Our Picks for Healthy Apps
With the mountain of health apps out there, you might be asking yourself, “which apps really work and which ones are just a waste of my time…and storage?”
According to a report from MobiHealthNews, Consumer Health Apps for Apple’s iPhone, next summer there could be almost more than 13,000 health apps intended for use by consumers available for download in Apple’s App Store. And this staggering number is in addition to the announcement made by Apple who revealed that the App Store had more than 700,000 applications total. And Google Android isn’t too far behind; Google also announced that it reached 25 billion downloads with 675,000 apps.
Whatever platform you use—Apple, Android— which health apps will make the downloadable cut and what will make the most difference in our health? In no particular order here are some of our suggestions to keep your body rocking and feeling great!
Nike Training Club
With more than 85 workouts that are custom-built courtesy of this handy application, your toned healthy body is just around the corner. Not sure you can motivate yourself throughout the workout? This app comes with detailed instructions and audio support to make sure you are getting “the job done”. Choose the workout that fits your needs/ goals, set your own music, track your progress and workout history, and SEE the results (fingers crossed).
COST: FREE
AVAILBALE ON: IPhone
GAIN Fitness
Think personal trainers are too expensive and kind of a pain to deal with? Well here is your very nifty DIGITAL personal trainer. You can have customizable workouts that promote a range of workout wishes from fat loss to muscle growth to just maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you are into yoga, weights, circuits…take your pick. The trainer guides you with voice cues, reps, and rest. Important to note—there are in-app purchasable workouts that will cost you $.
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE ON: IPhone
Skimble- Workout Trainer
This app provides thousands of workouts and an array of premium workouts that all help start you on your path to becoming a fitness maven. Your personal trainer will give you your desired exercises and they provide step-by-step audio and video instruction. BONUS-If you are super proud of your progress, you have the option to share it with your friends via email, twitter, and facebook. Important to note—there are in-app purchasable workouts that will cost you $.
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE ON: IPhone
Lose it!
Working out is a great way to stay healthy, but ever need an app specially targeted to helping you lose weight? This is the app for you. By helping you track your calories and giving you peer support, you can aim to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The app has a great list of foods and activities along with setup recipes for conscientious food choices. Share your progress, workouts, and recipes with your friends via twitter and facebook for even more inspiration.
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE ON: IPhone and Android
Cardiio
Cardiio’s app is your heart rate monitor reinvented. This app transforms your iPhone into an accurate, touch-free heart rate monitor. Using the technology that is already in your smart phone’s camera, by analyzing the amount of light reflected off of your face you get an accurate real-time heart rate measurement. Cardiio’s technology is based on cutting-edge research and science conducted at the MIT Media Lab. We aren’t the only ones giving it rave reviews; Mashable, FastCompany, and TechCrunch all seem to agree.
COST: $4.99
AVAILABLE ON: IPhone
RunKeeper
There are over 10 million people using RunKeeper. By utilizing the GPS in your phone this apps helps you track your runs, walks, bike rides, hikes…rollerblading you name it. RunKeeper tracks runners’ time, distance, pace and calories burned. It’s a great app for following your progress but it also can connect with other apps and services like Fitbit, Withings, and Garmin—keeping you in touch with all aspects of your health.
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE ON: IPhone and Android
ZocDoc
Ever in desperate need for a doctor but you have no clue where to start and not sure if the Internet will give you an actual professional? With this app, you can find a doctor in just 3 simple steps, that’s it! 1. Enter your zip code 2. See a list of available doctors and their time schedules 3. Click and your appointment is booked. How much easier can it get?
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE ON: IPhone, Android, & Blackberry
Sleep Cycle
If you are like us, you have trouble waking up in the morning or you are just an angry person when the chime of your oh-so-annoying alarm jolts you awake, this app solves that problem. By allowing you to set a 30 minute window for the time you need to wake up, Sleep Cycle wakes you when you are in the lightest point in your sleep cycle ensuring a more peaceful and restful wake up call. Using the iPhone’s accelerometer, the Sleep Cycle alarm clock tracks your movements as you sleep, gauging when you transition between light and deep sleep. With a sleek interface and easy to read graphs, this app makes tracking the quality of sleep each night a breeze.
COST: $0.99
AVAILABLE ON: IPhone