Apps & Exercising!
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changsofa
Posts: 37
Hey all! Here I consolidate a list of exercise/app that I like and use regularly. Shout out to Katnisseverduh who inspired me to make this consolidated list, which are absolutely just my opinion. Also, here's a better edited posts http://redd.it/2c6wck
TL;DR- Don't know how to start? Download the first three apps and GO!
DISCLAIMER: this consolidated list is absolutely just my experience & opinion... Medical/professional consultation is still recommended!! Also, I have an iPhone and don't know if you can find all these in Android.
This list assumes you will be at the gym 3 times a week, and each work out session includes
(1) Stretching (~5minutes)
(2) Lifting (~45 minutes)
(3) Cardio (~20-30 minutes)
Obviously, you can just do Stretch + Cardio or Stretch + Lift or repeat Stretching at the end of the work out, or any of the above just by itself.
HERE BE THE ROUTINES & THEIR APPS
1) Start Stretching - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/start-stretching/id827568897?mt=8
- PROS: Awesomely minimalist. Follows one of the basic routines recommended in http://www.reddit.com/r/flexibility/. Each of the 9 exercises are timed, with detail written instructions of what to do. Stretch time for each exercise can be adjusted. Music can play in the background normally. Tracks how many times and the total times that you've done the stretches.
- CONS: Can't change the displayed default exercises. Doesn't track the days that you've done the stretches (probably the biggest draw back as I can't see 'progress' in a calendar). Though the first con is easy to solve if you want to do different new exercises by writing out a new set of 9 exercises that interest you. For instance, one of my goals is to do a split so I wrote a set of 9 extra exercises that targets the split move.
2) Strong Lifts 5x5 App - http://stronglifts.com/apps/
- PROS: Beautifully minimalist, beginner-friendly, and effective. Tracks every time you've done the exercises in a calendar so you know exactly when you've made it to the gym. Clear timing for rests between the sets. Poking red dots is /r/oddlysatisfying . This is the app that helped me become consistent in going to the gym for the first time!!
- CONS: You can't change the pre-programmed routine. Also, the app was developed with men's average stats in mind, so the starting weight can be a bit high for beginner ladies. This is easy to solve with using pre-fixed barbells, dumbells or goblet weights. Consult /r/xxfitness FAQ for more info.
3) Nike Running App - https://secure-nikeplus.nike.com/plus/products/gps_app/
- PROS: Free pre-programmed work out with run and rest days if you are training for a 5k, 10k or a half marathon. Streamlined user interface and a lot less ad-spammy than Runtastic. Decent social aspect where you and your friends can challenge each other. Free 'cheering' option during your runs. Option to play a selected list of 'power songs' during certain parts of your run. Automatic stop-and-go when you are going through a stoplight.
- CONS: Doesn't sync with MFP (though I don't mind since I don't eat back nor count my exercise calories). Running is the only exercise you can record on the app. App designed for outdoors running (though if you ran on a treadmill, there IS a 'add run' option that lets you just put in the info post-workout). Consult /r/running for helps & stuff.
Extra- 4) Power Planking 7 minutes work out - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/7-minute-power-plank-workout/id723299338?mt=8
- PROS: When I get lazy or have some freetime in my hands, this is my go-to. It will kick your butt.
- CONS: The 7 minutes is truly non-stop. You should go over how to do each exercise in the app beforehand. Also, sometimes I'm so tired I just do 7 total minutes of plank taking advantage of the fact that the app times 10-15sec of breaks in between each plank exercise.
Extra- 5) General comments on other apps:
I started my exercise diary with Runtastic since it synches with Myfitnesspal (MFP), and it can log calories directly into MFP. Runtastic did a good job tracking my frequent but irregular runs, indoors exercises, outdoors exercises, biking, weighttraining, aerobics, yoga, etc. I also tried out Runkeeper. Eventually I dropped Runtastic for the following reasons:
- CONS: Annoying ads asking you to buy their 'Runtastic pro'. Glitchy GPS (though this might be because of my old timer 4S iPhone). Also, I eventually decided I didn't want my exercise calories to add into MFP ( so I don't eat back calories), so I wasn't constrained to apps that can synch with MFP.
- PROS: Runtastic, Endomodo and Runkeeper have more exercises other than just running, lifting or stretching. They include sports (volleyball, swimming etc), specific strength exercises (curl, bench, etc) and even hiking. Synching with MFP & automatic calory counting.
Anyhow, thanks for reading and hope this was helpful!
TL;DR- Don't know how to start? Download the first three apps and GO!
DISCLAIMER: this consolidated list is absolutely just my experience & opinion... Medical/professional consultation is still recommended!! Also, I have an iPhone and don't know if you can find all these in Android.
This list assumes you will be at the gym 3 times a week, and each work out session includes
(1) Stretching (~5minutes)
(2) Lifting (~45 minutes)
(3) Cardio (~20-30 minutes)
Obviously, you can just do Stretch + Cardio or Stretch + Lift or repeat Stretching at the end of the work out, or any of the above just by itself.
HERE BE THE ROUTINES & THEIR APPS
1) Start Stretching - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/start-stretching/id827568897?mt=8
- PROS: Awesomely minimalist. Follows one of the basic routines recommended in http://www.reddit.com/r/flexibility/. Each of the 9 exercises are timed, with detail written instructions of what to do. Stretch time for each exercise can be adjusted. Music can play in the background normally. Tracks how many times and the total times that you've done the stretches.
- CONS: Can't change the displayed default exercises. Doesn't track the days that you've done the stretches (probably the biggest draw back as I can't see 'progress' in a calendar). Though the first con is easy to solve if you want to do different new exercises by writing out a new set of 9 exercises that interest you. For instance, one of my goals is to do a split so I wrote a set of 9 extra exercises that targets the split move.
2) Strong Lifts 5x5 App - http://stronglifts.com/apps/
- PROS: Beautifully minimalist, beginner-friendly, and effective. Tracks every time you've done the exercises in a calendar so you know exactly when you've made it to the gym. Clear timing for rests between the sets. Poking red dots is /r/oddlysatisfying . This is the app that helped me become consistent in going to the gym for the first time!!
- CONS: You can't change the pre-programmed routine. Also, the app was developed with men's average stats in mind, so the starting weight can be a bit high for beginner ladies. This is easy to solve with using pre-fixed barbells, dumbells or goblet weights. Consult /r/xxfitness FAQ for more info.
3) Nike Running App - https://secure-nikeplus.nike.com/plus/products/gps_app/
- PROS: Free pre-programmed work out with run and rest days if you are training for a 5k, 10k or a half marathon. Streamlined user interface and a lot less ad-spammy than Runtastic. Decent social aspect where you and your friends can challenge each other. Free 'cheering' option during your runs. Option to play a selected list of 'power songs' during certain parts of your run. Automatic stop-and-go when you are going through a stoplight.
- CONS: Doesn't sync with MFP (though I don't mind since I don't eat back nor count my exercise calories). Running is the only exercise you can record on the app. App designed for outdoors running (though if you ran on a treadmill, there IS a 'add run' option that lets you just put in the info post-workout). Consult /r/running for helps & stuff.
Extra- 4) Power Planking 7 minutes work out - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/7-minute-power-plank-workout/id723299338?mt=8
- PROS: When I get lazy or have some freetime in my hands, this is my go-to. It will kick your butt.
- CONS: The 7 minutes is truly non-stop. You should go over how to do each exercise in the app beforehand. Also, sometimes I'm so tired I just do 7 total minutes of plank taking advantage of the fact that the app times 10-15sec of breaks in between each plank exercise.
Extra- 5) General comments on other apps:
I started my exercise diary with Runtastic since it synches with Myfitnesspal (MFP), and it can log calories directly into MFP. Runtastic did a good job tracking my frequent but irregular runs, indoors exercises, outdoors exercises, biking, weighttraining, aerobics, yoga, etc. I also tried out Runkeeper. Eventually I dropped Runtastic for the following reasons:
- CONS: Annoying ads asking you to buy their 'Runtastic pro'. Glitchy GPS (though this might be because of my old timer 4S iPhone). Also, I eventually decided I didn't want my exercise calories to add into MFP ( so I don't eat back calories), so I wasn't constrained to apps that can synch with MFP.
- PROS: Runtastic, Endomodo and Runkeeper have more exercises other than just running, lifting or stretching. They include sports (volleyball, swimming etc), specific strength exercises (curl, bench, etc) and even hiking. Synching with MFP & automatic calory counting.
Anyhow, thanks for reading and hope this was helpful!
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