I tested workout apps so that you don't have to

Exercise is hard. After one week of nothing but exercise apps, I can confirm this as fact. I tested several workout apps found in Apple's app store, so you don’t have to suffer the added pain of downloading a random app and hoping for the best. I tried to find the best free apps that are targeted at both men and women. Sit back, relax and laugh at the pain I went through to provide you with this insight.

SWORKIT

Overall rating: 3.5 / 5

Pros: Super easy to use. All of the 'sworkouts' (lol see what I did there) are easy to follow and do not require you to be a pro at the gym. Also, none of the activities require you to actually go to the gym or use equipment, which is a major plus, especially when you are in the middle of writing a paper and feel like you do not have time.

Cons: You have to pay to get more 'sworkouts'. The app is free to install and has some really basic 'sworkouts' that users can do without paying, but you have to pay for features like saving sworkouts, removing ads and setting your own intervals.

Nike+ Training Club

Overall rating: 4 / 5

Pros: Athlete workouts!!!!! The app includes tons of workouts created by Nike athletes such as Simone Biles, Carli Lloyd, Ashton Eaton and my personal hero Serena Williams. The app also lets you save your workouts without having to pay, which is very nice. Little to no equipment is required, which is very convenient. 

Cons: The app is not exactly the easiest one to navigate. There is not a way to view workouts for the specific area you want to work on without having to scroll through the entire list.

Pro/con: It syncs with your iTunes library, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Fortunately, my iTunes library is only Beyoncé, yet there are some old middle school tracks that I regret buying all over again while trying to do squats, like "The Gummy Bear Song." 

Workout: Gym personal trainer & workout tracker

Overall rating: 2.5 / 5

Pros: Very easy to navigate. It is also very easy to save your favorite exercises and come back to them.

Cons: You have to upgrade to the premium version to access most of the pre-planned workouts, including all of the ones specified for women. This killed my opinion of the app, TBH. Also, some of the exercises require equipment along with a basic knowledge of how these machines work. Not ideal for beginners or those who are intimidated by the weight room in the Student Recreation Center.

7 Minute Workout

Rating: 3 / 5

Pros: It’s only seven minutes long!!! You are given 12 exercises to do for 30 seconds each, which makes it easy to get some form of exercise in.

Cons: It is high intensity, and you can feel it. Also, you have to pay to unlock extra workouts, which is not fun. The demonstrations are YouTube videos, which can take a long time to navigate, so you may have to figure out what “Renegade Rows” are on your own.

Enjoy and have a happy workout!

via GIPHY

@alli_ehrman

swerve@dailytarheel.com