Looking to crush your goals? Turn to fitness apps. With their variety of programmes and helpful notifications to remind you to get moving, these nifty apps can be a powerful tool in your wellness journey. Many fitness apps also have community programmes built-in to keep you motivated as you share and swap achievements.
To get the most from your fitness apps, use them to track your progress, set goals (and work towards them) and take note of those notifications. Per a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, these are the conditions in which fitness apps work best.
Here, we’ve crafted a list of the coolest fitness apps worth your time and bucks. You’ll find an app that works well for you from running, pre-and post-natal to yoga and conditioning and HIIT. Let’s crush those goals!
Proudly South African Programmes
Find Balance Kindly
This app, created by trainer Kirsten Johnson, is meant to be a friendly, safe space for fitness and wellness. Find live and on-demand classes, recipes and programmes to help you reach your goals.
Gutsy
Harnessing the power of community, you can join workouts and smash your goals along with other people taking on various challenges that creator Juli Poeli hosts. In it, you’ll also find fitness, health and wellness guides for your journey and help you keep track of your progress.
Hustle Fit
The app is an extension of the fitness studio owned by surfer and trainer Teal Hogg. Moreover, they offer female-focused classes, including HIIT, boxing, strength training and DNA-specialised nutrition.
The Movement Lab
The Movement Lab is a Pilates studio that’s known for doing classes to really great, upbeat music. The best news? They offer online classes and online packages so you can join the fabulous movement wherever you are.
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Apps for running
Zombies, Run!
This is probably my favourite running app of all time. A story-driven app, each episode takes you on a thrilling run around the settlement in a post-apocalyptic zombie-infested world. You can choose to add a high-intensity zombie chase with every run, pushing you to go faster and further. With each episode, the story develops, but there’s plenty of time to jog to your own music while listening along.
Nike Run Club
This app is always updating and changing to elevate your running experience. There are runs for whatever you’re in the mood for, including mindfulness runs, powered by Headspace. You can pick from programmes like Don’t Wanna Run (such a vibe) or pick your distance and get in-ear coaching.
Runcoach
Made with certified USATF Coaching Support, you’ll get top-tier coaching in this app. Set a goal, tell the app more about yourself, set up a schedule and let the app do the rest. You’ll work hard but the smartness of the app is in its algorithm, able to adjust to missed runs, flagging motivation and more.
Couch To 5K
A great way to pick things up when you’re starting your journey. In partnership with the UK’s NHS and the BBC, this app is a flexible nine-week training plan that builds up your strength and endurance over time. You’ll get progress wards, a selection of trainers and tips.
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Apps for new moms or moms-to-be
Daily Burn
This app offers classes specifically for moms-to-be, including post-natal classes and conditioning programmes. Find Pilates, Barre, ten-minute workouts and more. Plus, the community section offers a space for support when your motivation is flagging or just need a high five.
Glo
This app offers classes for post-natal and prenatal women, along with 12 other yoga styles to choose from. You can use the app with your Apple Watch, iPad, Laptop or phone, too. There’s also Chromecast built-in if you want to work out from your TV.
Prenatal Yoga by Down Dog
This specific class by Down Dog offers classes for prenatal yoga. You can pick the length of your practice, choose the type of flow and boost your session with flexibility, core focus and more.
Kayla’s Post-Pregnancy on SWEAT
Not only does this app cater for no-equipment HIIT classes (and so much more) but there’s a specific programme for post-pregnancy babes looking to get back into fitness. There is also a programme by Kayla for pregnancy, where you’ll be taken through moves specific to your body’s season.
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Fitness apps for yoga and conditioning
Down Dog
One of my favourite yoga apps, you can follow along a bespoke flow tailored to your needs and each and every practice is different. You can also use it on your desktop or on your phone. With a paid plan, you can boost your flow with cardio, abs and more. Plus, the music is chef’s kiss.
Obé
Get a selection of classes from this programme, including live and on-demand sessions. The classes are energetic but gentle enough for beginners, with a strong focus on conditioning and bodyweight work.
Asana Rebel
An inventive way to approach yoga, these high-energy flows see many different types of bodies leading you through classes that’ll tap into your chakras and more. You’ll find challenges to join, new trainers to learn from and more.
Pilates Anytime
An online studio, you’ll get premium instruction with thousands of videos that you can try at any level. With so many styles and classes to choose from, you’ll never get bored.
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Fitness apps for HIIT and strength training
FitOn
The best part about this app? It’s 100% free. There are so many classes to choose from with varying difficulty levels and a variety of disciplines. Join a live class or get ‘em on-demand whenever you’d like. You can even load this app onto your TV and stream classes from there. Genius.
BODi
This app is all-inclusive, with nutrition tips, mindset hacks and more. And of course, there are fitness classes, ranging from beginner’s programmes to biking to building strength and more.
Nike Training Club
This app is fantastic for athletes and everyday athletes alike. Pick classes from top trainers and try out a variety of disciplines, including dance. It also works across Nike’s other platforms, like the Nike Run app.
Centr, by Chris Hemsworth
While this is a paid-for app, the offering is substantial. You’ll get a personalised plan, custom meal plans and grocery lists and a progress tracker to help you crush your goals. Plus, they’ve got top trainers (including women, like Elsa Pataky) to guide you on your journey to wellness.
Michelle October
Michelle is a freelance writer at WH, passionate about all things health, fitness and mental wellness. She’s also an avid surfer and recently discovered skateboarding as a viable means of transport. Skate dates, anyone?