There’s An App For That – Part 2
To be heart healthy and fit it is necessary to spend a minimum of two hours of cardiovascular activity and another 90 minutes on some type of resistance training, each week. Whether you’re an exercise novice, a gambler, an NBA wanna be, or a music lover, there’s an app out there to help keep you committed and accountable.
In 2014 get connected and get—or stay—fit for virtually nothing! Try a fitness app uniquely designed with your specific interests in mind. This article will serve as two of two of my favorite selections of fitness apps for your smart phone.
If your exercise consists mainly of walking, the free app Accupedo is a great way to gauge your daily progress. This app provides you with an accurate pedometer that can track your progress in terms of steps, distance, minutes, calories or laps (around a standard track).
After I learned my co-worker was using a pedometer and logging more than three miles a day while she was working, I decided to try it. It takes your data and provides you with your progress over days, weeks and even years, to learn how you’ve improved over time.
To keep your commitment to becoming fit, it may help to make a wager — or at least that’s the concept behind the legal app GymPact, which lets you wage real money against other exercisers.
The concept is simple. Decide how many days a week you intend to work out, and wager a little money against other participants, betting that you’ll actually fulfill your promise.
As long as it is not a home gym, GymPact will verify the work out facility. When you arrive, check in on your phone. If you don’t meet your goal, GymPact will take your money and give it to someone who actually made good on his or her commitment. The app itself is free, but it can cost you. “Work out and get paid; stay still and lose out.”
If you think you’d be much better at exercising if only you had an expensive gadget to monitor your progress, consider Fitbit. Although it seems most of these are aimed at walkers and runners, a Nike Fuelband or SportWatch device can be used to improve your basketball skills.
“The Nike+ Basketball app tracks how fast you run, how high you jump, how long you hang in the air and how quickly your body moves.” You can also track how your skills change over time in games, practices and workouts, and share your stats with friends or rivals. The free app is one of the few basketball fitness apps with real-time tracking.
I love listening to music on a long walk or run. It can be motivational and make the time pass more quickly. If music pumps you up, try another free app called Pandora.
You can tailor your own music station by artist or genre and listen virtually commercial free for as long as you like, or as long as your battery, or legs last. Although the app is free I would recommend a decent pair of earbuds.
For some apps it may also be necessary to invest in a comfortable exercise arm band that will keep your phone protected while you workout.
Get creative, committed and connected and make fitness more fun. There’s an app for that!
For comments or questions email: suzannemcginnis@me.com