Rec on Tech: The Best Apps to Track Your Workout

So far in this series, we have seen many apps offering different ways to make your phone more useful at the gym and at home. This time we are going to look at even more apps that help you track your workout!

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StrongLifts 5x5

StrongLifts, an app I personally use, is simple but amazing. It tracks your work out by keeping all your information in your phone. The app creates a rotating schedule of lifts that you do every other day. With six lifts in total, StrongLifts is perfect for beginner lifters or for people who want a quick, effective workout. StrongLifts really shines in its ease-of-use. Once you enter your reps and weight for a session, it automatically suggests the appropriate weight for the next time you do that lift.

Trying to make the most of your gym time? StrongLifts provides a built-in timer for resting between sets, so you maintain at a steady pace. The free version includes most things you need to keep your workout consistent, but there is the Power Pack option. For just $9.99 you get eight new features, including recommended warm-up exercises, a plate calculator, and optional accessory exercises, that improve the app and make it more useful. Basically, StrongLifts makes it easy to start lifting if you don’t already.

Nike+ Training Club

If you struggle to create your workouts, then Nike+ Training Club should become your best gym buddy. Simply download it and create an account (or connect with Facebook) and then boom­: premade workouts at your fingertips. NTC organizes exercises into categories, so it’s easy to find the perfect strength or endurance workout. The workouts are easy to follow, and they provide you with important information such as estimated time and required equipment. Additionally, all of your past workouts and activities are stored in the app. You can track your progress (or prove to your mom that you actually have been going to the gym). I highly recommend NTC for beginners who have no idea where to start but know that they want to.

Google Sheets

Remember that mandatory Excel class you had to take back in high school? The one that you swore would never be that useful? Well guess what, spreadsheets can actually help track your workout. Spreadsheet apps like Google Sheets are a perfect way to customize your workout and keep track of what you did during your last trip to the gym. Spreadsheets may sound simple compared to some of the other apps I have mentioned, but they are amazing for people with a very specific workout.

Instead of carrying around a notebook, you can keep your lifting information in a spreadsheet on your phone. There are many types of spreadsheet apps, but I prefer Google Sheets because of its flexibility. Create, share and edit your spreadsheet on multiple devices such as your laptop, phone or desktop. If you have a Google account, you can access your information anywhere.

MyFitnessPal

I have already covered MyFitnessPal in a different article, but I want to mention it here. For those who already have the app, you can easily begin to track your workouts within the exercise section. If interested, feel free to check out my previous article on MyFitnessPal for specific details about its features.

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Tracking your workout doesn’t have to be a chore, especially with these useful apps! These are just another way to turn your phone into your best gym buddy.

There are a lot of useful gadgets out there, so if there are any apps or pieces of tech you want to see us talk about, comment below and stay tuned for the next Rec on Tech.

As always, from all of us at The Rec,

Be well, Auburn.

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Photography: Jack P.