FIVE MOBILE APPS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

 

As a hot tub owner, you understand the value of health and fitness, and you probably already use your spa to relax after workouts. If you’re looking for some motivation to push yourself and stay focused on your health, mobile apps can be a great way to freshen up your workouts so you earn that post-exercise soak. Here are five mobile apps to help you reach your health and fitness goals:

Performance Stretching
Stretching is an integral part of fitness and health – you wouldn’t try to run a marathon without loosening up your muscles, right? Unfortunately, the vast majority of us stretch incorrectly, which at best is not helpful, and at worst is quite harmful to our muscles and bones. Performance Stretching helps solve this by showing you the correct way to stretch, as well as what stretches you need to perform as you warm up and cool down. You’ll learn through watching videos of trainers performing the stretches correctly, and each stretching workout will take five minutes or fewer.
Cost: $2.99. Available for iOS

FitnessFast
Customize and keep track of your workouts and activities, all within one app. FitnessFast provides instructions for a large number of exercises, including options for your chest, abs, back, and arms. Not sure you’re doing the exercises right? The app provides video animations so you can follow along correctly. You can set workout reminders, monitor your sleeping habits, and provide graph versions of just about everything you’re doing. You can even share your fitness milestones with your peers via the Facebook and Twitter plugins.
Cost: $0.99. Available for iOS.

Lose It!
Lose It! will help you lose weight in a sustainable way: by cutting calories and tracking your exercise. You can use the free version and focus on weight loss only, or pay for the premium edition and monitor your changing physique. You’ll improve your physical fitness and overall health and even make new connections via the Lose It! internet forums, where you can post updates and meet accountability buddies.
Cost: Free. Available for iOS, Android, Kindle, and Nook.

Fooducate
Fooducate bills itself as a “personal grocery advisor,” rather like a helpful friend who will take up residence in your smartphone and help you make good culinary choices. When you go to the grocery store, scan the barcode on food items that interest you, and Fooducate will give you a full rundown on calories, ingredients, and, if available, healthier alternatives.
Cost: Free. Available for iOS and Android.

Sleep Cycle
A good night’s sleep is crucial to good health. Once you’ve installed the Sleep Cycle app, place your phone next to you in bed, and it will analyze your sleep habits while you slumber. Rather than jolt you awake out of a deep-sleep phase – which can lead to feeling tired and groggy all day – the app will sound an alarm when you are in a “lighter” phase. You’ll start the day feeling more refreshed and well rested. The app also tracks your general sleep patterns over time, identifying patterns or disturbances you may be experiencing.
Cost: $0.99. Available for iOS.

From stretching and exercise to nutrition and recovery, these five mobile apps can help you reach your goals before, during, and after a workout.