Look, we were totally well intentioned when we signed up for that gym membership on Jan. 1 — but now that we haven’t stepped foot in the building for the past three months, we feel like we might as well be flushing our hard-earned money down the toilet. Getting a membership seemed like a great idea in theory, it’s just that we can think of about a million reasons not to go.
And now we’ve got six more amazing reasons. Yup, these six apps are super cheap (even free) and help us get a great workout at home. If lack of time or feeling intimidated by all the meatheads are two of your favorite excuses not to exercise, these apps will fix all that.
1. Aaptiv
Aaptiv is seriously the shizz when it comes to at-home workouts. They offer tons of classes that stream straight into your phone. Want to take a yoga class? Boom, Aaptiv. Want to do some body weight exercises? Aaptiv has got ya. You can even take a spin class or meditate.
It does cost $9.99 a month, but when you consider how much unlimited spin and yoga classes in a studio are, that price is super low.
The Fitness Blender Workouts app is available on iTunes and on Google Play for Android.
Users say: “Having a trainer right in your ear, paired with playlists of music I love — there’s truly nothing like it. I’ve never been so excited to workout.”
Price: Free to download/$9.99 a month
1. Total Couch to 5K
Who needs a running coach when you have your own pocket trainer? With the Couch to 5K app you have access to a complete nine-week running plan that will get you prepped and ready for your first 5K. You can use the app to map your runs, share your progress through social media and track your times. Stats are available for estimated calorie burn and projected 5K times based on your daily training. One of the best features is that the app is supplemented by audio or voice cues that actually talk you through each run.
Users say: “I use this app for speed training. I highly recommend this if you are a beginner. I started running by doing walk/jog intervals. Before I knew it I could jog a mile which grew into three miles. In October I ran my first 10k without walking!”
Price: $2.99
More:Lady Gaga Turns to Gyrotonic Workout to Soothe Chronic Muscle Pain
2. 7 Minute Workout
In the world of quickie trainer apps, 7 Minute Workout is kind of a big deal, with literally hundreds of user reviews to back it. Just as the name suggests, the app focuses on improving fitness in as little as seven minutes a day. The 7 Minute Workout has been featured in The New York Times and the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal. Each seven-minute “intense training” set is designed to get your heart pumping using only your body weight and a chair. This makes the short power-burst workout (recommended to perform in three sets total) ideal for almost anyone who doesn’t have the time or the money to hit the gym. It’s available on iTunes and Google Play.
Users say: “I used this app to change up my routine. The commands, timing and built in how-to videos were so helpful to keep me on track, motivated and using proper form and technique!”
Price: Free
Next Up: Tabata FREE
Originally published March 2013. Updated September 2017.
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