2018

The Top 15 Smart Phone Apps to Make You Strong and Healthy

The Top 15 Smart Phone Apps to Make You Strong and Healthy
The mobile medical app market is exploding, with countless tech companies vying to grab a share of the $3 trillion spent annually on health care in the United States. And with obesity among US adults reaching an all-time high , the number of fitness and dieting apps is also on the rise.

Whether it’s by keeping track of calories, exercise, or weight loss, fitness apps definitely make losing weight much easier. Here are 15 of the best ones for Android and iPhone users.


The Top 15 Smartphone Apps to Keep You Focused on Your Active Lifestyle Goals


#1. MyFitnessPal


 



Rated five stars on both the Android and iPhone and free to download, this is one of the most popular fitness apps on the market. It’s especially useful when it comes to counting calories since it has a database of over 5 million foods to choose from.

You can quickly enter and save meals to see how many calories you’ve consumed for the day. The app also allows you to connect to fitness apps or devices. You can even import recipes you’ve found online so you can get the most accurate calorie count.

Learn more about the MyFitnessPal app, here.

#2. Weight Watchers




If you’re a fan of the Weight Watchers approach , but don’t have time to go through the traditional process, this app brings everything to you for free. It’s rated five stars on iPhone and four on Android and enables you to track food and share your progress with other members of the Weight Watchers community.

Additional subscriptions, like OnlinePlus or Meetings, allow you to post before and after photos and share your favorite recipes with other members.

Learn more about the Weight Watchers app, here.

#3. Ideal Weight




Available only on Android and rated four stars, this free app helps you determine your Body Mass Index (BMI). This app is a great place to start your weight loss journey.

The app calculates your BMI based on your height and weight. It will then give you an estimate of your ideal weight for your height, allowing you to determine how much you would like to lose.

Learn more about the Ideal Weight app, here.

#4. Lose It!




If you’re looking for a weight loss plan that’s customized to fit your needs, then this is the app for you. The app is rated four stars for the iPhone and five for Android and is free to download. All you have to do is enter your personal information, and then start tracking your calories and exercise.

Based on the goals you’d like to achieve, the app will give you information about which behaviors are helping you and which are hindering you in your weight loss journey.

Learn more about Lose It, here.

#5. Noom Coach




This app also turns your phone into your own personal weight loss coach. It’s rated four stars on the iPhone and five on Android and free to download. It features programs created by doctors to help you combat health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

It’s known to help users develop healthy habits since it gives you a specific plan to follow each day.

Learn more about Noom Coach, here.

#6. Fitness Buddy




It can be really hard to develop a workout routine, especially if you have no clue what you’re doing. Thankfully, Fitness Buddy has a library of over 2,400 exercises and 1,000 videos in a variety of styles.

It also enables you to track your progress and suggests complete exercise routines. The app only costs $2.99 and is rated five stars on iPhone and four on Android.

Learn more about Fitness Buddy, here.

#7. Nike + Run Club




This app helps keep you motivated by enabling you to compete with other runners and share your progress with the community. Free to download and rated four stars on the iPhone and five on the Android, the app tracks each run and gives you updates on your progress as you go.

It even features famous athletes such as Allyson Felix and will help you create a customized plan to fit your goals and skill level.

Learn more about Nike Plus Run Club, here.

#8. Runkeeper




Although the name may be misleading, Runkeeper is for much more than just running. It has a GPS capability that will help you track walks and bike rides, too. You can use the app to set reminders to ensure you complete your walk, run, or bike ride and personalize your routines to fit your schedule.

The app is free to download and is rated five stars across the board.

Learn more about Runkeeper, here.

#9. Endomondo




This app also tracks activity using a GPS. It can help you log every detail, including speed, miles, and calories burned. You can also sync it with your other fitness apps or devices to help you set the best goals for yourself.

It’s rated five stars on both iPhone and Android devices and is free to download.

Learn more about Endomondo, here.

#10. JEFIT Workout Tracker Gym Log




You can download this app for free and get your very own workout planner, professional workouts, and more than 1,300 exercises to choose from. You can even add your own exercises and track your progress along the way by graphing your body measurements.

JEFIT is rated five stars on both iPhone and Android devices.

Learn more about Jefit, here.

#11. Nike + Training Club




Similar to Nike + Run Club, this app includes a variety of workouts designed by fitness pros. You can set up your own personalized training system and track progress as you go.

The app is rated four stars on iPhone and five on Android.

Learn more about Nike Plus Training Club, here.

#12. Daily Burn




Another popular fitness program Daily Burn helps you decide where to start. The app will guide you toward your fitness goals. There are over 800 workout videos to choose from and a new 365 workout, designed with beginners in mind, is released each day.

The app is rated four stars on both iPhone and Android.

Learn more about the Daily Burn app, here.

#13. MyNetDiary Calorie Calculator




Logging both calories and exercise is an essential part of losing weight. This app helps you do both. It’s rated five stars on both the iPhone and Android and is free on Android devices.

MyNetDiary analyzes the data you enter and provides you with weekly updates on your goals.

Learn more about MyNetDiary app, here.

#14. Fitocracy




Let’s face it, getting fit isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but this app helps make it more entertaining. You’ll go on quests, unlock new achievements, and earn points. The app even includes tips and exercises from fitness experts.

It’s rated five stars on iPhone and four on Android.

Learn more about Fitocracy, here.

#15. Fitbit




Perhaps the most popular fitness app on the market, Fitbit allows you to track your food, exercise, and even sleeping habits.

It’s rated four stars on both the iPhone and Android devices and syncs well with your Fitbit device.

Learn more about Fitbit, here.


In conclusion...


Regardless of your fitness goals, the apps on this list have something for you. They're the most highly rated across iPhone and Android devices, so you're sure to experience results if you use them as they are designed.

Note however those nutrition experts are divided when it comes to the effectiveness of counting calories and taking on strict exercise regimens -- be sure to consult with a professional if your weight loss goals are substantial, or if you have underlying health conditions that might make the workouts or recommendations on these apps challenging.

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Chris Barry is a staff writer and senior editor for  Zwivel. He has written stories on everything from motorcycle gangs in the Caribbean to traveling the USA with Ringo Starr. His articles have been published in such high – and sometimes low – profile publications as Vice, Maxim and The National Post.

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