Instep Desk

If you are trying to shed those extra pounds or want to become physically active or maintain an overall healthy lifestyle, one easy solution is to download a fitness app.

Mobile apps are ideal assistants for health, fitness, and weight loss because they are always with us and can be personalized to fit our schedule.

In order to stay fit, daily habits and lifestyle changes go a long way. At a time when so much of what we consume is through our phones, some nudges from our smart phones to meet fitness goals can make all the difference. No matter what kind of motivation or daily urging you need, there are countless fitness-related apps available for both Android and iPhones that are free, easy to use and push you in the right direction.

Instep shortlists five fitness apps that not only provide step-by-step instructions, but will motivate, coach and help you track your daily progress.

Couch to 5K

The name says it all. The app is designed for complete beginners to spend around 20 to 30 minutes working out, three times a week, to get 5K-ready. The free nine-week programme gives users three workouts per week. The training tools allow you to log your workouts. Your distance and pace progress can be monitored in the graphs section, and workouts can be manually entered if you train on a treadmill.

A choice of four interactive, motivating virtual coaches helps you to stay on track, while audio cues guide you through each workout. The app syncs with your phone’s playlist so that you can listen to your favorite tracks while running.

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular health and fitness apps available presently. The app’s database of more than 6 million foods makes it easy to track your diet, no matter what you eat. It’s compatible with a number of fitness trackers, which means MyFitnessPal can estimate how many calories you burn automatically by pulling in your activity data from your tracker. This app helps you become more aware of your eating habits and also determines how much exercise it takes to burn off the food that you consume.

Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout

This app is best for beginners. The app guides users through the original 7-minute workout, as well as more advanced routines of varying duration and intensity, complete with short videos. Unlike other seven-minute workout apps, The Johnson & Johnson app adjusts its level of difficulty based on your current fitness level. It’s great for travelers, as it doesn’t require anything more than a chair. A Smart Workout feature functions as your personal trainer and you can even create your own custom workout routines.

Sworkit

Sworkit is an abbreviation for Simply Work It. It is the perfect app for people who don’t want to deal with gyms, but are dedicated to getting leaner, fitter, stronger, or all three. Rather than focusing on set exercise routines, Sworkit users can create targeted workout routines. All you have to do is tell Sworkit the type of workout you’re looking for (strength, cardio, yoga, pilates or stretching) and the amount of time you’ve got (anywhere from five minutes to an hour). Sworkit builds you a routine of random exercises that will fit your goals. Each workout is different, making sure that you stay alert and are never bored.

JEFIT

JEFIT is the essential app for gym-goers. The app serves as an incredible resource for users looking to do strength training. If you are a gym beginner, JEFIT provides you with more than 60 routines devised by the JEFIT team, or you can access more than 2,000 community-created plans to get you started. Loaded with an exercise database of thousands of routines sorted by targeted body parts, the app comes complete with a workout planner, exercise log, progress tracker and numerous timers. An exercise dashboard displays an excess of 1,300 exercises for weight lifting equipment and cardio machines, and it provides visual step-by-step instructions on how to complete the exercises, as well as useful tips.