With the new year come new resolutions, and among the most common are getting healthier, exercising more, losing weight and, in many cases, a combination of all three.
Numerous tools are available to help people pursue their New Year’s fitness goals, but few are more convenient than smartphone apps. The question is: Which fitness app is the best choice?
The answer depends largely on a person’s goals, preferred activities and the information they want to track. Below are seven notable fitness apps offering free features. One caveat: While each app can be downloaded for free, some features may require a paid subscription or in-app purchase.
MyNetDiary
MyNetDiary is designed for people interested in tracking nutrition, calories, exercise and weight-management progress. Its free tools include a food diary, barcode scanner, water tracker and tracking for calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat and other nutrients. Premium plans add features such as specialized meal plans, advanced reports and additional coaching tools.
Best for: Food, calorie and nutrition tracking
Availability: Apple and Android devices; free with optional paid features
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal offers an extensive database containing whole foods, packaged products and restaurant meals. Users can record food, water and exercise while monitoring calories and nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates and fat. Some tools, including barcode scanning and more advanced nutrition features, require a paid plan.
Best for: Tracking meals, calories and macronutrients
Availability: Apple and Android devices; free with optional Premium plans
Nike Training Club
Nike Training Club provides trainer-led classes, self-guided whiteboard workouts and multiday fitness programs. Its workout library includes strength training, conditioning, yoga, Pilates, mobility, recovery and mindfulness content. Options are available for different experience levels, schedules and equipment needs.
Best for: Free guided workouts at home or in the gym
Availability: Apple and Android devices; free Nike membership required
Caliber
Caliber focuses primarily on strength training and muscle development. The app includes customizable workout plans, exercise demonstrations, progress charts, rest timers and tools for recording weights, repetitions and completed workouts. The core workout app is free, while one-on-one fitness coaching is available as a paid upgrade.
Best for: Strength training and tracking gym progress
Availability: Apple and Android devices; free with optional paid coaching
FitOn
FitOn offers hundreds of on-demand fitness videos covering cardio, high-intensity interval training, strength, dance, yoga, Pilates, barre and stretching. It also includes personalized fitness plans, guided meditations and workouts that can be completed at home with little or no equipment. Optional paid features are available, but many workouts can be accessed for free.
Best for: Beginners and people who prefer home workouts
Availability: Apple and Android devices; free with optional in-app purchases
Strava
Strava records runs, bike rides, walks, hikes and many other activities using GPS data from a smartphone or compatible fitness device. Users can review their routes and performance, participate in challenges and share activities with friends. More advanced route-planning, training and performance-analysis tools require a subscription.
Because recorded activities may contain location information, users should review Strava’s privacy and map-visibility settings before sharing workouts.
Best for: Running, cycling, hiking and social fitness tracking
Availability: Apple and Android devices; free with an optional subscription
Map My Walk
Map My Walk uses GPS to record walking routes, distance, duration, pace, elevation and estimated calories burned. It can provide audio updates during a walk, store previous routes and connect users with challenges and a broader fitness community. The app also supports hundreds of additional activity types. Advanced training plans and performance tools are available through its paid MVP subscription.
Best for: Walking, step goals and GPS route tracking
Availability: Apple and Android devices; free with ads and optional paid features
These are only a handful of the fitness apps available, and the best option will vary from one person to another. Before downloading an app, review its current features, subscription terms and privacy practices in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Anyone beginning a new exercise or weight-management program — particularly those with an existing medical condition — should consider speaking with a qualified health care professional first.
A dependable wireless connection makes it easier to stream workouts, sync fitness information and stay connected while pursuing health goals at home or on the go. To learn more about FTC Wireless plans and devices, visit ftc.net, call 888-218-5050 or stop by one of FTC’s store locations.
