It used to be that if you wanted to improve your fitness or train for an athletic event, you’d have to pony up big bucks for a personal trainer, coach, or gym membership. Now, there are more than a million health or fitness apps in the US alone to help you shed pounds and get shredded. There is also a lot more information about nutrition that we can access now as people like Dr. Amy Lee as well as others in her field are speaking about what we need to do to help our health.

Instead of working out your thumbs to figure out which apps rise to the top, we’ve pulled together a list of top apps that are free, simple to use, and can help you improve your overall fitness.

 

C25K (iOS & Android)

C25K stands for Couch Potato to Running 5K. It quite literally was created to help you go from a couch potato to running a 5K in 8 weeks. For those 8 weeks, there is a 30-minute walk/run workout for 3 days a week. If you’re looking to shed some pounds, improve your cardiovascular health or just be ready for the neighborhood turkey trot, this app will guide you off the couch.

• Clear, clean interface with simple to follow plan laid out for each week (Weeks 1-8)
• Audio coaching to take you through warm-ups, routine, and cool down
• Sync data and info with Apple Health or Google Fit
• Can play music within the app so you can stay motivated
• Get it here: iOS, Android

 

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Nike Training Club (iOS & Android)

Highly rated, and created by a brand known for athleticism, the Nike Training Club app boasts an array of options to improve your fitness. In addition to an array of studio-style workouts, it also has recipe & nutrition tips as well as overall wellness information for a holistic approach to health.

• Easy to navigate interface, which boasts workouts from 5-60 minutes at a variety of different intensity and fitness levels
• Though some of the workouts are tailored to be used at the gym, many require little to no equipment and can be done anywhere – from home to on the road
• There is an in-app activity tracker as well as an achievement section to keep yourself motivated
• Get it here: iOS, Android

 

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Runkeeper (site, iOS, Android)

Despite the specificity of the app name, Runkeeper actually tracks many more activities than just runs. You can track over 14 activities, from walks to downhill skiing, so you can keep on top of your goals. There are also quick workout videos and training plans for physical events such as 5Ks and marathons.

• Simple, and straightforward options on interface, which means a quicker start to the activity
• There are run route maps from other users in your neighborhood to those all over the world
• You can play your phone’s music players within the app
• Audio stats can be enabled to prompt your progress to keep you motivated
• Get it here: iOS, Android

 

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Map My Run (site, iOS, Android)

Similar to Runkeeper, Map My Run allows you to track walks, runs and even steps. It boasts over 700 activities that can be tracked through the app. The leading theory for this particular app is that by having data, from mileage to elevation, you can stay motivated and improve performance.

• With state of the art GPS filtering, there is a stronger chance of accurate activity reads
• Customizable dashboard means you control how much or how little data you see as your activity is being tracked.
• With the route explorer option, you can be suggested new routes near you to try anywhere.
• You can sync this app’s data with MyFitnessPal so you can see how your fitness activities work in conjunction with your nutrition so you can get a full, accurate picture of your overall health
• Get it here: iOS, Android

 

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7 Minute Workout (site, iOS, Android)

Based on the widely covered New York Times article, The Scientific 7-Minute, the app is just as easy as the concept. The article outlined 12 key moves that only use body weight, a chair or wall. The website and app has a timer associated with each move so all you have to do is hit ‘play’ to get a full body workout in, yes, just 7 minutes.

• Simple play, pause, or stop interface
• Easy graphics that show each move
• Convenient and doable in most environments whether it be gym or home
• Can be used without any internet connection
• Install instructions:

  • iOS:

    • Use Safari to open this link: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/projects/workouts/
    • Select the “Bookmark” button, then “Add to Home Screen.”
  • Android:
    • Use the Chrome browser to open this link: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/projects/workouts/
    • Then tap the “Menu” button, then “Add to Home Screen.”

 

What apps have you used? Comment below! We would love to hear what has worked best for you.

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