Best Health & Fitness Apps

Need a nutritionist to answer questions at the supermarket? Perhaps a personal trainer for running a first-time 5K? 

Staying in shape is a constant struggle, but a slew of apps out there can help you track your fitness.

Workout Trackers

Fitocracy
It’s (almost) all fun and games with the Fitocracy app. Users track their workouts, earn points for exercising, and compete against other members of the Fitocracy community. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.


MyFitnessPal
This hugely popular product lets users track their daily activity and food intake. Nutritional info’s available for almost any food, from filet mignon to PB&J. The app even comes with a bar code scanner, so users can find out that cereal’s not so nutritious before they buy it. Get support from friends with similar health goals and track each other’s progress. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Blackberry, Android, and Windows.

GymPact
A thin belly is one thing — a thin wallet’s another. Gympact users earn money when they check in at the gym from their smartphones. If they skip a session on the elliptical, they lose the money they paid to sign up. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Workout Trainer
Don’t take it from the guy next to you on the treadmill — this app from Skimble gives users exercise advice from personal trainers. Get photo, video, and audio instruction while working out, whether the focus is yoga or weightlifting. And let pals know what those muscles are up to by sharing workouts on social media. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Android.

GymBuddy
Everybody needs a gym buddy. Log workouts and track progress toward fitness goals by recording exercise schedules, workout results, body weight, and BMI. Available on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Running

runtastic
If she wanted to run this town, Rihanna should have used this app. The technology measures running time and distance, plus how many calories runners burn. Users track their progress toward fitness goals; they can even send friends live updates and photos of the wind in their hair. Other versions are designed for walking, road biking, mountain biking, and winter sports. Available on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Windows, and Bada.

MapMyRun
Here’s an app Ferdinand Magellan would have approved. MapMyRun tracks runners’ exact paths as they cross the globe on foot. Plus the app records other features of a workout like speed, distance, pace, and calories burned. Users can share their achievements with comrades on social media. There are also versions for walking, hiking, biking, and triathlons. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android, and Blackberry.

Nike+ GPS
This app offers users a GPS and coach on the go. Track running routes and record the pace and distance of every workout. Post live updates on social media and hear cheers every time friends check out the status! Available on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Couch-to-5k
The couch will whip your butt into shape — the shape of the seat cushion, that is. Running newbies have all the tools they need with this app: an eight-week workout schedule with detailed instructions every step of the way, plus tools to keep track of progress. Post updates on social media and let friends know how close you are to the 5K mark! Available on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

RunKeeper
Those who were born to run will love this app that tracks users’ progress through any outdoor workout. The GPS lets users know where they’re running, how fast they’re going, and whether they’ve burned off that breakfast doughnut yet. It’s even possible to design interval workouts based on time or distance. Record progress and share updates with friends on social media. Other versions track activities like walking and cycling. Available on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Windows, and Android.

Yoga

Pocket Yoga
Salute the sun on the train, on the sidewalk, or in the comfort of home — this app lets users take the benefits of yoga virtually anywhere. Choose a difficulty level and then downward dog into 27 different video sessions. Refer to the handy dictionary of yoga poses anytime. Available on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.


All-in Yoga
Everybody’s different, and this app lets users create a personalized yoga program based on fitness level, goals, and lifestyle. Then perfect each pose with photo, video, and audio instructions. The app even adds some relaxing tunes in the background. Available on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

 

Nutrition & Weight Loss

Fooducate
Chosen as a 2011 best iPhone Health & Fitness app, Fooducate turns smartphones into scanners. Superman’s got nothing on this technology: Pick a food product and scan the bar code to get all the details on the nutrients inside. Users can even compare different items to find the healthiest, tastiest, most affordable choice. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Android.

ShopWell
The White House may have its own chef, but this app’s almost as fancy. ShopWell rates thousands of food products based on users’ specific nutritional needs. Whip out the smartphone on the next supermarket visit to get a personal shopping list with the best options around. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.


Whole Foods Market Recipes
This app is the whole (foods) enchilada. Search for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack recipes that use only natural and organic foods. There are even options for specific diets, like gluten-free and vegan. And amateur chefs are welcome — enter the ingredients currently in the fridge and the app figures out how to combine them in a healthy concoction. For more adventurous chefs, the Whole Foods Market Missions app offers ways to prepare less conventional healthy meals. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.


Yumee
Never get stuck eating a lettuce leaf for dinner because there’s no vegetarian restaurant close by. Released November 2011, Yumee scopes out local digs to find places (and even specific menu items) that meet users’ nutritional requirements. Available for free on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Android.