Do you really need an app telling you what to do or can you go at it alone…

This is a question we’ve all deliberated at some stage in life. “Do I need to use training apps? Will they help me to reach my goals? I’m already in shape, what can an app do for me?”

All very valid questions, nobody wants another pointless app taking up valuable storage space!

However, there has been a boom in the number of people using fitness apps to help track their training and reach their goals.

Over 82% of people in the UK use some form of fitness training or tracking app to help them reach their goals.But of course, you’re not one of that 82 %! You have a PT, follow the latest fitness trends, attend the coolest HIIT classes, or have a solid background in sports/fitness.

So, what’re the main benefits for you using an app?

Let’s look at pros and cons to fitness training & tracking apps

Pros:

1. Great for beginners/intermediates – If you’re starting your fitness journey and don’t know what to do or how often, fitness apps will give you great routines that are easy to follow and perform.

2. Saves you money – Not all of us all ballers! If you haven’t got the residual income for a gym membership or PT, there’re a number of free fitness apps that will provide you with varied workouts.

3. Track your progress – Most training apps give you specific breakdowns of how you’re doing. From, how fast and for how long you ran, to the number of calories you burned this week.

Cons:

1. Too analytical – Tracking progress can be great, but can have the complete opposite effect. If you’re not reaching your goals or seeing results using the app, this can demoralize you or worse, put you off training completely.

2. A bit Impersonal – The majority of fitness apps are designed to be performed alone. Who’s going to motivate you when you’re struggling with those last couple reps.

3. Lack of personalization – Most apps have a one size fits all approach. The app may say “Emily, do 15 push-ups” but you can only do 10. Some apps are getting better but there’s still a long way to go.

My thoughts

Over the years, I’ve used a range of fitness apps and tracking apps for different purposes. Apps should never be the core of your training but used in a varied workout regime.