Nowadays, many technology brands (including technology giants) approach to fitness wearable devices and related mobile apps. The consequence is an overload of fitness trackers towards the market. Consumers may feel overwhelmed with conducting the appropriate choice, as well as feeling bombarded with information. At WT | Wearable Technologies, we believe that the best fitness tracker should be accommodated by the best fitness app. Thus, we have a list of fitness apps analysis that will rescue you from information overload, and eventually help you make the best decision.
Moov Now app is the most loved fitness app of 2014. It is pretty awesome because it incorporates 5 different programs to meet the demands of runners and walkers. Each program uses interval training to help burn more calories and to encourage you to run faster and further distances. The app provides you with different levels allowing you to challenge yourself. The higher the level, the tougher the interval. Besides challenging you to be more fit, Moov Now is really easy to use. You simply connect Moov to the smartphone app. You can strap Moov to your ankle or wrist. A plus for Moov is it that gives you instant motivational feedback through your headphone; like “keep going”, “look ahead” or even “is everything ok?” when you start to walk. In addition, the app allows you to connect with Facebook and share your latest achievement with your friends.
The best thing is everything it tracks is an actionable part of your run; from your pace to your cadence. Even the range motion in your stride is displayed alongside pace, time and distance. You can review graphs and charts of all your runs. This easy interface explains in an extremely accurate ways your body’s metrics and advises you on how to improve your scores.
Pros:
- Good for coaches and dedicated athletes
- Tracks activity
- Displays progress
- A great choice for all sport abilities
- Easy to use
- 6 months battery life
Cons:
- The coach voice is sometimes robotic and annoying
- Provides only basic activity tracking
- Only works with Moov wearable device
If you want to run faster, longer; become fitter, leaner and stronger; and even check your shoe’s quality; Adidas miCoach is for you. This app will turn your smartphone into your personal trainer. miCoach provides real-time guidance and voice coaching to help you train efficiently to achieve your goal faster. The app includes hundreds of free training plans to help you lose weight, tone your muscles, build strength and improve your flexibility. The process begins with connecting the wearable via Bluetooth. miCoach’s heart rate monitor and SPEED_CELL record accurate cardio, pace and distance data. To create a more fun experience for your training routine miCoach app automatically shares your workout to your social network such as Facebook, Twitter, MyFitnessPal and the Micoach community.
The best feature is that the miCoach app allows you to listen to your favourite music while you are training. Additionally, train and run app is also equipped with cool shoe wear that will remind you when your shoe is not ideal for your training anymore.
Pros:
- It’s free (but you have to pay for the wearable)
- Easy to use
- Connects to your favourite music
- Can be equipped with other wearable devices
- Provides shoe wear feature
Cons:
- It use finicky GPS
- It’s accuracy is normal level
Strava app is another best app for those athletes that love running. Similar to Moov Now app and Micoach; Strava app is a “run and ride” tracker equipped with GPS. It can provide stats like distance, pace, speed, elevation gained and calories burned. The most interesting experience with Strava app is that it lets you set personal records and compete with friends. With Strava you can share your activities on Facebook and Twitter. You can even see which of your friends are currently running or riding. Moreover, there is a new monthly challenge designed for you to push your abilities to the limit.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Free
- It knows how to motivate users
Cons:
- Its updating speed is quite slow sometimes
If you are working to improve every rep, every set and every workout, Athos is your next workout buddy. Athos app provides an insight view about how your body is performing throughout your workout; such as muscle exertion, muscle form, muscle balance, heart rate, active time and rest time. Athos app programs three clear views for you to see your body movement. The app provides a line view which is a visual display of your muscle effort and form during your workout in real time. Besides the line view, Athos score tells you how hard your body is working; muscle effort, heart rate and active time. Secondly, the app gives analysis view that allows you to see your previous line for review before your next set. Athos also allows you to set personal goals. Once you reach your goal you’re congratulated! Last but not least, the app shows a total workout review.
Pros:
- Easy and comfortable to use
- High accuracy
- Allows you to write notes for each workout to keep track records
- Shows if you are preforming an exercise incorrectly with advice on how to change
- Displays progress with every set
- Displays which muscle you are targeting
Cons:
- It only works with Athos core wearable
- It is unable to delete old workouts
- Rate of perceived exertion can be easily manipulated by having programs accidently on
My Fitnesspal app is one the highest rated apps for wellness and weight loss. It contains the largest food database; approximately 5,000,000 foods. With the combination of exercise entry, and calorie tracking My Fitnesspal can help you shed your extra pounds within less than 5 minutes of smartphone use a day. The best feature is that it is completely easy to use. You can track food calories by simply scanning the barcode. The app can recognized over 4 million food barcodes. All major nutrition is provided; such as calories, sugar, fast, carbohydrates, sugar, proteins, and cholesterol.
Pros:
- It’s free and easy to use
- It provides a mass food database
- All changes made via your smartphone are also made on the website account
- Provides instant feedback
- It’s so flexible that your personal diet profile can change to fit your specific needs even when you are on a strict diet.
Cons:
- Sometimes, the barcode scanning function cannot recognize your food barcode (can be solved with an update)
- It does not allow you to add the amount of food consumption
- It needs wireless signal to record your food and activity diary
Hopefully you are now able to choose your most suitable fitness app! Remember wearable tracking devices are here to assist you to live a healthy lifestyle. Staying fit has never been easier. Time for you to hit the gym or the outdoors and push your limits!
