Fitness Apps to Stay Motivated

There are many good ways to stay motivated to exercise. Now, in this technological age, our smartphones and computers give us access to a variety of applications. I found some for you that are, in my opinion, quite useful and effective!

Weight Loss Apps

By far the most popular of its category, MyFitnessPal (MFP) helps you assess your daily caloric expenditure and caloric intake. You can also set objectives, and MFP will help you reach them. You can also talk to other users on a training /nutrition forum. Finally, you can save your daily results for a long-term track record.

Available for: iOS, Windows, Blackberry, iPhone, and Android

The +:

• Free
• User-friendly
• Compatible with many other apps (you can synchronize your data from other apps)
• Members can write the nutritional data of what they eat, and most of all, share it with other members
• 50 millions users, which allows for fast improvement of the content

The -:

• Can sometimes lack flexibility if you have more specific objectives
• It is not possible to buy an ad-free version, which can be annoying
• The same foods appear several times with different nutritional data
• Overestimates caloric expenditure for some activities

Gym Apps

For indoor training, you can try an app that was designed in Quebec: Total Coaching (TC). This app allows you to create or receive training programs through an image database. It is also possible to view the exercises in motion to ensure proper technique. In addition, Total Coaching allows personal trainers to send programs to their customers. You can even access your session with your cell phone! Gone are the days when losing your workout plan was synonymous with losing your program forever! Using Total Coaching, you can quantify both your daily caloric expenditure and intake, and access a training/nutrition forum with active trainers helping members.

Available for: iOS, Windows, iPhone, and Android

7-day free trial

The +:

• Product from Quebec
• User-friendly physical activity calendar
• High flexibility in the choice of objectives
• Possibility to create your own workout routines and foods
• Interesting visual content
• Very useful for efficient communication with your trainer
• Technical support is open to suggestions
• This app is used by Nautilus Plus trainers and nutritionists

The -:

• It can sometimes be hard to find the right food
• Can’t share foods/recipes with other members
• Overestimates caloric expenditure for some activities

GPS Apps for Running or Cycling

There is a wide array of apps for running or cycling. Finding the right one for you can be a real headache. Fortunately, the Web site AppCrawl is entirely dedicated to comparing the various available apps to help you make the right choice. And you, what are your favourite apps?

By Xavier Jutras

Fitness Apps to Stay Motivated is a post from Nautilus Plus. The Nautilus Plus blog aims to help people in their journey to fitness through articles on training, nutrition, motivation, exercise and healthy recipes.
Copyright © Nautilus Plus 2014