Best apps for the iPhone: Fitness apps

iPhone apps

Reach your New Year's fitness resolutions

Between the useful functions your iPhone serves and the entertainment it provides, you might have your iPhone glued to your hand during your waking hours. We do, too. You've heard the saying "There's an app for that" -- and there is! We're bringing you fun and useful apps for your iPhone every week. This week, download a fitness app to help you reach your New Year's goal.

 

 

We've moved into the second week of the New Year. If you set an exercise or fitness goal for 2012, take a minute to review what you're doing to reach it. Don't let this year's resolution of getting into better shape, running, gaining muscle or losing weight fall by the wayside. Reach your fitness goals with the help of your iPhone. Try one -- or more -- of these great iPhone fitness apps!

The BeatBurn Treadmill/Outdoor Trainer app is key to keeping your run from becoming a bore. Whether you jog on the treadmill or outside, this amazing iPhone app changes the beat of your music to match your pace. Yes, really. The technology analyzes your music's beats per minute and then changes them to match your footsteps. This will keep you working hard -- without even noticing. Even better, if you sometimes become bored during your run, BeatBurn's technology will help the time fly.

Price: $3.99

To track your distance and progress, use the RunKeeper iPhone app. It uses your iPhone's GPS technology to track how far you ran or walked, how long it took, your pace/speed, the number of calories you burned and the path you traveled on a map. You can then sync your data on the RunKeeper website, so you can review your workout history. If you really want help staying on the straight and narrow, the RunKeeper iPhone app also allows you to share your progress on Facebook and Twitter. Nothing like a little accountability to reach your New Year's fitness goals!

Price: Free

Learn how to make your New Year's fitness resolutions stick >>

Created by the popular Women's Health magazine, the Women's Health Workouts iPhone app is loaded with more than 16 complete workouts and 130 exercises. You can choose the workout you want based on your fitness goals: boost metabolism, improve mood, strengthen core, tone total body, build lean muscle and more. The app also includes detailed photos and step-by-step instructions.

Price: $1.99

If biking is your exercise of choice, you need Cyclemeter. And really, this fitness app for your iPhone is for so much more: cycling, running, walking, skiing and skating. Cyclemeter has been featured in Time, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, Bicycling, and Runner's World -- so it has to be good. CycleMeter records your time, location, distance, elevation and speed. You can also get your heart rate, bike speed and bike cadence (using the Wahoo Fitness ANT+ system, which is purchased separately). Cyclemeter does more, so click over to the app store to check it out.

Price: $4.99

Read our beginner's guide to cycling to learn more about cycling >>

The GAIN Fitness iPhone app creates custom workouts for you using personal trainers' expertise along with exercise science principles. The app contains more than 700 individual exercises, meaning there are millions of unique exercise routines that can be crafted to fit your needs. If a personal trainer isn't in your budget, the GAIN Fitness iPhone app might be a great substitute for you. Among other great features, the app can be tailored for complete gym workouts or at-home exercising, where you're likely to have less workout equipment.

Price: Free

Find an app for anything in our best iPhone apps series >>

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