Where there is a workout, there is music. Whether I’m running around the neighborhood or working through a routine I used to have my iPod going. That was before I got my first smartphone. Even after that, I still relied on the trusty iPod. But then I realized that I could keep myself entertained even more if I just loaded some music onto my smartphone. It didn’t take long to realize that I could use my device to make everything easier. Now I not only use my Android to help me power through a workout, I use it to keep track of my workouts and make them better.
The idea is to accomplish a few things. First, I want to keep track of my workouts. Since I perform different types of workouts — bodyweight, free weight, aerobic, and sports — I want to use an app, or apps, that will best keep track of those. Having a quick reference of exercises around is nice, too, in case I want to change things up on the fly. Something that helps me keep track of calories, both burned and consumed, will also help. In the Android Market we can find something that will take care of all of these.
Fitness tracking
I’ve heard plenty of people disdain the idea of writing down workout results. This I don’t understand. When I’m working out I want a reference point. That way I can go out and make sure that I’m improving each time. It also helps to identify when I’ve plateaued, so I can change things up. This is accomplished very simply. I just write down my exercises, and then write down how many reps I do and of what weight.
When I used my BlackBerry I used Gym Technik, which is easily the best workout tracker I’ve used. With BlackBerry there is a dedicated app, which means I could use it even when my device didn’t get reception. Android users have to access it through the mobile site. That doesn’t work for me, because T-Mobile doesn’t get reception in my gym. I do enter in the information afterwards, because I like the graphs and stats. But if I don’t enter in my information right after I do it, I will inevitably forget.
This is why I want Google Docs to get a mobile app. That would make it easier to enter stuff and have access to it later. I could even create my own stats. For now I just use Simple Spreadsheet to enter the information while I’m working out. I then transfer it later to Gym Techik — usually about five days later, because again, I’m a bit of a slacker.
Simple Spreadsheet QR code
While a simple spreadsheet works for tracking lifting workouts, I need something different for my runs. Thankfully, there are tons and tons of running apps for Android. A few weeks ago I was browsing through the featured apps and found Endomondo. It’s a simple app that takes care of everything necessary. It uses your GPS to track your speed, distance, and route. That’s about all I need for my runs. Afterward it uploads my data to the website, so it’s easy to track.
Again, there are plenty of other similar apps, but I just like the simplicity of Endomondo’s interface and function. It actually served as a motivator to run more, because I wanted to see what it could do to help me. A few weeks later and I don’t need it as a motivator. I just like to run. This one is a free app, so give it a whirl.
Endomondo QR code
Calorie tracking
Whether you’re trying to gain weight, lose weight, or maintain your current weight, having an idea of your calorie intake and expenditures is a necessity. I remember when I started working out at age 18. I had no idea what was going out and what was coming in, and it led to rapid weight gain. Some of that was lean muscle, but a lot of it ended up turning into fat. That didn’t bode well for the small lull I had between ages 24 and 26.
I’m not saying you need to count every calorie you consume. But it’s nice to have a quick reference so you have an idea of your calorie balance. For this purpose I prefer Absolute Fitness. It’s a premium app, but for what it does I think it’s worth the cost. You can add a food or an exercise, and the app will figure out how many calories you’ve consumed or how many calories you’ve burned. For instance, I can input the bacon and eggs I had for breakfast this morning, and then I can add the 45-minute calisthenic workout I performed in the afternoon.
The app does more than that, of course. It takes your inputs and gives you stats and graphs. My favorite feature is that you can input a goal weight. The app will then let you know how many calories you can consume as you work towards that goal. There are further breakdowns into nutritional subcategories, too, but the almighty calorie rules all. Again, this is more of a guide than anything, and I think that Absolute Fitness takes care of it with efficiency. It’s well worth the $4.99 price tag.
Absolute Fitness QR code
Workout reference
When I go to the gym I usually have a good idea of what I want to do. That’s usually based off my last workout. But sometimes things change once I get there. I might feel differently, or I might get halfway through my workout and realize that I want to increase the intensity. Other times I’m just bored and want to change things up. I’m pretty familiar with different exercises, but I like to do things that I’m not familiar with. That’s why I want an app that shows me various exercises that I can implement.
The easiest, and freest, app I found was BodyFitness. It has tons of exercises in its library, and you can sort them in a number of ways — by muscle, by body part, and by equipment. It also has pre-made workouts that you can run through if you’re not feeling particularly creative or motivated. Add in cardio routines and yoga positions, and it’s an app that I refer to frequently.
Again, BodyFitness is free, so it’s worth a shot. It’s a nice app that’s absolutely worth having on your Android for easy workout reference.
BodyFitness QR code
Complete workout solution
I’ve really taken to using my Android in all facets of my workout. I plan my workouts partially using BodyFitness, I track them with a spreadsheet or with GymTechnik, I map my runs with Endomondo, and I estimate my calorie intake and output with Absolute Fitness. It’s a nice workout stack that keeps me motivated and active. And I’m all over using my Nexus as an MP3 player. The only downside is that I have to charge up immediately after working out. This regimen eats plenty of battery.
Surely there are other apps that perform the same functions. Feel free to leave the ones you use in the comments.
