16 OF THE BEST HEALTH APPS
We’ve done the research for you
HABITSHARE
Cost Free.
Recommended by Dr Tara Swart, neuroscientist and author of The Source: Open Your Mind, Change Your Life.
The lowdown It helps you track your healthy habits, from strength workouts to meditation, and share your progress with others. Scientists agree you’re more likely to stick to changes and achieve goals if you shout about them.
The verdict ‘Sustainable behaviour change involves raised awareness of what needs to change, focused attention, deliberate practice and accountability,’ says Dr Swart. ‘I use this app myself and with my coaching clients.’
DOWN DOG YOGA
Cost Free, or £9.99 per month/£48.99 per year for pro membership.
The lowdown Billed as a ‘studio-like yoga experience in your own home’, with on-demand classes you can take whenever, wherever. What sets it apart from other digital yoga offerings is that you’ll never be taken through the same session twice, thanks to
more than 60,000 configurations, which generate a unique sequence each time you step on the mat.
The verdict It’s the perfect solution for stiff limbs after hours hunched at the kitchen table WFH. You won’t get bored, thanks to a fresh set of poses each time, and the ‘boost’ feature allows you to focus on a particular body area, and choose the length and level of your practice.
APPLE HEALTH
Cost Free.
Recommended by Rick Miller, sports dietitian at King Edward VII’S Hospital, Marylebone.
The lowdown The all-in-one health companion logs your activity levels, menstrual cycle, heart rate and more.
The verdict ‘Log an outdoor walk or run, and you access more advanced fitness predictions, such as VO₂ max,’ says Miller. ‘It’s a useful way to track progress and make improvements.’
FERLY
Cost Free.
The lowdown A sex-positive app that combines mindfulness and sexuality.
The verdict With demand for sex therapy through the roof, this helps you take your sex life into your own hands (literally, in the case of guided masturbations) to build your bedroom confidence – alone and with company.
COUCH TO 5K
Cost Free.
Recommended by Michelle Griffithrobinson, former Olympian and PT.
The lowdown A popular Nhs-backed app that gets even the most reluctant of pavement pounders across the finish line with a nine-week training plan.
The verdict ‘My clients love it because it’s inclusive of everyone, whatever their experience,’ says Griffith-robinson.
HORMONE HOROSCOPE
Cost Free, or £1.99 premium.
Recommended by Dr Elaine Mcquade, GP and endocrinologist.
The lowdown Like the cult Co-star astrology app, but based on science, it uses your cycle to delivers daily updates on your upcoming mood, energy level, sleep quality and love life. Magic.
The verdict ‘Users can track how their needs change as hormones fluctuate so you can adjust your schedule according to your body,’ says Dr Mcquade.
PARADYM
Cost Free, or £8.99 per month/£47.99 per year premium.
The lowdown Teaches self-awareness using proven psychological techniques to boost confidence, creativity, sound decision-making, strong relationships and effective communication.
The verdict In a stable full of mental wellness apps, this feels fresh. Its step-by-step coaching to break negative thought patterns and regulate daily emotions is rooted in science.
MEDISAFE PILL REMINDER
Cost Free (all main features), or £3.99 per month/£29.99 per year premium.
Recommended by Dr Jasmit Mohindru, A&E registrar.
The lowdown Studies suggest as many as 50% of patients fail to take their prescriptions correctly. As well as sending reminders, this will alert others if you forget to take your medication.
The verdict ‘This is an easy way to show your stats to your doctor, so they can check up on your regular medications and doses,’ says Dr Mohindru.
PELOTON
Cost £12.99 a month.
Recommended by Dr Sarah Vohra, consultant psychiatrist and author of The Mind Medic.
The lowdown The Peloton bike is favoured by celebs and at-home spin fans. In addition to joining 10+ live spin classes daily, app users can access live and on-demand strength, cardio, yoga and meditation classes.
The verdict ‘I’ve always done regular exercise to improve my mental health, and I like how Peloton instructors use language that’s motivational rather than punitive,’ says Dr Vohra. ‘I’m a fan of the class atmosphere, and the live classes, complete with leaderboards, are the best at-home replacement.’
FIRST AID BY BRITISH RED CROSS
Cost Free.
Recommended by Dr Michelle Tempest, therapist and psychiatrist at Candesic Healthcare.
The lowdown Packed with essential information you hope you’ll never need, but that could prove vital. You can test yourself via video tutorials.
The verdict ‘While you shouldn’t use this app in an emergency, it’s useful for being prepared,’ says Dr Tempest.
SLEEP CYCLE
Cost Free, or £24.99 per year premium.
The lowdown Uses sound analysis to indicate how well you snoozed, and wakes you during your lightest phase of sleep, so you’ll bound out of bed.
The verdict Great for keeping bedtime and wake-up times consistent – the most important habit for sleep, according to Professor Matthew Walker, director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley.
MYFITNESSPAL
Cost Free, or £7.99 per month premium. Recommended by Women’s Health editor-in-chief, Claire Sanderson.
The lowdown Keeps track of your nutrition, including macro and calorie intake. A database of six million foods makes input easy.
The verdict ‘I use it to track food,’ says Claire. ‘I have the premium version, which also breaks down nutrients. It made me realise I wasn’t getting nearly enough iron or calcium.’
NIKE TRAINING CLUB
Cost Free.
Recommended by Nesrine Dally, PT and biomechanics expert.
The lowdown If you’re after a set workout schedule to stick to, this app gives you access to four options of four- to six-week plans to sink your squats into. They can be customised based on fitness goals and level, as well as the time and equipment you have to play with.
The verdict ‘I recommend this app to all my clients. I started using it myself after I had my first child and was trying to build my fitness back up from home,’ says Dally. ‘It’s great for workouts while travelling, too.’
DAY ONE JOURNAL
Cost Free, or £32.99 per year premium.
The lowdown Journalling has bona fide mental health benefits. This app offers dictated entries, prompts and the option to import data from other apps.
The verdict Provides daily prompts for when you’re lacking inspiration and allows you to sync between different devices so you can journal on the go.
WATER REMINDER
Cost Free.
Recommended by Catherine Rabess, registered dietitian (caffdietitian.com).
The lowdown Realising at 3pm that you’ve barely had a few sips of water? This app tells you how much H₂O you should be guzzling depending on your body type, and makes sure you reach your target with interval notifications.
The verdict ‘When life is busy, sticking to healthy habits is harder,’ says Rabess. ‘Given that your brain is 85% water, reminders to drink help you stay sharp.’
HEADSPACE
Cost Free, or £9.99 per month/£49.99 per year premium.
Recommended by James Lamper, clinical director at London therapy centre group Emotionmatters (emotionmatters.co.uk).
The lowdown The original meditation and mindfulness app comes with mind-focused workouts and hundreds of guided meditations to help you manage anxiety and improve focus. It claims doing a few minutes daily for 10 days will boost happiness by 16%.
The verdict ‘Life is stressful and you need to create space to pause, reflect and choose how to respond from a considered place,’ explains Lamper. ‘Headspace helps you to do just that.’