Exploring App stores: 10 Fitness apps for smartphones

‘Thin is surely in,’ and it's not just devices that have been striving to strike a slim pose. There are some of us who’ve been struggling to cut off those extra kilos, while also those who prefer to stay fit, and certainly take some lessons from their phone. Yes, just like about everything else (almost), there is an app for shedding weight and staying fit, be it in the form of keeping a tab on what you eat, how much you exercise and even how much you would need to exercise. We’ve picked 10 fitness apps for smartphones that could keep you hooked and motivated in your weight losing goal.

Endomondo – Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Phone 
Irrespective of the operating system running on your handset, be it Android, BlackBerry, iOS or Windows Phone, this app can securely fit into your smartphone, as a workout companion. It tracks all the outdoor activity, be it duration, distance, speed and even calories. For every mile, the app gives an audio feedback. Peptalks from friends could keep you motivated, while you can also race against a friend’s time, as the audio coach guides you to do better. It helps setting targets as well as achieving them. While Android, iPhone and Windows Phone users can customize the screens to show only what is desired, BlackBerry users can invite and share workouts on BBM. 

Fitness through yoga

Cardio Trainer – Android
Cardio Trainer could be a reliable companion in your weight loss and fitness activity. It tracks all your indoor and outdoor activities and comes integrated with voice output and music player. You can set workout schedule reminders and take advantage of free weight loss trainer and calorific diet add-ons. This mobile health partner also offers a heart rate monitor to view and record heartrate. Those looking to go beyond the free version and ready to shell out some moolah, can go ahead and pick the Cardio Trainer Pro with interval training, weight loss trainer, racing, and more.

Fitness freaks

Pocket Yoga – Android, iOS
Those who prefer the serene yogic way towards staying fit can look forward to this handy yoga app. It makes it simpler to carry your Yoga instructer through your phone and so it is rightly named – Pocket Yoga. The Pocket Yoga by Rainfrog lets one choose from three different practices, three difficulty levels and 3 durations, which eventually offer a rejuvenating workout time. It provides detailed visual and voice instruction guides, dictionary of poses, more than 145 illustrated pose images for correct posture and positioning. The user can also play music from their music library,  instead of the default music. iPhone users can take advantage of AirPlay and TV out support, too.

yogic poses

Runkeeper - Android, iOS , Windows
This fitness comes with an intuitive and simple interface. The app keeps a complete tab on your running regime - how far you went?, how long it took and the pace/speed. It calculates how many calories you lost during the fitness activity. The app also shows the path you traversed on a map. Besides tracking activity, the app stores them on the RunKeeper website for later analysis. With social network integration, the app lets you post the activity and your progress on Facebook and Twitter.

adidas miCoach – Android, BlackBerry, iOS
Do you need that push while workouts and a coach to keep you on your toes all the time? The adidas miCoach app ensures that your phone transforms into a coach with GPS and real time audible guidance. Choose a training program customized for your sport and the app tracks the workout and show the progress. The details can also be synced with the miCoach website. The free app lets you measure distance, pace, calories burned and the elapsed time and accommodates both modes - indoor and outdoor. Shoe Usage can be tracked with wear alerts and it also equips motivational and customized audible alerts.