Weighing the pros and cons of the most popular mobile fitness apps
For those who find getting active more of a chore than a pleasure, apps that enhance or distract from the experience can be helpful. These programs offer the advantages of expensive fitness trackers while using an item one would normally bring to the gym anyway—their phone. Not all apps are created equal and it can be difficult—and sometimes pricey—to find the right one for your goals. Though the goals of each app vary, successful ones require the same characteristics: they do not distract from the work out, rather they enhance the experience.
Zombies, Run!
Apple App Store Rating: 4.5 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 4.5 stars
Before Pokémon Go used augmented reality to drive trainers to search their neighbourhoods to catch ’em all, Zombies, Run! motivated participants to run for their lives. Using audio prompts that play over your music, the app warns you how far the zombies are behind you and signals you when to begin sprinting. While the app could be motivating for those who need games embedded into their workout, it does fall short as you are unable to set the duration of your workout or measure calories burned.
eaTracker
Apple App Store Rating: 3 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 2.5 stars
Developed by Dietitians of Canada, this app allows you to manually input your food and exercise to track your nutrients and calories burned. It also allows you to set personal goals within the app and track your progress towards them. The major issue with this app is that it tends to crash often and the list of food to input on the app is limited. It can, however, offer assistance during the first steps of someone’s fitness journey.
Spotify Running
Apple App Store Rating: 4.5 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 4.5 stars
Embedded into the Spotify app, Running follows research suggesting that our workouts tend to match the speed of the music we listen to. Therefore, the app allows the user to identify how many beats per minute they are running to and delivers a playlist to the listener to suit their pace. Users have voiced frustration that it does not always return songs that match their speed and that the app must be re-calibrated when a change in pace occurs.
MyFitness Pal
Apple App Store Rating: 4 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 4.5 stars
MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular fitness apps and with its ability to please users, it’s easy to see why. The calories burned per activity are tailored to reflect the user’s height, weight, and gender, thereby giving a more accurate count. Users can also scan product barcodes to input nutritional information to their profile. A downside to this app is its focus on calorie counting, which does not give a full picture of one’s health.
Sweat with Kayla
Apple App Store Rating: 2.5 stars
Google Play Store Rating: 2.5 stars
Developed by workout personality Kayla Itsines, this app is aimed to offer an inexpensive outlet for her workout plans. Itsines has legions of fans online who swear by her method; therefore the major hurdle for this app is its accessibility.
It can take some trial and error to identify whether a certain app will work for you, or whether you are better off going technology-free at the gym.
Photo courtesy jan-vasek_cc0-license.