The wellness and fitness industry in the UK has been growing year on year, expected to grow over £22.8 billion this year. With higher demand for gym memberships and alternative medicines helping drive the growth of the industry, there’s been an increase in health apps being developed too. With NHS’ calorie checker and Smokefree to stop smoking, there’s certainly help out there to kick us into gear. However, data has shown that around 29% of Britons committed to losing weight in 2018, with over half giving up after just a month. So, what apps are there to keep us focused on our health goals?
The classic health app
Couch to 5k has helped millions of people start running and could be classed as being the old faithful! Alongside health supplements such as q10 tablets, nearly everyone who has wanted to improve their health and fitness has heard of the couch to 5k challenge. It’s ideal for those who don’t particularly have the fitness levels to take on marathons but want to increase their physical ability. Presented by Public Health England, it builds you up gradually with a mix of running and walking so that within nine weeks you should be able to run 5 kilometres (3.1 miles). There’s also a choice of five virtual trainers to help you on your fitness journey and keep you motivated.
Fitness and fun
Admittedly, Pokémon Go is a game, but this game is also useful for getting people active. The popular game works by individuals needing to be active in the community to progress in the game. According to Sport England, one in three kids in England take part in less than 30 minutes of physical activity each day. This was described by Sports Minister Mims Davies as ‘simply unacceptable’. With games like Pokémon Master, this is a great way to get kids active and taking part in an activity they’d enjoy. It was even found that the original Pokémon Go was also helping to bring families together as parents and children were competing with one another as to who could catch the rare monsters.
Fitness and magic
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite gets people active the same way that Pokémon Go does. For those who aren’t particularly a fan of the Pokémon franchise, this take based on JK Rowling’s creation could be just the thing. It works by users having to complete a certain number of steps in order to open up treasure chests for more loot. Also, as magical creatures and characters spawn on the map in-game, you need to physically travel to move your character across the map. However, unlike the Pokémon take, this game will be able to track your activity without even running the app. Therefore, you’ll be able to track your steps without being synced to the game, and those who like to wear a Fitbit will more than likely agree that this can become a game in itself!
One off classes
If you find that you need to be in a gym to feel motivated to exercise, but don’t want to commit to a 12-month contract that often comes along with gym memberships, download Esquared. This app works in the same way as Uber in the sense that it allows you to find gym sessions and one-off classes in your area. The benefit of this app is that it’s non-committal and there are no subscription fees. Currently, it’s only available in London and Sydney, but keep an eye out in case it expands into an area near you!
NHS chat
Created by the NHS, Babylon: GP at Hand gives you the option to chat with an NHS GP 24/7 via a video appointment. Usually, you’ll be seen within two hours once you make your request, meaning that you no longer have to wait weeks for an appointment or attend a walk-in surgery. It allows the doctor to discuss your symptoms and, where necessary, you can show them your issues on camera.
Caring for our mental health
Remember, it’s not just our physical well-being we should be focusing on. Mental health has, rightly so, become a major topic of interest. Campaigns such as ‘It’s Okay Not to Be Okay’ are bringing our mental well-being into the forefront of the attention via the media. However, in the UK, approximately one in four of us will experience a mental health problem each year. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common issues. 7 Cups is an American-based app that helps anyone who feels isolated discuss their concerns and issues thanks to it connecting you instantaneously to one of its 160,000 trained volunteer listeners and licensed therapists. It’s anonymous, free, and confidential. It also allows you to participate in guides chats through group support discussion rooms.
With us well into 2020, and a new decade, it’s the perfect opportunity to start making some healthy changes to our lives. What app will you download?
Sources
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46456104
https://www.statista.com/topics/3411/fitness-industry-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
https://www.marieclaire.com/health-fitness/news/g3845/best-workout-and-exercise-apps/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/five-million-uk-smokers-tried-11462443
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/tools-and-technology-that-can-help/
https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-fitness-apps-best-hiit-apps-best-strength-apps
