If you are like me, it’s almost as if with summer comes the perfect, and all-too-often, unrealistic plan to get into top shape. Well, like with many things, there’s an app for that. Here at Richland Source, there are some of us have started taking advantage of apps on our smart phones for working out. Three of the office favorites are Nike+ series, Nike Training Club, and Strava.
David Yoder helps edit the Source and recommends the Nike+ Running app. His favorite part is the technology found in Nike’s placement of a chip inside select shoes especially for the app. “I was honestly just really excited to be able to sync my iPhone and my shoes,” he says. The app tracks runners on their route and allows them to save their runs to their phone. A dashboard on the home screen counts the number of runs, calories burned, ad the average pace of the runner.
Additionally, Nike Training Club has caught the attention of our staff. The Nike app is designed especially for women and is predominantly used for those who would like to keep track of their runs and follow pre-planned workouts. This app acts as a personal trainer and makes life easier if you don’t feel like driving to the gym each day. Once the app is opened, it allows you to choose the level of difficulty for each workout (beginner to expert) and guides you with an instructional video. The app features a recorded voice that occasionally gives you a “Nice” for encouragement and detailed pictures acting as examples of each movement in the workout. Although the repeated use of “Nice” can get repetitive, it’s nice to know our phones want us to succeed.
My personal favorite is Strava. The app is specifically designed for cyclists. I recently started to use this app for my mountain bike routes. For each ride, there is a wealth of data Strava records: elevation, distance, average speed, elapsed time and a map keeps you updated on your whereabouts with a built-in GPS. The app also features a map where riders can share their routes with others and compete for the best times. Jay Allred, Richland Source’s publisher ranks number 5 on the 1.2 mile ‘Down to Clearfork’ route with a time of 2:36. I especially appreciate this app because it allows me to compete with friends, which serves as my main motivation. There are also challenges each rider can strive to accomplish interactively with friends and other local users.
One downfall to the apps, however, is that they require you to make an account with them or through Facebook. With the purchasable version ($15) of Nike Training Club comes a wider selection of workouts, human voice recordings that speak to you during workouts and use adjectives that differ from “Nice,” and high definition videos that guide you through your workouts.
With the purchased version of Strava comes more data-tracking capabilities like, heart-rate and calories burned.
If you have these apps already, or have others that are equally helpful and motivating, share them and comment in the comment section below. We thought we would share these as a thought starter. We’re sure you have more. Feel free to post them or share with us on our Facebook or Twitter page.
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