Apps that help you get active

Barelmy

There're a few apps I use regularly which have really helped to up my activity level on a day to day basis.

Firstly, Geocaching ( http://www.geocaching.com/iphone/ ). Short explanation is, people all around the world hide caches, and then other people can look up the info online - or using the app - and go hunt them down.

What I really like about the hobby is knowing that, for instance, there's a cache behind a street sign in a really busy part of the city centre. Thousands of people walk past it every day, and they don't know it's there, but a total stranger could just go and find it. That just seems awesome to me.

It's also a more interesting way of going for a walk, and getting to know your local area. You can get the free version, which will show you the three nearest caches, or the full version (which, admittedly, is kind of expensive at £5.99). You can also use a map, and look up the coordinates that way, or use a GPS device.

I also like the sound of Zombie, Run!, an app which shows you a map of the area, with zombies coming after you. Your task is to run away from them. It's for the android, but you can also play in the browser of any smartphone by loading this link; http://game.zrli.org/*

My iPhone has yet to load that one, since I only got around to looking it up a minute ago, but I hear good things. Anyone else used it? And does anyone have any recommendations for useful apps?

SSampley

C25k (couch to 5k) is very helpful and kicking my butt right now! Tonight is a run night and I know I am gonna be sore but excited about the progress I should see in a few weeks...

FearAnLoathing

wow thanks im gonna have to look for that zombie one sounds like fun.

foreverjade

Nike BOOM! It's pretty cheesy actually - it has athletes come on during your playlist and say motivational phrases to push you through. Sometimes it's all you need though... I often talk to myself to push through, so it saves me that energy!

Any kind of calendar tracker - that way you can have big checkmarks on days that you've worked out, and you will hate to see your calendar at the end of the month with a bunch of checks missing.

For Running I use Runmeter - Helps show you how you did today on speed compared to any other time you've ran the same route - sort of makes you compete against yourself.

FearAnLoathing

ahahaaha the zombie app is so funny

SamiSamiBoBlammy

Firstly, Geocaching ( http://www.geocaching.com/iphone/ ). Short explanation is, people all around the world hide caches, and then other people can look up the info online - or using the app - and go hunt them down.

What I really like about the hobby is knowing that, for instance, there's a cache behind a street sign in a really busy part of the city centre. Thousands of people walk past it every day, and they don't know it's there, but a total stranger could just go and find it. That just seems awesome to me.

It's also a more interesting way of going for a walk, and getting to know your local area. You can get the free version, which will show you the three nearest caches, or the full version (which, admittedly, is kind of expensive at £5.99). You can also use a map, and look up the coordinates that way, or use a GPS device.

Oh my gosh! I live in the country and I plugged in my address and there are 2 caches within a mile from my house! How have I never heard of this??

Now scheduling in a long walk tomorrow afternoon!

dshalbert

Zombie Run sounds hilarious! I really like Run Keeper. The App is available on iPhone and Andoid and they are currently developing it for Blackberry.

sharper43

I've heard of the geocaching, but I have never tried it before. I'm in the city, so I'm sure there are a ton around me. I'll definitely try it!

The Zombie Run app sounds great! Too bad it's not for the iPhone. Maybe someday. I'll look to see if there is something similar.

Jillian Michaels has a few apps out there for the iPhone that has a ton of workout plans that I use. The app also keeps track of your workouts and there are messages of motivation and information from her on there.

Bubs05

I have a droid and spent waaaay too much time in the market...LOL.
Free apps, I use the MFP obviously, C25K, and Audible to listen to books during my morning walks. For paid apps I use CardioTrainer. I have tried a lot of the cardio/running apps and they all have their strong points, CT just has the bells and whistles I like. They have a free version which I like as well, I bought the paid version to get the add-ons.

SamiSamiBoBlammy

C25k (couch to 5k) is very helpful and kicking my butt right now! Tonight is a run night and I know I am gonna be sore but excited about the progress I should see in a few weeks...

I have been looking at this app. Does it work with Pandora radio?

Also - how do you log these workouts in your diary?

nbarclay

I've been using RunKeeper to track my walking. I like seeing the routes plotted on the map as it gives me context with the distances. I'd never been any good with guessing how far a mile was and the distance some things are has surprised me.

I also like the goals it sets for longest walk, longest distance in a week etc.

dalbers

Runmeter, maps my runs on Google Maps, stores all kinds of progress.

100 pushups

Interval Timer

MyFitnessPal

nsueflorence

pedometer, allrecipes, 100 push ups, 200 squats, couch to 5k, fooducate. Nike Training is also a good one. Target weight helps you keep track of your weight and BMI. all for iphone

lilRicki

what about for those that don't have an iphone lol I have an HTC Android...I really like the cache idea though...mountain bike season is around the corner!!!

SamiSamiBoBlammy

what about for those that don't have an iphone lol I have an HTC Android...I really like the cache idea though...mountain bike season is around the corner!!!

I have a samsung moment - I was able to go to my web browser and pull up the geocaching website from there and log in. There's not a free app for them in the android market - but you can use the full website

Barelmy

Also - how do you log these workouts in your diary?

I just added the first week as a cardio exercise by figuring out how much running was done (eight minutes), how much walking (20 minutes and 30 seconds), figuring out the calories for each activity, and adding them together.

You don't have to create a whole new exercise - just log the walking and the running, or figure out an average speed (distance travelled over time, if you have a way to track the former), and log the amount of time at that speed.