The Best iPhone Fitness Apps for Getting Back in Shape

Far be it from us to preach to you about the virtues of a rigorous physical regimen. The only time we ever walked into a gym was when we urgently needed to break a $50 bill before Shake Shack closed. Don't get us wrong -- your writer is very much aware that getting off the couch and spending time on a treadmill can do wonders for bodies and minds. It's just that he's addicted to the Internet, and all of the sedentary, digital confectioneries it has to offer. Recently, though, we discovered a way to combine our unabashedly unhealthy geekiness with an exercise regimen -- namely, in the iPhone.

At first, we were flabbergasted. The iPhone, after all, has traditionally been something of a side-pocket flask to our inner alcoholic. It's always there to provide online refuge whenever we find ourselves in foreign (read: "social") situations, and has never failed us when we needed to play 'Plants vs. Zombies' during a rare and invariably awkward date. As it turns out, though, more than a few people use their iPhones for productive things. (Absurd, we know.) How productive? Think "getting in shape" productive. We decided to look into this decidedly counterintuitive phenomenon, and, much to our surprise, we discovered countless iPhone apps designed expressly to pump us up. Here are a few of our favorites:

'iFitness'

The queen jewel of iPhone exercise apps, 'iFitness' isn't so much an app as it is a mini, digitized personal trainer. With detailed images of over 300 exercises, along with step-by-step instructions, this guy is the perfect companion for anyone looking to add a little direction to their otherwise aimless gym routines. You can either customize your own workouts, or choose from one of the app's 20 pre-loaded routines. With its sleek design and wealth of information, it's not hard to see why this app remains the #1 top-selling fitness app in the App Store.

Verdict: Think of it as your own personal trainer -- minus the self-righteous attitude.
'iFitness' ($1.99)

'Navy SEAL Fitness'

Fewer people on Earth are as freakishly fit as Navy SEALs. Given the strenuous nature of the job, every one must regularly go through a mind-blowingly strenuous workout, designed to chisel every muscle in the body. And, with this app, you can, too. Created by a team of physicians and physiologists with intimate knowledge of SEAL training, this little guide will give you access to the same routines and exercises that America's toughest men and women perform everyday. Consider buying only if you're in the market for physical suffering.

Verdict: Think of it as your own personal boot camp -- minus the constant belittlement.
'Navy Seal Fitness' ($1.99)

'Hundred PushUps'

You have pythons for arms. Your quads look like lean cuts of beef. But what about those two potato sacks up top? Time to whip out your iPhone, and get on the floor. With this app, you can create a six-week push-up plan to help tone your pecs the old-fashioned way. The ultimate goal, of course, is to do 100 consecutive push-ups, but don't panic; the app will customize your program according to your strength level. Keep track of your progress in a built-in log, and don't be afraid to stand tall the next time you make eyes with that cute cashier at the taco stand.

Verdict: A one-track app for anyone with a one-track approach to exercise.
'Hundred PushUps' ($1.99)

'GymGoal ABC'

Don't be fooled by the name; this app is far from a glorified 'Workouts for Dummies.' Even the saltiest of old salts will be able to find some value in a handheld database of 280 exercises and regularly updated routines. And, because static diagrams and step-by-step instructions can still be somewhat vague, 'GymGoal' provides animated video demonstrations of each move. Best of all, every single animation is stored on your phone, meaning that no faulty 3G or wireless connection can keep you from getting your sweat on.

Verdict: ABC will make complicated exercise routines seem as easy as 1-2-3.
'GymGoal ABC' (Free)

'iMap My Run +'

If you're seriously addicted to running and bookkeeping, this app is right up your alley. From the second you set off on your morning run, this tool will map your path, via GPS tracking, and give you stats on your pace, distance and elevation. Paying for the '+' version will allow you to geotag photos you snap along the way and provide motivational tips to keep you moving. If, on the other hand, you're more Lance Armstrong than Usain Bolt, check out the cyclist-friendly sister app, 'iMapMyRide.'

Verdict: Only stats freaks and/or amateur cartographers need apply.
'iMap My Run +' ($4.99)

'Run Mate'

The iPod may be man's best friend, but every now and then, joggers could use something else to keep them company during those interminable 10k runs. That's where 'Run Mate' comes in. With this app, inexperienced runners can ease their way into a 5k training regimen, while veterans can use the app to mold their very own programs. Throughout your run, 'Run Mate' will chime through your headphones to tell you to pick up the pace, if necessary. But don't worry; you can still listen to your embarrassing iTunes playlist at the same time.

Verdict: Perfect for those rare moments when the 'Rocky' soundtrack just won't do.
'Run Mate' ($3.99)

'NikeWomen Training Club'

We all know that gyms are disgusting, stranger-infested sweatboxes. With this app, though, you can create your own athletic community, and avoid the plebeians at the meat market altogether. Just create an avatar, invite your friends to join, and go through a series of drills to tone every part of your body. After receiving points for each completed exercise, you can compare your scores with your friends' tallies on the app's leaderboard. Undoubtedly the best part of the app, though, is its irresistibly adorable graphics. Seriously, they're cute enough to encourage this very male writer to join Nike's estrogen-fueled club.

Verdict: It's hard to go wrong with anything involving Michael Jackson look-alike avatars.
'NikeWomen Training Club' (Free)

'Men's Health Workouts'

Considering the kinds of washboard-abbed Adonises that Men's Health regularly plaster across its covers, it's no surprise that this men's magazine produces such a solid fitness app. Here, you'll find a bunch of targeted workouts, circuit training routines, and tools to track your weightlifting evolution. But what really separates this app from the herd is a feature called "Jimmy the Bartender," where a guy named Jimmy serves up his lists of the "best bars, tips for approaching any woman, and cocktail recipes." Yes, please.

Verdict: Great for weekday gym rats and weekend alcoholics.
'Men's Health Workouts' ($1.99)

'Oakley Surf Report'

Granted, not all of us are lucky enough to live next to a surfable seaside. But, for those who are, this app will certainly keep you abreast of what's going on at sea. Not only will this watchdog feed you with up-to-the-minute weather reports or extended forecasts, but it'll also tell you which way the gnarliest swells are heading. With that kind of detailed information, how could any surfer not be tempted to get off the couch, and ride the waves?

Verdict: Won't help you shred your way through those treacherous overhead barrels, but will definitely tell you where to find them.
'Oakley Surf Report' (Free)

'GolfLink Game Tracker and GPS'

Mark Twain once wrote that golf is nothing more than a "good walk spoiled." We typically tend to agree with him, but we're willing to acknowledge that golf can still provide some pretty good exercise. Use this app to keep track of your score and distance, and browse, in great detail, the 21,000-plus golf courses stored in its database. As an added advantage, golfers can even survey their terrain from above, thanks to the app's bird's-eye shots of literally thousands of courses. At $14.99, it's probably not for those carrying a light wallet. But, then again, neither is golf.

Verdict: Read the fairway like Nicklaus, even if you look like Daly.
'GolfLink Game Tracker & GPS' ($14.99)

'WalkMeter'

Getting in shape doesn't have to involve bench presses or marathons. For some people, getting out of the house and taking a stroll can be enough to get the blood flowing and the life expectancy increasing. 'Walkmeter' will keep track of how fast and how far you walk, and, with the help of GPS tracking, will even chart your peregrinations on a map. If you're in need of some extra encouragement along the way, you can share your results with friends on Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.

Verdict: A great way to add some high-impact geekiness to your low-impact workout.
'Walkmeter' ($4.99)

'Pilates for Pregnancy'

Just because you've got a bun in the oven doesn't mean you can't give your cardiovascular system some lovin'. That's the idea behind this informative app, developed by the same people who put together the award-winning DVD 'Parental Pilates.' With this taskmaster, expectant mothers can find clearly explained, pictorial guides for toning various parts of their bodies, along with a handy "To Do" list of healthy routines and habits to keep your gestating goober kickin' strong. The only downside, though, is that you'll have to purchase a new app for each trimester. But, if it means you won't come out of the operating room looking like a whale, it's probably worth it.

Verdict: Replace pickles and ice cream with pilates and a smaller inseam.
'Pilates for Pregnancy' ($4.99 per trimester)

Tags: features, gymgoalabc, hundred pushups, HundredPushups, ifitness, imapmyrun, mens health workouts, MensHealthWorkouts, navy seal fitness, NavySealFitness, nike, nikewomen training club, NikewomenTrainingClub, oakley, runmate, top