7 Fitness Apps That Will Keep You on Track
Your Apple iWatch is a powerful tool for reaching your health goals, and the right fitness apps can make all the difference. Whether you’ve had your watch for years or just got a new one, pairing it with the right software is key to unlocking its full potential. In my years as a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist, I’ve seen how tracking data can transform a fitness journey.
This guide will show you some of the best fitness apps available for your iWatch, and the best part is that they won’t cost you a dime to get started. If you own an Apple iWatch, you’re in the right place to maximize its value.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
Table of contents
What Fitness Apps Should You Start Using?
Below are some fantastic fitness apps that you can use to get the best results possible with your iWatch.
1. Activity
The built-in Activity app is the perfect place to start. It’s designed around three simple rings, Move, Exercise, and Stand, that give you a quick visual of your daily progress.
This fitness app tracks your steps, distance, and calories burned using the watch’s optical heart sensor. You can also monitor your heart rate during various workouts, from indoor cycling to outdoor runs.
While it has an “Other” category for weight training, it primarily tracks heart rate and gives a general calorie burn. It’s a great starting point, but if you want more detailed data, you’ll want to explore other options.
2. Gymaholic
For those serious about strength training, Gymaholic is a game-changer. This is one of the fitness apps that fills the gap left by the Activity app by letting you track specific exercises, weight, reps, and sets.
With a library of over 850 exercises complete with 3D animations, you can perfect your form right from your wrist. A standout feature is its use of Augmented Reality (AR), which lets you visualize the exercise in your space.
The fitness app also syncs seamlessly with the Apple Health app to log your workouts and body measurements. You can even create transformation videos by uploading progress photos, which is incredibly motivating when it’s hard to see daily changes.
3. Lark
Lark acts as your personal 24/7 AI health coach right on your iWatch. This fitness app uses text-based conversations to help you track your food, sleep, and exercise.
It gives you instant, personalized feedback on your choices. For example, if you log bacon and eggs, Lark might point out how often you’ve had bacon that week and suggest a leaner protein for more energy.
What makes Lark unique is its specialized programs, including a CDC-approved Diabetes Prevention Program, and others for hypertension and general wellness. It’s designed for people who want quick logging with immediate, actionable advice to stay on track throughout the day.
4. Runkeeper
If you’re a runner, Runkeeper is a must-have. This fitness app, now owned by the sportswear company ASICS, uses GPS to track your runs, pace, and routes without needing your phone.
The app offers various challenges and training plans to keep you motivated. You can also use it for indoor activities like the treadmill or stationary bike.
While the core app is free, you can upgrade to Runkeeper Go for personalized race training plans and deeper insights. With over 45 million users, it’s a well-established tool for runners of all levels.
5. 3 Minute Mindfulness
Fitness isn’t just physical; mental health is crucial. 3 Minute Mindfulness is one of the fitness apps that help you manage daily stress and anxiety with short, guided exercises.
The app can send you reminders to breathe and smile, helping you stay centered throughout the day. It features specific breathing techniques, like Square Breathing and 4-7-8 Breathing, to calm your nervous system and improve focus.
These quick, three-minute sessions are perfect for fitting into a busy schedule, whether in the morning, afternoon, or right before bed to improve sleep.
6. Seven
Just getting started and not sure what to do? The Seven app delivers effective, seven-minute workouts right on your iWatch.
These workouts are based on the science of High-Intensity Circuit Training (HICT), which has been shown to provide significant fitness benefits in a short amount of time. The concept was popularized in a paper from the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Journal.
The fitness app guides you through each bodyweight exercise with timers and animations, and voiceover instructions mean you don’t even have to look at your wrist. It’s an excellent way to build an exercise habit without needing a gym membership.
7. MyFitnessPal
A giant in the nutrition world, MyFitnessPal is an essential app for tracking your food intake and exercise. This is by far one of my favorite fitness apps.
Its biggest strength is a massive food database with over 20.5 million items, making it easy to track your food accurately. You can quickly log meals using the barcode scanner or right from the iWatch app.
From your wrist, you can see your remaining calories and macros, log your water intake, and view your daily step count. If you’re serious about the nutrition side of your fitness journey, I highly recommend using this powerful tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fitness Apps
Are these iWatch fitness apps really free?
All the apps listed here offer robust free versions that are powerful enough for most users. Many, like Runkeeper, also offer premium subscriptions with advanced features like personalized training plans for a monthly or yearly fee.
Can fitness apps on my iWatch replace a gym membership?
It depends on your goals. Apps like Seven are fantastic for bodyweight exercises and building a consistent routine at home. For heavy strength training or specialized equipment, a gym is still necessary, but an app like Gymaholic can make your gym sessions much more effective.
How accurate is the calorie tracking on these apps?
Calorie tracking on a watch is an estimate based on your heart rate, movement, and personal data (like height and weight). While not perfectly precise, it’s very effective for tracking trends over time and ensuring you’re staying active.
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