Julia Halewicz contributed original reporting to this post.
Ready to get in shape? Monitor your progress to keep yourself motivated! Here, a short list of tracking equipment and app picks from the editors at Women’s Health and FITNESSmagazines.
Heart rate monitors are a favorite among trainers and can be set up to beep when you fall out of your target zone. “They act as a sort of coach,” says deputy editor of FITNESS Magazine Mary Anderson.
One of Anderson’s favorites is the Nike+ FuelBand, which tracks all of your daily movement in calories and allows you to set goals. An associated app allows you to keep track of your calorie burn and share your progress with friends.
Track how far and how fast you run, how many calories you burn, and for how long with a Garmin GPS watch and the Garmin Fit smartphone app. “Both are very motivating to keep you on your goal,” says Anderson. FITNESS Magazine’s Express Workouts app includes the magazine’s most popular 15-minute toning workouts, including how-to videos, says Anderson.
“A pedometer by Fitbit One may be one of the simplest tools to help you get moving,” says Women’s Health Senior Fitness Editor Jen Ator. The Fitbit One fits into your pocket or bra and accurately tells you how many steps you’ve taken throughout the day. “I find that when people wear any type of tracking device, they instantly and subconsciously increase the number of steps they take throughout the day. While it may not seem like walking could do all that much for your waistline, hitting 10,000 steps can burn up to 500 extra calories per day. No actual workout required."
What are your favorite fitness apps? Share them below with neighbors.
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