14 Free Health & Fitness Apps for Staying Healthy During Quarantine

The 14 Best Free Health & Fitness Apps for Staying Healthy During the Pandemic

The coronavirus has dramatically disrupted our lives.

It has shutdown numerous activities, limited our food choices, and left us somewhat sedentary in our homes. It has added the stress of working under restrictive conditions, or not working at all. It has also caused us to live in constant fear that we, or someone we know, will become infected with the disease.

Between the inactivity, poor nutrition and stress, it’s clear the pandemic can negatively impact our health, even if we never catch it.

In today’s article, we’re featuring a dozen free health and wellness apps to help you stay healthy during the quarantine. These popular, award-winning apps are designed to improve your health in a variety of ways including diet, exercise, relaxation, sleep, and brain training.

Best part? Although many of them may charge for additional features or upgrades, all of them are FREE!

If the quarantine has opened up some time in your schedule, why not give a few of these healthy apps a test drive. You just might add a new routine to your life that makes you healthier and happier long after the pandemic has passed.

1. MyFitnessPal

What Is MyFitnessPal?

Fitness starts with what you eat. The MyFitnessPal app makes it easy to track calories, breakdown ingredients, and log activities. Search over 11 million foods in their database to learn about calorie count, nutrition information and serving size. The app offers an assortment of tools to help you reach your goals, including an easy-to-use food diary, simplified logging with barcode scanning, nutritionist-approved recipes, and expert workout tips. With MyFitnessPal, you can also easily link with over 50 other healthy lifestyle apps. When you reach your goals, the whole community celebrates with you. That’s over 200 million members sharing in your victory!

MyFitnessPal Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about MyFitnessPal:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Must have Fitness App. MyFitnessPal is an incredible tool for getting a handle on your health and fitness. The app makes it easy to log the food you eat. The calories as well as the grams of each macronutrient. There are too many features to list, but a couple deliver tremendous value. MyFitnessPal automatically updates from my Strava feed, so all my running, biking and strength workouts automatically show up. The food database is very extensive, but you have to know something about the nutritional content of food because some of the food items submitted by users are pretty sketchy. There is, a huge catalog of verified food items, so with a little bit of comparison, you get some accurate data.

Where Can I Download MyFitnessPal?

iPhone: Click here to download MyFitnessPal on iOS.

Android: Click here to download MyFitnessPal on Google Play.

2. Fooducate

What Is Fooducate?

Eat better. Lose weight. Get healthy. Since 2010, Fooducate has been helping millions of people eat healthier, lose weight, and improve their health. An award-winning app, Fooducate is recommended by doctors, dietitians, fitness trainers, and personal coaches. Track your food intake and exercise. Know the quality of calories. Integrate with Apple’s Health App. Breakdown your macros: protein, fats, and carbs. Track your sleep, mood, and hunger levels. Add your recipes and instantly see their nutrition value! Fooducate offers its subscribers free health and diet tips from nutrition professionals as well as free weight loss suggestions.

Fooducate Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Fooducate:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-stars!! I absolutely love this app! I downloaded Fooducate a while back when I had a bit of extra weight I wanted to lose and fell in love with it. It really helped me become more aware of the food I was eating and the different ways food labels trick us into eating unhealthy foods. I scan literally every new food I choose when I’m in the supermarket to make sure I am keeping in line with my health goals. Anytime I hear about new nutrition trends/ingredients/products, Fooducate is the first place I go to check it out. I also love how the app shows me if a food I scan has nightshades in it. I have a major food sensitivity to nightshades and they are often hidden in the ingredients, so this makes my life way easier! This app has changed the way I look at the foods I eat and helped me so much in my health journey.

Where Can I Download Fooducate?

iPhone: Click here to download Fooducate on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Fooducate on Google Play.

3. DietBet

What Is DietBet?

Lose Weight & Win! Over 750,000 people have chosen DietBet to help them lose weight the fun way. With DietBet, you reach your weight loss goals by betting on yourself! Choose from games starting soon or start your own game to challenge your friends. You’ll put money in the pot. After four weeks, whoever has lost 4% of their body weight will split the pot. You’ll be part of a supportive community and receive customer service from real people. Play games hosted by experts, including pro fitness trainers, nutritionists, and wellness gurus.

DietBet Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about DietBet:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great Motivation and Accountability! I have used DietBet many times over the last three years for motivation and support in weight loss. The app is easy to use, helps keep me on track, and the day of reckoning – the weigh out – gives me something to shoot for. Depending on the game you can get recipe ideas, exercise plans – it’s up to you! I’ve found it very inspiring to see people lose weight and change their lives and attitudes and be proud of their healthy eating choices. People make progress and get encouragement and support through the process – whats’s not to love? I’ve been in the program consistently now for six months and have lost nearly 40 pounds and counting. Together with a great weight loss regime (I use Noom) and activity it’s been extremely helpful.

Where Can I Download DietBet?

iPhone: Click here to download DietBet on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download DietBet on Google Play.

4. Sworkit

What Is Sworkit?

Fitness Made Simple. Sworkit, which is short for “simply work it,” is an easy-to-use personal trainer app to help you get into the best shape of your life and stay there. Whether your goal is weight loss, weight maintenance, muscle gain, or improved endurance and flexibility, Sworkit can help. The app makes it fast and simple to workout at home or on the go, without a gym membership or equipment. Certified fitness trainers are also available to answer your fitness and nutrition questions. Get answers to your toughest fitness and nutrition challenges plus helpful tips to help you get in shape and stay in shape for life!

Sworkit Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Sworkit:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Getting back to it without killing myself. Sworkit has been an amazing tool for me so far. I’m a couple months in but I find that I can always convince myself to do a workout because you can set the amount of time you have. Even just a 15-minute workout of body weight exercises leaves my heart rate up, my forehead sweating, and later on… some sore muscles. Regardless of if you have some equipment or not—Sworkit can work for you. I see this as a great option for travel or for someone like me who makes a little space in my living room for a quick session. The customer service is also top notch too! I had an issue in the beginning and it was quickly solved in a professional and personal way.

Where Can I Download Sworkit?

iPhone: Click here to download Sworkit on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Sworkit on Google Play.

5. 7 Minute Workout

What Is 7 Minute Workout?

Offering a world class, personalized workout, The Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout App is the fast, simple, science-based way to work out anywhere, anytime. With this app, you’ll feel like you have a personal trainer—providing guidance on proper form and motivation. The app features 72 exercises and 22 additional workouts that can be customized and modified to create more than 1,000 variations to help keep you motivated and moving. It also features Smart Workout, which gauges your fitness and motivation level and recommends different workout programs along with intensity increases.

7 Minute Workout Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about 7 Minute Workout:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I recommend this app 100%. I’ve used a few 7-minute workout apps and I’ve found this is the best. Easy to bust out a workout anywhere in 7 minutes or as long as you want. It’s a great quick warm-up before stretching. Not only does it have the classic scientific seven minute workout, it also has its own “smart workouts” with over 100 different body weight exercises and five tiers of intro to intense and you get to choose variable motivation levels though I don’t actually know what that does as I’ve always had it on 5! It’s easy to fit in a quickie, higher levels have multiple set smart workouts, and you can start one work out after another if you want to feel the burn of a longer workout. The smart workout will switch up the exercises to target all the various major muscle groups and stabilizers. I highly recommend this app!

Where Can I Download 7 Minute Workout?

iPhone: Click here to download 7 Minute Workout on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download 7 Minute Workout on Google Play.

6. Relax Melodies

What Is Relax Melodies?

Having trouble sleeping? Relax Melodies is an effective sleep-aid app that helps you fall asleep quickly and wake up refreshed. Relax, take a deep breath and let Relax Melodies lead you on a restful journey to sleep! Enjoy a large variety of nature sounds, white noise, guided meditations, bedtime stories, brainwaves, body-mind exercises, and breathing techniques that you can mix and combine to create your very own bedtime experience. Relax Melodies was designed by sleep experts to help you overcome insomnia, tinnitus, night-time anxiety and lower your everyday stress.

Relax Melodies Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Relax Melodies:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great Sound Machine App! After using it a few days, I like this app so much that I decided to pay for the lifetime subscription! There’s lots of customization available: there are many sound options (both ambient and musical), you can control the volume of each added element and you can even add binaural beats of isochronic tones to enhance your experience (e.g. deep meditation, relaxation, concentration). I’ve been looking for a good sound machine app and this app is a perfect fit.

Where Can I Download Relax Melodies?

iPhone: Click here to download Relax Melodies on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Relax Melodies on Google Play.

7. Sleep Cycle

What Is Sleep Cycle?

Wake up easy. Sleep Cycle analyzes your sleep and wakes you up at the most perfect time, so you’re feeling rested, refreshed, and ready for the day ahead. Using your phone’s built-in microphone, this app picks up your movements as you sleep by analyzing sound and vibration. The app analyzes the data to determine if you are in light sleep, deep sleep, or a dream state known as REM sleep. It then pinpoints the optimal time to wake you up within a 30-minute window that you set. The Statistics dashboard displays an analysis of your sleep phases, and the Trends dashboard details your sleep quality percentage and sleep and wake up times. It can even detect, track, and measure snoring. Monitoring sleep with Sleep Cycle is easy, hassle-free, and may give you an extra spring in your step.

Sleep Cycle Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Sleep Cycle:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Alien technology!!! I love waking up early but I struggle so much actually doing it. I literally set about 5 alarms to try to get myself out of bed. And if I don’t set an alarm I sleep for 10-12 hours. My first night using this app I was a little weary about if it would actually work. BUT IT WORKED! It went off about 6:20 because I said I wanted to get up between 6:15 and 6:45 and I woke up turned it off and was expected to fight myself to stay awake like normal. This didn’t happen. I felt perfectly rest and felt like I had energy all day. I felt like this app is some kind of alien technology used to give me more sleep in order to prepare me for a study they are doing. Even if you are skeptical I would say try it out. Just seize the opportunity to easily wake up in the morning. Or spend thousands of dollars on a new mattress. I guess it’s your choice.

Where Can I Download Sleep Cycle?

iPhone: Click here to download Sleep Cycle on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Sleep Cycle on Google Play.

8. Daily Yoga

What Is Daily Yoga?

Loved by 50,000,000 yogis around the world, Daily Yoga offers more than 100 yoga and meditation classes to help people at all levels. Step-by-step instructions guide you through every movement, and you’ll also learn how to safely master challenging poses like the full splits and shoulder stands. The app also includes more than 50 workout plans to help you get fit with yoga, a global community to stay motivated, and regularly updated content. Graceful and beautiful music is available to make your experience more peaceful or efficient.

Daily Yoga Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Daily Yoga:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Best fitness app out there! No bugs, no glitches, just straight yoga! I complete two yoga sessions daily. After one month of daily use, I upgraded to pro and I’ll never look back! I am working in a country where I don’t have access to a gym and this app has given me all that I need: strength, balance, flexibility and muscle tone. I am very happy with this app and have recommended it to friends and family. Easy to follow with both a visual and audible guide for each session. I have completed both weekly and monthly challenges. You can repeat programs as many times as you’d like. There is a community board that you can take part in if you need accountability. Or add your real life friends and begin a group together! Yoga is something that will stick for life with me and this app has made it possible.

Where Can I Download Daily Yoga?

iPhone: Click here to download Daily Yoga on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Daily Yoga on Google Play.

9. Calm

What Is Calm?

Sleep more. Stress less. And live better. Calm is the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation, with over 50 million downloads and over 700,000 5-star reviews. The winner of multiple awards from Apple and Google, Calm has been named “the world’s happiest app.” With Calm, you can learn the life-changing skill of meditation. Get more restful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed. There is exclusive music to help you focus, relax, and sleep. Videos on mindful movement and gentle stretching. And masterclasses on mindfulness taught by world-renowned experts.

Calm Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Calm:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Life changing. I used to use Headspace for meditation (which is a fine app—especially if you’re just getting started) but Calm has helped me take things to a whole other level. The Headspace meditations were essentially all the same—there are maybe four variations but it cycles through those four and you get the same mix regardless of what series you’re working on (stress, anxiety, work performance, etc). I feel like the Calm meditations go much deeper and I’m noticing a huge difference in myself after switching over to Calm.

Where Can I Download Calm?

iPhone: Click here to download Calm on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Calm on Google Play.

10. Charity Miles

What Is Charity Miles?

Get fit and make an impact. Charity Miles lets you turn a neighborhood jog or weekend hike into a fundraiser for a worthy cause. Just choose a charity and get moving. The app tracks your movement. Every mile you log, you help to earn money for your chosen charity. Support over 40 world-class charities that are making a big impact on health, children, animals, the environment, education, veterans, and more. Charities are paid from the advertising budgets of the app’s sponsors, who pay based on the miles that members run for a particular charity. The app has already earned over $2.75 million for charity.

Charity Miles Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Charity Miles:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Fabulous! If I could give this app 20 stars I would. It has been a tremendous incentive to me to exercise more, thus helping build my old osteoporosis ridden bones while helping others at the same time. I use it every chance I get, while cleaning, doing yard work, etc. And every time I use it I know some good company with the smarts and heart will pay the charity of my choice for the miles I walk!

Where Can I Download Charity Miles?

iPhone: Click here to download Charity Miles on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Charity Miles on Google Play.

11. Zombies, Run!

What Is Zombies, Run!?

Run in the real world. Become a hero in another. With one million players, Zombies, Run! is the biggest smartphone fitness game, ever. Only a few people have survived the zombie epidemic. You are a Runner on route to one of humanity’s last remaining outposts. They need your help to gather supplies, rescue survivors, and defend their home. Walk, jog, or run anywhere in the world. Hear your mission and music through your headphones. If you’re chased by zombies, you’ll have to speed up! You’ll automatically collect supplies to build up your base. With 200 missions, you’ll never run out of motivation!

Zombies, Run! Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Zombies, Run!:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Good for beginners or former athletes looking to get back in shape. The stability issues other reviews have mentioned seem to have been fixed. This is a good couch to 5 k program with a gradual ramp up and a fun story that keeps you coming back. There is a lot of unstructured “free form run” time (you decide how much to run or walk) which allows it to be a good program for all levels of starting fitness, but also structured drills that guide you to keep improving each week. I’m halfway through and gotten to the point where I’m jogging the whole time for the (5–15 minute) free form runs, my blood pressure is down 20 points, and my pants are getting loose. I used to HATE running but this makes it fun!

Where Can I Download Zombies, Run!

iPhone: Click here to download Zombies, Run! on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Zombies, Run! on Google Play.

12. C25K

What Is C25K?

The official C25K app can train you for your next (or first) 5K run. C25K is the easiest program to get beginners from couch potatoes to 5K distance runners in 8 weeks. You work out 3 times a week, ideally with breaks between days. Each workout session is from 30 – 40 minutes long. It includes an audio coach that alerts you when to walk or run. The playlist features music curated from the top DJ’s and has been scientifically proven to increase motivation by 35%.

C25K Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about C25K:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Grateful. I’ve wanted to get in shape for years but was convinced that I should resign myself to just being frumpy. When one of my kids joined track, I remembered how much I loved track when I was the same age. Fear of actually winding up overweight and frumpy for the rest of my life, and fear that I’d never get energy back, be at a healthy weight, or see my actual knees and have real calves again, led me to decide to use the C25K program. The app makes it easy to share to my social media so that my friends and family can cheer me on and keep me accountable, while giving me pride in seeing what I’ve accomplished.

Where Can I Download C25K?

iPhone: Click here to download C25K on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download C25K on Google Play.

13. Luminosity

What Is Luminosity?

Developed by a team of scientists and experienced designers, Lumosity offers free daily brain training games that make improving your cognitive abilities fun! With more than 40 easy-to-pick-up mind games and activities to choose from, you’ll never get bored. The brain games are colorful and entertaining, with exercises devised to help improve five areas of cognitive function: problem-solving, memory, attention, speed, and flexibility.

Start with a mental test to see how you compare to others in your age group. Then as you train, get a detailed analysis of your progression. Lumosity also aims to expand the science of human cognition by sharing its training and tools with qualified university researchers.

Luminosity Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Luminosity:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Absolutely recommend. I have to either strongly love or strongly dislike something to leave a review. Lumosity is one to strongly LOVE. I bought the lifetime version and every time I play I am so glad that I did. Lumosity is a very high quality game app- they invest in the right ways towards technology, performance, usability, aesthetics, and more on the app. I am a technology analyst and I cannot say this for many apps. In addition, I truly believe the more that you practice, the better you get and the sharper your mind stays. It’s common sense, you don’t need a clinical study and paper to come out to know that. I would have my nephews and kids play this over any other game as they grow. It is fun, engaging, as well as formulated very well. Hands down you have done an amazing job.

Where Can I Download Luminosity?

iPhone: Click here to download Luminosity on the App Store.

Android: Click here to download Luminosity on Google Play.

14. Peak

What Is Peak?

One of the top mobile apps to make you smarter, the Peak app helps you achieve peak mental performance with 40-plus brain games. Devised by neuroscientists, educators, and game experts, Peak offers more than 40 games to improve your cognitive skills. Choose from progressively difficult workouts that promise to enhance short-term memory, attention, problem-solving, mental agility, language, coordination, creativity, and emotion control. Or let the app’s built in coach challenge you with new workouts, track your progress, and show you where and how you can improve.

Peak Review

Here’s what one reviewer had to say about Peak:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Games are so addicting good for you! It’s important to exercise your brain in many different ways! I can tell the days I don’t do my workouts before work. When I don’t, it seems like I’m not as focused or awake and tend be more groggy. Also, (as embarrassing as it is) I’ve always struggled with words due to my dyslexia, and this has helped me get over the “pressures” of finding/spelling words. Turns out I’m actually quite good at them (better than my husband and it drives him crazy!) I guess I’ve lived my whole life telling myself I’m not good with words, so I wasn’t. But now Peak helped me see that’s not entirely true. Some/most games are so much fun too!