iPhone and Exercise: What apps do you like?
For the most part, I've been disappointed with iPhone fitness applications. I'm not talking about Nike+ but rather the third party apps found in the Health & Fitness section of the App Store. Apps that track your routes tend to be battery-killers (not really their fault, more due to the way the SDK insists they work). The ones that create exercise playlists depend on time-exhausting Mac-based solutions that have to analyze your iTunes tracks for their beats-per-minutes, creating a heavy investment with a minimal payoff. Genius on the iPhone does a decent job, without that time commitment.
I don't quite get the food and exercise logging apps -- I find that it's simpler to do all that on my primary Mac, using a physical notebook (you know: paper, pen, old tech) when I'm on the go. As for the stretching and exercise guides, I find them awkward. I'd rather use a DVD or a Wii-based game (I adore Gold Gym's Cardio Boxing, for example) where I don't have to keep referring to a 4-inch screen all the time and the sound is clear, and the instructions are easier to follow.
So what am I missing here? What are the really good iPhone-based fitness apps? I feel like all the ones I've tried just keep missing the point: to make exercise better or funner(™ Apple). Yes, they make exercise more portable, but do they provide a better win over Nike+, a bike computer or a garmin?
Please do chime in in the comments. Let me know what iPhone Apps I have been missing, and which ones will improve my exercise experience, whether in the home or on the jogging path. Surely, there have to be some winners out there, and I'd love to hear about which apps are working for you, and why.
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For the most part, I've been disappointed with iPhone fitness applications. I'm not talking about Nike+ but rather the third party apps...
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have you tried www.FitnessBuilder.com ??
November 15 2009 at 9:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI would love an app that lets me record my business phone calls.
It would be fine if it had a beep or something that let people know they were being recorded.
I was at the Apple store the other day and a few of the employees said they knew of an app that could do it but it was not able to tell me about it because it was a non sanctioned app.
http://www.koalaswimsuits.com
There are a lot of good apps out there but for an entire system to manage your weight and health take a look at Body Media's devices.
They have a armband device that you wear all the time, monitors a bunch of stuff and then helps you plan and follow your progress over the years.
They are going to have an iPhone app out to allow you to check your info on the go but the online support is a great resource.
Uh, Crossfit. Who needs an app when you've got a different daily exercise routine avalible every day?
www.crossfit.com
Allsport GPS for iPhone is Trimble's new GPS-based fitness application. Allsport lets you track any outdoor activity and view and save your results (speed, distance, calories etc.). Last week Allsport was updated, and now includes complete iPod controls for every activity.
October 14 2009 at 9:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyRunKeeper (free) or RunKeeper Pro = near perfection. The RunKeeper app and the correlating website really helped to keep me motivated and jsut made it so easy to track my progress, log my runs, etc.
October 10 2009 at 9:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply>> The only thing geeks use tech for is an excuse not to exercise?
No.
You inserted the word "only" into my original assertion and thereby completely missed what I said.
I said "people, especially geeks, use..." I did not say only and I did not say all. Please reread my post carefully. I'll wait.
The implication was the same, regardless of exact words. You speak in broad generalities and imply that your way is the best, if not the only way.
Either way, both posts show a level of arrogance and disdain for those who are not Tom Smale that is amusing.
I look forward to the smug response you'll provide.
I've been using Strands for the last few weeks. I've had a great experience with it, although it looks like I got in just after they released the first stable version.
I've only tried it for running, but it does a bunch of exercises, and it integrates with their website for reporting and tracking, as well as for a social experience (which I haven't really used much just yet).
I can't compare it to Runkeeper, which seems to get excellent reviews, but this is a free alternative with a website counterpart. It's at least worth a look!
For those that use Couch to 5k, which one do you use? There are 2, one made by Felt Tip Inc and the other by Alex Stankovic. They are both $2.99 and appear very similar.
October 09 2009 at 1:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply>> People were able to be healthy and in great shape before the iphone. It's not needed to exercise nor does it really make it that much better. Only easier for the lazy person.
I agree with Jordan here 100%. I love my iPhone and I love finding uses for it. Further, I have tried to use many iPhone apps for fitness and while they're fine, the sticking point is that a scrap of paper and pen is simply better.
People, especially geeks, use tech to NOT exercise. Like 90 minutes tracking their progress and 30 minutes exercising. They think they are getting healthier by tracking their progress. Best way is to track your progress is exclusively using your body as indicator. If it's not showing up in your body, all of the graphs and pie charts don't count.
The one way my iPhone gets vigorous use in my exercise regimen is that I play games like Alive4Ever in between sets lifting weights. So, I'll lift, then play the game for about 90-120 seconds and then lift some more. It actually helps motivate and keep me going. It makes weight lifting less of a drudgery. This is done on a home gym BTW. You might get skeptical glances if you do this at the gym.
Finally, the only way to remain fit is not to focus on diets or "losing weight." A person needs to resolve to BE fit. To make all of their decisions about food, activity centered around fitness. People who "lose weight" usually gain it back. Over and over again.
Gimme a break. The only thing geeks use tech for is an excuse not to exercise?
Before there was an iPhone app, I brought my iPod for music and carried a pen and a little calendar book to the gym to record exercise, sets, and amount lifted. Each year I had to buy a new little book to log in, for about $5, and start anew.
Now I can just use my iPhone to get iPod function, and instead of paper, log my sets/weights with no need to grab a new book each year.
Some of us actually use technology to enhance our lives, even if in very small ways, beyond playing video games.
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