The survey “The Health That Brazilians Want”, carried out by PoderData Institute, brought some very worrying information: only 10% of Brazilians said they were in “good” or “excellent” health. 43% said they were in “bad” or “terrible” health: a result that is not at all fitness-friendly.

Whether you’re young or older, are you doing any kind of physical activity? Or do you need a boost of motivation to work out? Whatever your answer, these 6 fitness apps can help you create a healthier lifestyle.

Exercising is one of the most important routines, as it strengthens your immune system, improves your cardiovascular health and, of course, boosts your self-esteem! Everyone wants to feel better when they look in the mirror, right? 

Take advantage of the tips from fitness apps, put on your sneakers, wear comfortable clothes and start burning some calories!

Before we begin…

It is important to respect certain steps, such as:

• Get a medical evaluation: Before starting any exercise program, it is important to have a check-up with your doctor;
• Set goals: Want to lose weight? Tone your muscles? Improve your cardiorespiratory endurance? Think about your goals: they are essential for you to achieve the perfect program!
• Choose something you like: There’s no point in forcing yourself to do an activity you hate. Try different activities, find your favorite, dedicate yourself and monitor the results closely!
• Start slowly: If you overdo it during your workouts, you may experience severe muscle pain, shortness of breath, or even injury. Don't rush;
• Warm up: Many people like to jump straight into their workout and “forget” to warm up. Remember: warming up is essential to avoid injuries and prepare your muscles for what’s to come;
• Respect your limits: Do you start to feel unwell? Stop and continue later. If the discomfort persists, seek medical attention.

The 6 best fitness apps

1 – Runkeeper

Image: runkeeper.com

ASICS, one of the most famous brands of fitness clothing and footwear in the world, is the developer of one of the best fitness apps on the market. If you want to walk, run or cycle and measure your distance and performance, Runkeeper may be what you are looking for. 

In addition to the total distance traveled, the app also informs you of the estimated calories burned during your workout. This is not an exact indication, of course, but it serves as a basis for designing your diet correctly and responsibly.

Voice capabilities can be used to announce your goals and personal bests, as well as keep you motivated during your workout.

2 – Nike Training Club (NTC)

Image: nike.com

The sports products brand that needs no introduction also has an excellent app to help you achieve your goals objectively.

Users can request training schedules for any type of sport. There are several free options, including strength, cardio, yoga, and mobility. No matter your fitness level, this fitness app customizes each plan based on your personal information, such as weight and height.

Don't know what to eat before or after training? NTC gives nutrition and well-being tips for everyone. 

In addition, the app has a large number of achievements so you can surpass yourself every day!

3 – MyFitnessPal

Image: PCGuia

This great fitness app helps you track your calorie expenditure and diet so that your workouts are at their best. It’s no wonder that the software’s slogan is “Good health starts with what you eat.”

Set health goals based on your needs and availability throughout the day with MyFitnessPal. There are over 14 million foods registered in its database!

Track your records in a simplified way and be part of the online community to stay motivated and achieve your goals!

4 – Strava

Image: Google Play

This is a fitness app focused on running, cycling and trail running. It’s a kind of “social network” for lovers of these sports: you can connect with other people who are passionate about the same activities that you love and even schedule group training sessions!

Strava is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its interactive features – especially among cyclists. You can compare your performance with that of your friends, set goals and objectives together, etc. 

Strava collects all the information needed to evaluate athletes' performance: distance covered, pace, speed, route, heart rate, estimated calorie expenditure, etc.

5 – FitOn

Image: Google Play

The focus of this fitness app is calisthenics: physical workouts that can be done with little or no equipment. People with busy lives can take advantage of this modality to break out of inertia and train without leaving home! 

One of the attractions of this app is that it broadcasts classes taught by international celebrities, such as Halle Berry, Gab Union, Jeanette Jenkins and Kenta Seki. 

In addition to videos, audios and animations, FitOn also tracks your progress throughout your journey to a healthier life.

6 – Down Dog

Image: downdogapp.com

Down Dog is a complete app with an interesting difference: watch video classes with all the necessary instructions to execute each movement perfectly.

All instructions are recorded and are divided as follows: Beginner 1 and 2, Intermediate 1 and 2 and Advanced. Practice yoga, HIIT, meditation, barre and prenatal yoga with plenty of interactivity!

These types of activities not only improve physical fitness, but also strengthen concentration and reduce daily stress.

Conclusion

Letting go of laziness is quite complicated at first, but it is quite rewarding in the medium and long term: both your body and mind start to function better. 

Don't like lifting weights at the gym? Try calisthenics: do them anywhere, anytime! The important thing is to never stand still.

It is important to mention that all the fitness apps mentioned, although free, have paid versions that provide additional features.

Leave your opinions about the applications above in the comments! Have you used any of them?