With recent reports claiming that one in two Americans will have a smartphone by Christmas, fitness has inevitably integrated itself into our new digitally-connected lifestyle trough smartphone apps.

From apps dedicated to helping people lose weight to simply keeping workouts interesting for those of us stuck in a rut with our daily routine, fitness apps help us all to stick with our fitness goals. Below are just a few of the most recommended apps for your smartphone and fitness lifestyle, and they’re free! All three apps listed below work for both iPhones and Androids.

1) Body Fitness
The Body Fitness app has more than 340 exercises; workouts as well as more than 35 yoga poses. Not only does it have fitness exercises but also more than 35 recipes and includes a body-mass index calculator. The greatest benefit to this app is the exercise illustrations and a log calendar for progress.

2) RunKeeper
RunKeeper uses GPS to track fitness activities. The app can track distance, time, pace, calories, heart rate and the paths travelled. There are also customized interval workouts, RunKeeper fitness classes and does not have any advertisements.

3) FastSecret Calorie Counter
This app allows you to have a food diary that uses your barcode scanner to scan restaurant menus and enter foods. The calorie counter constantly updates calories consumed and burns. It even helps you plan your meals!

These apps not only help to remind us to stick to our fitness schedule and create healthy habits, but they can also give new, fresh ideas. However, one of the greatest benefits to using fitness apps is that many of them allow you to connect through the apps with contacts in your phone and friends on Facebook, making workouts a social activity.

Melissa Gerharter MS, RD, CSSD is co-owner of Joust Strength and Fitness of Ann Arbor. She is also a personal trainer and an adjunct lecturer at Eastern Michigan University. She can be reached at Melissa@joustfitness.com.