Fitness apps

As we kickoff our Mobile Nations Fitness Month, I realized just how far behind I was in my 2013 New Year's resolutions. Sure I started out with the best intentions of getting in shape and finally losing those last few pounds but work, blogging, and life's little issues got in the way. Throughout my weight ups and downs, the one thing I've learned is that not only is it important to manage your diet and maintain portion control but adhere to a strict daily fitness regimen as well.

That is why our BlackBerry smartphones and PlayBook are extremely valuable resources in weight loss/management. There are a plethora of applications and workouts available to make sure you meet your healthy lifestyle goals not only in a timely manner, but in a way that avoids overexertion and injury by gradually increasing intensity. So before you reach for another cookie or bag of chips, be sure to browse through this list of our Top Fitness Applications.

Pocket Trainer

Pocket Trainer

Pocket Trainer is a versatile cross platform fitness application that creates a workout session based on your capabilities, equipment owned, length of workout, and location. This means that no matter where you are (i.e. home, hotel, or gym) it puts together an exercise program specifically for you. Created by professional trainers, it includes easy to follow videos, still images, written descriptions of all movements, includes rest periods, stores your history, and increases intensity of workouts over time in direct correlation to your progress. What I do love most about Pocket Trainer is that it will recommend exercises based on equipment you own. For instance, there is an exercise solely based on a towel and a door in your house. Pocket Trainer is a convenient application with over 400 exercises so you'll never get bored.

More information/purchase Pocket Trainer for BlackBerry Smartphones

Endomondo

Endomondo Sports Tracker

Endomondo is no stranger the front page here at CrackBerry and is a favorite of the team here and for good reason. This sports tracker was created to not only help you burn off those calories but track your progress, analyze your training, and challenge your friends all at the same time. Whether you are walking, biking, or even on the treadmill you can keep track of all your fitness goals all from your GPS-enabled BlackBerry device. Part personal trainer and part social motivator (i.e. compete against friends or receive real-time pep talks, share via BBM, Facebook and Twitter), this popular fitness application will certainly get the blood pumping. Registration on their website is free and for those who upgrade to the Pro version you can set your calorie and time goal, listen to the audio coach, count your steps with the pedometer, and view graphs that outline your lap times, speed altitude, and heart rate.

More information/download Endomondo Sports Tracker for the BlackBerry smartphones
More information/purchase Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro for BlackBerry smartphones
More information/download Endomondo for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Couch to 5K

Couch to 5k Pro

The aptly named Couch to 5K pro is for those who are new to the jogging world and don't want to start off to fast. To get you off of the couch without causing overexertion, it gradually eases you into the running program. This two month regimen, at three days a week, guides you through 20-30 minute sessions and is designed to slowly build your endurance so that at the end you're running three miles (5K). This easy to follow application tracks your progress each week and offers the same amount of moderate exercise recommended to reach optimal fitness.

More information/purchase Couch to 5k Pro for BlackBerry smartphones
More information/download Couch to 5k - Free for BlackBerry smartphones

MyFitnessPal

Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal

No exercise program would be complete without a calorie counter, though MyFitnessPal goes above and beyond the average tracker to help you reach your weight goal. All you need to do is enter in your daily calorie goal and diet profile and then record your daily food and exercise. It features the largest food database (over 1,700,000) fully syncs with your online account so that all of your information is backed up and stored and accessible anytime, anywhere. The app provides you with the tools to help keep those pounds off. It allows you to create your own custom foods and exercises, tracks all major nutrients, progress reports, customized goals based on your diet profile, and comes with a recipe calculator for the nutritional contents of your personal recipes. Losing weight is not an easy task but MyFitnessPal is part food diary, part activity, membership is FREE, and gives you all the tools you need to track what you in eat and how you work out at your fingertips.

More information/download Calorie Counter and Diety Tracker by MyFitnessPal for BlackBerry smartphones

Pocket Yoga

Pocket Yoga

For some, Yoga may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to weight loss. However, it is exercise that when performed on a daily basis does help to burn calories and reduce stress. For me this is important as I'm a typical stress eater. Pocket yoga is designed to improve strength, balance, posture, and flexibility. Each pre-loaded Yoga session lasts for 60 minutes and includes a detailed text description, male and female voices, and an image of the Yoga pose which you can play or pause. You can create any number of custom sessions or utilize their preloaded sessions that consist of traditional yoga poses with a Vinyasa flow. All that is required is to set your device in front of the mat, start a practice and let it do the rest.

More information/purchase Pocket Yoga for BlackBerry smartphones
More information/download Pocket Yoga Free for BlackBerry smartphones

GymTechnik

Gym Technik

What list would be complete without the two time CB Award winner for Best Health/Fitness App? If you aren't familiar with Gym Technik then this month be sure to check it out. Over the last couple of years they've added quite a few new features for anyone looking to stay fit all in one convenient place. While the application is free to download, once the 30 day free trial expires you will be expected to sign up for one of their monthly or yearly workout plans. Just remember that this is like having your own personal trainer in your pocket. It also offers a built-in resting and recovery timer and the ability to stream full motion exercise videos. Through the application you can access workouts, body stats, and schedule monthly workout routines in addition to tracking your progress (i.e. body weight, body size measurements, body fat and uploading photos). With the integrated social networking feature you can share your progress with your friends.

More information/download Gym Technik for BlackBerry smartphones

runtastic

runtastic

Whether you love to run, bike, skate, hike or ski, runtastic is your personal sports and fitness application. With it you can track your activities thanks to the built-in GPS which records time, distance, calories burned, speed, and elevation. Runtastic makes your exercise easy and fun while helping you to stay motivated. Not only can you view your current position and route (using BlackBerry Maps) and listen to feedback and other useful information during a workout, it also comes with real time tracking to have your friends and family cheer you on, social networking integration, playlist support for your favorite music, and a countdown timer which locks the screen. It also provides you with detailed statistics about your activities and uploads them to their website. One of many fitness applications they recently released their PushUps Pro line for BlackBerry 10.

More information/download runtastic for BlackBerry smartphones
More information/download runtastic PushUps Pro for BlackBerry 10 smartphones
More information/download runtastic PushUps FREE for BlackBerry 10 smartphones

Workout Trainer by Skimble

Workout Trainer by Skimble

For those searching for way to create and edit workouts directly from their BlackBerry PlayBook there is Workout Trainer by Skimble. Each workout is led by expert personal trainers to help guide you through exercises with timed, step-by-step audio, photo, and video instructions. Whether you are at home or at the job or enjoy high intensity interval training and time workouts, it will help you to keep your weight loss goals thanks to its thousands of free workouts. Simply choose your area of focus and complete their free virtual consultation wizard and you're on your way to getting in shape without the use of exercise equipment. Each workout varies in length and it provides a variety of workouts for people at any level and the tools to keep you motivated and stay on track.

More information/download Workout Trainer by Skimble for the BlackBerry PlayBook

Sports Tracker 
 

Sports Tracker

Sports Tracker for BlackBerry 10 devices lets you monitor and analyze your performance, share your various workouts with friends and links to their free webservice so you can access and backup your information at all times for future reference. It basically turns your mobile into a social sports computer. Developed by those who are passionate about outdoor sports, this cross-platform lts you easily track your development and progress right from your device as well as connect with your heart rate monitor. This rich feature application includes the ability to record visual snapshots of your trip and listen to music in your phone's media library all from the sleek interface.

More information/download Sports Tracker for BlackBerry 10 smartphones

Fitness Tips

Fitness Tips

There is nothing like learning the basics to help you on your way. Fitness tips is chock full of exercises and recommendations on how to create and tailor a fitness routine to your needs. Not only that but for those of us stuck all day at our desks for work, it even includes some exercises you can perform right from your chair. Just because you're not in a gym or doesn't mean you don't have time to get in shape. 

More information/download Fitness Tips for BlackBerry 10 smartphones

There you have it, the top applications to get you off on the right foot for Mobile Nations Fitness Month. Did I miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below! 

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