When the self-pep talk fails to conjure enough motivation to get you in the gym or the commute doesn’t fit into your schedule that day, don’t worry—there’s an app for that. Exercise apps are efficient and convenient, which makes breaking a sweat that much easier. Wherever your smartphone goes, the apps go as well.
Let’s say you have an overwhelming paper due by midnight and don’t plan to leave the house all day. When you take a break from typing, pull up a customized workout on your smartphone and get your blood pumping for 20 minutes. If there are only 10 minutes to spare, simply adjust the time restraints. If you find yourself bored with your current workout routine, flip through a variety of workouts on the apps listed below to find something new. The best part: each exercise is catered to your needs.
The following are some of the easiest to navigate -— and surprisingly free — exercise apps available on Android and iOS:
Android Exercise Apps
Freeletics Bodyweight
When you sign up, Freeletics creates a personalized profile for you based off your fitness level and three main goals (e.g., gain strength, lose weight and increase endurance). You have the option to freely explore the app or begin a training plan with your virtual coach; however, the coaching assistance requires a subscription after the first week free. What’s unique about Freeletics is that you must complete a workout to unlock the next. Each workout is specific to your profile, require no equipment and include video demonstrations for individual exercises. The app is available on the iPhone and Android smartphones.
Home Workout
Like Freeletics Bodyweight, Home Workout requires no equipment, making it easy for you to do some strength training while waiting for dinner to cook in the oven. Workouts are divided into muscle group categories, such as: back, shoulders, legs, arms, abs, chest or whole body. This app is for everyone since you can choose your level of intensity from beginner to advanced. To keep motivation high, you can set goals, form training plans and view BMI tracking reports. Each workout includes a specified time, amount of reps per set and animated people demonstrating each exercise. The app is available for the iPhone and Androids.
iOS Exercise Apps
Nike Training Club
Nike Training Club is proof of Nike’s heartfelt generosity, because downloading it is 100 percent free. Open the app to find workouts tailored just for your customized profile or browse the endless supply of workouts organized by muscle group, workout type or workout collection. You can also choose from no-equipment, athlete or short workouts. Menu options allow you to save your favorites, track activity or scroll through a feed to check out your friend’s NTC progress. The versatility of this app is what sets it apart. Wake up in the morning to complete a “Beginner’s Steady Flow Yoga”, then bust out a “Quick Core Crush” after class. The app is available for the iPhone and Androids.
MyFitnessPal
Though not entirely an “exercise app”, MyFitnessPal from Under Armour will certainly keep you in shape. When creating your profile, you’ll be asked to input your current weight, goal weight and current activity level. Based off on this information, MFP will customize daily goals for calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, and additional nutrients (e.g., fiber, vitamins, iron, etc.). In the main diary where you track your daily food intake, meals are inputted via diverse databases of food selections. MFP allows you to track monthly progress, complete challenges, add a step tracker device, and access their blog, updated daily with articles on wellness and nutrition written by professionals in the field.
Anywhere in life, the convenience factor heavily affects our decision making. As college students prone to over-committing, multitasking and constantly embarking on a quest for “balance”, we might as well master being busy now. And when it comes to fitness, these apps make it simple. So, next time you let out a reluctant sigh at the thought of another locker room shower before class or a day spent at the gym copying “whatever that guy’s doing”–remember, you have other options.