Tried And Tested: Four Fitness Apps To Ease You Back Into The Swing Of Things

Four Fitness Apps To Help You Get Fit Without A Gym Membership
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New year, new gym membership - well, that's what people keep telling us.

But in true Say No To January spirit, we've decided to give the gym membership a miss and get back into the swing of things with some simple exercises that can be done from the comfort of our living rooms (or at the very least, the pavement outside).

Here are a handful of easy-to-use and super effective fitness apps that are helping us to get fit (without busting a gut) this month...

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What is it? Nike Training App provides you with a variety of different exercises, some done by celebrity trainers and world famous sportswomen.

The exercises range in time from 45 minutes to 15 minutes. The 30-45 minutes tend to have different sequences of exercises and usually work to one purpose so strengthening, toning, cardio etc.

The 15-minute exercises tend to be focused on different areas of the body - abs, legs, arms and so on.

The app features mini videos if you're unsure of what to do, and as some don't need any equipment you can do it at home or tag it onto your workout in the gym.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Price: It's free.

Easy to use? Yes - it's really straightforward. Each programme runs on a timer and tells you how long you need to do each exercise for.

Is it effective? Really effective, mainly because I tried exercises I would've been too timid to try in the gym on my own, and it's great if you travel a lot for work and don't always have access to a gym.

The focus sessions are great to push you beyond your comfort zone and visually, the app is superb. Basically there's no excuse not to use it!

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What is it? An app which encourages you to get off your backside and go running, but in manageable chunks. The first day involves a five-minute warm up, a 15-minute run / walk phase and a five minute cool down.

The app offers you fitness prompts throughout your running session - including telling you when you can and can't walk / speed up. On a daily basis the app will push you further until you're hitting 5K!

There's a catch though. After day one on your second week of training, you have to start paying for the app (£2.29). But I think it's definitely worth it!

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Price: It's free initially and then costs £2.29 to upgrade from the second week onwards.

Easy to use? Absolutely. I really enjoyed using this app and the navigation is easy peasy! Looks super slick and professional, too.

Is it effective? It's amazing. I'm yet to go the whole hog and do a 5K run but I feel like half the battle is getting people outside and in their running trainers - and this managed to do just that.

There are also bonus training plans available to help you get in shape. But the most important thing for me is that it sets you achievable challenges. Oh, and the inspirational quotes are cool too!

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What is it? The 7 minute workout does what it says on the tin - it works out your whole body in just 7 minutes through a series of 12 exercises.

It's designed around the concept of high intensity interval training (HIIT) so you do each exercise with maximum effort, with a break of only 10 seconds between each.

Exercises include star jumps, wall sits, push ups, sit ups, squats, planks, and high knees running.

Rating: ☆☆☆

Price: £1.49 for the basic version, then you can pay more or "earn" extra exercises by completing challenges.

Easy to use? Yes - the app includes a clear introduction plus clear videos on how to complete each movement throughout.

Is it effective?: Very - I was really surprised at how tired I felt after just 7 minutes! The app is great for people with busy schedules, plus I've been nervous about trying out a HIIT class at my local gym, so using this has given me the chance to build my confidence at home.

The fact that you can track your progress and can unlock new exercises for free by completing certain challenges such as 'double shot' (working out twice in one day) is great for motivation.

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What is it? This app is a one-stop shop for all things yoga, with easy-to-follow video tutorials to do wherever you are. All you need is a yoga matt and enough battery.

There are ready-made classes of varying length (15 mins - one hour) that cover everything from balance to strength, and you can also customise classes to suit your needs.

Once you've found what you need, simply download the video to your device.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Price: At £2.49 it might not be cheap, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than your average yoga class. There are free yoga apps available, but they all seemed pretty basic.

Easy to use? Yes, it's super easy to use - whether you're a beginner or super yogi. I've been practising yoga on and off for about two years and found this class really useful.

Is it effective? It's really effective. The classes are super easy to follow and the app also has detailed info on nearly 300 yoga postures, so you can really get the most out of your practice. There's even a schedule that syncs with your calendar, so there's no excuse to miss a class.

Stretching And Flexibility Exercises
Shoulder Blast #1(01 of30)
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Works posture, shoulders and pecs; releases tension in shoulders and upper backStand with legs shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Round your back and tilt your pelvis forward, extending arms in front of you at shoulder height. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Shoulder Blast #2(02 of30)
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Straighten your legs as you extend your arms directly above your head and reach towards the ceiling. Do not sink into lower back. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Shoulder Blast #3(03 of30)
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Release your grip, keeping your arms shoulder-width apart and palms facing inward. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Shoulder Blast #4(04 of30)
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Turn your palms outwards and lower your arms while slightly leaning your weight forward and opening your chest.Repeat three times. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Side Lunge with Lever Stretch #1(05 of30)
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Works to free your ribcage, as well as stretch and tone your waist and musclesStand with legs apart in a side lunge position and drop the left hip. Lift your arms above your head and go into a deeper lunge as you pull your left wrist with your right hand. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Side Lunge with Lever Stretch #2(06 of30)
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Release your hands and reach arms further away — keeping them straight next to each ear. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Side Lunge with Lever Stretch #3(07 of30)
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Keeping abs tight and arms straight above your head, come up and out of your lunge.Repeat on the other side. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Spine Mobility Stretch #1(08 of30)
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Stand with feet apart, knees bent slightly with more weight on the back leg. Round the spine inward, bend elbows and fold arms inward. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Spine Mobility Stretch #2(09 of30)
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Lean into a front lunge (bend right knee and straighten left leg while opening arms at shoulder-height and extending them back.Repeat on other side. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Long Adductor Stretch #1(10 of30)
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Increases calf and shin mobilityWith feet wide apart, bend one knee while keeping the other leg straight. Hinge your body forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and sticking your bum out in the direction of the bent leg. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Long Adductor Stretch #2(11 of30)
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To deepen the stretch, the foot of the straightened leg and rotate leg in the hip joint. Repeat with the other leg. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Hip Stretch #1(12 of30)
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Works posture, shoulders and pecsPlace left leg up on chair with knee bent and keeping the spine straight. Keep supporting leg (right) slightly bent and gently press down on the left leg to open in the hips. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Hip Stretch #2(13 of30)
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Holding the former position, tilt your pelvis forward while gently pressing down on the left leg to deepen stretch. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Hip Stretch #3(14 of30)
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Repeat step 2, while pushing bum outward (keeping one foot firmly on the floor), arching the back and shifting weight forward. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Hip Stretch #4(15 of30)
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Keeping your legs in the same position, lean forward and push your bum out, keeping your back straight. Press down on left leg to deepen the hip stretch. Repeat with other leg. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
IT Band And Hamstring Stretch #1(16 of30)
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Place left leg up on chair, keeping your spine straight. Keep supporting leg (right) slightly bent and flex your foot to stretch hamstring and calf. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
IT Band And Hamstring Stretch #2(17 of30)
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Rotate flexed foot internally to stretch the long adductor. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
IT Band And Hamstring Stretch #3(18 of30)
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Rotate flexed foot externally, bending your supporting leg further to stretch the IT band. Repeat with other leg. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Quad And Psoas #1(19 of30)
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To get a deep stretch for freedom of movement in the hips; releases pain in the knees, relieves back pain; good for runners/postureGet into a wide front lunge as you place the left foot on the chair (knee bent). Keep the other leg extended with your foot on the floor. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Quad And Psoas #2(20 of30)
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Hold the chair and let the right knee drop towards the floor, raising the right heel and bending the right leg (not all the way). Keep pulling up in your core and press the hips close to the chair to stretch the quad. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Quad And Psoas #3(21 of30)
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Lock your hips in place and keep your pelvis tilted forward as your straighten your back knee and press your heel into the ground to get a deep stretch in psoas. Repeat with the other leg. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
IT Band Stretch #1(22 of30)
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Place left leg up on chair keeping your spine straight. Keep supporting leg (right) slightly bent and flex your foot. Rotate your torso to the left (same side as leg on chair) and extend arm outwards at shoulder height. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
IT Band Stretch #2(23 of30)
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Bend the supporting leg further as you reach your extended left arm towards the ground to deepen the hamstring stretch. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
IT Band Stretch #3(24 of30)
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Sweep your left arm back up to shoulder height and reach over your left foot to deepen the hamstring and back stretch. Switch sides and repeat on the other side. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Hamstring And Long Adductor Stretch #1(25 of30)
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Place left leg up on chair, keeping supporting leg slightly bent. With a rounded back, reach over the chair with both arms and gently pull forward to stretch hamstring. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Hamstring And Long Adductor Stretch #2(26 of30)
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Reach away from the body with your left arm (same arm as leg on the chair) to deepen the stretch on the left side of the back and the hamstring. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Hamstring And Long Adductor Stretch #3(27 of30)
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Rotate the supporting leg outwards, hinge at the waist and stick your bum out to stretch the long adductor. Switch sides and repeat on other side. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Spine Stretch #1(28 of30)
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Stand behind chair with arms extended and hands on the backrest. With feet apart and knees slightly bent, round your back, tilt your pelvis forward and drop head forward. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Spine Stretch #2(29 of30)
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Extend both arms diagonally to the right side of the chair while shifting your hips to the left. Repeat on opposite side. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)
Spine Stretch #3(30 of30)
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Step away from chair with feet wide apart and knees bent. Holding on to the backrest of the chair, extend your arms and bend forward. (credit:Sahra Esmonde-White)