Honorable Mentions
Courtesy of iFit
iFit: Unfortunately, so many fitness apps require proprietary equipment. But if you’ve got the itch to travel, I recommend iFit, which partners with NordicTrack, ProForm, and FreeMotion equipment. You get world-class athletic instructors with jaw-dropping natural scenery from all over the world for workouts that are both stunning and entertaining. I may not be able to ride a pump track with Ashleigh McIvor in real life, even if there wasn’t a pandemic. But on iFit’s platform, I laughed out loud from the exhilaration of flying behind her as the bike tilted up and down. I loved it so much, in fact, that my own mother bought the treadmill and has been enjoying her own global walks at home.
Zombies, Run!: If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “The only way I’d start running is if I had to flee for my life,” you can now start practicing. Zombies, Run! is an award-winning audio survival game that’s secretly a fitness tool. Once you connect your headphones and start your workout, an audio guide narrates your fitness journey. In an apocalyptic, zombified world, it’s your job to scavenge resources for your ragtag band of human survivors and evade death.
The app is free, but you can pay for the Abel Runner’s Club version to access all eight seasons and features. In addition to heart-pounding audio storylines and narrated adventures, there are also virtual races, stat tracking, GPS-enabled maps, and the ability to connect with your Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch. I have no doubt it’s effective—I burned at least 5 to 10 calories just listening in fear to the YouTube trailer.
Smash Your Fitness: If you’re a cyclist, you probably have a trainer set up for what WIRED writer Robbie Gonzalez once called “human hamster-wheeling.” If you find Zwift boring, you might want to consider a new cycling game called Smash Your Fitness. Cyclists strap on a “Smashometer,” a small, rechargeable ankle device that transmits leg speed to the game via Bluetooth, or directly to your smart trainer via Bluetooth or ANT+.
You cycle through a sci-fi universe that feels like you’re suspended in space, while riding on a track akin to a revolving strand of DNA or a natural world that’s a compelling virtual facsimile of Europe or the Southwest. You can pedal with friends remotely or join paced group rides led by virtual ride leaders. A hunky AI coach can also spit out a workout program after feeding him some basic data. Pre-made workouts can be as short as five minutes or as long as several hours.
There are a lot of moving parts with Smash that a cyclist like me who just wants to get some quick exercise might not want or need. For example, cyclists have the option to “steer” the bike using their phone or keyboard. When this feature is turned on, there’s a risk of crashing, which I did at least 10 times in one ride. Throughout a month of testing, I found that the app isn’t quite easy to use. I never could sync it with my Zwift Hub smart trainer. The company promises that connectivity bugs will soon be worked out, but until then it’s up to the Smashometer to carry the ride. Also, the companion app is still waiting for approval from Apple and the Google Play Store. —Steph Pearson
Courtesy of Yoqi
Yoqi: Qigong is the ancient Chinese practice of using breath control and body movements to gather life energy (known as qi) and redistribute it around your body and back into the earth. It’s also a great way to start your day on an energetic note. Qigong exercises are done in a standing posture, and the gentle activities slot somewhere between Tai Chi movements and your favorite standing yoga poses.
I picked up a daily qigong practice thanks to a series of videos by Marisa Cranfill of Yoqi.com. Her company’s name says it all: Cranfill designs routines that are a combination of yoga and qigong, with equal emphasis on breathing, balance, meditation, and Chinese medicine. Also, the integration of yoga elements makes for an easier onboarding experience for those who are well-versed in yoga but new to qigong.
There are a bunch of free videos on Yoqi’s YouTube channel, including a 30-minute video for first-timers. Start there. Once you’re up to speed, a $15 subscription earns you unlimited video views on the company’s website. Cranfill also has some fun audio meditations you can download for $15 to $30 each. —Michael Calore
Yoga with Kassandra: My personal favorite online yogi is Yoga with Adriene’s Adriene Mishler, and not just because we have the same name and own the same breed of dog. But in WIRED’s offices, I’m outnumbered by fans of Yoga with Kassandra. It all comes down to personal taste—I’d say Adriene is more chatty and casual, and Kassandra more efficient and business-like.
There are plenty of online yoga instructors to try if neither personality quite gels with you. If Adriene cooing that a pose is “yummy” makes you cringe, you can also give Jessamyn Stanley or Yoga with Tim a shot. I also enjoy Cosmic Kids Yoga with my children on weekend afternoons. For more tips, check out our story on Everything You Need for Your Yoga Practice.
Dance Church: If you miss walking into a club, getting your heart pumping, and thrashing your arms wildly around with a bunch of sweaty, ecstatic strangers, then Dance Church might be for you. The online platform offers crazy dance sessions led by real-life dancers, with a variety of bodies, dance styles, and (I have to say it) wonderful apparel. The company does lead live classes in-person that are pay-as-you-go, but a $19 per month on-demand subscription gets you continuous access to both live and on-demand dance sessions. This is a good option if you’re fitting in exercise sessions with small children who think it’s the height of both fitness and entertainment to jump up and down on the couch beside you.
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