Apps that can help you shake that stress
MANY of us will admit we are perpetually overworked and invariably sedentary. Despite the endless options for getting in shape – gym memberships, trainers – doing so still remains as hard as ever.
Fitting in time for a workout is next to impossible as work hours extend, stress levels spike and our daydreams all involve going back to sleep.
And while there’s a plethora of apps to make you move more and worry less, choosing the right one can be daunting.
Never fear: here are some of the best choices recommended by health professionals and fitness experts – all of whom pledge they have no stake in any of the companies. Apps for when you can’t make it to the gym: Sometimes you want to go to the gym, but your schedule just doesn’t leave time for the schlep. These apps help you squeeze the exercise you need into the time you have.
The 7-Minute Workout: inspired by a 2013 news report on a study finding that high-intensity interval training can be as beneficial as longer endurance training, this app’s workouts combine tried-and-true exercises like push-ups and sit-ups with helpful graphics, text and video.
“I use the workouts on the app to complement cardio activities in my routine, like running, biking, and swimming,” says Nancy Easton, a triathlete and executive director and co-founder of Wellness in the Schools, a national non-profit focused on healthy eating and fitness for kids.
Sworkit: This app offers personalised video workouts varying in time (5 to 60 minutes) and routine (cardio, strength, yoga, or stretching). It even hooks up to your Spotify account to make exercising less painful.
“This is the app I recommend for my clients when they travel and don’t have access to a gym,” says Amanda Edell, a personal trainer.
YogaGlo: With more than 3 500 yoga workouts available in a variety of lengths and levels, the $17.99 (R252)-per-month subscription to this app is significantly less than most studios will charge – and a lot more convenient.
“I take YogaGlo with me wherever I travel, and having all the different class options helps ensure that no matter what I’m facing with work, I’ll always have something dedicated to catering to my specific needs,” says Erika Nicole Kendall, a New York City-based trainer and writer of the blog, A Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss.
Apps for people who hate the gym: Gyms are hardly the only places for physical fitness. These apps cost less and require minimal commitment.
Endomondo: What’s the point of walking to work if you’re not going to get credit for all those steps? That’s where this app comes in, allowing users to track walks, runs, bike rides and more than 40 other sports.
“I’m a fan of simple and practical, and the Endomondo app is both for me,” says Sandria Washington, a certified yoga teacher and executive editor of BlackDoctor.org, an online health resource serving African Americans.
Zombies, Run!: this app ties in zombie-fleeing plots, complete with zombie groaning audio, to give your runs some added excitement.
“The story line, the humour and the interface often get me lacing up my shoes even on days where I’m dragging,” says Yoni Freedhoff, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Ottawa.
Cody: this app provides access to a wide range of fitness videos led by world-class coaches and arranged into plans to help you meet your goals.
“What I love is that it brings an entire series focused on one targeted issue to your device,” says Kendall. “If I need to focus on stepping up my flexibility, I can get the guidance of an informed coach to walk me through a month or six weeks or however-long practice to help me improve that specifically.” Apps to help you achieve serenity now: Meditation and mindfulness have been connected to improvements in anxiety, brain function, and even loneliness. But achieving Zen takes practice. These apps can help.
Headspace: This super-popular app will teach you to meditate for just 10 minutes a day. It can be a good first step for those with bigger mental health problems, too.
“Often patients do not want to admit or accept that they are suffering from depression or anxiety,” says Daniel Turner-Lloveras, a Los Angeles-based physician and founder of Heal Swift, which connects patients with nearby health-care providers. “It is much easier to download an app and listen to a guided meditation on your own than it is for some to enter a room and admit to a stranger they are suffering and that they need help.”
Buddhify: This meditation app is specifically focused on city dwellers. Whether you’re on your way to work, on a break, or even sleeping, this app has a guided meditation for you (think soothing voices).
“Everyone needs coping strategies they can turn to automatically in times of stress,” says Mary Commerford, director of the Furman Counselling Centre at Barnard College. She also recommends Meditation Oasis. “These two apps, practised regularly, can improve the quality of a person’s life.”