I am a firm believer that you do not need a gym membership to get yourself a good workout. Not only are there plenty of outdoor physical activities you can partake in, like running, biking, walking, etc, but technology makes it super easy and incredibly cheap to workout from the comfort of your own home and really break a sweat. How cheap you may be asking? Try Free! Here are some of my favorite apps and websites for getting a good workout. Give it a try, and you may even find that you can cancel your rarely used gym membership and have a little fun working out in the process!
I’ll be honest, I have a few Yoga apps that guide you through pre structured and/or self-made yoga routines, however, this App which is currently free as a Starbucks Pick of the Week, takes the cake! Not only are the routines easy to follow with clear images and directions, but I love the DIY routines. Unlike my other apps, Yoga Studio gives the user the ability to choose individual poses and blocks of poses that go together in a series. So, you can add downward facing dog to your routine, or the entire Sun Salutation. This makes creating your own yoga routines a breeze, and when something it easy to use and customizable, it means you are more likely to stick to it!
In case you are not aware, Blogilates is one of the web’s most popular health and fitness websites. Created by Cassey Ho, professional fitness instructor, this website is a mecca of free fitness advice and videos. Cassey covers a variety of workouts and topics on her blog, that include easy to follow videos, meal plans, and recipes to help keep you on track with your fitness goals. If you are someone interested in beginning an entry-level fitness plan, Cassey even includes workout calendars with suggested workout programs that basically make it like you have your own personal trainer! It doesn’t get much easier than that, so check out the site if you are serious about getting in shape!
As most of already know, dieting is really hard, but studies have shown that people who keep track of their diet and physical activity each day have a higher rate of success than those who do not. This is why programs like Weight Watchers are so popular, they give users the tools to track their food intake, weight and exercise to give them an overall picture of how they are progressing, and when users stick to this model, it does work! But Weight Watchers can be expensive with sign on and monthly fees, it can cost you hundreds of dollars a year. Enter My Fitness Pal, a free app that basically does the same thing, but without the Weight Watchers Points System! So, if you are looking for a reliable method to track your weight loss progress, give this app a go and you will find that you won’t need an expensive alternative just to drop some lbs!
Do you use any apps to help you stay on track with your health and fitness goals? Do you workout with the guidance of an app or do you prefer to hit the gym with a real trainer? Let us know in the comments!