2 of My Favorite Workout Apps
Over the last 10 years I have tried so many types of workout classes. From turbokick at a boutique studio, to hip hop dance classes, all the way to private training or group bootcamps. I found success in my fitness and weight loss journey through those. But ultimately, as technology and the internet made learning and doing more possible, I’ve fallen in love with workout apps. I’ve tried everything from Tone it Up, to Kayla Itsines Sweat app, to Aaptiv, and so many more; but the two I have fallen in love with, used consistently, and seen major results from are the Peloton App and Alive by Whitney.
Before you even ask. Yes, I do own a Peloton bike. I’m completely obsessed with it and it has changed my body for the better. My husband and I decided to invest in getting one when I was told that running (which I genuinely love doing) would only make a slow growing knee issue worse. I’m not one to be forced not to workout or do what I love, so because I knew cycling would strengthen my hamstrings to, in turn, strengthen my knee, we made the jump. The monthly membership allows you to do so much more than just ride your bike and I have what I love most about the app listed below.
The app offers a wide range of classes. Strength, yoga, cardio dance and HIIT, meditation, cycling, stretching, running & walking, and so much more.
Live classes. I was initially scared about this feature, but there is something about the peloton community and the instructors that makes you want to take a live class as much as possible. You will find instructors you love and make sure you count yourself in to their live classes as much as possible.
Challenges & Achievements. I am very competitive with myself, so I love that the app offers monthly and annual challenges to keep me accountable for my goals and awards me with a silly little badge of achievement.
Daily, weekly, and monthly stats on how you did or are doing.
I could go on and on about how much I love this app and my bike, but I know not everyone wants to make such a large investment (Hack alert: buy an at-home cycling bike for a fraction of the price and use the bike workouts on the app to kick your ass!). What’s nice is the app alone (without a bike or tread) is $12.99/month and full of every possible at-home workout. The first 30 days are free, so I think it’s totally worth it to jump on, try some of the workouts and fall in love with the amazing instructors and heart behind this brand!
Onto one of my favorite fitness “gurus,” Whitney Simmons. I’ve followed Whitney’s youtube page for the past four years. I found her when I was in the midst of pulling myself back together after rapidly gaining weight due to hormone issues. The joy, realness, and love for what she was sharing made me excited to watch her videos and try her workouts that she shared for free. I think the fact that she didn’t want to sell anything to her followers (though many asked for products), and simply wanted to share her journey was what kept me going back. The girl has a huge heart for what she does. Fast forward to 2020 and homegirl finally drops an app. Alive by Whitney. You better believe I was ready to download and start using it as soon as I could. There’s so much I love about this app and I’m excited to keep using it alongside my cycling workouts.
3 Separate programs: The app offers an 8 week, beginner friendly, gym based program called Alive 1.0. A 10 week, more challenging, gym based strength program and a program called Alive inside. I’m currently doing Alive inside (Covid-19 quarantine), but plan to do the other two programs when I’m done. However, I plan to do them at home and modify some of the movements where needed.
Targeted training. If you aren’t in the mood to go through a whole program, the app allows you to do work whatever muscle group you want or do a quick HIIT workout.
Progress photos, weight tracking, and achievements. Again, I’m very competitive, so I love a good achievement award. I’m also loving progress photo option. I know weight is simply just a number and as a woman, it can fluctuate daily. So seeing my progress and comparing different photo days really makes a difference!
Built in timer and movement videos. I love an app that has a built in timer when I’m doing circuit training. This app has that, as well as videos of exactly how to do each movement. I never want to sacrifice form or do something wrong, and I definitely do not want to injure myself, so I can’t express how happy I am about that feature.
As with the Peloton app, I could go on and on about why I love Alive by Whitney, but the final and most important thing about this app that I’ll share is how genuinely excited I am for my next workout daily. In the past with other extremely popular apps, I would f*cking dread the next workout on the schedule. I would make any excuse not to do it and sometimes I wouldn’t. Whitney’s app keeps me excited, sore (but not injured), and I’m seeing results. I come from a momma with no booty and she passed that down, but after cycling and then adding in Alive, I am seeing major booty results and I’m not complaining! Whitney’s app is $14.99/month or $119/year. Yes, it’s pricier than some, but for me, totally worth it. She has a 7 day free trial, so maybe try out a week and see if you’re hooked!
