The advancement of technology is a double edged sword when it comes to staying active.

The creation of instant access to entertainment (e.g. Netflix or Youtube) designed to keep you watching versus fitness applications created to enable monitor and track physical activity demonstrate how technology can impact our lives in different ways. Fitness applications have becoming increasing utilised by those with busy work schedules due to flexibility, quick workout options, and tracking tools to stay on top of their fitness goals. In addition, fitness applications can help users overcome barriers such as lack of time, access to a gym, and possibly cost of entry for physical activity.

I want to highlight 5 fitness applications which busy working individuals should consider to stay active:

Seven – 7 Minute Workout

This is an app which offers a range of 7-minute workout routines designed to fit into the busiest of schedules.

The workouts focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that you can do anywhere, with no equipment needed. It is perfect for individuals who may want to squeeze in a workout during a short break or between meetings. The workouts are customisable with various workout focuses including cardio, strength or flexibility training.

Gamification is used where users can earn achievements and track streaks, which can help maintain consistency and make it feel more rewarding.

FitOn

FitOn is a free app that provides access to a wide variety of video workouts led by professional trainers, ranging from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and dance.

Workouts on this application are offered in different lengths allowing short or longer workouts. This application can be used at home or while travelling with no required gym equipment. Social features are utilised to allow users to join live classes and challenger friends.

The social element to this application can keep motivations high.

MyFitnessPal

This is a popular fitness and nutrition tracking app that helps users log workouts, track calories, and monitor progress toward their fitness goals.

Busy people can combine fitness with healthy eating, track their calorie intake and utilise a vast database of food items make it easy to stay on track. Physical activity can be manually logged such as a walk during lunch break or a gym session adding workout routines. In addition, MyFitnessPal can integrate with many wearable devices to sync activities.

This application is useful to gather a full picture of health from activity to diet to water intake.

Strava

Strava is a popular app for tracking running, cycling, walking, and other outdoor activities.

This application tracks physical activity and uses GPS to log routes and monitor progress, making it ideal for professionals who enjoy outdoor exercise. The utilisation of a community feature helps to connect users together by joining challenges or sharing routes. This enables a social component to keep up motiviation

Detailed data analysis is offered in areas such as pace, elevation, and distance covered, enabling busy professionals to track their progress and set new goals.

Runna

This app designed specifically for runners who are looking to improve their training and reach their running goals, whether they are beginners or experienced athletes.

It focuses on providing customised training plans, guided workouts, and running analytics, making it a popular choice for those looking to structure their runs effectively. This application adapts to your life as dynamic adjustments ensure that users don’t have to worry about missing a day of training or feeling guilty for taking time off. Runna’s plans are designed to build up endurance and speed over time, aiming to ensure that runners are prepared on race day.

Runna helps demystify the process of effective training for running, making it easier for users to stay committed and make progress.