Whether you're a tech-savvy senior or just getting the hang of your new device, fitness apps can help you improve your health and wellness. With that in mind, let's look at the benefits of seniors using these apps and how they can help you start your fitness journey at Bethesda Gardens Monument and beyond.
Whether you're a novice at fitness or an avid participant in sports, fitness apps can help with customizable workout routines and features that track your progress. Designed to let you exercise at your own pace, these apps work particularly well for those with limited mobility or recovering from injuries. Best of all, they let you get a great workout without leaving your community in Monument, Colorado.
Tracking features also note key health data, like number of daily steps, calories burned and heart rate during exercise and at baseline. Many also connect with smartwatches and devices like Fitbit to incorporate data about your skin temperature, breathing rate, sleep habits and even the amount of oxygen in your blood. Lastly and most importantly, fitness apps connect you with friends and family on their own wellness journeys, so you can easily share successes and cheer each other on.
Most fitness apps put user-friendliness first, even for seniors who aren't tech-savvy. These steps generally walk you through finding, downloading and using the fitness app of your choice.
Fitness apps abound, both on Apple and Android, but the right one for you should keep you interested and engaged. First, focus your search on fitness apps tailored to your interests that can help you accomplish your goals. Improve your balance and flexibility with yoga apps, or boost muscle tone with apps for strength training. Cardio apps emphasize exercises that get your blood racing and heart pumping, while walking apps count your steps for a gentler workout that may help prevent fatigue.
Once you choose your fitness app, visit your phone's app store — Google Play for Android and the Apple App Store for iOS — and search for it by name. You can usually download the app just by touching a button, but you may have to enter a username and password to complete the installation. Many fitness apps are free, but others require subscription fees or offer "freemium" service with in-app purchases for extra features.
Next, open the app and complete your profile. Most fitness apps request your age, weight and fitness goals when you sign up. Filling out your profile accurately ensures you get the right recommendations for your fitness level.
While you may want to explore all the app's features before you begin, you can generally pick a class and get moving after you complete your profile. Most fitness apps guide you through your first workout, showing you how to navigate the various features as you go and letting you get a feel for whether the download is right for you. You may have to try a few options to find the perfect one for your needs. When you do, go slow and build up to harder workouts.
Seniors are spoiled for choice in fitness apps. Here are a few options that get high marks from those who try them.
Designed specifically for seniors, Silver Sneakers GO offers a wide range of workouts, including flexibility exercises, strength training and cardio. It lets you set fitness goals in 4-, 8- and 12-week programs, has easy-to-use guided videos that walk you through activities and enables one-click adjustments of comfort levels if the intensity becomes too much.
Track both exercise and nutrition with MyFitnessPal. Though tailored to everyone, not just seniors, this fitness app offers an excellent all-in-one option. You can log meals, count calories and track workouts, and it also connects with your Fitbit for a holistic approach to your health with digital assistance.
If you prefer low-impact exercise like walking, MapMyWalk keeps track of the steps and distance you walk. Using GPS to map your walking route, this fitness app tracks your progress over time for a simple yet effective way to stay active while marking wellness milestones. It also lets you share your walk with friends and join in challenges to improve motivation.
Taking control of your health with fitness apps makes it easier to stay moving and motivated. Whether you're interested in the gentle movements of tai chi, vigorous cardio sessions or weight-lifting routines that help you get stronger, there's a fitness app for your phone or tablet to help you meet your goals.
