Getting in shape isn’t easy, we get it. It takes a lot of dedication and planning and that can discourage some people from it. Luckily for us, modern technology has found ways to make it a bit easier and more convenient to get fit — in the form of mobile apps. Here are our picks for the 20 best health and fitness apps you need on your phone.
Fitness & Workouts
Aaptiv
iOS | Android
One of the most popular fitness apps for a long time now, Aaptiv provides over 2500 audio-based workouts, with a personalized music playlist to keep you going. Whatever level you’re at, Aaptiv provides a personal trainer directing and motivating you every step of the way. Just plug in your earphones and you’re set!
Fitbod Weight Lifting Workout
iOS
For those looking to get fit and bulk up, Fitbod is the ultimate strength-training app. Fitbod’s workout planner algorithm analyzes your previous workouts, strength ability and frequently used gym equipment to craft out a personalized training plan for you. The workouts target all your muscle groups to ensure you get the most out of your session.
8fit Workouts & Meal Planner
iOS | Android
This all-in-one app covers all aspects of fitness, from workouts to diet planning. 8fit focuses on HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts, which means you get the most out of your workout with short recovery breaks in between. Besides being a workout planner, the app also helps you plan your meals with healthy recipes and nutrition tips/guides.
Nike Training Club
iOS | Android
Nike Training Club offers an array of guided workouts varying in intensity, time length and difficulty. Choose the workout style that best suits you and you’re set to go. You can even get the celebrity workout experience with some of your favorite Nike athletes and personalities like Christiano Ronaldo and Kevin Hart.
Zombies, Run!
iOS | Android
If you’re struggling to find the motivation to get fit, why not turn it into a game? This popular “exergame” puts you in a virtual zombie apocalypse where you have to find supplies to stock up your base while escaping zombies out to catch you. With immersive gameplay that is sure to keep you hooked, running will never be a chore again!
Strava
iOS | Android
For those who prefer exercising outdoors and love exploring new places as you exercise, Strava is for you. It’s a social community app that lets you map your routes and share them with other users.
The app tracks your location and your performance stats so you can track your improvements over time. You can view popular routes and “compete” with other Strava athletes on the leaderboard to beat the best time.
Jefit
iOS | Android
This app is for all you gym buffs who love customizing your own workouts. This workout planner lets you pick from an exercise database so you can put together your own routine. You can also track and share your routines so you can choose from others’ curated workouts and incorporate them into your routines.
Sworkit
iOS | Android
If you need help planning your own workouts to get in shape, Sworkit can help with that. Tell the app your current fitness level and your fitness goals, and it will generate a six-week program that will help you achieve those goals.
This workout planner app is perfect for the busy modern man as you can choose how long you want your workouts to be. It even offers kids’ workouts so you can get the whole family involved and get fit together!
Workout Buddies
iOS | Android
Getting in shape can get quite lonely and mundane at times and it can be hard to find friends around you to work out together with. Workout Buddies proves that working out doesn’t always have to be a solo activity by helping you connect with other users in your area to exercise together. If you’re looking to get fit with professional help, you can find gyms or personal trainers in your area in the app as well.
Keelo
iOS | Android
When it comes to getting in shape, time is a big compromise for most of us. Keelo makes use of the HIIT model to give you quick yet effective high-intensity workouts that can be done either in the gym or at home. The workouts focus mainly on strength, cardio and conditioning so you can be assured that you’re getting a full-body workout.
Fitocracy
iOS
For all you gamers out there, Fitocracy might appeal to your competitive instincts if you’re looking to get fit. The more you exercise, you rack up points that allow you to level up. With those points, you can unlock achievement badges and challenges that push you to try something new or to go further. For $1 a day, you can get the paid version that gets you a personal coach to help you in your fitness journey.
Diet & Nutrition
MyFitnessPal
iOS | Android
Getting in shape isn’t just about working out, it’s also important to watch your diet if you really want to get fit. From popular sports brand Under Armour, MyFitnessPal logs your daily meals to keep track of your calorie count.
With their large food database, it makes tracking your nutrition levels much easier, no matter what you choose to eat that day. The app also remembers your recent inputs, which is great if you have a certain food or meal that you eat regularly.
Lifesum
iOS | Android
This nutrition app allows you to track your meals and count your calories while suggesting some healthy recipes you can try. The app tailors your meal planning to your individual needs and preferences so anyone can benefit from it. It also sends regular reminders for you to eat and drink water, which may be useful if you find yourself constantly neglecting your meals or water intake.
Nourishly
iOS | Android
Nourishly provides you with the best professional help for your dietary issues, straight from the specialists themselves. The app connects you with dieticians and clinicians who can address your health issues and recommend the best nutritional plan for you.
The app aims to go beyond calorie-counting and focuses on both emotional and physical wellbeing. It strengthens the patient-practitioner relationship despite being on a mobile platform and encourages a healthy relationship with food.
Mental Wellbeing/Sleep
Headspace: Meditation & Sleep
iOS | Android
As important as it is to get fit and in shape physically, mental wellbeing shouldn’t be neglected. Headspace’s guided meditation sessions aim to keep in check with yourself and be mindful of your emotions.
The app offers short meditation “SOS sessions” for those suffering from panic, anxiety and stress to help quickly calm them down during a meltdown. Headspace is great for those having problems sleeping too, with relaxing soundscapes and meditations from the Sleep by Headspace feature.
Calm
iOS | Android
Calm takes you to a place of peace and relaxation through its guided meditation sessions, breathing exercises and much more. One key feature is Sleep Stories, which are soothing bedtime stories narrated by celebrities from the likes of Stephen Fry and Matthew McConaughey, intended for both children and adults alike. The app covers a whole range of mindfulness topics to calm your mind down and help you drift off to sleep soundly.
Happify
iOS | Android
Addressing mental health doesn’t always have to be heavy and serious, it can be fun! The app uses games and activities to help you deal with stress, anxiety, negativity and many other mental issues you may face.
All the techniques and solutions used are backed by scientific research and are developed by experts in the fields of positive psychology, mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The app promotes making small changes to your habits in order to slowly bring about a change in mindset.
Other Apps
Waterlogged
iOS | Android
Many of us forget that staying hydrated is a key part of staying healthy. Waterlogged lets you take a photo of your preferred drinking vessel and it tracks your water consumption throughout the day. You can then monitor your water intake frequency and levels via charts and graphs over a designated period of time.
RockMyRun
iOS | Android
For most of us, music plays a big part in your workout routine. RockMyRun curates a playlist that syncs the music BPM with your real-time body movement. You can set your ideal BPM manually as well, so you can go at your own pace.
No matter what genre of music you’re into, RockMyRun has a whole selection of mixes to suit your taste. In fact, the app was proven by leading exercise research lab EPARC to increase motivation and enjoyment by up to 35%.
Habitica
iOS | Android
This isn’t purely a fitness app per se, but it can definitely be used when building up your fitness routine. Habitica helps you build healthy lifestyle habits by using in-game rewards and punishments to motivate you further.
As you achieve your goals one by one, you can level up and unlock rewards for your avatar. Making lifestyle changes is a challenge but if you can turn it into a retro 8-bit RPG, you can at least have some fun along the way.