The fitness industry has completely changed. With gyms chains temporarily closing their doors throughout the world as we all try to practice social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, the concept of staying active has been redefined as we know it.
First, we all have to find a way to get our exercise while staying within the safety of our home. And second, most of us have to do that with very little space and with little to no traditional fitness equipment. In short, we all could use a little help.
That’s where technology comes in. Fitness apps offer workout programs featuring everything from your basic yoga flow to intense HIIT—all formulated by the pros. Whether you have ten minutes or two hours, there’s something for everyone. Here are three of my favorites you can sweat with.
“I’m new to working out. Be gentle!”
If you’re just at the start of your fitness journey and not quite sure what to do, Sworkit is a good option. Sworkit has a free version and a 30-day trial for the premium version. The free version has a number of well-thought-out routines—from strength, cardio and flexibility—and, they start from the fundamental basics. You can go through the library of movements and there is a very clear demo of each one, in addition to a feature that builds you a program based on difficulty and your goals. In 2015, a group of sports professionals analyzed 30 popular free fitness apps and found that Sworkit was the most aligned with the American College of Sports Medicine’s training guidelines. That means that safety and functionality come first with this app. Also, I really like how they have a section solely focused on home workouts.
“I just want to show up and work out.”
For the best-preset routines, Nike Training Club (NTC), is the way to go. Like Sworkit, you can build a program based on your goals, but the routines are categorized not only by the type of training, muscle group, and difficulty level, but also on how much equipment is needed intensity, and duration. For example, if I have no equipment and only have 20 minutes to work out, there are a variety of workout routines already programmed for you to choose from. That is why this app has always been my go-to, especially when I travel because I don’t know how my schedule will be and if I will have access to a gym or not. On top of that, I really like how they go about the routine—the demo of the moves is very understandable, and the instruction is clear and encouraging. This app provides what to do, and you literally have to “just do it.” Lastly, they’re allowing everyone to have access to the premium version for free till further notice due to the pandemic.
“I’m a gym buff. I can customize my routines, but still need help.”
If you’re a veteran gym goer, know all about split training (fancy term for working out specific muscle groups on different days), and know exactly what muscle group you’d like to exercise, then you should check out Fitbod. This is an incredible app and a bodybuilder’s dream. Fitbod provides a specific workout based on available equipment, cardio or strength preference, muscle group recovery, workout duration, and recent routines. Yes, that’s right. It looks at the workouts you’ve completed and will adjust your succeeding workouts according to your progress. Now that’s pretty cool. That also means that this app helps you track every exercise and your overall progress. My favorite feature has to be the reporting—there’s a weekly report that is emailed to you that shares how much weight you lifted and how much time you worked out. I find that greatly motivating!
The main reason why I am recommending fitness apps to complement your home workout efforts is because even though it makes me so happy that more and more people are finding ways to be active at home, I want to encourage everyone to get the proper guidance. With any physical activity, there is a risk of injury and your health is the utmost priority, especially now. In case you don’t have a trainer to check in with, or a Zoom fitness class to join, these apps will make sure you have the proper form and can help you strategically come up with a routine that is healthy and sustainable for you. Have a good sweat session!
If you have more questions about the best exercise app to use or if you have a fitness or nutrition topic you’d be interested in reading about, you’re welcome to message me over IG (@lahainamae)
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