Let’s face it, the hardest part about getting in shape is keeping up with your regimen. As much as we’d all like to be in peak physical condition, it can be difficult to stay motivated long enough to see results, and most of us can’t afford to hire a personal trainer. But don’t lose hope. There are a slew of phone applications out there specifically designed to help you keep your eyes on the prize. Better yet, they won’t break the bank. We did the early legwork for you by scouring through the endless array of health and fitness apps to co
me up with ten that we consider to be the cream of the crop in not only keeping you focused, but getting you fit. They’re a lot of fun, too. Read on to find one that’s a fit for you.
1) PIT Fitness
We’ll start with our personal favorite, as the PIT Fitness app was designed to be the most efficient fitness offering on the market, and it really works. What we really enjoy about this app, besides the fact that it caters to all levels of expertise, is that there are exercise routines that can be done at home, as well as the gym, where you have access to equipment such as kettlebells. This app is your guide to full-body interval training, and puts you through an entire interchangeable 30-day workout program that will get you lean and build your metabolism. Best of all, it requires no running, which caters to those who hate to jog but think it is an essential part of getting in shape. At a cost of only $2.99, you’re not going to find a better bang for your buck, either (plus, you can also give it a test run with their free “PIT Fitness Lite” app).
For more, check out PIT Fitness on iTunes, Google Play and Twitter.
Apple dubbed FitnessBuilder a top fitness workout app in their “Let’s Get Moving” section of the iTunes AppStore, and with good reason. It easily boasts one of the biggest collections of exercise pictures and videos out there, as well as over 800 hand crafted workout routines. And that’s only scratching the surface. Of course, as we mentioned in the intro, the whole point of this list is to find you the best apps that don’t cost an arm and a leg, so while it is definitely one of the most efficient workout apps out there, expect to pay more money the more advanced you want to get. However, the asking price of $6.99 for the app’s Plus Access is worth every penny for a beginner.
If you’ve ever seen UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre, you know how incredibly in shape he is. He attributes this to adapting his workout to his body in order for it to reach it’s maximum potential. The best part about
Touchfit: GSP is that it does the exact same thing for you by tracking your workouts each time you train, and tailoring them to your current fitness level. In fact, the first thing you do when you initially open the app is complete a test workout and rate the exercises from easy, tough, impossible, or need to learn in order to gauge where to even begin. Not bad for only dishing out $3.99.
4) GAIN Fitness Cross Trainer – digital personal training
There are many fitness apps out there that dub themselves as “digital personal trainers,” but few deliver as well as the GAIN Fitness Cross Trainer. When we say that, we of course mean because you literally have personal trainers sharing customizable routines with you for free based on your goals. And yes, we did say “free.” The app costs nothing, yet offers so many features, from tracking your workout progress to setting alarms to remind yourself to work out. Sure, you will have to pay money for more advanced training, but nobody is forcing you to do that, especially with the variety of workout routines (including everything from strength training to yoga) that you’ll get for nothing.
5) iMuscle 2
As men, we tend to be more visually stimulated. That’s what’s so appealing about iMuscle 2, as it quite literally shows you what muscles you are working through realistic 3D models. You can even zoom in on the pictures to really get a feel for how these exercises are effecting your body. With over 650 animated exercises and stretches illustrating routines you can do either in the gym or the comfort of your own home, the asking price of $4.99 is well worth it for the anatomy side of the app alone. Of course, like the rest of the apps on this list, you can use it to track your progress too, giving you that kick in the butt you need to take things to the next level.
6) Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro
So far, we’ve focused on apps that get around running. But there are a few nut jobs out there (including myself) that actually enjoy a good jog. Luckily, there are apps like Endomonda Sports Tracker Pro out there that fill this void quite nicely. It’s also a great app for cyclists. Track your distances, listen to music from your phone or through Spotify, and even program an audio coach to push you to the limit for only $4.99. Not bad, considering the app also boasts one of the sleekest designs out there in its field. Did we mention there is also a free version?
7) TempoRun
Most people who enjoy jogging tend to prefer music when they run. It gets you in a rhythm, and takes focus away from listening to yourself breathe, which can throw you off. TempoRun, not to be confused with another extremely addictive iPhone app with a very similar name, categorizes your music by tempo in order to keep you running at a steady pace. And for those who don’t have music on their phones, you can listen to the app’s TempoRadio, which is powered by SoundCloud. Heck, you might even discover some new tunes this way. Best of all, the going rate on this bad boy is only a cool $2.99.
8) Pocket Yoga
Pocket Yoga continuously makes “best health and fitness apps” lists because it’s easily the best yoga app out there. Not only does it describe and illustrate every pose in its extensive collection, but consists of three variations of yoga at three different difficulty levels and three durations. That’s a total of 27 sessions in all. And while that may not sound like much to someone unfamiliar with yoga, we beg you to try it for yourself before knocking it. Most men don’t give yoga much respect, but at a price of only $2.99 for this very useful and informative app, we think it would make a believer out of any skeptic.
9) Teemo
Described as a “fitness adventure game,” Teemo is a motivational tool that pits you against friends in imaginative adventure games complete with fun stories, but is specifically designed to be able to do just about anywhere. What’s great about this app is that it helps you utilize even a very little amount of spare time to get a workout in. Best of all, while it usually costs $2.00, it’s currently free. So snag it up while you have the chance. You won’t regret it.
10) Zombies, Run!
Okay, this one might be a bit silly, especially to anyone who is sick of the whole zombie craze, but Zombies, Run! is a welcome shift from the status quo, and keeps you motivated in a way that is stimulating not only to the part of you that wants to get into great shape, but also the side that wants to have fun while doing it. One of the best motivators for running is to be chased, right? Well, this app takes that idea to a whole new level, as it combines boring old jogging with a thrilling zombie tale that prompts the runner with objectives and even item-finding missions. The $3.99 price tag is surely worth the enjoyment.
