Healthy Living: Download 5 Free Fitness Apps

Smartphone apps make it convenient to plan your fitness goals and track your habits.

The advantage of using technology in traditional pen and paper tracking systems is that all the information you need is stored in one place.

Also, any computing you do manually to monitor your diet, exercise or sleep can be configured electronically at the press of a few buttons.

1. MyFitnessPal

The MyFitnessPal app provides users with a free member to track their weight, calories, macro nutrients, water intake and exercise.

The app allows you to set macro goals that divide your calories into percentages of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Log in to the food you eat at meal time using bar codes on packaged items or track your intake using grams, ounces or cups.

You can keep all your information private or keep your profile public so that your friends can follow along with your fitness trip.

2. My run map under Armor

Map My Run is an easy way to track the distance, speed and route of your gait or runs.

Some of the most notable features of this app include simple push-to-start GPS tracking option and audible notification for every mile.

If the GPS feature in this app records your routes and confirms where you want to run, you can suggest different routes around your neighborhood.

You can bookmark and save your ways for future reference.

You can also choose advanced workout analysis that provides application insights based on your performance.

3. Water Reminder

Water Reminder is a very direct application that allows you to monitor your fluid intake and receive reminders to drink more water throughout the day.

You can register all types of drinks such as tea, milk and juice.

This application allows you to view the calorie and macro nutrients contained in your drinks on a color coding chart.

You can also set the maximum daily intake of caffeine and sugar.

Recommended calories and macronutrients are based on gender, age, weight, height and functional status.

4. Zero

Zero makes it easy to keep track of your fasting window as intermittent fasting becomes a fast-growing lifestyle change for many.

You will first be asked to answer some questions about what you want to achieve by using the app.

The app will provide you with your regular food window and the recommended fasting period based on your current lifestyle.

If you do not want to make prolonged fasting explicitly, you can use the app to avoid night time snacks.

The app will send notifications on your phone to remind you to start or stop eating based on your preference.

5. Sleepwatch

This app helps you monitor your sleep patterns and rest quality.

You can get insights into your heart rate, any sleep disturbances and other tubes of your circadian rhythms.

The app records the number of hours you slept and gives you a sleep report.

While these apps give users the option to upgrade to paid members for additional offers, their free members offer many useful features.