Staying on top of your fitness routine during the holiday season can be challenging. To make things easier for you, we’ve curated a list of top-notch apps designed to assist you with diverse workouts that can be conveniently done anywhere.
Best app for quick workouts
Vacations are busy, but if you can squeeze in 7 minutes for yourself, then you have time for this app. The 7-minute, high-intensity exercises focus on 12 body weight movements such as push-ups, planks or jumping jacks, working through one for 30 seconds followed by a 10-second rest period. “It’s a full-body workout in just seven minutes, which is a game changer,” says Mike Julom, an ACE-certified personal trainer, CrossFit athlete and founder of ThisIsWhyImFit.com.
Other apps offer short workouts, but few can give this much sweat in just a couple of minutes. Plus, 7-Minute prevents boredom by incorporating gamification and rewards into the system. “It adds a sense of accomplishment as you complete workouts and reach milestones,” says Karina Blackwood, certified Pilates and yoga instructor.
Best app for a variety of workouts
Peloton’s workout app became famous when it was directly tied to the bougie spin bikes, but these days, Peloton’s popular workout app offers way more than cycling. Dozens of high-energy instructors offer video classes in everything from strength training and Pilates to HIIT and meditation. There are even guided outdoor walks or runs if you’d rather get your sweat on outside with a little audio encouragement. “I can’t recommend Peloton enough,” says group fitness instructor Lauren Martin. “There are workouts ranging from 5 to 90 minutes.” Bottom line: Versatility is key with Peloton. If you’re someone who likes varying their workouts to include lifting stretching and cardio, Peloton has your number.
Best free workout app
If you’ve spent all your money on vacation and need to pinch pennies, you’ll love the price tag on Nike Training Club: It’s free. But it still includes customisation, which is perfect for first-time exercisers. When you download the app, it asks you to take a quiz. From there, it shows you workouts and programs that best fit your interests, which is great for newbies who aren’t sure whether to start with lifting or HIIT. And the guidance doesn’t stop there. The app also offers nutritional, recovery and mindset support to help you achieve your goals. “It has a wide array of offerings,” says Joe Holder, founder of The Ocho System and a Nike trainer.
Best stretching app for workouts
For athletes whose muscles are tighter than a wound rubber band but don’t know where to begin, Start Stretching is your best bet, according to David Mason, a licensed speed, agility and quickness coach and founder of Barbells Abroad. “The app is great for beginners, and it doesn’t ask for too much of your time, so it’s not like you’re having to start immediately with a 1.5-hour yoga routine,” says Mason. Simple graphics and a built-in timer are easy to follow, and you’ll feel refreshed and invigorated, even if you’re fitting it in at the end of a long travel day.
Best app for simple workouts
If easy is your middle name, and you don’t want to stare at a screen, then you’ll love the simplicity of Tabata Timer. By definition, Tabata workouts last for eight rounds of 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off, emphasising very hard work during those 20 seconds. But, it can be anything available to you during your travels: sprinting, biking, swimming, air squats, push-ups — whatever. The app will take the guesswork out of your workout by sounding an alarm whenever the segment is up. But according to Martin Sharp, a personal trainer and founder of Sharp Fit for Life, it’s not just for 4-minute workouts: “When pushed for time, [I like] doing sprint intervals of 30 max with 90 seconds at a slower pace for 10 rounds.”
Best yoga app
Yogis, find your zen with the Glo app. Thanks to dozens of certified yoga teachers, Glo offers a bevy of live and on-demand yoga classes in a variety of yoga styles. It can fit into your schedule too, with classes ranging from 2 to 90 minutes. Unlike other yoga apps, you can still make it to your mat when you’re travelling without cell service. “I can download yoga classes in advance and practice without the need for an internet connection,” says Blackwood. “I can continue my practice seamlessly, even in remote locations.”
