The Only Five Fitness Apps You'll Ever Need

Alright ladies, it’s time to turn up the gas on our awesomeness. If we want to feel like the powerful warriors we are then we need to UP OUR GAME on the physical fitness front. Being physically active is good for the body, obviously, but it’s also good for the soul and the mind, and we deserve to have all parts of ourselves strong and in balance.

Karate and kickboxing are my exercises of choice, but I only get to do three classes a week. I know I need to up my game, so now I’m looking at ways to get more physical activity in my life without the having to join a gym. With so many great fitness apps out there, getting into tip top shape should be a breeze, but which ones are worth your time, money, and precious device space? Here are some of the best apps out there that are user friendly, reliable, and enjoy consistently high ratings.

Carrot Fit

Carrot Fit is a fitness app for people who can laugh at themselves and have healthy self confidence. I actually laughed out loud when setting up this app because I found the sarcastic mocking by Carrot, the robotic fitness overlord, highly entertaining. This app has several 7 Minutes In Hell workouts that only require a wall, a chair, and if you are really going for it, a barf bucket. You can earn new workouts as you progress, but even when you do Carrot will take you down a peg with her judgement and harsh wit.
Cost: $2.99

Zombies, Run

I’m not big on running unless I’m running toward nachos or away from a bear, but this app makes running fun. Zombies, Run is a running program disguised as a game. During your run or “mission” you earn supplies that you take back to your base. Interval training comes in the form of “zombie chases” where you need to pick up your pace if you don’t want to get caught. You can view your regular run log stats (calories burned, distance, average speed, etc.), but you also get to see info about the supplies you collected and the number of zombies you evaded. Run for your life!
Cost:$3.99

Charity Miles

Using the Charity Miles app is as good for your spirit as it is for your body. With this app you earn money for a charity of your choice by running, walking, or cycling. Sponsors donate 25 cents per mile of running and walking and 10 cents per mile of cycling. You’re asked to share your workout info as a way to acknowledge and thank the sponsors for their donation. What’s better than improving yourself and giving to others at the same time? Nothing, that’s what.
Cost: Free

Sworkit

Sworkit is the perfect fitness app for busy people. You choose the type of workout you want to do: cardio, strength, yoga, or stretching, and the part of your body that you want to focus on, set the timer, then get to work. Workouts range from 5 minutes to one hour and can be customized to suit your needs. These body weight exercises are high intensity so you get the most out of your workout in a short time. There are great videos for the exercises too in case you need a refresher on how to perform a particular move.
Cost: Free

FitStar

Fitstar is a very cool app that evolves with you as your fitness level improves. All you need to do is honestly answer a few simple questions when doing your initial fitness assessment and following each workout. As particular areas of a workout become easier for you, the exercises will change to keep up with your progress. Alternately, if you are finding something too difficult, you just let the app know and it will scale back. The free version only gives you two workouts per week but I’m ok with that because I’m not relying solely on this app for my exercise program.
Cost: Free

You already know this, but it bears repeating that regardless of what app(s) you choose to help turn you into Xena, warrior princess, you only get out of them what you put in. It’s time, ladies, for us to be healthy and strong in mind, body, and spirit. Yes, it will be hard work, but the alternative is much harder.