Healthy Living • YMCA Health and Fitness
Fitness on the go: 3 exercise apps you can use anywhere
12 July 2016 - by Nicole Meredith
Summer is the time for some much-needed R & R, but weeks spent lounging at the beach or by the pool can leave you feeling lethargic. The good news is you don’t need to sacrifice your time in the sun to hit the gym. Take your workout outside with one of these customizable exercise apps:
If you’re looking for an efficient sweat session, Sworkit is the app for you: you can opt for a compact, but effective, routine as short as five minutes! With 20 workout regimes, and the option to build your own, Sworkit also gives you plenty of variety. You can choose a workout that targets a particular part of your body, one designed to get your heart pumping, a strength training regime, or some flexibility-promoting stretching. Video demonstrations led by personal trainers, complete with verbal instructions, help you execute each movement properly and keep you motivated through your full sets.
Freeletics boasts higher intensity workout programs designed to whip you into shape, bootcamp style. You’ll start by letting the app know your personal fitness goals — whether you want to get strong, fit, or toned — based on which it will design a workout program for you. Each exercise in your customized regime is demonstrated in a slow-motion video with instructions and coaching cues, so you can feel confident you’re doing these more intense exercises right. When you tell the app you’re ready to get started, it will use a timer to keep you moving and motivated through the full circuit. (Freeletics also has a feature designed to make your gym training more efficient and effective.)
Personal trainers provide the customized workout plans offered on Fitnet. But the standout feature of this app is its real-time feedback: as you execute your workout, your smartphone’s camera will record your motions and assess how in sync you are with the trainer demonstrating the exercise. You’ll get immediate feedback on your performance, so you know what you need to work on to get the most out of your routine. Lastly, you can use the app’s seven-day planner to make an exercise schedule that will help you stay committed to your fitness goals.
There are dozens of stellar fitness apps out there (and plenty are free!), so experiment with a bunch to find the right fit for you. The important thing is that your app of choice lets you enjoy your summer vacation while staying true to your personal health and wellness goals.
1. Sworkit
If you’re looking for an efficient sweat session, Sworkit is the app for you: you can opt for a compact, but effective, routine as short as five minutes! With 20 workout regimes, and the option to build your own, Sworkit also gives you plenty of variety. You can choose a workout that targets a particular part of your body, one designed to get your heart pumping, a strength training regime, or some flexibility-promoting stretching. Video demonstrations led by personal trainers, complete with verbal instructions, help you execute each movement properly and keep you motivated through your full sets.
2. Freeletics
Freeletics boasts higher intensity workout programs designed to whip you into shape, bootcamp style. You’ll start by letting the app know your personal fitness goals — whether you want to get strong, fit, or toned — based on which it will design a workout program for you. Each exercise in your customized regime is demonstrated in a slow-motion video with instructions and coaching cues, so you can feel confident you’re doing these more intense exercises right. When you tell the app you’re ready to get started, it will use a timer to keep you moving and motivated through the full circuit. (Freeletics also has a feature designed to make your gym training more efficient and effective.)
3. Fitnet
Personal trainers provide the customized workout plans offered on Fitnet. But the standout feature of this app is its real-time feedback: as you execute your workout, your smartphone’s camera will record your motions and assess how in sync you are with the trainer demonstrating the exercise. You’ll get immediate feedback on your performance, so you know what you need to work on to get the most out of your routine. Lastly, you can use the app’s seven-day planner to make an exercise schedule that will help you stay committed to your fitness goals.
There are dozens of stellar fitness apps out there (and plenty are free!), so experiment with a bunch to find the right fit for you. The important thing is that your app of choice lets you enjoy your summer vacation while staying true to your personal health and wellness goals.
