Nearly everyone owns a mobile device today, and more people are turning to coaching apps to guide their workouts. But which app is the best? That’s hard to say, but a recent study examined the quality of 30 mobile coaching apps—and the findings weren’t great.
Are Coaching Apps Following Science-Based Guidelines?
A study published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (full text here) assessed popular fitness coaching apps against the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines. The apps were scored based on their adherence to proper aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training principles.
The results?
- Only 3 apps scored above 50% for aerobic training.
- Only 4 apps scored above 50% for strength training.
- No apps scored above 50% for flexibility training.
- Only 1 app had an overall score above 50%.
With over 100,000 health-related apps available, it’s concerning that very few are evidence-based. Many fail to provide safe and effective programming that aligns with well-established fitness guidelines.
What This Means for You
Just like the quality of in-person coaching can vary, so can the quality of coaching apps. If you’re using one, choose wisely. Find an app that aligns with your goals, fitness level, and training preferences—and most importantly, stick with it. Consistency is key.
