Honorable Mentions
Courtesy of iFit
iFit: Unfortunately, so many fitness apps require proprietary equipment. But if you've got the itch to travel, I recommend iFit, which partners with NordicTrack, ProForm, and FreeMotion equipment. You get world-class athletic instructors with jaw-dropping natural scenery from all over the world for workouts that are both stunning and entertaining. I may not be able to ride a pump track with Ashleigh McIvor in real life, even if there wasn't a pandemic. But on iFit's platform, I laughed out loud from the exhilaration of flying behind her as the bike tilted up and down. I loved it so much, in fact, that my own mother bought the treadmill and has been enjoying her own global walks at home.
Zombies, Run!: If you've ever thought to yourself, "The only way I'd start running is if I had to flee for my life," you can now start practicing. Zombies, Run! is an award-winning audio survival game that's secretly a fitness tool. Once you connect your headphones and start your workout, an audio guide narrates your fitness journey. In an apocalyptic, zombified world, it's your job to scavenge resources for your ragtag band of human survivors and evade death.
The app is free, but you can pay for the Abel Runner's Club version to access all eight seasons and features. In addition to heart-pounding audio storylines and narrated adventures, there are also virtual races, stat tracking, GPS-enabled maps, and the ability to connect with your Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch. I have no doubt it's effective—I burned at least 5 to 10 calories just listening in fear to the YouTube trailer.
Smash Your Fitness: If you're a cyclist, you probably have a trainer set up for what WIRED writer Robbie Gonzalez once called "human hamster-wheeling.” If you find Zwift boring, you might want to consider a new cycling game called Smash Your Fitness. Cyclists strap on a “Smashometer,” a small, rechargeable ankle device that transmits leg speed to the game via Bluetooth, or directly to your smart trainer via Bluetooth or ANT+.
You cycle through a sci-fi universe that feels like you're suspended in space, while riding on a track akin to a revolving strand of DNA or a natural world that’s a compelling virtual facsimile of Europe or the Southwest. You can pedal with friends remotely or join paced group rides led by virtual ride leaders. A hunky AI coach can also spit out a workout program after feeding him some basic data. Pre-made workouts can be as short as five minutes or as long as several hours.
There are a lot of moving parts with Smash that a cyclist like me who just wants to get some quick exercise might not want or need. For example, cyclists have the option to “steer” the bike using their phone or keyboard. When this feature is turned on, there’s a risk of crashing, which I did at least 10 times in one ride. Throughout a month of testing, I found that the app isn't quite easy to use. I never could sync it with my Zwift Hub smart trainer. The company promises that connectivity bugs will soon be worked out, but until then it’s up to the Smashometer to carry the ride. Also, the companion app is still waiting for approval from Apple and the Google Play Store. —Steph Pearson
Courtesy of Yoqi
Yoqi: Qigong is the ancient Chinese practice of using breath control and body movements to gather life energy (known as qi) and redistribute it around your body and back into the earth. It's also a great way to start your day on an energetic note. Qigong exercises are done in a standing posture, and the gentle activities slot somewhere between Tai Chi movements and your favorite standing yoga poses.
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