Free Apps to Keep You Fit and Healthy at Home

With the temporary closure of gyms across Australia in March of 2020 and no clear indication to when they will re-open, apps have become more relevant than ever in keeping us on track with our health and fitness goals.

From meal plans to calorie trackers, running trackers, workout plans and guided meditation, you can almost bet that if it’s health and fitness related, there is an app for it. With so much on offer, it can be mind-boggling to know where to start… so, we have compiled a list of our favourite free apps to keep your health and fitness on track!

Calm

Calm is the most popular app for sleep, meditation and relaxation. It is designed to provide better sleep, lower stress and less anxiety through guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing programs, stretching exercises and peaceful music. There are programs designed to cover mindfulness topics like self-esteem, breaking habits, sleep, stress, anxiety, forgiveness and many more. In stressful or overwhelming times, this app is a lifesaver.

Five Minute Yoga

This app is such an easy way to incorporate yoga into your daily routine. It is ideal for beginners, with simple exercises, clear imagery and a maximum of 5 minutes per yoga flow. We can all spare an extra 5 minutes in our day somewhere, so if you want to de-stress, build core strength and improve flexibility but don’t want to commit to a 30-minute session, this app is for you.

Map My Fitness 

This app is fantastic for creating your own programs, by selecting exercises from a library of over 800 different options. You can then easily track your progress for each one in terms of weights, sets and reps to ensure you are improving. If creating your own program sounds a bit too daunting, they also have plenty of preset workouts to choose from too!

My Fitness Pal 

My Fitness Pal is best known for its calorie tracking tool, but can also be used as a food diary or source of healthy recipes, inspiration and information via their blog. You can easily scan the barcode of what you are eating, or input a recipe manually to discover in-depth nutritional information and use this to make better-informed food choices.

Nike Run Club

Nike Run Club provides you with all the metrics you need to track and review your run. With features such as the leaderboard, (where you can challenge friends or join in on worldwide monthly running challenges) guided runs and unlockable achievements, this app is brilliant for keeping you motivated to smash your running goals.

Nike Training Club

The Legends at Nike were kind enough to create another great fitness app, this time for all kinds of workouts! You can choose from strength sessions, cardio sessions, yoga and more with plenty of options under the body-weight only category. If your home gym is stocked up, there are also workouts under the ‘basic equipment’ option (dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands etc.). The app celebrates your achievements with virtual badges and trophies to keep you motivated and achieving your goals.

Strava

Strava is most popular with runners and cyclists, as it allows you to track and analyze every aspect of your activity, including a logged map of where you have travelled. It is also a reliable route and trail resource along with providing you with all the standard metrics you would hope for in an activity tracking app. When you want to change things up and head outdoors for a run or bike ride, this app is great to keep track of your progress.

If these apps aren’t quite hitting the spot for you, and you want to be able to program your own at-home workouts or learn more about health and fitness in general, check out our Master Trainer Program™!  The Australian Institute of Fitness Master Trainer Program™  is the ideal way to attain a Certificate IV fitness qualification and turn your passion into a successful career.

• Bio

Jessica Bryant

Communications & Marketing Manager