Gamified fitness apps that make exercising fun
It’s 6pm and you’re finally out of work; you told yourself that you’ll burn off the bag of potato chips you ate in the office. But sometimes, no matter how unhealthy we feel, it’s so difficult to work up that tiny bit of motivation to get our lazy bums to the gym. What fun is there in physical torture anyway?
If you’re looking to add an element of fun to make your workouts less miserable, try checking out these gamified apps to help you on your journey to getting a hot bod!
1. CARROT Fit (US $3.99)
“You are starting to affect the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.” Source
Ever heard of the story of a chef who lost 130kg thanks to a friend who called him “fat”, and sent messages like “You’re gonna die before you’re 40” every day for 6 weeks? With grit and tough love, anyone can be motivated to prove someone wrong, and that’s what CARROT Fit aims to do.
CARROT is a sadistic Al construct that aims to transform you into a gorgeous, top-class human specimen. Mind you, she will do anything and everything from threatening and ridiculing you, to even bribing you just to move your bum.
What we love: Slaps of reality (about just how lazy we are) every now and then
What we hate: Feelings – damaged feelings. Also, it’s only available for iPhone users.
2. BattleSuit Runner Fitness (US $2.99)
Protect Earth against undesirable and hostile alien invaders on BattleSuit Runner Fitness! A completely hands-free app that is controlled through your running/walking speed, players are “armoured” with the Delta Suit that will activate superpower features the longer they run. The more powerful your suit, the easier it will be to beat your enemies.
This is sure to pump up your daily runs with your favourite playlist from any music app, and an immersive audio narrator in the background.
What we love: Distracting ourselves from an otherwise painful 5km run
What we hate: The app hasn’t updated its missions in 102416 years – once you’re done with all 9 missions, you’re done with the app.
3. Zombies, Run! (Free; in-app purchases available)
Our human bodies have a “fight or flight” system – and in a zombie epidemic, your first instinct will be to run, no? Zombies, Run! is an immersive gamified running app that also comes with an audio adventure of you fleeing from a major zombie apocalypse; pretty similar to BattleSuit Runner Fitness.
With over 200 missions to conquer as earth’s last few survivors, you are responsible in gathering supplies and rescuing other humans to defend humanity. Go forth and be a hero!
What we love: Living out a drama-mama zombie apocalypse during your run.
What we hate: To use it for a long time, you have to pay a monthly subscription fee.
4. The Walk (US $2.99)
Walking is indeed a less vigorous workout than running, but it can get boring especially if you’re going long distances. Made by the same creators of Zombies Run!, The Walk is an easier version of the running app. Players don’t run; they walk.
Here’s the storyline: A bomb explodes in a train station, and you’re given a package that could save the world and tasked to find out who set the bomb off. The total distance that the app can cover is the entire length of the UK!
What we love: Being #fitspo without having to die running
What we hate: Not suitable if you’re looking to lose big chunks of fat
5. Burn your fat with me! (US $2.98)
Burn your fat with me! features beautiful and enthusiastic Japanese anime characters who are your personal trainers cum cheerleaders during workouts. The more you work out, the more intimate they’ll become, but it’s not all sunshine and joy.
These trainers have pretty high expectations – as you work on those glutes and muscles, they will progressively demand more from you. Currently here are two versions available, one with female characters and another with male ones. BTW, it’s only for people 17 years of age and above.
What we love: Virtual girlfriend/boyfriend for a single and lonely soul (who’ll also motivate you to become hot)
What we hate: Your new GF/BF won’t be a real person. Slightly creepy.
6. 7 Minute Superhero Workout (US $2.99)
An effective yet fast way to workout is through High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), and this is what the 7 Minute Superhero Workout app offers. All the exercises only involve you and your body weight! It is also a motion-tracking gamified app that trains you to become a “superhero”.
Quoting the app’s description: “Your punches become plasma blasts and your abdominal crunches power your suit’s reactor”. Make your home a superhero training centre – and yourself, a suave, suited-up superhero!
What we love: Only takes a maximum of 30 minutes for a really good, tiring workout
What we hate: Not for beginners. You’ll be gasping for air and begging for a break within 3 minutes.
7. Pact (Free)
When actual money is at stake, you know you gotta take everything more seriously. In Pact, you either make money or you lose it – all depending on your discipline.
Members will declare the number of days they want to exercise in a week, and the amount of money they’re willing to pay if they don’t. If you keep to your promise, good! You’ll be given cash rewards paid for by those who didn’t exercise.
What we love: Earning money from exercising and trying to look hot!
What we hate: Losing money on days we really just feel like being couch potatoes
Fighting the flab with fun fitness apps
With all these fitness apps making workouts less gruelling, you could possibly develop a habit of working out even without them in the long run! We all need a little motivation to take that one step out of our beds – but try these and next thing you know, you might just be the next Dwayne Johnson or Kayla Itsines flaunting your hard-earned hot bod.