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Feeling Fit: Fitness in the Palm of Your Hand – Apps for Better Health
By Aly Wagonseller
Many of us already know that cell phones aren’t just for chatting. In fact, most are virtually mini computers in the palm of your hand, allowing you to surf the Web, download and listen to music and quickly locate nearby services and restaurants. With so many on-the-go capabilities, what better tool for working out and staying fit? Especially with the incredible amount of applications (apps) now readily available. Simply download, view and follow instructions, and you’ll be celebrating your fitness goals quicker than you can send a text message.
Get a Move On
A personal trainer is probably the best option for a customized approach to individual fitness, but if you can’t afford that luxury there are several iPhone apps to get you going. Most run between no cost to five or six dollars, making it economical to find the perfect app for your needs. Check www.itunes.com or your own phone provider for more options.
Men’s Health Workouts – Brought to your phone by the magazine of the same name, gents will have access to workout routines designed by respected trainers and experts in the field. Proper form has never been easier, with how-to pictorials showing the way. The app also allows for circuit training, emailing and tracking results and even “manly” advice to keep you going. Visit www.menshealth.com/iphone-workouts/ to download.
iPump Trainer Series – This series is composed of several specific apps for free weight, ab and core, fat burn, yoga and pilates workouts as well as an Office Pump program (all priced separately starting at 99 cents). Great for office warriors, Office Pump includes demos of stretches that can be done at work to prevent tightness and stress associated with sitting and computer work. Visit www.pumpone.com/ipump.html to purchase.
iTreadmill: Pedometer Ultra w/ PocketStep – Winner of accolades from Weight Watchers to Oprah Magazine, this “virtual” treadmill is designed to keep you on pace during walking or running anywhere. No need to leave your living room; run in place while iTreadmill calculates distance, pace, average speed, calories burned and more. You can also set goals and keep track of your progress, all without setting foot in a gym. Visit www.itreadmill.net to order.
Becoming Lean with a Machine
Exercise is only half of the fitness equation; luckily, there’s no shortage of nutrition apps to help keep that calorie count in control. Whether cruising the drive-thru or cooking dinner at home, your phone can become your new dieting BFF.
Livestrong.com Calorie Tracker – This app sports an extensive database with nutritional and calorie stats on more than 525,000 items. It works in conjunction with the Livestrong Daily Plate, an app that helps you calculate the number of calories you need to consume for your age and desired target weight. Read more at www.livestrong.com.
Fast Food Calorie Counter by Concrete Software – If you continually find yourself behind wrappers and boxes from Burger King, Arby’s, McDonald’s, Carl’s Junior or Pizza Hut, this app’s for you. Providing calorie counts on everything fast food from more than 50 of the most popular restaurants, this 99 cent, simple to use application makes tracking your caloric intake as easy as a few taps of the thumb. Customizable search options make it easy to find the food you eat most. Visit www.concretesoftware.com to download.
EatingWell ‘Healthy in a Hurry” App – View more than 200 quick, easy to prepare recipes from the the EatingWell magazine test kitchen. Browse by categories that include appetizers, dinner, desserts, etc., with pictures and nutritional values for all meals. Visit www.eatingwell.com to order.
Keeping in tune with the busy lifestyles we lead, phone apps just might be the answer for reaching your fitness goals.
