Top 10 Fitness Apps That Will Really Give You Results (Part I)

Everyone wants to have a fit body. But many people—like nurses—just can’t seem to find the time to squeeze a workout into their hectic lives even just three times a week. Some busy people even stop exercising altogether yet they really want to get back to some type of fitness program. But who wants to take the time to try to plan a new workout program—especially if you have to use pen and paper or type it into a computer? It’s just easier to not exercise at all, right? Well, in today’s world if you’ve got an iPad, android or iPhone, then you can access fitness routines in just a few taps. Fitness apps can assist you in obtaining your fitness goals with immediate tips and statistics, interactive features and GPS technology. But which apps are the best? Good question! Let’s explore the first five of the top ten fitness apps that actually work for you.

FitStar Basic

Compatible with: iPad and iPhone; Price: Free

This app is a favorite among many people because it’s similar to having your very own fitness trainer right in your shirt pocket. FitStar eliminates any guessing when it comes to your workouts; it customizes your fitness program according to your goals, abilities and, even more significantly, feedback from you. Every workout is guided by NFL’s Tony Gonzalez and when you finish the exercise, the app asks you to rate that particular workout. Then, depending on your responses, the app will alter the exercise making it either less or more intense. This gives you achievable extended goals as well as possible exercise routines. You’ll be taught at your desired fitness level by FitStar—it doesn’t matter if you’re a workout enthusiast or new to exercise. If you’re looking for additional help, try downloading FitStar Premium at $4.99 per month; you’ll get private access to nutritional information as well as more exercise programs.

RunKeeper

Compatible with: Android, iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch; Price: Free with Premium Option

This long-time fitness app is still one of the best ones available. This is the most full-featured app that can track your activity using a GPS. There are numerous exercise programs to choose from like “Lose Weight” or “Get Fit”—it all depends on what your goals are. Many heart rate monitors are synced with RunKeeper and their information is placed into your fitness statistics. You can also develop your own exercise routine to include such things as distance or time in addition to warm-up/cool-down sessions and intended speed. With RunKeeper you’re able to adjust the audio data you get like distance, regular pace and time; likewise you can regulate the volume and frequency of the audio feedback. RunKeeper’s Elite plan presents the ability to compare workouts, advanced reporting and much more—all for $20 a year.

Hot5

Compatible with: iPhone; Price: Free

Hot5 contains page after page of five minute, modern looking, easy-to-follow exercise videos with everything from flexibility and yoga to core and abs. It’s no wonder that this app is at the top of the list! You’ll get a really good workout with just five moves and there are many different exercises and intensity levels to discover. The Hot5 interface is clear-cut and very user-friendly; it even allows you to bypass the sign-up and personal questionnaire. A terrific feature of Hot 5 is that whether you’re a novice or advanced exerciser, you can utilize it as a workout for your whole body or as an add-on to your exercise program. For example, for your full body routine, just mix and match videos; or you can select a five-minute ab video after you’ve just come back from your morning run.

Nike Training Club

Compatible with: Android and iPhone; Price: Free

This is a terrific fitness-on-the-go app which is very goal-related. Depending upon if you’d like to get stronger, tone up or become lean, the app will ask you to select a personal routine and you’ll be able to improve your workouts by customizing the drills. The app hands out trophies when you hit a certain milestone which can be shared with your friends on Twitter and Facebook. For even more inspiration, NTC comes with a collection of video exercises instructed by elite athletes such as tennis’ beautiful Maria Sharapova and soccer’s Sydney Leroux. When you need more motivation, you can bet this app will provide it!

Pact

Compatible with: Android and iPhone; Price: Free

Here’s another app that’s a great boost to your motivation for not only exercising but eating healthier. But this app motivates you with money! Start by deciding how many days per week you think you’ll be able to exercise; then you’ll need to select a dollar amount that you’d be agreeable to gamble with. True, this seems a bit risky at the beginning, but Pact has stated that over 92% of their member’s goals have been attained by this bonus-driven app. How will the app know if you do or don’t achieve your goals? Members of Pact prove your goals with pictures of your healthy meals or gym check-ins. So what happens if you don’t reach your set goal? Well, you’ll lose your money via your credit card. But if you do reach your set goal for the week, you’ll get paid that same amount of money; you’ll also receive a notification every week of your losses or earnings.

Stay tuned for more interesting fitness apps in the second part. Until then, why not sample a few of these apps for yourself?