HEALTH

Figuring out what exactly you should be doing at the gym isn’t easy—hiring a trainer can be way expensive, Pinterest doesn’t have the most personalized suggestions and your friend’s routine might not be right for you. Newsflash babes: there’s actually a world of workout programs available right on your phone in the App Store. One in particular we're fond of is the Nike+ Training app. 

The Nike+ Training app is meant to create the perfect workout program for you. The app gives you the option of searching keywords ("abs," "glutes," etc.) and watching workout videos à la carte or creating your own personalized month-long workout program (with daily step-by-step workouts). Just as everyone’s bodies are different, everyone’s workout preferences are different, too. We've broken down tons of aspects of the app so you can determine if it's the right fit for you. 

Why you might love it:

+It's easy to follow. If you’re clueless about what to do at the gym, the app will give you manageable workouts so you have an exact program to guide you for weeks. 
+It's customizable. You can personalize your own workout program based on weight, height, gender, fitness goals, frequency of workouts, type of exercise and start date.
+It fits all fitness levels. If you’ve never worked out before, you can select an easy first-timer program. On the other hand, if you’re a long time weight lifter, you can select a program that will increase full body strength over time.
+You'll learn something new. There are video tutorials for each exercise, so if you don’t know what a “kneeling med ball lift” is, they’ve got you covered. 
+It's full body. The workouts are total body, so if you’ve focused on your arms in the past but want to start toning your tush, this will *finally* give you the holistic workout that you’ve been wanting. 
+It's easy to start. If you don’t have access to a gym or gym equipment, there are options to work out equipment-free. 
+You can watch yourself get fit. Track your progress through benchmark assessments to see if you’ve become stronger over time. 
+The price is right. It’s free!

Why you might *not* love it:

+There's a bit of commitment. Sticking to a strict plan can be difficult. If you have a busy day with friends, you might not be able to make it to the gym. This will show up in your workout plan as a "skipped day," which you’ll have to make up on your own time. 
+You have to stay connected. Working out with your phone nearby isn’t always ideal. For a lot of people, going to the gym is a time to relax and escape from reality, so keeping your phone near you during your workout might take away from your peace-of-mind. 
+It can lead to distractions. Not only do you need your phone nearby, but you also need to be able to check it frequently to see which exercise to do next. This can be distracting if a text from your BFF pops up mid-workout.
+It's exclusive. Following one strict plan could take away from your other exercise passions. Do you love yoga? Can’t miss your weekly cycling class? The app assumes you are committing 100% of your workouts to it, which isn’t always realistic.

What do you think of the Nike+ Training app? Will you be trying it out?

by Julia Selsky | 7/23/2016