Exercise apps

There are thousands of exercise apps that cover a wide range of physical activities from walking and running to exercise classes and apps for personal trainers. Increasingly many fitness apps can sync with a wearable device such as fitness bands and smart watches. Choosing the right exercise app depends on several factors including your personal fitness goals, preferences, and lifestyle.

Types of exercise apps

Physical activity apps can be categorised into 5 groups according to their main focus:

• Workout apps that demonstrate various exercises.
• Tracking of movement apps that map running, walking or cycling routes.
• Running programmes that have pre-specified goals reached by gradual small increases in run-to-walk ratio.
• Pedometer-based apps that count steps.
• Interval timers that time work and rest periods.

As there are so many apps for physical activity and exercise, finding a fitness app to meet your needs can be challenging. It depends largely on your preferred type of exercise and other qualities you want your app to have. Having behaviour change techniques in the app features may be helpful. For example, does the app have the following features:

• goal setting – prompts you to set goals and plan your exercises
• monitoring – allows you to monitor your progress
• feedback – provides feedback on your performance
• rewards – offers rewards when you achieve your goal
• social support – includes an online community or other means of social support.

Tips when using exercise apps

Do (✔)

• If you have an existing health condition or injury, it’s best to check in with a qualified exercise professional or your healthcare provider before using an exercise app.
• Check if you're comfortable doing the exercise. Everyone’s body is different, and what might be a suitable level of exercise for one person could be too much for another. Your age, fitness level, and health condition will affect the type of exercise you can do.
• Use an app for tracking your progress to keep you going, but remember not to push yourself too hard. You may risk injury or muscle strain.

Don’t ( ✘)

• Don't ignore sudden, sharp pain, or continuing, ongoing pain. It's important to tell the difference between normal discomfort with exercise and pain from doing too much or from an injury.