When it comes to accurately tracking things like total steps1, stride length, and even gait2, smartphones have been found to be pretty reliable, according to multiple studies3. In fact, researchers have said these apps can and should be used in clinical and research settings. I want to repeat that I love walking apps—heck, I just wrote nearly 2,000 words on them! However, I want to make it clear that walking apps are not the crystal balls that the marketing geniuses behind them might want you to think.
While MacPherson recommends Obé for its strength offerings, you can also do cycling, HIIT, yoga, dance, mini trampoline, boxing, and power. The app offers a live class schedule, so you can join a group workout from the comfort of your home. Walking is one of the best practices to prepare your body for strenuous exercises.
One of my favorite features is the Beacon, which allows you to share your location with up to three people at once. I sometimes forget that I’m a 6 foot, 3 inch tall man who can probably walk down most streets without a problem—unfortunately that’s not the reality for most people. This feature gives walkers the peace of mind that someone will be able to know where they are at all times. Strava is beloved by thousands of runners but it’s also a great app for those who prefer walking. There’s both a paid and free version, but no matter which one you choose, there are a lot of features you can take advantage of. The Queens, NY native is now a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach.
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StepDog might be the walking app for you if you fall into the second camp. The pet lives on your iPhone or Apple Watch, and the more you walk, the happier your pup is. If you skip your daily steps, you’ll notice that your dog is sad and restless. Strava’s tracking was precise, and the social aspect kept me motivated. The app’s integration with my smartwatch made it easy to sync my data.
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We’ve dubbed this the trustpilot best walking app for recording your stats because it’s got a comprehensive list of statistics available per walk. You can also connect with friends, compare stats, and even see their routes, too. If you have any health issues, are not already active or carry excess weight, be sure to talk with your healthcare professional before starting a new fitness program.
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However, for walkers, the feature I like best is ‘Time To Walk’ – guided walks, led by celebrities like Hannah Waddingham, Prince William, and Jamie Lee Curtis, and backed up by music. It feels like you’re having a catch-up with a (superstar) friend as the celeb is also walking while recording the session, making for a mindful moment in the day. And of course, being Apple, it’s collated in a way that feels premium and is very easy to use, which is a big plus. As weight loss needs sustainable lifestyle habits, the best walking app for weight loss will be one that helps create healthy habits in the kitchen and your exercise routine. I’m a great lover of Fitbits, having tried and tested every one ever made, so believe me when I say this app is underrated. Here, provided your phone is connected to GPS, you can set yourself a goal for a walk, run, or bike ride, and the app will let you know when you’ve hit it.
- You’ll be able to track all your walks offline and sync the data later if you want.
- It doesn’t support GPS tracking, which means you can expect a longer battery life—it comes in handy to track your steps during vacation or travel.
- Once started, it will continue to auto-record your steps even if your screen is locked or the phone is in your pocket or bag.
- If this sounds like you, find out what walking apps your friends already use, or consider one with a large existing community like Strava.
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- The Fitbit app connects to your smartphone and records basic fitness metrics like your step count, heart rate and walking distance, but that’s not the reason we recommend this app.
Walking helps in regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
If you want to access online maps for offline use, there is also a premium paid-for version of the maps. A useful feature is that you can create multi-layered maps, for example with an aerial photo layered on top of the terrain map. Most of the apps featured here can integrate with some of the health tracking capabilities in your phone, or advanced wearables like an Apple Watch or FitBit. But if you’re one of the over 120 million people who have purchased a FitBit in particular, the FitBit app can take that device to the next level. When it comes to choosing the best walking apps for your daily exercise, there are a few things you should consider. These include the quality of the app, its effectiveness, the brand’s reputation, and the price.
This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated. It is recommended that you get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, so walking for 30 minutes each day is great for your overall health.
How We Picked and Tested The Best Walking Apps
If you have an iPhone, you already have two great walking apps on your phone. Plus, using the already-loaded Fitness app, you can use Fitness+, Apple’s premium fitness streaming service. One of their hallmark features (aside from awesome workout classes of every type) is the Time to Walk series. It’s sort of like a podcast in which you “walk” along virtually with celebrities and other influential figures. Yet, there is much more to walking apps than just tracking calories. Many walking GPS apps also help you discover existing routes or offer training plans, helping you stick to your walking routine.
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For example, an app may offer excellent routines, but may not have coaching, making it less suitable for those looking for a more hands-on experience. Or, you may find a great walking app, but it doesn’t have nutrition tracking, making it less convenient for weight loss. Lastly, great apps offer challenges, goals, and even gamification elements to keep you motivated and engaged.
Not to mention it reminds you to drink enough water throughout the day. If you’re concerned about losing data, this particular app gives you peace of mind. It allows you to back up and restore data from Google Drive, so you will never lose important information.
More walking apps to consider
Whenever I’ve wanted a stroll in the city, I’ve turned to Go Jauntly. The routes are grouped by theme, often related to history in the area or geography. For example, you can explore routes based around the Elizabeth Line in London. The Pacer app works like a pedometer, tracking your steps to help ensure you’re getting enough movement each day. If you are looking for the easiest way to track your steps without many other features getting in the way, this could be an excellent option.
The Revolution of Walking Apps
While it lacks the advanced features of other apps, its simplicity and reliability earned it a high ranking. I enjoyed the training plans and found them helpful in structuring my walks. However, the app’s interface could benefit from a more streamlined design. Selecting the right walking app requires consideration of goals, usability, and function. Below, we take a look a these elements to help you choose the walking app that meets your needs.
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AllTrails is one of the most inclusive options here, with dog-friendly, kid-friendly and wheelchair-friendly routes, to name a few. There’s over 200,000 trails to choose from, all verified by experts and reviewed by members across the world. Each app has been fully tested by one of our experts and you’ll find a wide range of options to choose from. And while paper maps are important – essential some might say – a GPS app can provide an extra sense of comfort and protection in this sense. Similar to Viewranger for Android, you can access a variety of free Open Street Maps or pay for the OS maps to download.
It’s an easy way to get moving and improve your cardiovascular fitness that doesn’t require anything except a pair of shoes (OK, and maybe a killer playlist or good podcast). Compete with yourself or others to improve your performance and meet fitness goals. However, many take walking as their preferred exercise because it’s cheaper than going to the gym. Therefore, none of our top choices – paid and free walking apps – will break the bank.
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