How to Make Your Own Workout Routine on an iPhone
If you can't or won't join a gym, your iPhone can double as a personal trainer. One of the best things about the iPhone is that whatever you want to do, there's probably an app for it.
If you can't or won't join a gym, your iPhone can double as a personal trainer. One of the best things about the iPhone is that whatever you want to do, there's probably an app for it. Depending on your knowledge of fitness, you could go with an app that allows you to design a routine from scratch or one that allows you to combine pre-designed exercises.
Choosing a Platform
Before designing a routine, choose a platform to help you set it and organize it. The iPhone offers a number of free apps, such as Fitness Pro or M-Train, as well as paid apps. More expensive apps offer more interactive capabilities and might come with pre-designed workouts, videos or calorie counters. If you want to design your own workout, make sure the app allows you to enter your own details. For example, GymGoal Lite allows you to create a workout routine using exercises from the database or prompting you to enter additional activities. You can even arrange the exercises into different routines, depending on whether you want to focus on cardio training or weight resistance.
Get Specific
If you're training for a particular goal, such as running a marathon or toning your muscles, it makes more sense to get an app that will help you with that goal, rather than using a general fitness app. For example, Yoga Stretch allows you to design a yoga session by combining the poses in the database. You can also add music or use a video to help guide you through the routine you just designed.
Using a Calendar
To keep things simpler, use the iPhone's calendar to set up a workout routine. Decide how many days you want to do a cardio routine -- three to five days a week is ideal -- then add weight training at least twice a week. Next, decide how long you can dedicate to each workout and make sure that it fits in with your goals. For example, if your goal is to increase muscle size, weight training workouts should be a priority. If your goal is general health and fitness, you might be OK with just 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Enter the days you choose into the calendar and set up the reminder feature so you know what you're supposed to do on that day.
Taking Advantage of Your Phone's Capabilities
After you've designed the workout, use other iPhone apps to help you work out more effectively. For example, use a calorie counter or food diary app to help you track your diet. Some apps, such as Calorie Counter Pro, will give you suggestions on what to eat based on your exercise level.