I’d be lying if I said a fitness app will make you leaner, stronger, or faster. It won’t. But there are some free fitness apps that will take the guess work out of what you’re doing. You’ll be able to reach your goals more quickly because you’ll have more clarity about your exercise and what you’re eating.

These are the top apps I recommend. Not just because they’re free, but because they each do a specific job:

Stretch Timer

A simple countdown-timer where you can preset five different timers. Perfect for timing rest breaks, how long you’re holding a stretch, or time-based exercises (like planks).

Stretch Timer is one of the 5 Free Fitness Apps

MapMyRun

If you want to keep a set pace on longer runs this is the app for you. If you want to measure out some distances so you can do some interval training… this is also the app for you.

MapyMyRun is one of the 5 Free Fitness Apps

My Fitness Pal

So you’ve started a food diary? Good. You haven’t? Check out Why the #1 Change to Your Diet Should be a Food Diary. This is the app to use once you’re ready to estimate your energy intake for the day…

My Fitness Pal is one of the 5 Free Fitness Apps for Food Diary Calorie Counting

…or identify how much protein, fat and carbs you’re eating.

My Fitness Pal is one of the 5 Free Fitness Apps for Food Diary Macro Counting

MetroTimer

This one is good if you have OCD (like me). If a program says I’m supposed to do 43 seconds of an exercise, I’m doing 43 seconds. Exactly. This app is handy if your hands aren’t free to press start on a timer. It’s a metronome, so just remember to set the beat at 60 rpm.

MetroTimer is one of the 5 Free Fitness Apps

C25K

Also known as “couch to 5 k’s,” this app does just that. It gradually gets you to running 5 km without even realising it. This is the program I used to get back to running after my ACL reconstruction. It’s slow and steady, and it really does win the race. This is one of the top free fitness apps… for now. Get in quick. Surely they’ll end up charging. It’s that good!

C25K is one of the 5 Free Fitness Apps

These apps will do the hard work for you. Not the exercise, that’s on you. But they will help you plan, measure, and progress.

Comment below if there’s any favourites I’ve missed?

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This is from a series of articles from the 9-Week Health and Fitness Challenge for Travellers. The program designed for people who have no access to a gym, equipment, or special ingredients… while having clingy kids and an unpredictable schedule!