Excuses are something we’ve all become far too accustomed to using when it comes to the importance of maintaining our bodies through exercise and a balanced diet. The UK fitness industry is the second largest in Europe, after Germany, and in 2017, we opened the third highest amount of gyms, almost 7,000.
Gyms are in abundance, but why then are ab workouts not? A survey carried out by the BBC in 2017 found that just over a fifth of those who don’t go to the gym, choose not to based on not wanting to exercise. Alternatively, 45% of respondents proposed that gym memberships in the UK are simply too expensive – with average monthly gym memberships in the UK coming in at just over £40.
A decade ago, if you wanted to exercise and didn’t want to pay for the gym, you were faced with a toss-up between a park run or going to the local climbing frames and doing various combinations of dips and pull ups. Now however, app developers have taken the stress out of it for you, with guides on eating, exercising, sleeping and ultimately achieving a healthier life, readily available.
Here, with Omega 7 suppliers, Pharma Nord, we look at the 5 best health apps, one simply must have.
Smokefree
Before the health-drive commences, the first thing to consider is packing the cigarettes in – the journey will be a whole lot easier. Quitting smoking is something five million people in the UK tried to do in 2017, but one in five didn’t achieve a month without a cigarette. With the Smokefree app, you will be provided with daily tips, advice and support over a 28-day programme. Better still, you’ll be rewarded if you meet your goals! The app states that you are up to five times more likely to quit for good If you stay smoke free for the four-week programme.
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
Price: Free
Sworkit
As previously mentioned, gyms can prove expensive and running might bore you. This doesn’t mean that you can’t build muscle from the comfort of your own living room. Sworkit, with their ‘no gym, no excuse’ slogan, provides you with a full-training guide that requires no fitness suite. With a host of exercise ideas and programmes to choose from, including strength, cardio and stretching, you can mould your perfect workout. The app will deliver an array of exercises to follow during your session and is a great option for those who already have a good knowledge of where they want to target.
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
Price: Free, with the options of in-app purchases
Couch to 5k
Running is one of the methods of exercise. Not only is it good for your heart and lungs, it helps build muscle. We’re not suggesting you run a marathon, but Couch to 5k, is great for making in-roads. Presented by Public Health England, it builds you up gradually with a mix of running and walking so that within 9 weeks you should be able to run 5 kilometres (3.1 miles). There’s also a choice of five virtual trainers to help you on your fitness journey and keep you motivated.
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
Price: Free
Calorie checker
Weight loss isn’t all about exercise, in fact, research suggests that around 75% depends on diet. The NHS’s calorie checker is a great way to monitor your intake, with over 150,000 food and drink itemised products showing the calorie and fat content.
Available from: NHS website
Price: Free
Seven
Do you see fitness as an unachievable goal, but you can similarly devote months towards reaching the conclusion of a video game? This app treats fitness as a classic video game and sets you challenges to complete using no more than a chair, your own weight or a wall. These tasks are set daily for seven months and each day you miss, you will lose a life (you start with three). If you lose all three in a month, your progress is reset to zero. Stick with it and you’re sure to see results!
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
This certainly isn’t a definitive list, but it’s a start – and that’s exactly what you need to make, if achieving those all important resolutions is going to happen.
Derek
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