Get hooked on to one of these versatile apps to map your daily fitness routines and monitor your wellness quotient.
From ‘nice to know’ to ‘need to know’ fitness apps have quickly transitioned to be part of the ‘bare essentials’ list of apps on many smartphones in 2015. For some, it’s a motivational tool and, for many others, a much needed kick in the backside when you slack on those self-imposed exercise or diet routines. The growing demand for fitness bands is clear evidence that monitoring daily wellness is becoming high priority. Some of our handpicked apps don’t just work with fitness bands but work well in tandem with your smartphones too. Let the number crunching begin!
Fitbit
Still in two minds about investing in one of Fitbit’s spiffy bands? Don’t worry; you can still take full advantage of the Fitbit companion app via your smartphone. It might have started out as an app developed exclusively for the company's bands but, the revamped app tracks a whole host of data through your smartphone sensors. The pedometer can track your daily steps while the GPS sensors can track your daily running and walking routines. Food logs are still a weak spot for most fitness apps but the Fitbit app does an admirable job (provided you are honest with your inputs!). The UI is easy on the eye while the social features push you that much harder.
Available on: Android, iOS
What we like: UI and home screen, Social features like leaderboards and challenges.
Endomondo
"Free your endorphins"; that’s essentially what Endomondo urges you to do. One of the best distance-based trackers out there, Endomondo tracks duration, distance and calorie burn with incisive route-based information on maps. You can set up your own training log to monitor day-wise progress, as well as set up goals and receive advice from an audio coach
Available on: Android, Windows Phone and iOS
What we like: Audio Coach, social feature to post workouts and compare progress
UP by Jawbone
If you’re not hung up on LED displays, the UP fitness bands by Jawbone have little competition in terms of design; the companion App doesn’t need an UP band – your smartphone works just as well. Most trackers have a default 10,000-step daily goal; the UP app customises the goal based on your BMI and other data. While other apps make it tedious to keep ‘feeding’ food data, this app makes it a tad easier with easier input options, a comprehensive database, and a scanner that might work with some packaged food and beverages.
Available on: Android, iOS
What we like: Food tracker, ability to work with multiple fitness apps and hardware.
Jetfit
Most fitness apps shine in the fitness tracking department; Jetfit is one of those rare apps that is invaluable for smartphone users who want to track their strength training and bodybuilding routines. The ads on the free version are a minor inconvenience for an app that has scores of routines to strengthen each body part, replete with detailed instructions, planners and trackers
Available on: Android, iOS
What we like: Great for strength training and body building; a database of over 1300 exercises with animations and step-by-step instructions.
Strava
If cycling is your daily fitness fix, Strava is a no-brainer. The app tracks your ride via GPS, with useful data like elevation changes and pace. It does the same thing for runs too. The app adds a competitive streak, offering detailed comparisons with your friends or other folks on the same route, and measures your performance against people with your age, weight and height. A premium subscription offers more ‘drill down’ data.
Available on: iOS, Android
What we like: Great for serious cycling routines.
Runtastic
A more than handy app for running enthusiasts, Runtastic relies heavily on GPS to map your routes in real time, aside from capturing useful nuggets of data like speed and time. The app’s aerial maps are a cool way to track your runs, while a personal-style diary keeps track of your daily running data. The app allows you to show off your achievements on social networks too.
Available on: Android, Windows Phone and iOS
What we like: the cool dashboards and detailed graphs
Zombies, Run
Bored with trackers that capture heaps of data but seriously lack the fun element? Zombies, Run might just be your running fix. Your daily run assumes a different significance, for eg, a mission where you are being chased by zombies to save an imaginary town. You keep unlocking levels as you keep moving up the ladder – you will receive your mission though audio (via your headphones) and the app works equally well whether you run outdoors or on a treadmill.
Available on: Android, iOS
What we like: fun element that can push you harder.
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 "dnaTechReview, fitness apps, fitness tracker, Jawbone, Fitbit, Endomondo")
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