fitness instruction.
With Forte, you can access anything from 1-1 coaching to group classes from skilled specialists in your area.
Pros
- There’s a decent selection of classes and exercise types.
- It can help you find instructors in your local area.
Cons
- There is no free option available.
Access Forte and download the app here.
The Benefits of Using a Fitness App Versus a Gym Membership
Gym memberships or fitness apps? While there are still benefits to a traditional gym, you can get fitness tracking apps for free, and even with paid subscriptions, you can stay fit in the comfort of your home.
That’s a huge bonus when you consider that many fitness apps have classes and videos to exercise along with, many of which even offer a level of personalization to tailor exercises to your fitness levels.
Some apps even connect you with other users and lend a sense of community to your workouts. Others put the fitness data in your hands, allowing you to track your fitness levels and stay on the path to achieving your health goals.
They’re becoming a more attractive option than traditional gym memberships any way you look at them.
