Health and Fitness apps

What’s your goal for 2020? To lose weight? Gain muscle? Exercise more regularly? Train for an event? Or simply just lead a healthier lifestyle? Whatever you want to achieve, there’s a health and fitness app to help you! But with so many options, it’s hard to know which one is right for you… So, here are our top picks to kick-start 2020, your best year yet!

Best for runners and cyclists - Strava

This activity sharing app allows you to track and upload activities using GPS data. Strava has created a community of millions and the facility to comment on each other’s activities. The app records all of your data to help you analyse and share your performances. For the more competitive runners/cyclists, see how high you can work your way up the Strava leader boards built on popular sections of routes – could you be king or queen of the mountain?

Best for lifestyle - MyFitnessPal

Need a change in 2020? Want to lead a healthier lifestyle but don’t know how? Well look no further! MyFitnessPal is a super easy to use app designed to inspire healthy lifestyles. Simply pop in the meals you’ve eaten throughout the day and it will work out the calories against your daily target, calculated from your weight goal and tell you how much you have left. It will give you a great sense of which foods you regularly eat are good or bad for you encouraging healthier choices to help manage weight.

Best for hardcore cyclists - The Sufferfest

The Sufferfest offers an ever-growing catalogue of entertaining training videos using several years’ worth of licensed race footage from events such as the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. This app also integrates with heart-rate monitors, power meters, cadence sensor and more for interactive trainer workouts. But, what Sufferfest has that sets itself apart from the rest is its own brand of humour. Sessions are set in ‘Sufferlandria’, and there’s often a story line in which you are representing the Sufferlandrian team. Definitely worth a try!

Best for home workouts - FIIT

Known to as the “Netflix of fitness apps”, this well-designed app will actually make you want to exercise more! The mixture of a professional and fun feel makes the interactive workouts a premium experience not to be missed. You will also receive a heart-monitoring chest strap when you sign up – this links up to the app and will track your progress as you work out. By integrating your stats on screen, offering real-time performance metrics alongside personal goals, it will feel like you’re in your own video game!

Best for swimmers - SWIMTAG

SWIMTAG is smart pool technology and it’s FREE to use with our FREE Places memberships! Find out how to get your Places membership here. Once you've become a member with us, you can sign up for SWIMTAG and then log in on the app after each swim to review your performance. SWIMTAG will keep you up to date with your progress and achievements. It will notify you of your new personal best as well as competitions and challenges to keep you motivated! Learn more about SWIMTAG here.

Best for fitness - Places Locker

Last but definitely not least, our very own Places Locker app. Your very own go-to fitness partner! It tracks all your activity on public and private leader boards, offering new workouts, digital challenges and quick access to booking in-centre classes. Plus, you can pair it with a range of different apps and wearables like SWIMTAG. Why not try out our app? Find out more here.

References

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/the-future-of-fitness-

https://blog.nasm.org/fitness/3-ways-technology-can-motivate-clients-exercise/

https://pi-nutrition.com/how-social-media-can-help-you-achieve-your-fitness-goals/

https://everydaypower.com/how-health-apps-motivate-you/

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/tag/strava

https://www.forbes.com/sites/leebelltech/2019/01/02/best-health-and-fitness-apps-2019/#1023e6eaca53

https://uk.pcmag.com/mobile-apps/42450/the-best-fitness-apps