Everyone approaches their fitness in their own way. For some, staying motivated is the biggest hurdle while for the active, beating their personal best may be the thing that keeps them out of bed before the crack of dawn.
In 2019, smartphones have been an integral part of our lives. According to Chinese smartphone manufacturer OPPO, by 2023, 90 percent of the world’s population will own a smartphone.
This makes sense as phones are our alarms, our cameras, and means of communicating with our loved ones (as well as argue with complete strangers). As such, apps can also play a part in your physical and mental health regime.
“For someone who wants to improve their fitness, getting started is half the battle won.” – says Nicole, a physiotherapist from Bend + Mend.
“However, it’s not uncommon for us to treat people who have injured themselves. So whilst physical exercise is always a good thing to implement, don’t go too hard early on. Let your body slowly get used to the change and gradually build up your resistance.”
Therefore, whether you’re someone who weight trains and prefers to consume a protein shake by LUXE Fitness or someone who is wanting to change their sedentary lifestyle, here are 5 apps to keep you motivated.
Running – Nike+ Run Club
Acting as a running app Swiss army knife of sorts, Nike+ Run Club can track your runs via GPS, provide audio-guided runs for beginners and also offers personalised plans once you want to take that next step.
Not enough? The app also offers plenty of other motivational tools, including leaderboards, challenges and tailor-made Spotify playlists to help you set the pace. You’ve also got audio from coaches and Nike athletes to motivate you, if that wasn’t enough.
The app is available on both iOS and Android (it is also free of charge – yay!).
Weightlifting – Fitbod
Weightlifting requires a completely different routine to running, and thankfully there are apps designed specifically for the purpose of pumping iron. Fitbod, available on iOS, is perhaps the best of the bunch, allowing you to customise your workouts to your liking.
Using past workouts, along with your goals, struggles and available gym equipment, Fitbod creates a personalised plan for you to push the limits of. When it comes time to start lifting, the step-by-step instructions – weight, reps and sets – easily guide you through the session and then construct a better workout for you afterwards, much like a real personal trainer.
Yoga – Asana Rebel
Still a little put off by the terminology and styles of yoga? Not a problem with Asana Rebel, as the app combines traditional exercises with all the regular drills you’re used to, like burpees, mountain climbers and sit-ups.
By choosing an area to work (strength, fat burn or flexibility), the app tailors its yoga/workout hybrid to your needs and allows you to do so at your own pace, while the music playlists allow you to get in the right mood.
The app is free on iOS and Android, while paid 3-month plans are available at an added price.
Sleep – Sleep Cycle
We spend nearly 33 percent of our lives sleeping and a further 7 years trying to fall asleep.
Getting solid amounts of sleep matters just as much as the workout that comes before it – if you don’t recover effectively from the workout, you’ll suffer for it the next day. Thankfully, apps like Sleep Cycle allow you to monitor your sleeping patterns and determine where things need work.
Sleep Cycle uses your phone’s accelerometer to record movement and quality of sleep, and then uses this in easy to read graphs. If you need help getting up in the morning, the app can also use an alarm to wake you up during your period of light sleep, to ensure you’re well rested.
The app is free on iOS and Android, and also offers a premium yearly subscription.
Mental Health – Headspace
It might sound preposterous, but it’s true – a healthy body and a healthy mind go hand in hand. It’s easy to push too hard and tire yourself out, so clearing your mind with simple meditation programs from Headspace will do a world of good. With sessions ranging from 3 to 30 minutes combined with tracking and reminders, regular meditation can help you reduce stress, improve your focus and promote better sleeping patterns.
Of course, we do not recommend you rely on an app to resolve mental health issues. You should always seek professional help from a trained counsellor such as those from New Vision Psychologist. But an app is a good tool that you can implement into your daily routine to relieve stress, tension, and clear your mind.
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