The best sports apps of 2016 according to Lifehacker

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-13 00:26

Life hacker and cashback service have put together apps for you that will turn jogging into exciting adventures, provide you with free and effective workout programs, help you master different yoga directions and finally go through the right number of steps per day.

Tabata. Interval workouts

If you want to exercise but are short on time, it's time to try tabata, a high-intensity interval training session.

Appendix “Tabata. Interval training”introduces you to this technique. You can choose standard workouts for different muscle groups (complexes for working out the upper and lower body parts, for intense fat burning, work on the muscles of the hips and buttocks) or create your own.

Since each exercise is performed for a specific time, the app has a large timer with sound notifications. So you can do your best without looking at the screen.

In order not to miss workouts, you can create a plan and set reminders in the application, and the "Statistics" section will help keep you motivated.

Runtastic

With the Runtastic app, you must fall in love with running and make it a part of your life.

In addition to standard features such as building and tracking a run route, monitoring speed, distance traveled and heart rate (if you have a compatible heart rate monitor), Runtastic offers many options for more interesting workouts.

First of all, music. Since Runtastic can be integrated with Google Play, you don't have to compose your own running track sets. You can listen to special playlists.

If you train only to your favorite tracks, Runtastic allows you to listen to songs from your phone memory or music services.

For those who lack motivation while running, there is a PowerSong button. Set the most inspiring song and play it at the right time. In addition, the app tells you the distance traveled by voice, which is also good support.

For those who are bored of training just like that, there are special scenarios. For example, you can run away from predators, following the directions of a magical eagle, or get stuck in a dashingly twisted detective story. However, so far the scripts are only in English and German.

The Runtastic app is free, however many features are only available for $ 9.99 per month. However, it's not a fact that you will need paid features.

Athlete PRO

If you do not like gyms and prefer to train with your own body weight, the "Sportsman PRO" application will help you diversify your workouts and track your progress.

The application contains various exercises without free weights and simulators: burpees, push-ups, pull-ups, leg raises and others. There are workouts for working out the upper and lower parts of the body and a set for exercising outdoors. You can compose a workout from just the existing exercises or add your own.

In addition, the app will remind you of your workouts and collect statistics so you can track your progress. Simple, convenient, free and no ads.

Nike + Run Club

One of the most popular running apps. Plus it's free.

Nike + Run Club collects and stores data about your run: pace, heart rate (if you have a heart rate monitor), distance, climbs. During your workout, the app tells you this information to cheer you up.

You can listen to music from the phone's memory or the Spotify application and turn on your power song at the right time by pressing the PowerSong button.

Using the application, you can compete with friends in the kilometers traveled: the data is displayed on the leadership board. And if you connect your Facebook account to Nike + Run Club, friends can support you with likes. For each like you will receive a motivating message.

Another cool benefit of the app is the free training plans for different fitness levels. What is available only by subscription in other apps is free of charge at Nike + Run Club.

Yoga monkey

If you are determined not to look for an instructor, but to practice yoga at home, the Yoga Monkey app will help you do this without subscriptions and paid lessons.

There are programs for specific purposes: weight correction, sleep improvement, mood elevation, and so on, as well as a complete course from beginner to advanced yoga.

Yoga Monkey will tell you how to do each asana, how long to be in it and how to breathe correctly. Unfortunately, all explanations are in English only. But basic knowledge of the language will be enough: thanks to the visual component of the application, you will understand what and how to do.

So, Yoga Monkey introduces you to yoga for free, provides you with specialized courses and a workout program. All you need to do is not to be lazy and practice more often. By the way, at any time you can view the training statistics in the calendar and assess whether yoga is enough in your life.

Muscle and Motion

This is an awesome app for those interested in body mechanics, want to learn more about muscles, joints and ligaments and never make fatal mistakes in the gym.

In the Muscle and Motion app, you can see the muscles and joints of a person in 3D, find out what they are called, how they tense and move. For each muscle, exercises are proposed in which it is involved. There are both strength and stretching. The same 3D format shows how to perform the exercise from different angles, and analyzes common mistakes.

Muscle and Motion also has a workout plan with exercise videos. In general, this application has everything you need to do without a fitness trainer, correctly select exercises and perform them correctly.

The app is free, however most muscles and exercises are available by subscription only.

StepLock

They say you need to walk at least 10,000 steps a day to stay in good shape. But for those who are accustomed to travel by car and rarely walk, this is unrealistic.

If you promise yourself to move more every time, but never keep it, the StepLock app comes in handy.

This pedometer makes you move using a rather harsh method: denies access to your favorite apps.

In fact, of course, you yourself set the ban and determine the rate of steps, and StepLock only helps you to fulfill your plan.

Now, in order to sit on Facebook or VKontakte in the evening, you have to go through the established norm of steps. Well, just the perfect excuse to move more during the day or go for a walk after dinner.

Map my run

If you like to change your run route frequently and want to keep track of your mini-trips, Map My Run is for sure you will love it.

Using the application, you can record the routes of your runs or bike training, as well as view other people's and discover new locations.

To share your data with Map My Run users, you need to add them as a friend. Then they will be able to track your runs on the map, for example, to join. And with the help of the leaderboard, you can compete and improve your performance faster. There are even contests with prizes - a great motivation for an amateur athlete.

In addition, Map My Run allows you to record all your workouts, such as strength training at the gym, and nutrition. This is useful for those who have seriously decided to take care of themselves.

Just 6 Weeks

Remember when you wanted to learn to do push-ups or pull-ups? With the Just 6 Weeks app, you can finally do that and increase your reps in a short amount of time.

Before starting classes, you must pass a short test: how many repetitions of each exercise you can do at one time. This will allow the app to assess your fitness and create a training program for you.

You just have to decide how many times a week you will train, set reminders and follow the Just 6 Weeks plan, quickly approaching the coveted number of repetitions.

By the way, the application contains not only regular push-ups and pull-ups, but also other body weight exercises, including push-ups on the uneven bars and from the bench, plank and squat.

Track Yoga

Track Yoga app contains a huge number of workouts with yoga elements: from standard asanas to strength yoga.

Yoga for weight loss and strength development, for stretching before and after a run, morning yoga and workout after work, to get out of depression and relieve stress, relieve back pain and cold syndromes - Track Yoga has asanas for all occasions.

The app has a huge database, so everyone can find the perfect workout for themselves. Moreover, you can ask a personal trainer something and they will answer you within 24 hours.

A great start for those who want to learn yoga without an instructor.

Yoga - Track Yoga Eternal Karma Inc.