Using your smartphone to help you get or stay in shape is all the rage these days. Some fitness buffs are even investing in wearable devices that track calories and workout performance, reporting progress through an accompanying app.
Don’t pay for a new gadget: your iPhone or Android can do a lot of what many of these devices can. Here some apps recommended by foodrepublic.com to help you eat better, sleep better, run, train, and stretch better:
Fooducate
It’s time to start thinking about what you’re putting in your body. This free app is all about educating yourself about what you’re consuming. It allows you to scan the barcode of any food product, then assigns it a grade of A through D. The information pulled gives you a rundown of the item’s nutritional value, as well as healthier alternatives.
RunKeeper
Whether you’re training for a marathon or running just to stay in shape, this app can help. Simply launch it at the beginning of your run — it also works for several other activities, from cycling to swimming — and it will track your pace and distance using the GPS functionality of your phone. At the end of your run, see a map of your route, calories burned, and your average pace.
Nike Training Club
Ask any fitness buff what the latest exercise craze is and chances are he’ll say good ol’ fashioned back-to-basics strength training. This free app comprises several dozen workouts based on your fitness level and goals.
