The Fitness App You Must Get

If you have an iPhone, iPod, iPad or iAnything, there is one app you need to get ASAP:  Nike Training Club (NTC).  You can find it under the health/fitness apps in the Apple App Store and it currently is FREE.

NTC offers a wide variety of workouts including cardio and strength training ranging from 30 minutes to an hour in length, as well as 15 minute specific body toning workouts (arms, legs, abs, etc). The app can sync to your music library and will play your music behind the voice guided workout. There are pictorial instructions of each exercise as well as an in-motion video, which is super helpful for complex moves. NTC offers workouts for all levels of fitness enthusiasts, from beginners to advanced exercisers.
NTC also charts your progress and stores your workout information. As you complete workouts and amass your total workout time, you can unlock bonus content, including recipes and even more workouts. For example, after completing 60 minutes of workouts, you can access special smoothie recipes as a reward.  Did I mention all of this is free?

The only equipment required for some of the exercises are dumbbells and medicine balls – no gym machines needed. The majority of the exercises involve body weight only, so it’s great to use at home or while travelling.

If you need a change in your workout routine, if you’re looking to start a fitness regime, if you want a semblance of a personal trainer without paying, or if you just want to try something new… get this app now! Nike Training Club… FREE… you’ll thank me for this later. :-)

Geography for Your Health

Do you ever wonder how your state compares to the other 49 when it comes to matters of health? Apparently someone wonders, hence the website America’s Health Rankings. It is a super cool, yet pretty sobering, website offering state by state statistics related to all things health. Check out a few stats below and then be sure to hit up the website if you want even more data.

Top 5 States for Physical Activity:  Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Arizona

The 5 States that Consume the Most Fruits/Veggies: Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, California

The 5 States with the Highest Levels of Obesity:  Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oklahama

The 5 States with the Lowest Levels of Obesity: Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Vermont

Healthiest State Overall: Vermont!  (For my devoted cross-country readers: Minnesota ranked 6th, Utah 7th, North Carolina 35th, Florida 37th, Kentucky 44th, Alabama 45th in terms of Overall Health Status.)