Have you made the decision to focus on your fitness? If you’ve got a smartphone there’s a dazzling array of apps to choose from that can help you build – and stick to – a programme that’s right for you. Here’s our pick of the some of the best – read on to discover five user-friendly apps to kickstart your fitness.

  1. MapMyFitness

This free app from Under Armour is available for iOS and Android and is hugely popular. It rates highly with users as ‘the best fitness app around,’ scoring 4.7/5 in the Apple app store. It’s supported by ads, with in-app purchases and the option to upgrade to a Pro subscription version to unlock extra features.

You can create and track your gym workout or yoga session, map everything from walking the dog to and bike rides or runs and synchronise the app with many fitness wearables, including Fitbit, Apple and Garmin. MapMyFitness has a sister app – MyFitnessPal – which helps you to keep track of your calorie intake and reach your food goals, too.

  1. One You Couch to 5K

Want to start jogging? There are lots of beginners’ running apps in the ‘Couch to 5k’ category that will break you in gently with 30-40 minute sessions based on interval training, alternating between walking and jogging.

If you’re not sure which one to pick, One You Couch to 5K is a safe bet. You’ll follow a flexible programme that can be completed in as little as nine weeks – it’s a gentle learning curve that will help you develop your confidence and build up strength and stamina.

One You Couch to 5K has been developed by Public Health England and there are some well-known voices helping out, just listen out for your audio coaches’ instructions to change pace at the right time. This app is free to download on iOS and Android devices.

  1. Seven

For anyone who wants to fit in a quick workout without heading to the gym, a seven-minute exercise app is a speedy solution. We’ve chosen Seven as our favourite for convenience and usability. You can set reminders to do your seven-minute session at the same time each day, and pick a goal (fitness, weight loss or strength).

No equipment’s needed and it’s up to you to see if you can meet the challenges of seven minutes a day for seven months. If you want or need to exercise at home and feel put off by the prospect of a long work out, this is the app for you!

Seven is free for iOS and Android with in-app purchases, including the option to subscribe to the Seven Club.

  1. Yoga for Beginners

Ready to slow down? Yoga is a great way to de-stress and build flexibility and strength at the same time. Yoga for Beginners is free to download and offers a range of quick and simple yoga workouts you can do at home. Helpful videos for each exercise to show you how to position your body, along with step-by-step written instructions.

We liked the choice of exercises, which lets you pick the right workout for your mood and how much time you have. If you’re looking for a simple introduction to basic yoga poses, this is a gentle way to start and see if yoga is for you.

  1. Sworkit

Need a little extra help to stay motivated? Sworkit is a personal trainer app designed with all ages in mind, with the goal of letting you build a simple, sustainable home workout programme that’s right for you. The variety of activities provides plenty of interest and you can turn on push notifications to keep yourself accountable, so there’s no excuse for slacking!

This app is free to download for Android and iOS with in-app purchasesTo access your recommended plan based on your goals you’ll need to sign up for a seven-day free trial and pick your preferred paid subscription model (monthly or yearly), so remember to cancel before your trial expires if you change your mind!

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