Make the world your gym
Forget about getting an expensive gym membership to keep up with your new year’s resoloution. With a click of a button, turn your home into a yoga studio or head outdoors for the best run of your life.
These nifty apps will help whip you into peak physical shape without spending a single cent.
1. C25K
As the name implies, this app will take you from the couch to running your first 5km in a matter of 2 months.
For 30 minutes three times a week, you’ll be coached through the run. The app will tell you when to walk and when to run in order to pace yourself. Workouts get increasingly difficult until you finally hit your 5km goal.
2. Nike+ Training Club
Nike+ Training Club is a social fitness app that allows you to connect with friends and spur each other. Workouts are expertly crafted by Nike trainers and are inspired by top athletes.
The best things about this app are the easy to follow step by step guides and video tutorials that will teach you the moves.
3. Healthy 365
Created by the Singapore Health Promotion Board (HPB), Healthy 365 encourages Singaporeans to live an active lifestyle by joining campaigns such as the National Steps Challenge.
Although registration for new users is currently closed, participants who have already signed up have a chance to win shopping vouchers and even holiday packages worth $10,000.
4. Youtube
Chances are you already have the Youtube app on your phone. Instead of watching yet another cat video (not that there’s anything wrong with that), here are some Youtube channels with great fitness content and easy to follow videos.
5. Tabata Stopwatch
For people looking to shed fat fast, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is your best bet. Do a period of high intensity exercises like sprints, kettlebell swings or jumping jacks followed by a period of rest. Rinse and repeat.
The Tabata Stopwatch takes the stress out to timing your workout, alerting you to when you should be moving and when you can take a break.
6. Spotify
Everyone knows how important music is in seeing us through a workout. It helps keep the mind off the physical pain you might be putting your body through and aids in keeping a steady pace.
Not only does Spotify have great workout playlists, Spotify Running gives you a non-stop mix of tunes that will help drive you forward.
7. 7 Minute Workout
Based on the scientific 7-minute workout published by the New York Times in 2013, this app helps the busy professional keep fit. All you’ll need is a chair, a wall and seven minutes every day.
8. FitStar
Created by Tony Gonzalez, NFL All-Star, FitStar will be your pocket personal trainer. FitStar Basic gives you access to two workouts per week but you can also subscribe to FitStar Premium which will give you unlimited access to all of FitStar’s programmes.
9. Stonglifts 5X5
If you’re looking to start incorporating weightlifting to your fitness regime, Stonglifts 5X5 is a great place to start.
You will begin with an empty barbell, working your way up each workout by increasing the weight by 2.5kg. The app helps your track your progress on workouts like the squat, bench press and dead lift.
10. My Fitness Pal
The road to fitness starts in the kitchen. You will never hit your fitness goals if you don’t watch what you eat.
We love My Fitness Pal for tracking calories because of their large database of food items. It even has statistics on hawker meals provided by the HPB.
11. Lifesum
For people who prefer to eat in, Lifesum is an excellent resource that provides users with meal plans and healthy recipes. The app will also remind you to drink water, an often overlooked aspect of keeping our body good condition.
12. Runtastic Six Pack Abs
This app promises a defined midsection after 10 weeks of following their six pack plan. While we can’t vouch for that, we do enjoy their easy to follow workouts with lots of rest in between, making it easy for beginners to start and stick to the plan.
13. Strava Cycling and Running
While running apps are a dime a dozen on the application scene, cyclists might be interested in checking out Strava. Join the community and take part in cycling challenges. You will also be able to track your progress and cycling routes.
14. Sleepbot
Research has shown that rest is equally important to your body’s health. Sleepbot helps you track how many hours of sleep you get a night and can also make waking up less of a dreadful experience.
It also has numerous melodic alarms to gently stir you from your slumber and can track your body movement to wake you at the best possible time in your sleep cycle.
15. Sworkit
Looking to squeeze in a 5 minute workout during your lunch break? Sworkit creates workouts based on the amount of time you have to spare and the body part you want to work on.
Workouts include strength training, cardio, yoga or even stretching for those of us who spend hours hunched in front of a computer screen.
16. Charity Miles
Do your part for charity while keeping fit. Charity Miles partners with corporate sponsors like Johnson and Johnson to donate to charities such as Habitat for Humanity and Save the Children for every mile you run.
Bikers earn 10 cents per mile while runners earn 25 cents per mileIf that doesn’t motivate you to go the distance, we don’t know what will.
by Nicole-Marie Ng
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