App-xercise Trends to Nail Your Fitness Goals
Need a kick in the pants to achieve that healthy new you?
Look no further than the apps on your mobile phone. From diet, to fitness, to mindfulness, taking control of that bod of yours has never been easier.
For some fit-spiration, try out these trail-blazing apps and trends which will get you back on the health-kick you set out for in Jan (but if you are like most Americans, actually start after the Super Bowl c/o @sophieeganm).
Disclaimer: I lead the fitness apps category on Google Play, but my enthusiasm spans across all mobile platforms in this article and also does not represent the official views of Google.
TREND #1: Weight loss apps beef up their offering
Some things haven’t changed — we all want to lose weight, or at least nearly two-thirds of Americans do right now. What has changed, is we’re all waking up to the fact that weight loss isn’t a one-trick pony and dieting alone isn’t the answer for most, especially women, according to the NYT’s depressing piece (sorry ladies).
Apps are moving past tedious calorie counters and taking a more holistic approach by auto incorporating your lifestyle and activity habits, like sleep and exercise, to help achieve and maintain your health goals.
App movers and shakers for Trend #1, great for:
The planner: Lifesum offers custom meal plans and personalized tips based on your diet and goals. Google Play, App Store
The logger: MyFitnessPal is great for accountability, with the largest food database. Google Play, App Store
The photographer: Lose it! provides an alternative to typing with food photo recognition. Google Play, App Store
Curry lovers: HealthifyMe boasts the largest Indian food database and local Indian coaches, Google Play, App Store
The chatterbox: Lark provides a fun message-based experience powered by a clever, AI robo coach, Google Play, App Store
In 2017, expect to see: Food logging will become less cumbersome (e.g. more companies building photo logging experiences like Lose It! or Rise). Also, synergistic partnerships with trending meal-planning services like Blue Apron, Munchery, etc, will make meal logging even easier.
TREND #2: Pocket-size personal trainers
In-app virtual coaches and custom training programs let you achieve your fitness goals on your time, making personal trainer apps, like Sweat with Kayla, the fastest grossing fitness app of 2016 according to App Annie. Top apps in this category provide personalized and adaptive, time-efficient workout plans on-demand. They also provide super sticky social experiences that keep you comin’ back. And trust me, if you think you’re not a social dieter, you just haven’t been sucked into Transformation Tuesdays yet ;)
App movers and shakers for Trend #2, great for:
The tech geek: Bodbot offers a highly personalized strength training program, based on your equipment, sleep and eating patterns. Google Play, App Store
Kayla FanGirls and new moms: Sweat with Kayla provides challenging 28 minutes circuit-based training with minimum equipment needed. Google Play, App Store
Celeb inspiration: Work out in Nike Training Club alongside your favorite Nike pro athletes and sync with Nike Run Club. Google Play, App Store
The workout explorer: Skimble’s Workout Trainer will keep your routine fresh providing variety from barre, prenatal, pilates, weights, or the ability to work 1:1 with a real personal trainer. Google Play, App Store
The maximizer: Freeletics quick bodyweight workouts range between 5–30 mins — great for those short on time and space. Google Play, App Store
In 2017, expect to see: Stronger integration of your workout with wearable devices so you can leave your phone at home. Let your watch guide hands-free while incorporating heart-rate to dynamically adjust your workout. Hello Android Wear 2.0.
TREND #3: Adventure workouts
Cardio-based workouts are the most popular fitness activity globally, but millions don’t enjoy their experience. People get bored apparently, making evident that the mindfulness movement, aka Trend #4, has not gone fully mainstream :) Commentary aside, people, especially millennials, are looking for more experiential workouts.
Top apps have seized this opportunity by providing audio-guided fitness coaching or gamified cardio. Zombies, Run! started this trend, finding a noticeable increase in user’s running pace when when zombies appear in the audio, and now the major players have followed suit. #getonthezombietrain
App movers and shakers for Trend #3, great for:
The competitive athlete: Strava offers the ultimate virtual competition using leaderboards of your friends and local athletes. Google Play, App Store
The bored runner: Runtastic eases your run pain by playing narrated or podcast-like Story Runs. Google Play, App Store
The cardio machine kids: Aaptiv audio coaching and playlists keep your eyes off that endless countdown timer. Google Play, App Store
The thrill seeker: Get your pants scared off as Tracks turns your run into a live action movie. Google Play, App Store
The night clubber: if you’d rather be dancing than running, Running for Weight Loss matches on-point playlists to match your cadence to the beat. Google Play, App Store
In 2017, expect to see: Augmented reality layered on top of adventure workouts for an even more imaginative experience. Think Pokemon GO meets story running.
TREND #4: A Fit Mind
Meditation and mindfulness are all the rage, now a $1B industry growing 50% year over year. While historically meditation, like granola and tie-dye, was classified as a “hippie pastime”, individuals and businesses are recognizing its health and productivity benefits. As a result, meditation is one of the fastest growing verticals in health & fitness on Google Play. Because meditation is audio-driven and generally done solo, apps are uniquely positioned to drive and accelerate this practice.
App movers and shakers for Trend #4, great for:
The naysayer with Headspace, you’ll be a breather and believer in no time. Google Play, App Store
The insomniac: Calm Sleep Stories, help you drift into dreamland. Google Play, App Store
The academic: Meditation Studio offers an array of expert teachers and leaders in the field. Google Play, App Store
The busy professional: Simple Habit is perfect for peeps short on time, big on self-improvement. Google Play, App Store
In 2017, expect to see: Meditation recommendations based on biofeedback or sensor data. Your meditation app could be more assistive on when to meditate and what kind of meditation would help achieve your goal. Think Fitbit Charge HR2 and Apple Watch’s Headspace integration, but smarter and more proactive.
Now let me hear your 1–2 step
So TEAM (we’re practically family if you’ve made it this far) — feeling excited and motivated to get movin’? You should! These apps, among others, are empowering us to increase our awesome-sauce and live healthier, more productive lives. All from the comfort of our own pocket.
Seeking better focus and lower stress levels? Try out meditations and mindfulness from a hip-buddhist monk (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!)
Want to take up running but found it boring? Audio coaching, story running or Strava’s competitive leaderboards may be just the thing for you.
One foot in front of the other — One app in front of the other. Goodbye excuses, hello goal-crushing 2017.
For more on finding health & Appiness and other sports, tech, wearables and leadership musings, follow me on twitter @marylizmcc
