Best 'gamified' exercise apps for coach potato

[cravingtoblerone]

I struggle to remain motivated with any exercise programme because (if I'm totally honest) I find exercise quite boring. Am a homebody who prefers curling up with a good book, have never got much kick from 'feeling the burn' etc.

Keep seeing ads for apps that 'gamify' workouts. I think that's an approach that might work. Particularly something Pilates or dance focused. (But aimed at a beginner.)

Anyone got any good recommendations?

Bump.

Anyone?

I haven't heard of this but would be good for me too. Hope someone comes along with an idea!

I'll try and look tomorrow op. Can you give me an idea of what you saw advertised?

Fitbit step counting does it for me. Together with few people I know and their friends we have 5 day challenges.
Do you have Fitbit?

I have one but it isn't connected to anything.

I have Charge 4 I think. You need to add "friends" via their website, or the app on your phone. Then you can invite them to your challenge
help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1531.htm

Zombies, Run! It's a running app but it works like a video game in that you go on missions e.g. to collect supplies. You can go at a slow pace but if zombies are spotted you run until you've lost them or are exhausted

Not exactly but Pokemon Go is great for getting you out the house snd walking miles.

Yes another vote here for this- it's very well made and makes exercise (almost) fun.

So you do it outside? I'll go and look. I can't imagine.

So you do it outside? I'll go and look. I can't imagine.

Yes - outside, and you are rewarded (with Pokemon!) for walking to and interacting with new places.

I came on the recommend this too. Great app, keeps me very entertained while running.

Fiit app runs regular challenges e g 200min exercise in x days
Lots of options!

There's a Zombies Run C25k app (about £5 one-off payment?)

Zombies Run you could listen while walking. When you complete missions you gain items that help you build a base within the app.

Pokemon Go is collecting pokemon and interacting with pokestops/ gyms in real life locations. It makes going for a walk more interesting.

Thanks for the suggestions. Haven't heard of Zombies Run but unfortunately running probably not really a good option has have weak ankle following accident. Totally forgot about Pokémon Go - that might work.

The ad I saw was 28 Day Challenge which was lots of Pilates/yoga type stuff which is run by BetterMe but it has absolutely dreadful reviews in terms of cancelling subscriptions, so will avoid that.

For anyone who is interested, have just found something called Candy Squats which I'm looking into...

It’s a bit of an investment but the Nintendo switch has exercise games.

I think you just need an online trainer you can relate to.

Rebecca Louise is very personable and chatty. Her workouts are short and pilates based. Have a look at her Best Abs workout.

If you are looking for someone a bit less energetic, try Lucy Wyndham Reed who is excellent and very calm. Try her Glutes & Thighs session.

Growingannanas does HIIT and doesn't talk at all. She is lovely, knows her stuff, and she has a large variety of workouts ranging from 12 to 40 minutes, both with weights and without. Try some of her Tabata workouts, which are excellent for beginners.

All free on YouTube.

Do you have a Nintendo Switch? I like the Fitness Boxing game

Lea Mills on demand ha a lots of different work outs.

There's a dance one called shbam and body jam. A Pilates yoga type thing called body balance.
My favourite is body combat which is martial arts based non combat exercise
There are loads to choose from on one app

DDPYoga. Every workout gives you points. Every workout over twenty minutes you get to spin a wheel to get bonus points.

You can cash them out to get goodies - I have had several 100k T-shirts in different designs and wear them with pride.

Meanwhile, DDPY is great. I started doing simple bed/lying down workouts and graduated to beginner standing and now 2 years on I can do lots of advanced moves. I love it.

A few people have mentioned Lucy Wyndham Reed to me so will definitely take a lot.

DDP Yoga sounds absolutely my cup of tea! Thanks!

Ring fit on Nintendo switch.

Im v similar but it does keep me entertained while i exercise. It’s a v simple adventure but you defeat the monsters with exercise reps…

I have a Garmin watch. It'll count steps, flights of stairs climbed. Then I can get it to specifically record whatever type of exercise I do.

It all gets uploaded to Garmin Connect. You can earn virtual badges. Literally everything for making your step goal for x amount of days up to running 100 miles in one go! They have monthly badge challenges. Eg walk a total of 90 miles through Jan - March. It covers yoga. Hiit. Even breathing exercises. Each badge earnt generates points. Points go to a total and help you progress through levels. I'm in a group with a few friends who started at a similar time. We compete against each other. It's certainly encouraged me to get significantly more active.

I also use Strava - you can log your rides, walks etc. Again you can earn virtual badges and compete in challenges.

If you have an indoor bike, or out door bike and turbo trainer. Zwift is ace!! It's an online cycling and running platform. You run or ride through virtual courses to earn points and badges. There are online races and time trials too. Since I spaffed an insane amount of money on a smart turbo trainer several years ago. There's not been a week gone by when I've not zwift'ed! Admittedly I am a competitive racing cyclist (I'm an old git so race veterans and I'm very amateur). It's completely kept me going and motivated. It's invaluable as I now work from home. I can jump on during work hours. I can easily work whilst on it!! Zwift is highly addictive. I love it! It's really social too. So through the companion app you can chat with other users whilst on it. There are also lots of social rides. Literally aimed at every level. You'd soon build fitness up!