Viral Now - Six Great Fitness Apps to Improve Your Workouts

Today there are many new fitness apps hitting the virtual market each month. Using too many can be confusing. However, five or six apps can really make a difference in your routine. Whether it’s structure that you need or a boost in the motivation department, these are some of the top picks out there if you’re looking for that extra edge at the gym.

1. Charity Miles

If motivation is your issue with exercising, this fun and free app solves that problem. With Charity Miles, you use the app to track your mileage whenever you walk, run, or bike. You can browse a list of popular charities. Pick one before you start exercising, and the investors will donate a certain amount to your chosen charity for each of your miles. There are also group tracking features if you want to encourage your friends to exercise and earn with you.

2. Digifit iCardio

If you have a compatible heart rate monitor or can buy one for $50 to $100, this simple free app is just as good as a personal trainer for cardio workouts. It collects data about your workout which you can use to develop your own customized cardio workout plan using specific target zones for weight loss or health maintenance.

3. FitStar

This versatile app is free for the basic version. Also, you can upgrade to the premium level for $39.99 per year or $7.99 per month. FitStar helps you build customized workouts using your fitness level as a guide. This allows you to ease back into those hard workouts without injuring or overexerting yourself. Since FitStar is owned by Fitbit, most of the devices are compatible with the app. To keep you motivated, your cheerful virtual workout coach is Tony Gonzalez from the NFL.

4. Jefit Workout

If you lift weights as part of your workout regimen or want to start, this app is a must. Tracking your reps and sets helps you improve your routine safely and slowly. This app lets you ditch paper and pen and enter your info. quickly. There are also tools for building new weight workouts, and a calendar feature lets you plan which days to lift and which ones to rest. For a one-time fee of $4.99, this app is worth it for both light and heavy lifting regimens.

5. MyFitnessPal

This free app is ideal regardless of your workout frequency. Use it to enter what you eat throughout the day for an easy calorie and nutrition tally. When you exercise, use it to track your activity and measure how many calories were burned. The comparison along with your daily recommendations gives you a clear picture of what you need to change or avoid. This app has one of the largest food and drink databases. In addition to Android and iOS, it is available on Windows and Blackberry.

6. Pact

This free app was also known as Gympact in the past. Since motivation is a key element to fitness success that many people lack, this app teaches you how to get it back with a unique twist. When using Pact, you make a wager on whether you will go to the gym and complete your chosen workout goals, and the wager is put into a communal pot with the bets of other app users. If you do complete your goals, you lose nothing. If you exceed your goals, you earn cash. Staying home and skipping will cost you money. How’s that for a motivator?

All of the apps in this list are available on iOS and Android devices. With these great options, there is no need to wait until the new year to make healthier eating and exercising resolutions.

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