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Workouts in the Palm of your Hand

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Workouts in the Palm of your Hand

Looking to maximize your cardiovascular exercise? There’s an app for that. Searching for an efficient and challenging workout? There’s an app for that, too. 

Fitness apps have become extremely popular for those looking for new, challenging fitness routines they can do no matter their location. With so many apps available, how do you know which one is best for you? Cooper Fitness Center Professional Fitness Trainer Patrick Fisher shares the top three apps he uses to stay fit.

Tabata Pro 

“Tabata training is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout, featuring exercises lasting four minutes each,” says Fisher. “In that four minutes, you’ll challenge your body like never before.” A typical Tabata program includes:

  • Work out hard for 20 seconds
  • Rest for 10 seconds
  • Complete 8 rounds

“The great thing about Tabata is you can do pretty much any exercise you want,” says Fisher. “You can do squats, push-ups, burpees or any exercise that works your large muscle groups. Kettlebell exercises work great, too.”

Fisher says Tabata is great for those looking to get an efficient workout, looking to switch up their exercise routine or those who want to improve endurance and speed. 

Tabata training was discovered by Japanese scientist Dr. Izumi Tabata and a team of researchers from the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo. Researchers concluded that high-intensity interval training, like Tabata, has a significant impact on both the aerobic and anaerobic systems.

Download Tabata Pro from your phone’s app store. 

Myzone® 

Ramp up your cardiovascular exercise with Myzone

Myzone users wear a Myzone heart rate monitor which connects to the app on their phone and tracks heart rate, calories burned, percentage of maximum effort as well as body metrics. The goal? To receive the maximum cardiovascular benefit from your exercise by training in the appropriate heart rate zones.

“Myzone provides real-time feedback during your workout, which encourages you to give maximum effort in the moment,” says Fisher. 

The app also allows you to see results anywhere, anytime. Users can compete and connect with friends, view their workout history, enjoy social sharing, leaderboards and ultimately build a workout community. Myzone heart rate tracking technology is used during group exercise classes at Cooper Fitness Center.

Pocket Yoga™

After a week full of heart rate tracking and Tabata workouts, you might be needing something a little more zen. For that, Fisher recommends downloading Pocket Yoga for the ultimate relaxation experience.

Pocket Yoga allows you to keep up with your yoga practice at home when it’s most convenient for you. Simply roll out your mat, place your device in front of you and Pocket Yoga will guide you through an entire session. 

“You can choose from 27 different yoga sessions of varying duration and difficulty,” says Fisher. “The app also provides a pose dictionary containing detailed explanations of the correct posture, alignment, benefits and correct inhalation and exhalation patterns.”

The app also allows you to log your yoga sessions and track your progress.

The next time you’re sitting home on your couch, Fisher recommends scrolling through the app store on your phone. With so many fitness apps to choose from, your new favorite workout might just be in the palm of your hand. For more information on personal training or to schedule a session, visit cooperfitnesscenter.com