POPSUGAR Active’s icon may look like a heart from a kid’s game for girls, but it is actually one of the best health and fitness apps available in the App Store as of today. That being said, this app isn’t specifically aimed for men looking to pump iron and carve out washboard abs: it is actually targeting women looking to unwind, shed extra calories before Thanksgiving and those hoping to not gain too much weight during the holiday season. So, let’s take a look at what it provides and see if it’s worth the download:

 

Registration and installation

One of the best facets about this app is it being free. As they all say, anything is better if you can have them legally without paying! In order to download it into your iPhone or iPad, it requires at least a 58 MB of space and your device’s operating system running on the iOS 6, meaning it can still run on earlier devices. Registering the account is also quick and easy: you can do so with your Facebook account or through your e-mail address. So, anyone with a 4th generation iPhone or an iPad 2 can download this app.

 

Features overview

This application shows a variety of exercise routines and videos, and it immediately gives you video tutorials that will help you get started. One of the best characteristics of this app is the presence of experienced and acclaimed fitness instructors, not the amateurs you find in YouTube videos. Although I never tried the workouts out (because I’m not really keen on getting that “bikini body”), I personally liked the tone of the instructor and the music. The encouragement and the instructions are clear, and hearing the instructor’s voice is reassuring, and not overly annoying, like in the case of some fitness videos in the Internet.

You can customize your workout routine in POPSUGAR Active, especially if you already have a clear idea of the workouts you wish to perform. However, if you’re still completely new to the whole workout thing, there are already a number of created routines for you to select and utilize, so don’t fret since the app has you covered. You can also search for specific types of exercises, like when you’re aiming to focus on a specific area of your body. There are routines that will enable you to burn belly fat and arm fat. The location is also customizable: you can find workouts specifically made for both in a home or gym environment.

The app can also remind you about when to perform your exercise routine. It can set off an alarm every 6:30 in the morning for your early ab-fat burning routine, or late at night for a one-shot workout like if you’re trying a particular routine for the first time. This will definitely help in allowing you to reach your fitness goals – if not, allow you to set the tone for a healthier lifestyle.

 

The bad side

If you look at it as a whole, the app is a perfect exercise partner. However, like all software, it has its imperfections. First, it makes users more concerned about their appearance rather than their overall fitness and health. The second and final is its tendency to crash, which is absolutely horrendous if you’re looking to work out for extended periods. If you’re creating a routine, be sure to save it when you’re making progress – you wouldn’t want the app to suddenly crash: you’d lose the routine you customized!

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