The smartphone you use for everything else may actually be the answer to your motivational woes, and there is a seriously endless array of apps created with the key goals of helping you live your healthiest, most active life.
The best part is that many of these apps don’t cost a thing, and you can reap the rewards they offer without reaching for your credit card.
Finding it hard to discern the most effective free fitness apps from the duds?
We’ve got you covered with a countdown of our top 5, shortlisted by the industry experts at EFM.
Nike continues to be one of the leading brands in physical fitness decades on from its inception, so it’s no surprise that their flagship fitness app, Nike+ Run Club, is a firm favourite for many.
Awarded an ‘Editor’s Choice’ accolade by the iTunes store, and with a 5/5 average rating by users, Nike+ Run Club offers audio guided runs, weekly challenges and community leaderboards. It’s an ideal download for those who own an Apple Watch, as it tracks heart rate and other important health stats. It also stores all of your previous runs, so you can aim to beat your personal best.
So, a basic Fitbit bracelet will cost you in the vicinity of $100 or less, but once you have this clever gadget firmly around your wrist, the app for Fitbit owners is free.
It also opens up the doors to a huge worldwide Fitbit user community, where you can compete against others in daily step challenges or even join community boards, where Fitbit fans share their progress, ‘before and after’ photos of their physical transformations, and generally cheer each other on.
Fitbit also allows you to set a daily step goal, track each and every thing you eat and see calories burnt. The best part? When your bracelet starts vibrating excitedly when you reach your daily step goal!
Another leading app, MyFitnessPal is ranked #3 in its genre on the App Store - so you know it must be good! .
MyFitnessPal is less of a physical fitness app and more of a nutritional education tool, breaking down just what you are putting into your body, as well as what you are putting out.
Track your meals in their huge food database, log water intake, gain insights into your own diet and customize a personalised meal plan.
If you are one of those people who can only see themselves running in the event of a zombie apocalypse - then this app is for you.
Designed to tap into what would really make people move, Zombies, Run! is marketed as an “ultra-immersive running game” that uses terrifying audio drama and an ongoing storyline to help you outrun the zombies “chasing you”.
It can’t be too bad - 4 million people worldwide use Zombies, Run! as their fitness app of choice. Are you next?
You know those apps your iPhone comes ready-installed with but you rarely look at? Apple iPhone users may not be aware that their phone comes with an inbuilt fitness tracker - without costing a cent!
Search for the app with the pink heart and open it up. Yep, that’s the Apple Health app, and it’s been tracking your movement, steps and distance covered since you the moment you turned on your new iPhone.
The Health app offers the chance to log body measurements, heart and reproductive health records, results and vitals all in the one place, all while tracking your daily steps taken. Of course, your iPhone must be on your to track your steps.
The Apple Health app is a free-of-charge godsend, and can also be connected to your other favourite health and fitness apps, so all of your important information can be fed into the one safe place. Connect it up to your Fitbit app, Flo period tracking app or MyFitnessPal and see what this app can do for you!
Finding motivation to move can be fun with the help of these 5 free smartphone apps, created to help you live your happiest, healthiest life.