How to download apps for your iPad
The iPad 2 Guide: 19 helpful resources
1. WebMD for iPadWebMD for iPad is the iPad app version of the popular WebMD website. Like the website, the free iPad app is a cornucopia of useful health-related information. Not sure whether you should be worried about symptoms you're experiencing? The WebMD Symptom Checker will help you learn more about potential conditions or issues. There's also a First Aid Essentials guide to help you deal with everything from insect stings to muscle sprains. And if you decide you need to seek professional medical treatment, the app will help you find the closest physician, hospital, or pharmacy. At the convenient price of free, this one is hard to say no to.
2. Calorie Counter by FatSecretThere are a lot of calorie counting apps out there, but Calorie Counter by FatSecret is one of the best. This simple and easy-to-use app lets you plan and keep track of the food you're eating, the exercise you're doing, and the calories you're consuming and burning. There's an integrated journal to record your progress, and just in case you can't find the food you're looking for in its extensive database, you can even scan the barcode to input it yourself. Best of all, the app is free.
3. FitnessBuilder by PumpOne
FitnessBuilder by PumpOne is one of the most comprehensive fitness apps available for the iPad. It's a little pricey at $9.99, but well worth the investment. With a library of over 5,600 images and videos, 758 different fitness disciplines, and a complete set of tools and calculators, you'll have everything you need to meet your fitness goals. You'll even have live access to a personal trainer to help you when you need encouragement or advice. The features list for this app is incredibly extensive, so be sure to check it out!
4. Everyday Fitness by Canyon Ranch
A bit less expensive is Everyday Fitness by Canyon Ranch. This app, available for $3.99, features 79 different fitness videos and 25 articles and tips to help you reach your fitness goals. The app covers yoga, Pilates, strength training, flexibility, and multidisciplinary fitness, so there's a great variety to keep you interested and challenged. It's designed for everyday use by beginners and experienced fitness buffs alike, following Canyon Ranch's holistic approach to well-being.
5. Yoga Library for iPadYoga Library for iPad is an excellent app for beginners and experienced yoga practitioners alike. It contains an extensive searchable database of yoga poses and routines, illustrated with full color illustrations and step-by-step instructions. It's easy to find the information you're looking for, and you can even shake your iPad to get a random pose if you're looking for something new. At $4.99, it's a little pricey, but the wealth of information makes it well worth the price.
6. Cardio Escape
What can you do when uncontrollable factors prevent you from exercising outside, but the gym's television is stuck on Yet Another Reality Show and you just can't stare at it for another minute? Cardio Escape is the app for you. The app itself is free to download, and for $1 to $2 per video, you can purchase and watch videos of landscapes, trails, and other scenery flow by as you run, walk, or bicycle. You can record your workout statistics and compete with friends to see who has the best times. A walking workout through Town Lake in Austin, Texas, is included for free, and new videos are being added every month.
Of course, an iPad app should never substitute for getting the advice of an actual doctor. If you have serious health concerns, consult your physician. You should also talk to your doctor before starting a workout regimen. Getting fit and improving your physical well-being is a worthy goal, so please make sure you go about it responsibly.
[Image credit: Stephen Jones]
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