It's a new year, which usually brings feelings of a new beginning. No matter how far along you are in your journey, personally, warm weather gets me excited to move and be active! Now is a perfect time to get some help tracking your goals or just stepping them up from last year. Either way, the excitement of a fresh start is everywhere. With all this fitness inspiration swirling around, I wanted to share some of my favorite apps with you:
- MapMyFitness: This easy-to-use app records a variety of activities, but I use it for running. Using GPS, it displays a map of your route. It also displays length, time and distance of your activity, as well as your pace, maximum speed and calories burned.
- MyFitnessPal: Keep track of what you are eating with this one. It even has a barcode scanner you can use on the packaging of the food. The database of food is impressive, providing information on almost any food item scanned. You can customize how many meals and snacks you eat. It also allows you to set your fitness goals and track of your exercise and water intake. Follow friends or share with your trainer to make yourself accountable!
- Bit Timer: This simple timer is easy to use and effective. I love using a timer for runs/walks (1.5 min run, 30 sec walk). I also use timers for workouts, especially when I'm short on time or traveling. For example, I will pick 8 exercises and do each one for 50 seconds with a 10 second rest, and then repeat it a few times. Or I'll set it and do a Tabata workout. There are so many ways to use a timer; it's a great resource to have.
- Pocket Yoga: I've always wanted to do yoga outside of a studio, but I'm still a beginner and don't really know what I'm doing. Pocket Yoga comes with detailed voice instructions as well as videos on hundreds of different poses. There is information on the proper execution and benefits, too. You can also choose your difficulty level, practice and duration.
- Workout Trainer: This app provides you with a library of workout routines, including step-by-step audio and video instructions. Customize your own experience and recommended regimen, while also having access to create and edit your own personal workout routine.
These are apps that I use, but there are many more. I really should track my heart rate. Heart rate gives you a more accurate picture of endurance, fitness and calorie burn. I'm just doing my research to find the best one for me.
You can find an app for almost anything! So if you're looking to revamp your health and fitness goals, consider using an app. As the saying goes "What gets measured, gets managed". Follow Katie K Active's board Active Living Tips from Katie! on Pinterest.
Katie Kozloff-Banks, Wyomissing, is the owner of Taffy Activewear and Katie K Active. Her closets are full of fun activewear! Her favorite activewear lines, besides her own, include Puma and Reebok. Check out her collection at katiekactive.com.
