
Here's my list of handy fitness apps that really make a difference to the workouts I do.
- My Fitness Pal: is a great tracker of intake and output and gives you the ability to monitor progress with weigh-ins or body measurements. You can see your progress week to week and it reminds you if you haven't checking in for a while too. The other great thing with My Fitness Pal is you can share your info with friends within the app so long as they use it and you give them permission to see your information. Good for PT's keeping clients accountable too!
- Gymboss: is another real favourite if you like a bit of structure in your workouts. This app allows you to customise the workout exactly how you would like it. For example if you like the Tabata protocol you can set up the 20 seconds work 10 seconds rest x 8 sets and have a timing bell tell you when these occur - hands free! You can create any other kind of circuit or timed interval session you desire and once you've set it up you can customise the sound and the colour of your screen. Well worth a look.
- RipDeck: uses the deck of cards theme and allows you to create any number of versions of workouts using cards as different exercises and takes the thought process out of planning a workout. Great if you are travelling and have very little gear with you.
- TRX Force: is a paid app but well worth the money if you already have your own TRX that you can take anywhere of use at home. There are plenty of exercises to view and each movement have a video with up to 3 levels of difficulty catering for beginner to advanced exerciser.
- Mobilize Me: Flexibility for Cross fitters: if you are already into crossfit then this app will help you with the necessary movements you need to improve and maintain your joint flexibility for typical crossfit exercises.
- Heart Rate Monitor: is a great app if you don't have access to a monitor and a chest strap. You can take your heart rate at any time but I use it to measure my resting heart rate as I'm not usually wearing my chest strap at rest. A good measure of increasing fitness is a decreasing resting heart rate.
- Mapometer: if you don't like MapMyRun is a great alternative. I got fed up with the necessary log ins and attempts to upgrade me while reducing usability so I found Mapometer. It is easy to use and just about do-able on a smart phone as well and the PC which I typically use to track runs. I haven't used it but Runtastic is another recommended free running app and uses the GPS in your phone to do the work.