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Welcome back to the Fit Dads Podcast updates. My partner-in-crime Brad and I break down the world of fitness, one dad joke at a time.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably in one of two camps: the parent who’s trying to rediscover the muscles hidden beneath the “dad bod,” or the fitness enthusiast who’s looking for a laugh while keeping up with the latest training tips.
Either way, we’ve got you covered. In our latest episode, Brad and I talked about the best training nutrition and mindset apps out there, that can give you the edge in getting in shape. And trust us, we’ve test a lot over the years.
If you’re like most parents, staying on top of your nutrition and workouts while juggling work, kids, and Netflix can feel like trying to bench press a Bison.
Fear not, because the app store is jam-packed with tools that can make your fitness journey easier and—dare we say it—more fun. From tracking your macros to planning epic bike rides, these apps will help you take the guesswork out of getting fit and let you focus on more important things, like choosing which protein shake flavor doesn’t taste like chalk.
Oh, and don’t forget to check out our podcast episode for the full scoop and the occasional off-topic rant (we can’t help it, we’re dads). You can listen to the Fit Dads Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and watch our handsome faces on YouTube—just search for “Fit Dads Podcast” and hit that subscribe button!
YouTube video at the bottom ⬇️
1. MyFitnessPal: The OG of Calorie Counting
Let’s start with the king of nutrition apps, MyFitnessPal. Brad and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this app. On one hand, it’s a life-saver when it comes to tracking everything you eat. On the other hand, it has this annoying habit of reminding you that your “snack” was actually the caloric equivalent of a small village’s daily intake. But hey, knowledge is power, right?
If you’re the type who likes to know exactly what’s going into your body (and if that body is actually 60% pizza), MyFitnessPal has got your back. With a massive database of foods, you can log every meal, snack, and accidental handful of M&Ms. It even lets you scan barcodes, so you can pretend you’re a fitness-savvy cashier.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to log that “extra” slice of cake. MyFitnessPal sees all.
2. Strava: Because If You Didn’t Post Your Workout, Did It Even Happen?
Next up is Strava, the app for people who love working out and need to show everyone else just how much they love it. Whether you’re running, biking, swimming, or just trying to outrun your toddler, Strava tracks your progress and maps out your routes. It’s basically like a social media platform for cardio enthusiasts, except instead of cat videos, you get to see sweaty people climbing hills.
Brad and I use Strava for our cycling adventures—well, Brad does, and I try to keep up while making excuses like, “I think there’s a flat tire, or maybe it’s just the wind.” You can also connect with friends, compare stats, and try to beat your personal best, which is great until you realize your friend Dave is way faster than you. Curse you, Dave.
Pro Tip: Use Strava’s heatmaps feature to find the most popular routes in your area and avoid getting lost in the wilderness. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.
3. Komoot: Plan Your Next Adventure Without Getting Lost (Like Brad Did)
Speaking of getting lost, let’s talk about Komoot. This app is like your personal guide to the great outdoors, perfect for those of us who think “off-road” means driving through a puddle in the driveway. Komoot helps you plan and navigate outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, and running, without needing a degree in cartography. It’s super user-friendly, even for dads who swear they “know where they’re going” right before getting hopelessly lost.
Brad actually tried using Komoot during a family hiking trip. Spoiler alert: the kids found the trailhead before he did. But with Komoot’s detailed turn-by-turn navigation and offline maps, you’ll never have to worry about pulling a Brad again. Plus, the app suggests routes based on your fitness level and the kind of adventure you’re looking for—whether it’s a gentle stroll or an all-out mountain climb.
Pro Tip: Download maps before you head out into the wilderness. No cell service = no GPS = you becoming the subject of a “Missing Dad” documentary.
4. Paprika: Not Just for Spices, But for Organizing Your Meals Too
Now, let’s switch gears and talk about something near and dear to our hearts: food. If you’re like us, meal prepping is one of those things that sounds great in theory, but somehow you end up eating the same sad chicken breast and broccoli combo by Wednesday. That’s where Paprika comes in—no, not the spice, the app.
Paprika is the ultimate meal-planning tool for busy parents and fitness buffs alike. It helps you organize recipes, create grocery lists, and plan your meals for the week, so you don’t end up panic-ordering takeout (again). The best part? You can import recipes from the web, so you can finally stop pretending you’ll remember that quinoa salad recipe you saw last month.
Pro Tip: Use Paprika to save all your favorite healthy recipes in one place and sync them across your devices. Trust me, it’s a game-changer when you’re at the store and can’t remember if you need almond flour or regular flour.
5. Brain.fm: Train Your Brain to Focus (So You Can Actually Finish a Workout)
Brad and I both struggle with focus during our workouts—mostly because the kids are always asking for snacks right in the middle of our sets. Enter Brain.fm, the app that promises to help you tune out distractions and get into “the zone” with specially designed music tracks. It’s like having your own personal DJ who knows exactly when you need a pump-up jam and when you need some chill vibes for post-workout recovery.
The best part about Brain.fm is that it’s backed by science. The music is engineered to help your brain focus, relax, or even sleep better. So, whether you’re trying to crush your workout, meditate, or just survive bedtime with the kids, Brain.fm has a soundtrack for that.
Pro Tip: Pair Brain.fm with your workout for maximum gains. Just don’t blame us if your kids start asking for their own playlist.
6. Nike Training Club: Personal Trainer in Your Pocket (Minus the Yelling)
Ever wish you could have a personal trainer without the awkwardness of someone watching you struggle through push-ups? Nike Training Club has you covered. This app offers a wide range of workouts for every fitness level, from beginner to advanced. Whether you’re looking to build muscle, improve your cardio, or just find a way to not hate burpees, there’s a workout for you.
Brad and I love using Nike Training Club when we need a quick, no-fuss workout. The app even has guided sessions led by real trainers, so you can pretend you’re working out with a celebrity coach—minus the paparazzi.
Pro Tip: Use the app’s personalized workout recommendations based on your goals and fitness level. And if you feel like the workouts are too easy, just add kids climbing on your back for extra resistance training.
7. Fitbod: Tailored Workouts Just for You (and Your Sore Muscles)
If you’ve ever walked into the gym and thought, “Now what?”—we’ve all been there—Fitbod is here to save the day. This app creates personalized workout plans based on your goals, available equipment, and even which muscles are sore from your last session. So, if you’re tired of aimlessly wandering around the gym, Fitbod will tell you exactly what to do.
Brad and I both appreciate how Fitbod takes the guesswork out of strength training. It’s like having a personal coach in your pocket, without the judgmental stares when you take a long break between sets (because kids, obviously).
Pro Tip: Sync Fitbod with Apple Health or Google Fit to track your progress and ensure you’re not overworking those dad muscles.
8. Headspace: Because Mental Fitness is Just as Important as Physical Fitness
We’ve talked about apps for your body, but let’s not forget about your mind. Headspace is one of the best meditation apps out there, and it’s perfect for dads who need a little mental breather after a long day of work, workouts, and wrangling kids. Whether you’ve got five minutes or an hour, Headspace has guided meditations to help you relax, focus, and de-stress.
Brad and I have both incorporated meditation into our routines, and trust us, it makes a world of difference when you’re trying to stay sane while balancing fitness, family, and life. Plus, it helps with sleep—because who doesn’t want more of that?
Pro Tip: Use Headspace right before bed to unwind and prepare for a restful night. Just don’t get too relaxed, or you might fall asleep mid-meditation.
Wrapping It Up: Get the Edge with These Apps and Crush Your Fitness Goals.
We get it, there’s a lot to take in here. I’m hoping there’s a few that have taken your fancy and are keen to try. Our best advice - download just one at a time and get fully accustom with it before moving into the next.
I’ve done it before, downloaded several apps all at once and not given some of them the best trialing period.
Go for one at a time and see if they truly bring any benefit to your training, eating and/or mindset.
if any of them do, give me a shout, I’d love to know!
~ Ryan
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