Keeping on track.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
To tell you the truth, I've never been a fitness buff or even remotely interested in sports - surprised? I've struggled with my weight throughout my twenty-one years on this earth, and due to never being a particularly 'athletic' person, I find it hard to stick at anything. When I was talking with a friend back in April, she brought up this app - 5k Runner - which is designed to get you from never having run in your life to running 5k in 8 weeks. 8 weeks is the shortest amount of time you can do it in (unless you run more than the suggested 3 times a week), but as I'm not actually planning to run a 5k anytime soon, I've been taking my time - only advancing to the next run when I'm happy with the one I'm on. There are 3 runs designed per week, each one going up in either length or intensity, until you are up and running like a pro.
How it works is you start up with a run that is formatted like this: 5 minute walk to warm up, 15 minutes of 1 minute run, 1.5 minute walk (repeated 6 times) and then 5 minutes cool down walk. Like I said, it progresses as you go along - so right now I'm stuck on Week 4 Day 1 which is; 5 minute walk to warm up, 24 minutes of 4 minute run, 3 minute walk (repeated) and then 5 minutes cool down walk again. I've really found this app incredibly useful for improving my stamina, as you can progress at your own speed and the step up in between runs isn't too hard. I also love the fact that it tells you when to run/walk, even when listening to your iTunes, and it also tells you when you're halfway. There's also a 10k app for if you want to start at the beginning, but reach the goal of 10k instead of 5, which the app claims you can do in 14 weeks if you progress onto the next level every time. I've been using this app since May (with a slight break when Madrid got too damn hot) and I am a huge fan of it. I'm fine with the fact that I haven't completed it in 8 weeks, as for me it's just about improving my fitness, but I'm sure if you are really willing to push your limits and reach that 5k in that time, it would be a great companion.
How it works is you start up with a run that is formatted like this: 5 minute walk to warm up, 15 minutes of 1 minute run, 1.5 minute walk (repeated 6 times) and then 5 minutes cool down walk. Like I said, it progresses as you go along - so right now I'm stuck on Week 4 Day 1 which is; 5 minute walk to warm up, 24 minutes of 4 minute run, 3 minute walk (repeated) and then 5 minutes cool down walk again. I've really found this app incredibly useful for improving my stamina, as you can progress at your own speed and the step up in between runs isn't too hard. I also love the fact that it tells you when to run/walk, even when listening to your iTunes, and it also tells you when you're halfway. There's also a 10k app for if you want to start at the beginning, but reach the goal of 10k instead of 5, which the app claims you can do in 14 weeks if you progress onto the next level every time. I've been using this app since May (with a slight break when Madrid got too damn hot) and I am a huge fan of it. I'm fine with the fact that I haven't completed it in 8 weeks, as for me it's just about improving my fitness, but I'm sure if you are really willing to push your limits and reach that 5k in that time, it would be a great companion.
What are your favourite fitness apps? Let me know in the comments ;)
