In our ga-ga for gadgets world, smartphones, tablets, and iPods have become as much a part of workouts today as sneakers and sports bras. While some people simply play music, others choose to take their fitness technology up a notch incorporating apps to track progress, act as a personal trainer, or entertain during the actual workout. If apps such as MapMyFitness, C25K (the popular couch-to-5K running program), or Zombies, Run are starting to feel a bit stale, refresh your workout with programs that can help you make more of your physical activity, socialize with others getting their sweat on, and find a whole new fitness adventure that is waiting for you. Load a few of these apps, and the next time to you power on your gadget, get ready to power up your workout.
- Gociety: Love to be outside? Be it hiking, skiing, climbing, trail running, or what have you, this app is a great social network for people who love the outdoors and want to meet up with other people who feel the same. Let’s face it, social media as we know it–staring at screens, not interacting with people around us–is not very social. With Gociety, you plan or join an adventure on the app, then hook up with others to do the adventure together. Plan a day trip or dream getaway that you don’t have to do alone.
- Pump Up: It can be super exciting to lose 20lbs or to fit into a dress you haven’t worn in 10 years. So exciting that you just want to scream it from the rooftops and share it with the world. Problem is, once you post that selfie to Facebook, the tension sets in about what others think. You’re accomplishment pride may be off-putting to some (also known as haters), but with the Pump Up app, you have a safe, accepting place to post your progress, find your motivation, and encourage others. Save your vacation and pet pics for standard social media, and try this app when looking for a community of supporters.
- WOD Deck of Cards: No time to write up a workout? Take the CrossFit approach of varied exercises with this app. WOD (CrossFit for “workout of the day”) Deck of Cards, turns four exercises of your choosing into a serious sweat session. While you could do this with a standard deck of playing cards, technology makes it much for fun. Just assign one exercise to each of the four suits and then do the number of reps on the card that comes up in the deck.
- Charity Miles: If your own personal health isn’t enough reason to fit in your fitness, then do it instead for another good cause: charity. Through corporate sponsors, Charity Miles donates 10 cents for every mile biked and 25 cents for each mile walked or ran. The more you move, the more cha-ching for your charity of choice.
- Songza: Ok, so technically this isn’t a fitness app; it’s a music app. However, we promise it will make your fitness better. How? Playlists…premade playlists. Even better? FREE premade playlists. Putting playlists together is a lot of work, often requiring a social media post asking for recommendations that truly just lead to realizing how weird your family and friends’ choices in music are (i.e., that moment when you find out your dad listens to Britney Spears…enough said). Keep the blinders on about your social circle, and choose an amazing playlist from the thousands Songza has available. Look up your playlist by music genre, mood (Rowdy? Spacy? Cheesy? All options.), activity (from barbecuing to playing office DJ, there are lots of playlist choices), or decade, for those of us who love a little 90’s hip hop when it’s time to get pumped up. Or, let the daily concierge help you along with seasonal selections. This app will change your sound world.
This is just the tip of the technology apps available. Tell us about your favorite for fitness in the comments!
Carrie Anton is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, and sports. She's been published in Self, Women's Health, Oxygen, and Maximum Fitness.
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