Do fitness apps really work? The answer may surprise you. Apps can rival the quality of a gym membership, and can cost less than a single month’s membership. Some people prefer using fitness apps over going to the gym. Others may not have the time or schedule to work out during the normal hours. Whichever way you choose to exercise, keep the following points in mind:
The benefits of exercise are many. While moderate to vigorous exercise can improve your health and wellbeing, long-term sedentary behavior can be detrimental. While fitness apps can motivate you to exercise more regularly, they aren’t enough to prevent you from engaging in unhealthy habits. Some people simply don’t find the motivation to do exercise. If this is you, fitness apps may be the perfect solution for you. This way, you can use these apps to get motivated and stay on track with your health goals.
Another benefit of fitness apps is that they help people improve their overall health. The study conducted by Mary Jung, assistant professor at UBC’s Okanagan School of Health and Exercise Sciences, found that users of fitness apps were more active than those who did not use an app. This may not be surprising, since the majority of fitness apps encourage dieters to consume fewer calories and exercise more regularly. But, this approach doesn’t work for everyone, especially when apps don’t motivate people to change their lifestyles.
Another benefit of fitness apps is convenience. Many of them have built-in workout videos for you to follow, which are 25 to 35 minutes long. You can easily complete your workout anywhere, and the app will automatically count your progress for you. Many users swear by the workout videos. They are easy to follow, convenient, and cost less than a single gym membership. Moreover, many apps let you practice any exercises wherever you want, even when you’re in the middle of a busy day.
Some of the most popular fitness apps are the Fitbit, Nike+, and Runtastic. They all have good functionality and provide regular updates. The calendars of these fitness apps also integrate stats, comparing your current week’s activity to last week’s. These stats will sync with MyFitnessPal or Strava. Moreover, the fitbit and runtastic apps are free to download. If you’re not convinced yet, try them out for a few weeks.
Another popular app for exercising is the JEFIT app. It offers workout tips, tools, and an active support community. This app is available for both iOS and Android. It is available for free on the App Store, but you can pay $6.99 for the premium version if you wish to access all of its features and workout plans. If you want to enjoy extra features and ad-free experience, you should opt for the premium membership.
The popularity of fitness apps is due to the increasing awareness of the importance of physical activity. People use health apps to monitor their fitness progress and set personal goals. They also make it easier to track your progress and see results fast, which can be motivating. Using a fitness app is a cheaper alternative to joining a gym and hiring a personal trainer. This way, you can stay motivated to reach your goals. So, do fitness apps really work?