The best fitness apps

This is how you increase your performance

Looking for a sports partner who is always by your side and motivates you? Then a fitness app is just right for you. The app accompanies you during every training and every competition and reliably tracks your performance. It shows you your progress and encourages you to stay on track. It is important that you find the best fitness app for your personal goals. You can read how it works and what our top 5 are here.

Good fitness apps show you how long you ran, what distance you covered and how high your heart rate was. The best fitness apps go one step further: they encourage you to perform at your best . How? By making your sporting successes tangible. If you see in black and white that you are getting a little faster from week to week, you want to continue training. You want to keep breaking your records and pushing your limits.

For an additional boost of motivation, you can share your performance on social networks using the fitness app. If you celebrate your triumphs here and compete with other athletes , it spurs you on. Studies also show this.

But a fitness app is more than just a digital animator. It not only tracks your sports program, but also provides you with important information. She gives you nutritional tips and explains, for example, why protein is important for athletes . It also helps you set up a varied, individual training plan . You can find out here what the best fitness apps can do and what you should pay attention to when choosing an app.

Fitness apps: This is what they should do

If you want to download a fitness app onto your smartphone, you will quickly notice: the selection of fitness apps is huge. It's not easy to choose one. Use our criteria to find an app that will help you get the most out of your training.

Your fitness app should...

• query your individual fitness level.
• Can be adapted to your goals, your available time and your exercise routine .
• enable you to share training successes.
• convey in-depth knowledge precisely and understandably.

Tip: When downloading, pay attention to the small print such as the data protection declaration and the terms and conditions. You should read this information carefully. This is the only way you can know what happens to your data or what the terms of your subscription are.

Now you can get started - we have tested five fitness apps. Find out if they meet your needs.

Five fitness apps to improve performance during training

Freeletics: Reach your goal with AI-based coaching

No matter whether you want to get fitter overall, build endurance or simply lose some weight: you certainly know that this not only requires the right workouts, but also a conscious lifestyle . Sometimes this can be a bit difficult in stressful everyday life.

The Freeletics app therefore provides you with a coach based on artificial intelligence – also known as “AI” – who accompanies you and your training every day. That's great motivation. Because a trainer knows your fitness level and your individual goals exactly and gets the maximum performance out of you .

Based on your age, height, weight, fitness level and goals, your coach will give you suggestions for so-called “training journeys” - they will quickly bring you closer to your goal. Of course, you can also indicate what options you currently have. Have you already provided barbells and weights for your training? Would you rather work with your body weight or include a short run?

No problem: Freeletics will put together a suitable plan for you. This means you don't have to think for long about which muscle groups you want to target - just roll out the mat and off you go . The more you train, the more challenging your workout will be. So that the app recognizes that you are continually improving, you answer a few questions after each workout.

And because training tailored to your individual needs is important for your success , you can also expect so-called audio coaching in the app. With the help of approximately 20-minute posts, you'll learn how to establish healthy habits, reduce stress, sharpen your focus and regenerate after your workout.

This is how you celebrate your personal successes with Freeletics

Freeletics collects the workouts you have completed, summarizes your training status using a points system and shows you exactly how much time you have already invested in improving your performance . In your personal feed, you track the results of your efforts and share your training successes - this can motivate others. You will also discover the workouts of other athletes and recognize their achievements with a so-called “ClapClap”.

Freeletics – all the facts at a glance

• This is what the fitness app offers : training plans, nutrition tips, athlete knowledge
• The fitness app is just right for : athletes who want a holistic fitness program and like to share their individual successes with others.
• This is what the fitness app costs : Freeletics offers a free basic version that provides you with individual training plans. The holistic coach function is available as a subscription. There are different packages that start at a contribution of €3 per month.
• Background of the fitness app : Freeletics started as a Munich start-up in 2013 and developed into an international coaching app.
• Usable on : IOS and Android
  
  

Strava: Track your performance and break your best times

Going for a jog and just switching off isn't enough for you - you want to be a little faster every time and keep outdoing yourself when you run. Or would you like to keep improving your performance while cycling or swimming? Then Strava is a suitable fitness app for you. The reason: It turns your smartphone into a clever tracker and records your routes, speeds and training frequency.

Because you can't take your smartphone into the water and it can generally be a hindrance when doing sports, you can easily connect the app to other GPS devices such as the Apple Watch or Fitbit. Thanks to an integrated trail and route network overview, you can discover suitable jogging routes even on vacation. Strava also offers you suitable training plans that specifically prepare you for special running events - regardless of whether you want to finally break the ten-kilometer mark or run your five-kilometer distance in under 30 minutes.

You see: The app offers you many options. Now all you need is the right sports clothing and an isotonic drink that provides you with quickly available carbohydrates - and nothing stands in the way of your training.

This is how you celebrate your personal successes with Strava

Do you often wonder how quickly your friends can complete the five-kilometer distance or what other athletes say about your performance? It's not just you: on Strava you'll find like-minded people who, like you, are on the hunt for the next best time. In addition, you can use Strava to track your sports sessions and share them along with photos and testimonials in your personal feed.

Strava – all the facts at a glance

• This is what the fitness app offers : training tracking, trail and route network, comparisons with other athletes
• The fitness app is just right for : Endurance athletes who are preparing for competitions or want to improve their personal bests.
• This is what the fitness app costs : Strava offers a free trial month. Afterwards, all functions of the app are available as a subscription for €7.49 per month or €59.99 per year.
• Background of the app : Strava comes from San Francisco and started in 2009 as a social network for sharing and tracking different cardio sports.
• Usable on : IOS and Android
  
  

Myfitnesspal: Keep an eye on your nutrient intake and track your calories

To ensure that you remain productive during sport, in everyday life or at work, a balanced diet is an absolute must - studies have shown this . But how do you make sure you're getting the right nutrients with your meals? Then there is only one solution : If you want to get a realistic overview of how many calories and which nutrients you consume, you have to document your meals.

But without the right tools, this can be quite complicated. Myfitnesspal simplifies tracking: Easily add meals you have saved or scan foods using their barcode. Not only do you add your breakfast, lunch or dinner, but you also integrate your sports snacks into your nutrition plan.

Tracking your diet seems quite strenuous to you? Don't worry : after a short time you will notice how quickly the entries in your food diary become part of your routine. And if you want even more: Simply combine Myfitnesspal with other fitness apps or GPS devices such as Apple Watch, Fitbit and Co. - for a holistic fitness program.

This is how you celebrate your personal successes with Myfitnesspal

Myfitnesspal saves your goals for you alone - no matter what you are pursuing. This can not only be losing five kilograms, but also your goal of consuming at least 20% protein or no more than 30% fat through your meals and snacks. You also record the training goals you have set. The app reminds you of your wishes every day - making it easier for you to stay on track.

Myfitnesspal – all the facts at a glance

• This is what the fitness app offers : barcode scanner, calorie diary, pedometer
• The fitness app is perfect for : Nutrition-conscious people who want to track their calorie intake and find out more about the nutrients in their food.
• This is what the fitness app costs : Myfitnesspal has a free basic version that allows you to keep a calorie diary. All other functions are available as a subscription for €9.99 monthly or €49.99 annually.
• Background of the app : Myfitnesspal was developed in 2005 and sold in 2015 to the US sporting goods manufacturer Under Armour, based in Baltimore. In 2020 the rights to the fitness app were sold again.
• Usable on : IOS and Android
  

Runtastic: Take your endurance sports to the next level

Do you love jogging and want to continually improve your performance? Runtastic is a practical app if your heart beats for endurance sports. The reason: The fitness app tracks your distances, your speed and your training frequency. This way you can always keep an eye on your progress .

You can also see how many calories your endurance session burned - great motivation. If you pair the app with a fitness watch like the Apple Watch, you can also keep an eye on your pulse or heart rate. Heart rate shows how many times your heart beats per minute . Thanks to clear statistics, you get an overview of your individual fitness level.

This is how you celebrate your personal successes with Runtastic

Runtastic combines individual tracking with virtual races, where you can secure a place on the leaderboard. This way you can see where you stand compared to friends or other athletes in the world. You can then easily share your results via social media - this spurs you on and you really give it your all during your sports sessions.

Runtastic – all the facts at a glance

• This is what the fitness app offers : endurance training tracker, heart rate tracker, comparisons with other athletes
• The fitness app is just right for : Endurance athletes who want to record their progress and compete digitally with others.
• This is what the fitness app costs : Runtastic has a free basic version that you can use to track simple endurance sessions. You can use all other functions for €9.99 monthly or €49.99 annually.
• Background of the app : Runtastic was developed in 2009 by an Austrian software company. The company has been a subsidiary of Adidas AG since 2015.
• Usable on : IOS and Android
  
  

Noom: Develop healthy eating habits based on psychological knowledge

There's a lot to do at work right now, you can't keep up with your tasks - you haven't managed to eat a balanced meal all day . In the evening you'll be happy when you can finally relax with your loved ones over a hearty meal. Such moments give you new strength for everyday life - but if you don't pay attention to your diet - they can also cause you to gain weight.

If you find it difficult to maintain your weight or you just can't lose weight even though you want to, Noom can support you. The app helps you overcome nutritional challenges . It also shows you step by step how to build health habits. How it works? Quite simple: The fitness app is based on behavioral psychology principles. Through individual coaching, she brings you closer to your goals.

If you want to use Noom, you first answer a few questions about your fitness and habits. You then have access to suitable food and exercise plans and stimulating contributions from doctors, psychologists or scientists . Of course, you can also track your meals as well as your steps and sports sessions - regardless of whether you want to lose 15 kilograms or simply eat healthily and maintain your weight.

This is how you celebrate your personal successes with Noom

Noom connects you with like-minded people around the world. In interactive groups you can share your hurdles and successes, motivate each other and develop healthy habits together.

Noom – all the facts at a glance

• This is what the fitness app offers : nutrition diary, fitness tracking, psychological contributions
• The fitness app is perfect for : anyone who wants to lose weight, avoid weight fluctuations and establish long-term health habits.
• This is what the fitness app costs : Noom has a free basic version that allows you to keep a food diary. You can use all other functions for €9.99 per month. You can also purchase different programs for specific goals.
• Background of the app : Noom comes from New York and was founded in 2008. The goal: support people on their way to a healthy lifestyle.
• Usable on : IOS and Android
  
  

Fitness apps at a glance: Smart technology for better performance during sports

Are you wondering what the best fitness app is? You can probably already guess: which app is best for your sport and diet depends entirely on your needs. Our tip: Take a few weeks and test the app’s functions in detail. Even if you do sports with friends or training partners, it's best to take your time and test the sports apps together. This is how you find out whether the fitness apps will help you achieve your training goals. Try it out and start a new fitness plan straight away!

SOURCES

Saller, R., Suter, P., Römer-Lüthi, C., Mannhart, C., Brignoli, R., & Meier, R. (2008). Importance of sport and nutrition for physical performance and health - A systematic review. Swiss Journal for Holistic Medicine, 2006(2), 99–111. https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/286170

Zhang, J., Brackbill, D., Yang, S., Becker, J., Herbert, N., & Centola, D. (2016). Support or competition? How online social networks increase physical activity: A randomized controlled trial. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2016(4), 453-458. https://ndg.asc.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Support-or-Competition-pdf.pdf

Matschke, C. (2015). How good am I actually? Comparison with others as a means of self-assessment. Retrieved on March 16, 2021, from https://wissensdialoge.de/socialervergleich/

IMAGE CREDITS

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