Hi friends! I hope everyone is making it through 2020 the best they can. How are you doing? Thriving? Barely surviving? Somewhere in the middle? If I could sum up this year in one (or two) words, it would be roller coaster. Staying active is something that has helped tremendously, not only with pent-up energy, but mentally too. When we were stuck inside most days, virtual workouts through the YMCA & various 14-day trials became the highlight of my day. As I reflect on my fitness goals for the remainder of the year, what better time to share my 5 favorite health and fitness apps. Some I’ve been using for years, and others for only months. All but one of these apps is free, too! Here’s my top 5:
- MyFitnessPal
- Strava
- C25k
- Flo
- Sweat
MyFitnessPal is one that I’ve used off and on since college. If you’re looking to lose, gain, or maintain weight, this is the best tracker out there in my opinion. You can even add friends and interact with them like on social media, which is great for accountability. This app is eye opening when you can see the nutrients (or maybe lack of) if your diet, and when you can see how many calories you’re actually consuming each day. Counting calories might not be a sustainable option for life, however it’s great if you need a reset.
I use Strava to track my distance and time for walks, runs, and hikes. Similar to MyFitnessPal, you can add friends and give “kudos” or comment on their workouts. It has a GPS tracker so you can see everywhere you went on a snapshot of a map after. It tracks elevation, too. I use the free version of the app, although I’m sure there are some great benefits to the paid version.
C25k is my favorite running app for non-runners. I HATE running, so I love that this starts slow and progresses over eight weeks until you can comfortably run a 5k. The app tells you when to run and walk, and let’s you know when you’re halfway through each workout. It’s only three days a week for eight weeks, which is manageable and realistic. When it comes to running, I need something that is low-intensity, or else I’ll give up (gotta know yourself). Highly recommend if you’re a beginner!
Flo is the only app on my list that isn’t fitness related, but purely health – a period tracker! I never quite understood the importance of a period and all the mood/health implications it can have. This app is helpful to better understand your symptoms, mood, and energy levels. It says the more you input data, the more accurate its predictions are, and I’ve found that to be true. It’s very user-friendly and asks a series of questions to point you in the right direction with each login. The biggest benefit for me has been planning workouts around high energy days.
Sweat is the only paid app on my list, and it made the top five because I love BBG (Bikini Body Guide) workouts! They are not for the faint-hearted, but great if you’re in shape and looking for a challenge. Kayla Itsines is the creator and so many people follow & trust her fitness plans. BBG workouts are 28-minute workouts that include cardio, body-weight, and strength workouts. I’ve attempted to make it through the 12 week program, but have yet to reach that goal. Maybe this year! 😉
Thanks for reading about my 5 favorite health and fitness apps! I hope you’ll try one or more of these for yourself to see why I love them so much.
Do you have a favorite app that you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!