Over and over again, research has shown that one of the best ways to stick to your workout routine is by involving other people. Having friends, family members, or complete strangers encourage you as you work out can help you meet your goals, and even exceed them.
Social fitness apps are one of the best ways to do this, but you need to find the one that works best for you. So, in this article, we've listed the best social fitness apps to work out with friends. You're bound to find one that helps you achieve your fitness goals.
1. Fitbit
Fitbit is one of the most widely-used social fitness apps. Most users pair it with their favorite Fitbit tracker, as these trackers automatically log stats, such as steps taken, different activity levels, and stairs climbed.
However, you don't technically have to own a Fitbit tracker to use the app, as most smartphones have a pedometer feature that Fitbit can use to track your steps. The only downside is that you'll have to manually enter any other exercises you do.
Fitbit is also a great way to improve your fitness while competing against others. Once you connect with your friends and family on the app, you can compete to have the most steps during the week. Plus, Fitbit has plenty of fitness challenges to do with friends and family that will motivate you to get fit.
On Fitbit's Community page, you can join fitness groups that pertain to specific activities, like running, hiking, and swimming. People from all over the world can post images of their latest workouts, which should inspire you even more.
Download: Fitbit for Android | iOS (Free, with premium version available)
2. Nike Run Club
Nike Run Club is packed with features that can improve your workout sessions. Not only does it track stats from your runs and encourage you to complete challenges, but it also has a coaching feature that leads you through a targeted program for specific race distances and running levels.
The social aspect of the Nike Run Club app is integral to its design. It allows you to share the completion of your runs to the social media network of your choice. An in-app camera also lets you share photos without leaving the app. You can even get "cheers" from your Nike Run Club friends, which triggers a cheering sound that you'll hear through your headphones.
If you want to connect with other runners in person, you can use the app to find and partake in nearby running events. The more you exercise, the more in-app achievements you'll get to show off.
Nike Run Club is compatible with the Apple Watch, as well as Android wearables. That said, it's definitely one of the best fitness apps for Apple Watch, and most Android fitness devices.
Download: Nike Run Club on Android | iOS (Free)
3. PumpUp
Apps such as PumpUp are designed specifically for those who love talking about their workouts on social media. Although it's marketed towards women, plenty of men use the app too. The app tracks your exercise, and lets you post photos with descriptions to share with your followers.
PumpUp's interface resembles Instagram in both its appearance and functionality. You have access to the feed of people you follow, along with feeds for the latest and most popular posts. Most posts show a user's progress, while others have to do with healthy eating. Either way, PumpUp can inspire you to get fit alongside the thousands of other users on the app.
PumpUp isn't just all about sharing your ventures in fitness. It, additionally, helps you stay active while you connect, as it comes with a variety of guided workouts that you can try. Each workout has a specific theme. With full-body, high-intensity, strength-training, abs, and treadmill workouts at your disposal, you'll likely find a routine that works for you.
The premium version of the app gives you access to a larger selection of workouts, but it's rather expensive. Despite this, PumpUp is still a great choice if you love using social media to connect, and are interested in sharing your fitness activities with like-minded groups.
Download: PumpUp for Android | iOS (Free, with premium version available)
4. Strava
Strava is another fantastic fitness-sharing app. Whether you enjoy running, biking, hiking, kayaking, doing yoga, or training at the gym, this app can track all of it. Strava even records your distance, pace, speed, and calories burned.
Want to get your friends and family involved in a group fitness app? Fortunately, you can simply add them to Strava from your Facebook friends list or phone contacts. After you complete a workout, you can post your stats on the app for all of your friends to see.
Strava gives you the chance to join and compete in challenges against your friends and family. In other words, this feature makes it a viable option if you're looking for a workout app that keeps you and your friends accountable.
One of the best parts about Strava is its emphasis on local fitness activity. You can check out nearby running or biking routes that other Strava users have used, and try them for yourself. If you subscribe to the premium version of the app, you can actually see how your time ranks compared to the other users who have used that trail.
Download: Strava for Android| iOS (Free, with premium version available)
Which of These Social Fitness Apps Do You Use?
Social fitness apps have been improving rapidly, and will likely continue to get better. Whether you want to compete with your friend, local athletes, or people from around the world, the social aspect makes working out way more fun. The app you choose should depends on the kind of social connections that best fit your lifestyle and personality.
Most of these apps come equipped with workouts that you can do from home, but you might get bored of doing the same routine. If that's the case, change it up with these body weight exercise apps to help you get fit anywhere.