There are an overwhelming number of health-related smartphone apps out there, so I thought it’d be fun to sort through the clutter and share the handful I use regularly. I also want to hear from you! Share your favorites in the comments section–I’m always looking for new downloads. 🙂
Wellcoin
I went into detail about this app in THIS POST when I first started using it. Wellcoin is like social network meets reward system. You log healthy activities throughout the day receiving points (Wellcoins) for each. You can then redeem your Wellcoins for awesome stuff like free fitness classes, Whole Foods gifts cards, new workout clothes–the list goes on. So far, I’ve cashed in for two free Pure Barre classes, 5 free yoga classes at Prana Yoga, a $10 Whole Foods gift card, a $10 Sports Authority gift card and a voucher for 50% off my purchase at a local juice & smoothie bar. I mean, c’mon. It’s awesome!
You can like and comment on others’ activities as well, which adds a fun social element to it. Granted 80% off my posts are awkward megaformer selfies, but if you want you can follow me by searching for username nicoleperr.
On that note, a reader asked me why my social handles are nicoleperr instead of my actual name–it’s just because nicoleperry is ALWAYS taken. #BasicNameProblems
If you’re new to the app, start off on the right foot with 500 Wellcoins! If you use THIS LINK the PUMPSANDIRON code should be automatically applied when you create an account.
iPeriod
I’ve been using iPeriod for years. I don’t take hormonal birth control because it makes me crazy and depressed, so I don’t have a pack of pills telling me when I’m going to get my period. I track it with the app, which not only tells you when to expect your unwanted houseguest, but also shows you when you’re ovulating, which is useful information for both women trying to avoid pregnancy (me) and those wishing to conceive. It’s of course not as accurate as some other methods, but I find it so, so helpful. You can track other things with the app (symptoms, cramping, etc.), but I typically just focus on the calendar tracking feature.
Warning: You might want to shut off sound notifications for this app. When you’re ovulating, it alerts you with the sound of what can only be described as angels singing in a choir–it’s so ridiculous (and hilarious).
Mindbody Connect & Express
My fellow group fitness addicts and instructors will already be familiar with this Mindbody app duo. Mindbody CONNECT allows anyone to book classes at all studios that use MBO for their scheduling (most studios do). As long as you use the same email/password combo for each of the studios you work out at, you’ll be able to centralize your class booking in the app. Mindbody EXPRESS is for studio owners and instructors. Through the app I can sign people up for classes, check them in, check their client profile, run sales if they purchase something at the studio, etc. It also comes in handy because I can see who’s signed up for my classes beforehand. In January, when studios typically get a lot of new clients, I can see how many newbies I have in class and can then plan the routine accordingly. There’s a bit of a learning curve with the megaformer, so if more than half the class is new to the machine, there are certain exercises I’d avoid.
ClassPass
So my days using this app might be coming to an end as I contemplate canceling my ClassPass membership, but I wanted to include it anyway. If you’re a CP member, it allows you to search and schedule classes when you’re away from a computer.
RunKeeper
I used to track my runs with the Nike Running app, but recently switched to Runkeeper because it automatically syncs up with the GPS watch I use, my Wellcoin account and my Fitbit. Talk about convenient!
Round Timer
I use this for interval workouts when I don’t have my Gymboss with me. It’s definitely not the most sophisticated option for interval timer apps, but I’ve been using it since college and apparently am a creature of habit. If you have suggestions for better ones let me know!
Sweetgreen & b.good
These are two of my favorite healthy food chains in Boston, and at least once a week I’ll hit them up for lunch or dinner. If you pay with their respective apps, you earn credits that can eventually be redeemed for free food. I love customer loyalty programs like this!
P.S. If you use the sweetgreen link above, you’ll get $3 off your first purchase using the app. And so will I … 😉
Fitbit
I’m actually not using the app right now because in my very on-again-off-again relationship with my Fitbit, we’re in an “off” phase, but I had to include it. When I am wearing my Fitbit regularly, I obsessively check the app to monitor my stats. Through the app you can also track food, sleep, workouts and a bunch of other things besides steps. And Fitbit just recently partnered with Mindbody (see above) so that you can link your accounts and automatically sync the fitness classes you take to your Fitbit stats–so cool!
What health & fitness apps do you use??
Disclosure: I’m a Wellcoin ambassador and while I was compensated for this post, all opinions—as always!—are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support P&I! 🙂
Hey there! I'm Nicole, a group fitness instructor, healthy lifestyle blogger (you probably figured that one out by now) and Certified Personal Trainer living in Boston, MA.
i like the interval timer app (https://itunes.apple.com/za/app/interval-timer-timing-for/id406473568?mt=8). i’m not really familiar with round timer, but i’ve used interval timer for years now, and i like that allows you to create either simple or more complicated sets of intervals, and… the design is a bit prettier than the round timer. you can set it to play your playlists as well!
Yeah the design for RoundTime is pretttttty bad haha
Thanks for sharing! Wellcoin sounds interesting – how does it keep you from just logging healthy habits that you aren’t actually doing?
I use the Nike Running app, Fitbit, and when I used to monitor what I ate I used the LoseIt app.
You add photo proof to your posts (a pic of what you’re eating, etc.) and then the community verifies it. You actually earn points for monitoring other people’s pictures and saying if it proves they did it.
I need to check out a bunch of these!
I use Fitocracy. For every workout you log you get virtual points, with enough points you ‘level up’! It has a great community too.
Ooo I have to check that out!
I LOVE posts like this. Wellcoin sounds awesome. I’m a big fan of Run Zombies (it’s the best run tracker… ever).
xx, Pia
http://gymbagsandjetlags.com
Have u ever had any issues with your Fitbit? Both my husband’s and mine just stopped working after only having them not even a year (he got his before I did and his stopped working before mine did). Very frustrating. I think I’ve had it six months. I will charge it and it will act like we are good to go, then it just goes blank and dead.
I have MAJOR issues with the charger (I have to put a paperclip between the charger the fitbit to get it to charge), but not with the fitbit itself.
I use Bounts — you get points for GPS-logged activities (I use strava and runkeeper), and for attending classes. Once you have enough points, you can order vouchers… I paid £15 for the premium+ version and have earned that back in about six weeks’ time. I think they are now also on the US market (I’m in the UK), definitely worth checking out!
Wow I love your list. I run my website gainslifestyle.com and just published a post on fitness Apps! It would be a dream to guest blog for with lol.
I like seconds pro as an interval timer — not totally perfect but does the trick!
Thanks for posting all useful fitness apps, but we can say that no app is better than your fitness tips.
I use Btone. i’ll try to use others too. Thanks for sharing this great and helpful post