Four easy-to-use apps for National Walking Day
Published 6:15 am Wednesday, April 6, 2016
- National Walking Day is Wednesday, April 6.
It’s been a long, cold winter in many parts of the country, and perhaps those New Year’s resolutions to get or stay in better shape have fallen by the wayside.
Whatever the reason, National Walking Day, this Wednesday, April 6, is meant not to shame people into exercising, but rather to underscore how easy it is to get started, according to the American Heart Association.
“Every day obviously is a great day to exercise,” says Tim Harms, senior director of communications for the AHA’s Midwest affiliate. “It’s just a call out to get people out and get the physical activities their bodies need. Physical activity is a key component of keeping your heart healthy. A lot of people work in sedentary jobs, and there are other factors as well that keep them from getting out and getting the exercise they need.”
Perhaps the hardest part is getting started. There is no shortage of apps available to help, whether you’re motivated by hard stats or by seeing your progress on a map. Here are some suggestions:
Available for iOS and Android, it’s a basic app that records your steps and calculates calories burned, distance and pace. It’s ideal for beginners because of its ease of use and the fact that it will accurately record data no matter where it’s used (pants pocket, hand, or even in a purse).
If you’re into logging your progress, this app offers full access to charts, history logs and other data, as well as giving you the ability to monitor your steps, calories burned, distance and time. It also has a good filter for non-walking activities.
This app tilts more toward illustrating your progress via maps. But you can also keep track of what you eat and gain a more complete picture of your overall health with this app. Plus, it’s easy to share your activities via social media to either brag or get encouragement from your friends.
Billing itself as “the personal trainer in your pocket,” this app uses GPS to track workouts and regularly updates its features, and it syncs well with other health apps to organize workout and health data in a logical fashion.
