Introducing 'Fitness Apps For Lazy People'

On August 27, 2011, I will be running in my first ever 5K. This is a terrifying prospect for me, given that I can't even walk up a flight of stairs without breaking into a full sweat and needing to lie down for a nap afterwards.

August 27 is seven weeks away, which gives me seven weeks to reconstitute my flabby, droopy body into something approaching a 5K runner's build. Since I know that I cannot rely on my own willpower or self-motivation, I will be relying on my smartphone. I'm going to be testing out 7 fitness apps for the iPhone and Android platforms, reviewing each of them here on HuffPost Tech based on their ability to get me off my couch and into a pair of those short-shorts with no pockets that runners wear (don't worry, no pictures).

Now, there is an extra bit of motivation to build up to 5K endurance by August 27. See, I am not running this 5K because I have any desire to "be a runner" or "get in shape" or "live a long and healthy life;" no, I am running because my big sister Leslie -- in classic big-sister fashion -- is forcing me to.

My sister is getting married on August 27, to a wonderful man she met on the national triathlon scene; they grew closer and fell in love while training for Ironmans and marathons and half marathons, and so they decided that, as a celebration of their love and the peculiar way that it blossomed, hosting a wedding party 5K on the morning of their vows would be cute. And it is cute -- or it will be, until I crawl panting across the finish line like a prehistoric lizard-creature emerging from the primordial swamp, drenched in my own perspiration and agony.

If at all possible, I would like to avoid this humiliating scenario; and to avoid this humiliating scenario, I need to get in some sort of shape (other than my current shape, which is "oval").

Now, rather than judging these fitness apps based solely on their functionality, technical specs or user interfaces, I'm going to be looking at them based on their effectiveness, I am going to be answering the questions about fitness apps that are really relevant to me and my current physical state. For example:

-- Does seeing the app's icon on my phone's front screen send me into a spiral of guilt?

-- Is there a feature of the app that makes me feel good about myself for exercising at all, even if it is only for 6 minutes at a laughably low intensity?

-- How effective is the app at making me feel shame over my inactive lifestyle?

These are the qualities in a fitness app that I and the rest of the couch-dwellers of America are looking for. These are the qualities I will be judging.

I am determined to find the Lazy Man's Fitness App. And please, my lazy friends: Train along with me! This week I'll be trying out the very popular RunKeeper. Available for both the Android and the iPhone, this free app was recently crowned the Best Mobile Fitness App by Lifehacker. With a GPS-sync to track your running progress, a supportive online message board community and a "coaching" mode that shouts voice cues into your headphone as you run, RunKeeper has become the toast of the jogger's world -- but can it get me to skip my beloved lunch for a jog around the park in what I assume is the ridiculous heat outside?

Check back here Friday for my Lazy Man's review of RunKeeper, and check back every Friday for a new app review. I'll be charting my daily progress (or lack thereof) on Twitter at @gilbertjasono. And if you think that you have the perfect Fitness App for Lazy People, please leave it in the comments or send me an email. I am open to any and all suggestions. I do not want to detract from my sister's big day by having to get a recuperative full body massage during her ceremony.

Please help my family and me avoid this fate.

 

Follow Jason Gilbert on Twitter: www.twitter.com/gilbertjasono

Comments

[SW84]

09:05 AM on 07/14/2011

not a fitness app per se, but one that will def help you on the way to your goals, myfitnesspal is great for tracking macros and making sure you are eating enough or not too much. same goes for fitday, dailyplate, loseit etc. all are great apps to help you meet your fitness goal

[Benjamin Young]

01:45 PM on 07/13/2011

Jason, I sent you an email. I would definitely consider trying our app Nexercise - http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nexercise/id417348701. You can track any physical activity with it, including things you wouldn't normally think about like dancing, walking your dog, or yard-work. We are getting ready for a new major release too, so I can give you early access to that if you would like.

[Shauna RookeMeyer]

04:01 PM on 07/13/2011

I totally agree with Benjamin. Nexercise not only tracks any physical activity, it rewards you for doing it! You earn bonus points, medals, discounts on healthy living products and can even win Amazon gift cards and more! Trust me it is very motivating after exercising to see what you earned. Instant gratification at it's best. What I love is that I can use it on my iPod Touch. Enjoy your training which may seem like an impossibility but with Nexercise at least it will be fun! :)

[ProfessorDon Abrams]

12:54 PM on 07/13/2011

Hi Jason,

Old-fashioned walking for fitness is deceptively powerful . . . and need not be boring.

To add further motivation . . . use a Magic Ski Pole with comfortable wrist weights.

A well writen article on apps.

Would you consider reviewing a non-technical app?

I would be delighted to rush you a Magic Ski Pole gratis in order to test.

If you feel adventurous . . . please check www.magicskipole.com

The Magic Ski Pole is simply an imaginable cross-country ski pole that reaps the full benefit of walking by preventing “lazy arms”.

It automatically ‘clicks’ cleanly at the heart level when briskly swinging the arms.


P.S. Incidently,it was inspired by a Norwegian- Canadian by the name of "Jackrabbit" Johannsen who lived to be the oldest man in the world at the time, according to the Guiness Book of Records.

He lived to be 111 years, 6 months and 21 days.

[2joel2]

10:37 AM on 07/13/2011

I thought RunKeeper is best for creating/tracking workouts after you've become a 5k runner. Amazing app! However to get you there, you want the couch to 5k app, for either iPhone or android. It's a walk to run program that anyone can do! You'll be running a 5k in time for your wedding... (well maybe not if you haven't started yet!) Good luck! I look forward to hearing your reviews!

[Tanrioldu]

12:44 AM on 07/13/2011

RunKeeper is awesome especially since it is FREE

[Ceyx]

09:01 PM on 07/12/2011

While I commend your desire to become more active and train to complete a distance of slightly more than 3-miles the bad news is there is no such thing as a "Lazy Man's Fitness App." It's because there's no such thing as a lazy way to get in shape. It requires activity.

Also, if you're breaking into a sweat (and feeling tired) after climbing a single flight of stairs then you might wish to consult a doctor before starting your training program as it sounds like you're a candidate for a heart attack or a possible injury.

And never skip meals while training.

[GirlFriday123]

05:27 PM on 07/12/2011

C25K.

It works, period. I'm working toward my first 10K with the B210k, now. Just hope they get a half-marathon by the time I'm done.

[sve]

05:03 PM on 07/12/2011

Hah! Funny article. But I question if shame-inducing is the effective motivation lever for long-term behavior change. Let me quote wisdom from the entrepreneurship community on what works: a successful product gets you laid, made, or paid. Paid- gets you money, made- gets you power and influence, laid- you know what that means.

[eri 68]

04:42 PM on 07/12/2011

"(other than my current shape, which is "oval")"

I admit, I guffawed in a very unladylike manner.

[Justin Alcorn]

03:16 PM on 07/12/2011

Look at Couch 2 5k. You're supposed to have 9 weeks, but it might just do it for you. c25k pro is the app.

[tomsawyer14]

03:09 PM on 07/12/2011

If you're training for a 5k, I highly recommend Couch to 5k http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml and the accompanying app http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/c25k-couch-to-5k/id301233668?mt=8. It seems the easiest way to get where you want to go. It's worked for me twice now, once before a stroke and once after.

[Lupernikes]

02:53 PM on 07/12/2011

Since it came out, my absolute favorite has been Cardiotrainer; it has a widget which shows how many calories you burned and distance covered; gives little cues in an almost natural sounding voice and integrates your music into your workout; as well as having good GPS and other features (like auto pause settings, essential for us cyclists who keep stopping at lights).

I tried other apps but keep coming back to this one...

[losangelian1]

03:12 PM on 07/12/2011

I agree, Cardiotrainer is a GREAT app. It was my one regret about switching from Android to iphone.