I like food (if you hadn’t noticed).
I recently took a “field trip” to West Seattle to check out a French bakery that I’d heard is amazing. (It is.)
When I was in Hawaii, I ate enough poke to feed the entire population of the Big Island.
I easily consumed POUNDS of cherries during Washington’s summer cherry season.
I cook. I eat. I savor. And I do it all over again.
I ADORE food.
What you might not know – because I talk about food so freakin’ much! – is that I’m also a moving-my-body junkie; and a certified Pilates instructor.
But running is my first love, so strength training falls by the wayside more often than I’d like to admit.
I KNOW it will make me a better runner. I KNOW it will prevent injury. I KNOW it’s important as I get older, but I just can’t make myself do it most days.
I recently came across this not-so-fun fact: Starting in midlife, adults lose about five pounds of muscle each decade if they don’t do strengthening exercises.
It was tucked inside an article in one of my fitness apps. (Talk about motivation! 😉 The specificity of it – FIVE POUNDS of muscle loss per decade – really hit home.
[ctt title=”‘Hang onto muscle as you age with these simple exercise apps.'” tweet=”‘Hang onto muscle as you age with these simple exercise apps.’ via @LaraDalch http://ctt.ec/8Hco1+” coverup=”8Hco1″]
So I made a deal with myself: “You can keep running and yoga (which I do already because they keep me sane). AND you have to ADD two, short strength training sessions.”
That’s it. Just add them for a few weeks and see what happens.
And it’s working!
All it took was a tiny little app called The 7-Minute Workout (not coincidentally, where that not-so-fun fact about muscle loss appeared). You may have heard of it – the workout was all over the news several years ago, but I’m just getting around to trying it. Because, well, my strength training aversion. 😉
Now before you get TOO excited, understand that a few seven-minute strength workouts a week PROBABLY isn’t enough to keep you strong. You need to do 2-3 cycles of those seven minutes – a few times a week – to get real results.
BUT… the app makes it fun!
It sequences simple, tabata-style bodyweight exercises into what feels like a game. A sweaty and kick-your-ass game, but a game nonetheless. And the app tailors your workout to your fitness level, adjusting as you get stronger (based on perceived effort feedback you give at the end of each workout).
And just as I’m thinking “oh my god, I’m dying!,” the final seven-minute cycle begins and I’m done!
I’m not saying I’m cured of my strength training phobia, but – for now – The 7-Minute Workout app is doing the trick.
Here are a few of my other favorite fitness apps, all available online and for iOS and Android. Which means they go wherever you go. No gym required! 🙂
For Yoga
Yogaglo
I’ve down dogged and om’d my way to clarity and focus with Yogaglo in my living room, hotel rooms, and the guest room at my dad’s house. I especially love that I can search for classes by length (as short as 10 minutes), yoga style (vinyasa, hatha, and everything in between), instructor, and even purpose (energy-boosting or calming PMS symptoms, for example).
Down Dog
I’ve not used this app yet, but my beautiful friend Adrienne Kimberley is the creator. I’ve taken barre classes from Adrienne many times over the years, and can vouch for her instructing genius. I have no doubt that Down Dog is top notch.
For Pilates
PilatesStream
This service is still in beta, but it’s being produced by my “Pilates home” in NYC – Core Pilates NYC – where I trained for my instructor certification and taught for a few years. Core’s instructors are AMAZING. And the classes available on Pilates Stream will also include material from other NYC studios. All available to stream on your computer, anywhere you happen to be.
For Tabata, Strength Training, Pilates, Yoga, Kickboxing, Dance
Daily Burn
This ones great for variety and allows you to search for individual classes, or follow a pre-set “program.” It’s also got some yummy recipe suggestions and a networked community for support, if that’s your thing.
Here’s one more app I’ve not tried, but have my eye on:
Skyfit: On demand treadmill, elliptical, outdoor running, yoga, and cycling fitness classes
What about you? What apps or fitness gadgets have you tried and loved? Share your recommendations in the comments!
xo,
