Myth #7 iPhone applications are useless

By Michela Fiorido [Sports Bureau Chief]

Actually, I think that, amongst the array of crappy time-wasting applications out there, there are some very useful apps for the gym and general fitness. The right fitness app can provide you with a valuable way to track calories and workouts, but the wrong one can waste your time and leave you frustrated. This list only includes free apps, we’re all students here!

1. Lose it: this app allows you to set a goal weight and work towards it in a healthy, reasonable manner by helping you to meet a certain caloric goal for each day. It takes into account exercise and other calorie-burning activities that you might complete during the day. It allows you to log everything you’ve eaten and includes a large list of name-brand and common food items to add. It also keeps track of all your meals and all previous foods eaten, so it’s super easy to log what you eat once you get a couple days in. It’s an awesome way to keep track of food, your weight, and it also gives you perspective as to how many calories are actually present in the foods you consume regularly.

2. iMapMyRun: running is an amazing way to get a good workout, feel great, and lose weight. However, most people absolutely hate running, including myself. Enter iMapMyRun, the helpful and motivating tool that logs each run you complete. You are able to map exactly where you ran and the time it took you to run. It even allows you to input your weight and height, as well as view the calories burned and the distance you ran in miles. What is even more awesome is that the program can use the GPS capabilities on your iPhone to track where you’re running. No more excuses!

3. Heartbeat: I thought that this one was going to be a cheesy gimmick, but it’s actually really cool. Sometimes it’s nice to know your heart rate, whether you’re trying to keep up with Tony Horton on P90x, or making sure you’ve made it into the “fat burning” zone while doing cardio, or even checking to see if you’re still alive with an operating pulse at random moments during the day (i.e. Canadian history class). This app allows you to manually track your heart beats per minute (bpm) by tapping the heart on the screen every time your heart beats. Yes, I realize in theory that it is extremely simplistic and one with a basic working knowledge of mathematics could figure out their own heartbeat. I’m not ashamed to admit that my multiplication skills were expunged with the culmination of my adolescence.

4. Gym Goal ABC: this app, while virtually useless for those experienced in the weight room, has the potential to be very helpful for beginners. It offers 280 exercises with animations to show how to complete them. It also allows you to add your own images to any exercise. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for separate calculator apps because it includes a variety of calculations such as BMI and body fat percentage. It lets you choose a specific area to work on from a map of the human body and it provides exercises designed for that muscle group. Ultimately, it’s a good one for gym newbies who are looking for exercise ideas for specific body parts or for proper instruction on how to lift and use free weights and machines.

Before starting any fitness routine, consult a qualified fitness professional.