From habit hackers to exercise trackers, we share the very best apps for supporting health and wellbeing.
EAT WELL
MacroFactor
If you’re looking to gain or lose weight, tracking macros can help. Macros are the distribution of protein, carbohydrate and fat in food, and tracking these can help us make healthier food choices than calorie-counting alone. We need to make sure we’re eating plenty of protein while in a calorie-deficit, for example, so we don’t eat into all-important muscle stores instead of body fat. What’s so smart about this macro tracker? Like many other apps it customises macros based on weight, activity level and goals, but it doesn’t just leave it at that. It then adjusts these levels every week, based on the food we log, any weight changes seen and their smart energy expenditure calculations. This ensures we’re never under or overeating, and that we’re fuelling our body appropriately if activity levels change.
Available on iPhone and Android, strongerbyscience.com Free trial available. Membership starts at £10.99 per month or £62.99 a year.
Zero
If you’re a fan of fasting, try Zero. This handy app allows you to track fasts and experiment with new eating patterns. There are plans for first-time fasters as well as longer fasts, which are thought to improve gut health, mental clarity, energy levels and longevity. There’s also plenty of expert information, answering common questions such as whether we can drink coffee while fasting (spoiler: it depends on our goals!).
Available on iPhone and Android, zerolongevity.com Free version available. Pro features start at £9.99 per month or £60.99 per year.
MOVE MORE
Down Dog
Skip the studio and practice from the comfort of your own home with this top-rated yoga app. There are options to customise just about every element of your experience, including the instructor’s voice, the pace of the class, whether you’d like background music and if there’s any areas you’d like to focus on – from back strength to breathing, flexibility to standing balances. Data crunchers will also enjoy how easily the app integrates with Apple Health analytics.
Available on iPhone and Android, downdogapp.com Free trial available. Membership costs £9.99 per month or £58.99 per year.
Wakeout
Stuck at your desk all day? This handy app gives you access to quick, desk-friendly exercises to boost mood, recharge energy and ward off neck and back pain. Wakeout can remind you to move at regular intervals throughout the day or, for a notification-free experience, simply log in whenever you notice you’re feeling sluggish or stiff.
Available on iPhone only, wakeout
