New year, new you: wellness apps that generate a sound body, heart, and mind
The new year has come and with a new beginning, the motivation to go back in shape is fresh as well. After all, the past yearend revelry set most of us in festive mood and predictably the festive appetite. And so, gaining those extra pounds is a no-brainer. But for the health and the figure conscious, the new year is the perfect time to reset the goal of wellness for body, heart and mind.
However, between work, outings and responsibilities, finding time to practice sometimes seems like mission impossible. Fortunately, technology comes to the rescue with mobile apps. These apps turn your phone into a personal trainer, nutritionist or motivational partner:
To access the service, go to the Fitness app on your Apple device and tap on Fitness+ in the bottom menu. If you have an Apple Watch or Air Pods Pro 3, you’ll also see real-time metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and progress on your Activity rings right on the screen. The Custom Plans feature can make a personalized schedule automatically based on users’ workout and meditation preferences.
Apple is adding dubbed workouts in Spanish and German, with Japanese coming in 2026. These use generated voices based on the trainers’ original recordings. A new K-Pop music category is also joining the lineup, alongside the Artist Spotlight series featuring Taylor Swift, BTS, Beyoncé, and more.
You can also expect genres like Upbeat Anthems, Latest Hits, Hip-Hop and R&B, Latin Grooves, and more to accompany different workout types.
Fitness+ also comes with the award-winning Time to Walk feature, where users can “walk” with celebrities and influencers such as Cynthia Erivan, Daddy Yankee, Naomi Campbell, Camila Cabello, Simi Liu, Shawn Mendes, Jane Fonda, and F1 driver Yuki Tsoumada, as they share stories, photos, and songs with users.
Aside from the Philippines, the service is now available in Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and about 20 other countries.
Fitness+ is a subscription service. Currently, users who try the platform for the first time get a one-month free trial. After that, the subscription fee is P149 per month. Users can also opt for an annual subscription for P1,190 per year. Have a merry feast, but get fit and fab too, this holiday season!
Reference: What to know about Apple Fitness+, which is now available in the PH • Phil STAR Life
Better Me: The multifunction pocket coach
Looking for a personalized practice plan and nutrition advice tailored to your pace? Better Me offers tailor-made programs, motivating reminders and even easy recipes. The app analyzes your progress and adjusts your goals. Nearly 50 million users worldwide have already adopted it. Perfect for those who want results without the headache, even between meetings or during lunch breaks.
Noom: Psychology for weight loss
If you want to understand why you snack in front of Netflix, Noom is for you. This app combines coaching, diet tracking and psychological tips to help you change your habits for the long term. Studies show that 78% of users lose weight over the long term. Ideal for those who want to go beyond simple calorie counting.
Weightwatchers: The classic revisited
It’s impossible to talk about fitness without mentioning Weightwatchers. The app modernizes the famous points system and offers recipes, challenges and community tracking. Over 4.5 million members worldwide take advantage of its frustration-free weight loss tools. Perfect for those who like the structure and support of a group, even at a distance.
Nike Training Club: Professional practice at home
Nike Training Club offers over 200 free sessions, from HIIT to yoga, with clear videos and expert advice. The app adapts to your level and your schedule. According to an internal study, 85% of users notice an improvement in their fitness levels after just one month. Ideal for transforming your living room into a gym, without the need for sophisticated equipment.
MyFitnessPal : The intelligent food diary
MyFitnessPal simplifies calorie and macronutrient tracking with a database of over 14 million foods. The app scans barcodes and provides detailed analyses. Users who keep a food diary lose twice as much weight on average. Perfect for those who like numbers and want to stay in control of their diet.
Strava: For cardio addicts
Strava turns every running or cycling outing into a friendly competition. The app records your runs, analyzes your performance and lets you challenge your friends. Over 100 million athletes use it worldwide. Segments and rankings boost motivation, even for a short run between two appointments.
Freeletics: Intensity without equipment
Freeletics offers short, intense practices, suitable for all levels, without equipment. The app uses artificial intelligence to personalize each session. According to their data, 90% of users see an improvement in their fitness levels within 12 weeks. Ideal for those who want to sweat fast and hard, even in a small space.
Yazio: simple, visual nutrition monitoring
Yazio helps you plan your meals, track your calories and achieve your nutritional goals. The colorful interface makes tracking pleasant and motivating. The app also offers recipes to suit all diets. Users report an average weight loss of 6kg in three months. Perfect for those who want to eat better without complicating their lives.
7 Minute Workout: The excuse of lack of time no longer exists
7 Minute Workout offers express sessions, validated by science, to burn calories in record time. Each exercise lasts 30 seconds, with 10 seconds rest. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, this format improves cardiovascular fitness and strength. Ideal for busy days when every minute counts.
Calm: Fitness also comes from the head
Calm offers guided meditations, breathing exercises and stories to help you sleep better. Stress has a direct impact on physical fitness, and 60% of men say they want to manage their stress better. The app helps to restore balance, improve concentration and promote recovery after exercise.
JEFIT: The digital practice book
JEFIT allows you to plan, track and analyze every workout. The app features over 1,300 illustrated exercises and programs to suit all objectives. Users who follow a structured plan progress 30% faster. Ideal for those who love the gym and want to optimize every repetition.
FitOn: On-demand fitness classes
FitOn offers hundreds of free video classes, hosted by star coaches. The app offers short or long sessions, depending on your schedule. Users appreciate the variety and quality of the practices. Perfect for trying out new disciplines or breaking your routine, without an expensive subscription.
Runtastic: Runners’ companion
Runtastic tracks your runs, analyzes your stride and suggests personalized practice plans. The app motivates with challenges and detailed statistics. Regular runners reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by 45%. Ideal for making progress, breaking records and staying motivated over the long term.
Fitbit: All-in-one health tracker
Fitbit synchronizes your activity, sleep and nutrition data for comprehensive tracking. The app offers daily goals and reminders to get moving. According to one study, Fitbit users increase their physical activity by an average of 43%.
Reference: 15 apps to keep in shape and have fun at the same time
