Health & Workout Apps

By Alec Codman – Collegiate Staff

For some, reminiscing about their high school days will bring back pleasant memories of being physically fit, which most people can credit to time on the courts, fields, ice rinks, or local pools.

A majority of people played sports because they loved playing them and the competitive nature sports bring. Whatever the case may be, the two biggest impacts sports had were that they caused participants to stay in shape and, as a result, made them happier people.

“Exercise can affect hormones and neurotransmitters that impact mood and (a) sense of well-being,” said Laura Kennett, a Grand Rapids Community College wellness professor.

As much as everyone wishes they could still be on former sports teams, the reality is that most people simply don’t have the time. Everyone is busy with his or her lives, so it is easy to see why finding time to workout can be such a hassle.

There are ways to work out and not consume a lot of time in the process. There are many workout apps out there available for Android and iOS.

“I can’t speak for anyone specifically but I think they are a great approach to helping people build more activity into their day and keep exercise fun,” Kennett said.

The “7-Minute Workout” app is as simple as the title makes it out to be. The only necessity needed to complete the workout is a chair and a wall. The goal is to complete the twelve body weight exercises: jumping jacks, wall sits, push-ups, abdominal crunch, step-ups, squats, triceps dip, planks, high knees, lunges, push-ups, and side planks.

Thirty seconds is spent on each exercise, with a 10 second window between each set to rest and prepare for the next set. All that is required is a basic understanding of proper form and technique for the exercises. One of the most important aspects of this app is that it is absolutely free.

Another app is “10 Daily Exercises.” It is similar to the “7-Minute Workout,” with simple and concise exercises. Regular crunches, jumping jacks, and lunges will be found, but in this app you can randomize the order of them to avoid constantly doing the same routine every time. “10 Daily Exercises” also allows you to set your own difficulty to the exercises. So if you are already in good shape and need more than the “easy” level, you can bump it up, or if you are gradually progressing and want to challenge yourself more, you can utilize that tool. “10 Daily Exercises” also allows you look at a calendar to show you when you last worked out.

“My students have recommended ‘My Fitness Pal’ many times,” Kennett said.

“My Fitness Pal” is different because its not just for exercising. There is also a calorie counter, and over 350 exercises. Each one tells you how many calories you’ve burned. You can also log in what you eat throughout the day to see what you need to cut out of your diet to stay healthy.

While these apps are great if you can spare 30 minutes of your time to get outside and be active it can pay off quite a bit.

“This can be done with something as simple as a 10-minute walk,” Kennett said. “If you can couple your exercise with something social like playing basketball with a friend it’s even better for mental health.”