Honorable Mentions
Courtesy of iFit
iFit: Unfortunately, most fitness apps require proprietary software. But if you have an itch to walk, I recommend iFit, partnered with NordicTrack, ProForm, and FreeMotion machines. You get world-class fitness instructors with a jaw-dropping natural environment from around the world for an amazing and fun workout. I might not be able to ride the pump track with Ashleigh McIvor in real life, even if there wasn’t a pandemic. But on the iFit platform, I laughed out loud from the joy of flying behind it as the bike tilted up and down. I loved it so much, in fact, that my mom bought a treadmill and was enjoying her walks around the world at home.
Zombies, Run!: If you have ever thought to yourself, “The only way I would start running is if I had to run for my life,” you can start exercising now. Zombies, Run! is an award-winning audio survival game that is a secret fitness tool. Once you plug in your headphones and start your workout, an audio guide narrates your fitness journey. In an apocalyptic, zombified world, it’s your job to loot the resources of your ragtag group of human survivors and escape death.
The app is free, but you can pay for the Abel Runner’s Club version to access all eight seasons and features. In addition to pulsing audio stories and narrated adventures, there are also virtual races, statistical tracking, GPS-enabled maps, and the ability to connect to your Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch. I have no doubt it works—I ate at least 5 to 10 calories just listening in horror to the YouTube trailer.
Smash Your Fitness: If you’re a cyclist, chances are you have a trainer set up for what WIRED writer Robbie Gonzalez once called “human hamster-wheeling.” If you find Zwift boring, you might want to consider a new cycling game called Smash Your Fitness. Cyclists strap on a “Smashometer,” a small, rechargeable ankle device that transmits leg speed to the game via Bluetooth, or directly to your smart trainer via Bluetooth or ANT+.
You wander through a sci-fi universe that feels like you’re suspended in space, while riding a DNA-like track or a natural world that’s a compelling visual facsimile of Europe or the Southwest. You can pedal with friends remotely or join a parallel group ride led by virtual ride leaders. The hunky AI trainer can also dictate a workout plan after feeding him some basic data. Pre-workouts can be as short as five minutes or as long as several hours.
There are a lot of moving parts with the Smash that a cyclist like me who just wants a quick workout may not want or need. For example, cyclists have the option to “steer” the bike using their phone or keyboard. If this feature is on, there is a risk of crashing, which I did at least 10 times in one go. Throughout the month of testing, I found the app not easy to use. I have never been able to sync it with my Zwift Hub smart trainer. The company promises that the connection glitches will be fixed soon, but until then it’s up to Smashometer to carry the ride. Also, the compatible app is still waiting for approval by Apple and Google Play Store. — Steph Pearson
Hosted by Yoqi
Yogi: Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice of using breath control and body movement to collect life force (known as qi) and redistribute it through your body and back to the earth. It’s also a great way to start your day on an energetic note. Qigong exercises are done in postures, and gentle exercises slot in somewhere between Tai Chi movements and your favorite yoga postures.
I picked up a daily qigong practice thanks to Marisa Cranfill’s video series of Yoqi.com. His company’s name says it all: Cranfill designs practices that combine yoga and qigong, with equal emphasis on breathing, balance, meditation, and Chinese medicine. Also, the integration of yoga materials makes it easy to master yoga for those who are familiar with yoga but are new to qigong.
There are tons of free videos on Yoqi’s YouTube channel, including a 30-minute video for beginners. Start there. Once you’re up and running, a $15 subscription gets you unlimited video views on the company’s website. Cranfill also has fun audio meditations that you can download for $15 to $30 each. — Michael Calore
Yoga with Kassandra: My favorite online yogi is Adriene’s Yoga and Adriene Mishler, and not just because we have the same name and own the same breed of dog. But at the WIRED offices, I’m outnumbered by Yoga and Kassandra fans. It all comes down to personal preference—I’d say Adriene is chatty and relaxed, and Kassandra is very efficient and business-like.
There are many online yoga instructors to try if there is no personality like you. If Adriene complains that standing is “fun” and makes you cringe, you might as well give Jessamyn Stanley or Yoga with Tim a shot. I also enjoy Cosmic Kids Yoga with my kids on weekend afternoons. For more tips, check out our article on Everything You Need for Your Yoga Practice.
Dance week: If you miss going to the club, getting your heart pumping, and flapping your arms around a bunch of sweaty, happy strangers, then Dance Church might be for you. The online platform offers crazy dance sessions led by real-life dancers, with a variety of bodies, dance styles, and (I must say) amazing costumes. The company leads live in-person pay-as-you-go classes, but a required $19 per month subscription gives you access to both live and on-demand dance sessions. This is a great option if you are fit for exercise sessions with young children who think the height of both fitness and fun is jumping up and down on the couch next to you.
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