My 9 TOP Free Iphone Apps you MUST HAVE for Fitness & Nutrition

So I got the first installment of my fitness magazine in the mail last week and I was super excited.  I got a year subscription for like $3 or something ridiculously cheap.

And in there, they listed out some free fitness apps for the iphone.  I only had 1 of them already, Nike Training and the others I did not have so I downloaded them.  They are all GREAT and I have personally tried them out so I thought I'd share them with you.



1.  Fleetly

For those of you that need more options for workouts or need challenges, this app is AWESOME.  It is similar to Nike Training App, in that it has over 200 workouts, including strength training and yoga, complete with how-to videos.  For every workout you log, you get points and move up in "fitness level" so it is a motivation to workout longer and more often.  I even go in and log my runs in there.  Also, now Fleetly syncs up with RunKeeper and Nike + so that it automatically adds the data from your runs.  It has something for everyone.  Focus area workouts, cardio, strength, pilates, toning, etc.  I can't believe this app is free.  MUST DOWNLOAD NOW!!!

2.  Adidas MiCoach Running

This is another running app, similar to RunKeeper in that it tracks your distance and pace, via GPS.  BUT, it goes a step further.  It has sample progression and tempo runs in there you can use to increase your speed.  It is set up in different "zones" and tells you to speed up if you're not running fast enough.  Oh and did I mention the "coach" voice is Reggie Bush?  Pretty funny.  Let me tell you, this works awesome.  I was booking when I tried this app out on my Friday 3 miler.  You can go online and customize your workouts based on your own individual pace, etc.  If you are a runner, I would recommend both this app & RunKeeper. 

3.  Azumio Instant Heart Rate

This is a great app if you're at the gym or on a run and want to know what your heart rate is.  I tested it out and it REALLY WORKS.  Sometimes I wonder if these are accurate, but I would say that it is!  All you do is open the app and stick your index finger over your camera lens on the phone and it takes about 15 seconds and has your heart rate.  If you work out in intervals and need to know which zone you're in, this is a must have app.

So, while I'm talking about it, I might as well tell you the other fitness/nutrition apps that you must have:

• My Fitness Pal - track your calories and nutrition.  It also gives you a handy pie chart to show you where you are for the day on fat, carbs, and protein.  I am obsessed with getting the perfect portions now so I check my pie chart after every meal I log. 
• Nike Training - Similar to Fleetly.  Has TONS of awesome workouts on there.  I did one of these 30 minute workouts last Saturday and my legs were sore for 3 days!!!
• Fooducate - scan bar code on foods in your pantry or at the grocery store to see how they stack up nutritionally.  Fooducate gives the food item a grade (A-F) based on nutrition and ingredients.  Items with little or no nutritional value or lots of added chemicals, preservatives, or sugar receive lower grades.  I used this app like CRAZY when I first started eating clean.  I spent hours in the grocery store scanning everything on the aisles until I found acceptable products for my family.  It was scary when I first went through my pantry and fridge to see the grades my food got.  And I thought I was making smart choices already.  I had no idea and this app really helped me learn how to read an ingredient list properly. 
• True Food - Lists food categories and brands with genetically modified organisms and those without.  I use this at the grocery store to make sure that my food is GMO free. 
• Dirty Dozen - Another app I use at the grocery store as a quick tool to know which produce I should buy organic.  It lists all produce in order of most pesticides to least.  So, it's simple.  The produce at the top of the list (in pesticides), I buy organic.
• Pepperplate - this is a great app for meal planning.  I input all of my recipes on here.  When I'm ready for a shopping day, I select which dinner recipes or snack recipes I plan on making for the next week and it automatically creates a shopping list for me.  And, it organizes the items on the shopping list, based on location it's found in the grocery store.   They also have an ipad app which you can use as your recipe to follow when making dinner. 

All of these apps are completely FREE!!!  I am a cheapskate when it comes to apps.  I hate spending money on apps with the fear that I won't like or use them. 

Well, that's it for now.  What are your favorite fitness & nutrition apps??  I am always looking for others!  Coming up on the next blog, I have my super easy slow cooked dry beans and some dinner recipes.  Thanks for reading!!!