Whether you're training for a marathon and need a reliable way to track your progress or just want to increase the amount of steps you take in a day, there are LOTS of apps to help you out when it comes to exercising and improving your fitness.
Here are just a few of our favourites, as well as some more recommendations to make sure you get the right fit. After all, the last thing you need during a particularly gruelling workout is an annoying voice telling you that you need to try harder.
Best for advice and workout planning
I was really excited to tell you about one of my all time favourite apps called iFitness but after an hour or so of trying to find it, I realised that it's been axed from the app store. Grr. From what I can tell it was replaced, then that app disappeared too. Oh well...
So anyway, when it comes to general advice and helping you plan workouts to target certain areas of your body, then GymGoal ABC would have to be the (second) best.
For each area there are at least 30 suggested exercises, each with a detailed tutorial. The app lets you save a series of exercises as a work out, track your food, calculate your BMI, monitor your weight and much, much more.
The design looks a bit dated and far too brown, but we'll overlook that for now.
Available from iTunes for Free.
Also try: Fitness Pro or FitnessBuilder.
Best for running
Nike+ GPS
Nike originally brought out the Nike+ app, which required you to have special Nike running shoes fitted with sensors to go with it. However, now the brand lets you wear whichever trainers you please with its Nike+ GPS application. It's an easy way to track your runs and streamlines all kinds of things into one app, like music, GPS tracking, timing and routes.
The tracking is pretty accurate, it's so easy to just get out there and start running and you can send all of your activity to Nikeplus.com too.
There are strange motivational quotes when you run your fastest or longest mile, which are sometimes annoying and sometimes strangely comforting.
Available from iTunes for £1.49.
Also try: iMapMyRUN or Run Coach Pro.
Best for tracking any exercise
Although it's called Runkeeper, this app allows you to track all kinds of activities, including running, cycling and even snowboarding.
It uses GPS to track your route, records your time and speed and can give you coaching tips too if you need some motivation.
Available from iTunes for Free.
Best for races
Finding the right pace for you is important when you're planning ahead for a race. This app predicts race times, tells you the right pace for your run and the pace to aim for when you're training.
Available from iTunes for Free.
Best pedometer
The are LOTS of different pedometer apps available, but this one tends to get the best write ups because it's so accurate.
Not only does it tell you how many steps you've taken, it also measures distance, calories you've burned and average speed and pace as well as much more.
Available from iTunes for £1.49.
Also try: Pedometer Pro or Pedometer Free.
Best timing and interval training
The iPhone has a pretty capable timer, but if you're looking for something with a few more options then try this app from Gymboss, whatever you need to time its precise and easy to use.
Available from iTunes for Free.
Also try: Ultratimer or WOD Timer.
Best for yoga
Now this one is quite pricey, but it does seem to be the most comprehensive yoga application available when it comes to really easy to understand tutorials and a lot of choice.
The app even has built-in classes, so it's not just about copying a position and then flicking through to the next, everything is specifically tailored and sequenced to your level.
Available from iTunes for £6.99.
Also try: Authentic Yoga with Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles or YOGA Instructor.
[Image via]
Into fitness and health gadgets? Check out our new site, Connected Health
Check out the best iPhone 4 accessories here ,
