We all know we need to exercise more often, more strenuously, and smarter, but how? The answer is in your pocket, hip, or purse. That’s right: it’s time for best Android apps for exercising. To make this list convenient, I will be dividing the apps up into categories based on the type of exercise (yoga, running, and weightlifting).
Yoga:
Yoga is a fantastic way to work your flexibility, balance, and control over your body, and the Google Play store has plenty of apps to satisfy even the most advanced of Yogis.
1. Yoga.com Studio:
Yoga.com Studio is a perfect application for those just starting out with Yoga, while still offering a challenge for those who have years of experience under their belts. The app is free to download and is supported by in-app purchases to gain access to the app’s extended features. All poses are free to view and learn about, but if you want to follow a pre-installed program, you’re going to have to pay $1.99. All the poses have HD video demonstrations and 3D muscle images to help you learn what exactly you need to be working on during your workout. If you want to get a premium app, but aren’t sure that Yoga is for you, check out Yoga.com Studio.
Play Store Download Link
2. Daily Yoga:
Daily Yoga is by far the most popular yoga app on the market, with downloads in the 1-5 million range. As far as options go, Daily Yoga is one of the most feature-filled yoga applications available. You can choose from between 50 classes and 400 yoga poses to practice for your workout and 3 workout intensities for beginners, intermediates, and advanced yogis. There’s also a forum to communicate with other practitioners of yoga and a way to follow and chat with other yogis. The app is updated monthly with new content.
Play Store Download Link
3. Pocket Yoga:
If you’re certain that you’re into yoga and willing to make an investment, Pocket Yoga is available for $3 on the market. It’s worth the premium as well. With Pocket Yoga, you get 200 poses with posture and alignment, detailed voice instructions with guides for every pose with inhalation and exhalation timing, and a dictionary with the benefits of each pose. The app also tracks your progress with a log to see how far you’ve gone into your yoga journey. Lastly, you can play your own music from your music library during your yoga sessions so you can control your relaxation with a special playlist.
Play Store Download Link
Running:
It’s common knowledge that running is one of the simplest, most reliable ways to get in shape. But how far? How intense? Just let these next few apps clear up the confusion for you. Plus, they are all Android Wear and Google Fit compatible
1. Runkeeper:
This is my personal favorite and the app I use for my jogging journeys. Using your device’s GPS, the app can track running, cycling, or hiking and keeps your pace, distance, time, and burned Calories. You can follow a popular running route for your area, or you can run wherever your heart desires. The app tracks your progress and workouts, and also lets you snap pics of your route for when you pass the most beautiful landmark.
Play Store Download Link
2. Nike+ Running:
Nike+ Running is the popular running app that specializes in pushing you to the brink of your athletic endurance, whatever it takes. If competition is your thing (I know it sure is for me), you can compete with your friends to try to get to the top of the leaderboard, or you can have a head-to-head challenge against your archrival. If you’re new to running, you can get a training program to follow. Lastly, when you hit the wall, and you just can get your runners’ high, you can get a Power Song at the press of a button to keep you going!
Play Store Download Link
3. Runtastic:
Runtastic is more of the same: It monitors time, speed, distance, and your route. However, one thing that separates Runtastic from the others is it’s simpler Google Earth style view of your route. Social networking is tied in easily so you can share your results from your workout. If your device has at least Kitkat, you can listen to your music through your running app. Android Wear is of course able to control the app so you can conveniently check your goals without stopping.
Play Store Download Link
Weightlifting
No one wants to be scrawny, but there’s more to weightlifting than just developing a physique. In order to increase your metabolism and lower your body fat percentage, you’ll have to hit the weights. But where do you start? Keep reading for some apps with answers.
1. StrongLifts:
If you’re trying to make the most progress in the least amount of time while learning how to make gains in the gym, StrongLifts is by far the best place to start. Ask any classic bodybuilder for the best way for a beginner to see progress, and you’ll hear about Reg Park’s 5×5 program. StrongLifts is the perfect app to teach you about the 5×5 program and 5/3/1 program and give you the tools to accomplish it. The app is free, but if you pay extra, you can get weight and plate calculators in addition to the logs and calendars already included.
Play Store Download Link
2. Fitness Buddy:
Fitness Buddy’s ideology is more is better. More endorsements, more exercises, more routines, and more videos. Over 1700 exercises, 1000 HD videos 4000 videos, and 75 routines are included in the application. Also included are graphs for tracking body progress and measurements. ESPN, Gizmodo, and Lifehacker all recommend Fitness Buddy to anyone looking to learn how to make progress in the gym. If you really want to learn the most you can about exercise, this app is a must-have!
Play Store Download Link
3. BodySpace
The key to making lasting change in your body and health is usually a string support group. People that want to see you succeed can help you motivate yourself to push harder and accomplish more physically. BodySpace knows this and gives you the perfect way to connect with like-minded people and break goals together. The app itself is simple: you get a calendar and a training program depending on what you want to see change, and you track your progress with the Fitness Tracker. Along the way, meet new people to trade tricks with and watch your gains skyrocket!
Play Store Download Link
These are my favorite Android apps for exercising. Did I miss any of your favorites? Please let me know in the comments.
Come comment on this article: The Best Android apps for yoga, running, and weightlifting [November 2014]
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