The UK’s wellness/fitness industry is booming. Predicted, by 2020, to reach £22.8 billion, it’s a thriving market – with sports equipment, weight loss, gym memberships, and alternative medicine making up a significant chunk of the sector.
Data indicates that in 2018, approximately 14.5 million people (29% of the British population) made a resolution to lose weight, with 19% also saying they intended to improve their fitness levels. However, reports show that over half of us fail to stick to our resolutions after just one month! So, how can we stick to our guns and improve our health this new year? Here, we look at some of the best health apps to download:
For many of us, our diet is where we mainly slip up. While the odd takeaway or cheat meal is often encouraged by health experts, so too is portion control. The NHS’s calorie checker is a great way to monitor your intake, with over 150,000 food and drink itemised products showing the calorie and fat content.
Available from: NHS website
Price: Free
Are you a smoker who struggles to kick the habit? Quitting smoking is something five million people in the UK tried to do in 2017, but one in five didn’t achieve a month without a cigarette. With the Smoke-free app, you will be provided with daily tips, advice and support over a 28-day programme. Better still, you’ll be rewarded if you meet your goals! The app states that you are up to five times more likely to quit for good If you stay smoke-free for the four-week programme.
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
Price: Free
For those who don’t particularly have the fitness levels to take on marathons, the couch to 5k is the perfect app for you. Presented by Public Health England, it builds you up gradually with a mix of running and walking so that within 9 weeks you should be able to run 5 kilometres (3.1 miles). There’s also a choice of five virtual trainers to help you on your fitness journey and keep you motivated.
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
Price: Free
If you don’t like the busy gym scene, or simply prefer to work out in the comfort of your home surroundings, Sworkit could be the app for you. With their ‘no gym, no excuse’ slogan, it pretty much speaks for itself. With a host of exercise ideas and programmes to choose from, including strength, cardio and stretching, you can mould your perfect workout. The app will deliver an array of exercises to follow during your session and is a great option for those who already have a good knowledge of where they want to target.
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
Price: Free, with the options of in-app purchases
Do you fancy yourself as a gamer? This app treats fitness as a classic video game and sets you challenges to complete using no more than a chair, your own weight or a wall. These tasks are set daily for seven months and each day you miss, you will lose a life (you start with three). If you lose all three in a month, your progress is reset to zero. Stick with it and you’re sure to see results!
Available from: iTunes and Google Play
Price: Free, or £3.99 per month for premium
So, there you have five great apps to help you achieve your next health and wellbeing goal. Whether that’s by quitting smoking, improving your diet or upping your exercise regime, these helpful tools can be a great aid for your targets. Good luck!
This article was researched by health supplements supplier, Pharma Nord.
