#9: 3 Fitness and Wellness Apps I Swear By

Sharing the mobility app I can't live without, my favorite tool for efficient workouts, and my go-to mindfulness app. Plus a few honorable mentions.

Sep 19, 2024

Navigating the App Store jungle for health and wellness can be overwhelming. But after eleven years of relentless free-trials and testing (plus countless deletions), I have discovered three incredible apps that have become indispensable to my daily routine as a(n aspirational) hybrid athlete.

These aren't your typical "download, free trial, and ditch" apps. These apps have earned permanent spots on my already-crowded home screen, changing how I approach workouts, mobility, and mindfulness. Skeptical? So was I. But these digital tools have proven their worth time and again for me.

In this post, I break down why these three apps are non-negotiables in my daily routine, plus a few honorable mentions that I have previously used or am currently testing. I promise at least one of these game-changing apps could help redefine your health journey.

GOWOD: Your Personal Mobility Coach

I cannot say enough good things about the GOWOD app and the difference it has made to my mobility routine. Flexibility has never really been an issue for me (S/O to the one year of dance I did in high school for the hardcore stretching routine I’ve adopted for the last 15 years). But if you want to improve your physical fitness, it is essential to focus on both mobility and flexibility.

For readers who may not know the difference, mobility is the ability to move through a full range of motion, especially in joints. Mobility is dynamic and active, and it's important for moving freely and without pain during daily activities. Flexibility on the other hand is the ability to stretch, especially in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Flexibility is passive, and it's important for improving performance in physical activities, decreasing the risk of injury, and increasing muscle blood flow. While both are complementary, itis possible to have great mobility in one area but not have the flexibility to do a related activity. For example, someone might have great hip mobility but not the flexibility to do a split (aka me). Currently, mobility is my priority given my current training and racing needs. For the general population, mobility is also key for general balance and functinal movement.

What GOWOD offers an AI-powered mobility coach that tailors daily routines to your body's needs with the ability to target your weakest areas.

Key Features:

Personalized mobility assessment
Custom daily routines — choose from 8, 15, or 22-minute routines and adjust based on what equipment you have!
Custom routine for specific body zones — my favorite feature
Pre and post-workout protocols
Progress tracking with mobility reassessments
Video demonstrations of all movements and real-time tips

What sets GOWOD apart is its ability to adapt. Whether you're a hybrid enthusiast like me, a hardcord CrossFitter, or just looking to ease that desk-job stiffness, GOWOD works with you. After consistently using GOWOD for over a year, I've noticed a significant improvement in my overall mobility. It has become an essential part of my daily routine, helping me move better, recover faster, and perform at my peak.

Pricing: Free to download, 14-day free trial, $89.99 per year / $59.99 per 6 months / $10.49 per month

SmartWODTimer: The Ultimate Workout Timer

Simple and intuitive are the two words that come to mind when describing the SmartWODTimer. Forget the days of fumbling with complex timers or losing track of your intervals. I have been using SmartWOD Timer for almost two years now, and it has not only streamlined my workouts but also helped make them more efficient.

Key features:

Customizable intervals for any training style
Voice prompts to keep you focused on the workout, not the clock
Apple Watch integration for hands-free control

I've found the SmartWOD Timer invaluable for structuring my workouts and maintaining intensity. Whether I need to time AMRAP, Tabata, or EMOM routines, this app has me covered. The voice prompts are clear and motivating, allowing me to stay in the zone without constantly checking the clock. I use it even when my workouts don’t call for a timer to keep myself accountable and working efficiently — if you ever find yourself spacing out between sets of heavy squats, set up an E3MOM x # sets😉

Pricing: Free to download, free to use (with ads), $4.99 per month for premium features (and no ads)

Open: Redefining Mindfulness

Open isn't your typical meditation app—it's a holistic mind-body experience tailored for those who live an active lifestyle. The platform bridges the gap between physical training and mental wellbeing, offering a unique blend of meditation, breathwork, and movement practices.

As someone who has struggled with making daily mindfulness a habit, I have found that Open takes a unique approach to mindfulness by recognizing that stillness isn't the only path to presence.

And let's not overlook the aesthetics—Open's interface is downright sexy. The sleek, intuitive design elevates the entire experience, making each session feel like a retreat into a high-end digital wellness studio.

Key features:

Guided meditations led by world-class athletes and experts
Breathwork sessions to enhance performance and recovery
Movement classes that integrate mindfulness with physical practice
Live classes for real-time interaction and community support
Personalized recommendations based on your goals and preferences

What I love about Open is that the meditations resonate with my overactive mind, while the breathwork sessions have noticeably improved my stress management and mind-body connection. I personally haven’t tried the movement classes yet, but they offer a refreshing way to stay mindful while staying active.

For athletes and active individuals looking to elevate their mental game and overall wellbeing, Open offers a movement-friendly approach to mindfulness that feels both accessible and impactful—packaged in a sexy-as-hell app.

Pricing: Free to download, 14-day free trial, $149.99 per year / $19.99 per month

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Prehab

I just started using Prehab to strengthen my lower legs for running and hopefully avoid shin splints forever. Basically, Prehab is meant to be like having a physical therapist in your pocket. What the app offers is targeted exercises and programs to strengthen weak areas and prevent common injuries before they happen. I like it so far, and plan to pay for an annual subscription after my free trial.

Pricing: Free to download, $199.99 per year / $49.99 per month

SmartWOD

Before I started my current program, I used this app to help generate randomized CrossFit-style workouts tailored to my equipment and time constraints. I also gave me creative inspiration when I wanted to spice up my programming or just wanted to get in a quick unplanned workout on the fly. It also works great with the SmartWODTimer app I mentioned earlier.

Pricing: Free to download, free to use (with ads), $4.99 per month for premium features (and no ads)

How We Feel

How We Feel is basically an emotions-tracking app. The idea behind the app is that by building emotional awareness and literacy (i.e., putting words to our emotions), we can better navigate stress, improve relationships, and boost overall well-being. I like it so far, and I love that it is a free tool created and run by a non-profit. There are zero subscription fees or in-app purchases because they believe everyone should have access to a tool that helps build emotional awareness!