Sameer Sacranie Shares Seven Great Apps and Online Programs for Fitness Enthusiasts
By: Sameer Sacranie
Tags: Fitness Apps, Sameer Sacranie, London, United Kingdom, Fitness Enthusiast

Sameer Sacranie Shares Seven Great Apps and Online Programs for Fitness Enthusiasts Sameer Sacranie May 3·4 min read

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had difficulty connecting with others with similar health goals. Gyms and classes have not been in operation, and people were often forced to work out at home by themselves. Fortunately, online communities can join if they want to enjoy fitness in a group setting.

Sameer Sacranie, a fitness expert, shares the top seven places for people to share workouts online, including those that have created vibrant virtual communities.

1. My Fitness Pal

My Fitness Pal provides individual tracking of diet, exercise, and other health measures. The program also offers the chance for members to connect with friends and family, and fellow users of the online platform.

The app is easy to use and intuitive. It provides users with simple ways to count their daily calories and track their exercises. There is a robust online community of message boards and social feeds. Overall, My Fitness Pal is especially helpful if you want to lose weight or improve your overall activity level.

My Fitness Pal offers a free app for iOS and Android. It also provides a premium version for users who want more control over their experience. It can also be used from a laptop or desktop PC.

2. Peloton

Peloton manufactures both stationary bikes and treadmills that connect users to live online classes. Many people who have missed going to spin classes at the gym have taken to Peloton, using it to jump-start their fitness.

The one disadvantage to Peloton is that it is only available if you buy a relatively expensive piece of fitness equipment. Most users become fans of the platform and encourage their friends and family to get involved.

3. Fitbit

Fitbit is another online community that depends on purchasing a piece of equipment. However, Fitbit’s smartwatches and fitness trackers are far less expensive than Peloton products, leaving a lower barrier to participation. Fitbit’s app is in some respects similar to My Fitness Pal, allowing users to track their daily calorie intake and fitness activities. The difference with Fitbit is that it offers more effective tracking of calories burned because most models track a user’s heartbeat and give a GPS readout of where they have walked and run.

Like My Fitness Pal, Fitbit offers a free app and a premium version. The premium version includes dozens of workout and mindfulness programs.

4. Jefit

Jefit is designed for people who want to find or design their own fitness plans. You can connect with other members and friends to encourage each other, set personal goals, and share workouts. The basic app is free to use, though some features are only available to paying members.

One potential downside of Jefit is that the discussion boards are less active than those in other communities. Nevertheless, people who are interested in fitness will get a lot out of this app.

5. YouTube

YouTube has become an excellent place to find online fitness classes for all abilities. There are no real communities available to join, but the wide variety of classes makes up for the lack of personal connection. Two of the most popular fitness channels on YouTube are Yoga by Adriene and Fitness Blender. Both of these channels provide classes for beginners through expert-level athletes.

One disadvantage to YouTube is that it is an ad-supported platform. However, you can buy a premium membership to avoid seeing the ads.

6. Bodyspace

Bodyspace is the social side of Bodybuilder.com. The site allows you to choose your workouts, track all of your workouts and body stats, connect with current friends, and make new ones in the community. It is focused on serious bodybuilders, though beginners are welcome.

One possible downside to this app is that it recommends that you buy certain nutritional supplements. If you do not buy them, your results may be different from those intended by the celebrity trainers who designed the programs.

7. NerdFitness

NerdFitness is intended for people who are new to working out. It caters to people who have “nerdy” interests, and it concentrates on supporting members through non-judgmental help.

The website has an extensive library of fitness articles. It is free to join, but certain programs are only available to paying members.

The website is the only way to use NerdFitness. At present, it does not offer an app on iOS or Android phones. This can be a disadvantage for people who want to track their workouts in real-time while away from home.

Connecting with Fitness Lovers

All seven of these programs can help you create a robust online workout plan. Until gyms and classes reopen, they can be a great way to keep yourself in shape. Sameer Sacranie recommends checking out one or more of these programs to see whether they would be a good fit for you and your fitness ambitions.