Best Fitness-Tracking Apps for 2023

As 2022 comes to a close, it's time to start thinking about your New Year's Resolutions. An easy way to keep up with your health and wellness is to find workouts that you enjoy, whether running, weight training, or yoga. We put together a list of the best fitness-tracking apps to start working out and keeping fit.

Best Apps for Different Workouts

Using a fitness app is beneficial because it can teach you proper form and offer training plans as a beginner. You can also track your performance metrics to analyze your progress. While browsing the many options for fitness apps, we considered the following criteria: workout class options, cost, community, and the availability of other features like nutrition guides. When choosing the best app for you, consider these and your fitness goals. We found that apps specific for certain workouts, like cardio, weight training, or yoga, tend to cost more than apps specific for running or cycling. Thus, we listed out the best overall fitness app and app options for specific workout types you may be interested in.

Strava: Best Overall

Strava is a fitness app that tracks almost all sports and workouts, making it perfect for everyone. It is affordable and has a significant community aspect of connecting with people and sharing your fitness journey to see your progress and stay motivated. It also includes device syncing to record your performance metrics (heart rate, elevation, etc.). You can create custom goals and training plans to monitor your progress further. Below is a table displaying important information about Strava.

Strava Information

Sources: Runner’s Tribe, A Foodie Stays Fit, Medical News Today 

Nike Run Club: Best for Running/Walking

After comparing the Nike Run Club app to the other major running apps, we found that Nike Run Club offers the essentials and more, all for free. Its main distinguishing feature is the guided-audio-based runs, telling you when to speed up or slow down and providing encouraging words. After using the app, we found that the user interface is easy to use and appealing and requires a Nike account to join. Like most other apps, it allows you to input goals and custom training plans and tracks your weekly progress. It tracks some performance metrics and will enable you to connect to some devices to track even more. Below is a table displaying the important features that Nike Run Club provides.

Nike Run Club Information

Sources: Mashable, Positive Fitness Blog

MapMyRide by UnderArmour: Best for Cycling

While apps like Strava can track cycling, we found that MapMyRide is the best app for those who only want to track cycling rather than various workouts. It is more affordable than others and includes the essential features a cycling app should have. Its distinguishing feature is its ability to provide new cycling routes to keep variety in your fitness journey. Below is a table of the most critical features that MapMyRide offers.

MapMyRide Information

Sources: USAHomeGym 

Nike Training Club: Best for Weight Training/Cardio

Nike Training Club was the best option for weight training and cardio workouts. It includes over 185 workouts created by experts and can be filtered to find what best fits your preferences. An added helpful feature is audio-guided workouts, ensuring you know the proper form and get the best out of each workout. After going through the app, we found that the user interface is easy to use and appealing and requires a Nike account to join. Below is a table outlining important information about the Nike Training Club app.

Nike Training Club information

Sources: Positive Fitness Blog, Tom’s Guide

Down Dog: Best for Yoga

Down Dog seems to be the best app to learn and track yoga workouts. Other apps are much more costly and are often only yoga-inspired rather than classic yoga training. The app is excellent for anyone of any experience, as you can customize the workouts to your preferences. Below is a table of the important features that Down Dog offers.

Down Dog Yoga App Information

Sources: Insider, GetGymFit

Fitness-Tracking Apps Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some frequently asked questions about fitness-tracking apps.

What are the Benefits of Using Fitness-Tracking Apps for someone new to fitness?

Fitness-tracking apps help you if you're new to consistent workouts. They allow you to keep track of your progress and performance metrics. They can offer training plans and help with proper form to ensure you get the most out of your workouts.

 Furthermore, in-person weight training or yoga classes are often much more expensive than apps. Using an app is also more flexible in choosing the best time for your workout schedule. With that comes the need for self-motivation to ensure you keep up with your workouts, which is why some apps include helpful reminders.

Are There Any Dangers to Using Fitness-Tracking Apps?

There are some dangers to using fitness-tracking apps, especially for those with previous issues with body image or eating disorders. Such problems can be induced or exacerbated by these apps because people can become obsessed with reaching the goals they set for themselves or seeing physical progress. 

This can lead to them missing meals or pushing the intensity of their workouts to burn more calories and lose more weight. Thus, it is essential to be mindful and keep up with your well-being and nutrition. Talk to your doctor before starting fitness-tracking apps.

How Accurate Are Fitness-Tracking Apps?

Fitness-tracking apps use GPS-tracking to measure distance and elevation gain and pedometers to monitor steps. Research finds that such tracking is generally accurate, although we can never be 100% sure. Other performance metrics, such as heart rate and calories burned, are tracked through devices like smartwatches, so the accuracy of these measurements lies in those devices. Fitness-tracking apps will display the data collected from the connected device. You can expect your app's analyzed metrics to be a good indicator of your performance.

Bottom Line

Fitness-tracking apps are a great way to keep up with your health and wellness, especially if you want to see your performance progress as you work out. Many apps include training plans and beginner options and are customizable to best fit your needs and goals. If you want an app that can track all sports, the Strava app is a great fit for you. There are other options if you are looking for an app specific to a particular sport, like running or yoga. Consider cost, performance metrics, training plans, and guides when deciding what app to use. 

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