The Most Useful Apps for Today’s Active Men
Let’s face it, most of us have our phones with us almost everywhere we go. We use them to communicate, check the weather, find directions, take pictures, keep up with work and probably spend a little more time scrolling than we would like to admit.
But your phone can also be a pretty useful tool when you are trying to keep up with a busy lifestyle.
Whether you enjoy running, biking, hiking, traveling, working out or you are simply trying to keep your day organized, there are apps that can make things a little easier.
Of course, nobody needs 50 apps taking up space on their phone. The key is finding a few that actually serve a purpose.
Here are some useful apps worth checking out for today’s active men.
Strava
If running, biking, hiking or working out is part of your routine, you have probably heard of Strava.
Strava lets you record activities and keep track of things like distance, pace and performance. You can also look back at previous activities to see how you are progressing.
One thing I like about apps like this is being able to actually see what you have accomplished. Sometimes we do not realize how consistent we have been until we look back and see all those workouts together.
Strava has also expanded well beyond running and cycling. It supports many different sports and activities, making it useful for people who like to switch things up instead of doing the same workout every day.
There is also a social side where you can connect with other active people, participate in challenges and share activities.
Good for: Running, cycling, hiking, workouts and activity tracking.
AllTrails
Now this is a good one for anyone who enjoys getting outdoors.
AllTrails helps you discover hiking and outdoor trails in your area or somewhere you plan to visit.
You can search for trails and look at information such as distance and difficulty before deciding whether a particular route is right for you.
This can come in handy when traveling too. Instead of driving around hoping you stumble across a good place to walk or hike, you can look at some of your options ahead of time.
AllTrails also offers additional navigation features through its paid plans, including downloadable maps and wrong turn alerts.
If spending a Saturday morning outdoors sounds better than sitting around the house, this is definitely an app worth knowing about.
Good for: Hiking, walking, exploring parks and finding outdoor adventures.
Google Maps
Okay, Google Maps might seem like an obvious choice, but think about how often we actually use it.
It is not just about getting directions anymore.
You can use Google Maps to find restaurants, gas stations, stores, parks, hotels and businesses while you are out. You can check travel times, save places you want to visit and even download certain areas for offline navigation.
That can be especially helpful when you are traveling somewhere unfamiliar.
I also like being able to check what is around an area before arriving. If you are headed somewhere for the day, you can look for places to eat, things to do or nearby stores before you even leave home.
Good for: Navigation, road trips, finding businesses and exploring new areas.
Todoist
Being active does not necessarily mean working out all day. Sometimes being active means you have ten things going on and are trying not to forget number eleven.
That is where an organization app can help.
Todoist lets you create tasks, organize things you need to accomplish and schedule due dates. Recurring tasks can also be useful for things you need to remember every week or month.
You can use it for work, home projects, appointments, errands or just that list of things you keep telling yourself you are going to do tomorrow.
I know some people love a good old fashioned paper list, and there is nothing wrong with that. But having your list right on the phone that is already in your pocket can be pretty convenient.
Good for: Staying organized, errands, work tasks and personal reminders.
Your Phone’s Built In Health and Fitness App
Before downloading anything else, take a look at what is already on your phone.
Many smartphones already include health or fitness features that can work with compatible phones, watches and other devices.
Depending on what you use, you may already be able to keep track of information such as steps, workouts and activity without adding another app.
It is worth spending a few minutes exploring those features before paying for something else that does essentially the same thing.
And remember, numbers from consumer fitness devices can be useful for personal tracking, but they should not be treated as a medical diagnosis.
A Weather App You Actually Check
I know, another obvious one.
But when your plans involve being outdoors, the weather matters.
Going for a bike ride, hiking, working outside, taking the kids somewhere, traveling or even washing the car can change pretty quickly when rain or a storm moves in.
Keep a reliable weather app on your phone and check the forecast before heading out.
For severe weather in the United States, you can also check information directly from the National Weather Service.
Do You Really Need All These Apps?
Nope.
And that is actually the point.
An app is only useful if it makes something easier for you.
If you run several times a week, an activity tracker might make sense. If you love hiking, a trail app may be much more useful. If your biggest problem is remembering everything you need to accomplish, an organization app could be the one you use the most.
Download the apps that fit your lifestyle and skip the ones that do not.
Also take a few minutes every now and then to look through your phone and remove apps you no longer use. There is no reason to have a screen filled with apps you downloaded two years ago and completely forgot about.
Don’t Forget About Privacy
There is one more thing worth mentioning.
Before giving any app access to your location, contacts, photos or health information, take a look at the permissions it is requesting.
Some fitness and outdoor apps use location information because GPS is necessary for features such as route tracking. That does not mean every app on your phone needs access to your location all the time.
Take advantage of the privacy controls available on your phone and choose settings that you are comfortable with.
This is especially important with apps that can share your workouts, routes or real time location with other people.
Apps Should Make Life Easier
Technology is supposed to help us, not make our lives more complicated.
The right apps can help you find a new hiking trail, keep track of a morning run, navigate during a road trip or simply remember what you were supposed to pick up on the way home.
Try a few and see what actually works for you.
You may find that the most useful app on your phone is not the newest or fanciest one. It is simply the one that helps you get through your day a little easier.
Note: App features, availability, subscriptions and pricing can change. Visit each app’s official website or app store listing for current information before downloading or purchasing a subscription.
