Workout Trainer: An iPhone App Review

This is a step away from what I normally blog about, but I felt compeled to share this great app that I've been using. Like most engaged couples, my fiance and I have been trying to get into better shape before the big day. We use to have a gym membership, but when I lost my job that was one of the first things to go. We needed to find a way to work out at home, which has always been a challenge for us. Coming up with a worthy workout is difficult when you only have a few cardio DVD's, no weights, and a small apartment.

Then one day, my fiance announced he found a workout app on his iPhone*. One that might actually be worth buying. Let me introduce Workout Trainer by Skimble.

Workout Categories
There are 20 different categories of workouts. They are broken down by Intense, Moderate, and Casual. Most range from 10-30 minutes and do not require any weights or other equipment. I usually do a full body or core workout every other day.

Trainers 

The thing I like most about this app is the trainer aspect. During your work out a trainers voice will guide you with countdowns, encouraging words, and an explanation of each workout. The free version uses a crazy robot voice, but if you splurge and get the "pro" account you can have a normal human voice guide you. Either way it's really nice having someone let you know you only have 30 seconds left of body squats and you need to step it up.

Track Your Progress
You can track your workouts and keep notes straight from your phone.

If you visit Skimble you can also follow other people and check out their progress. You earn points for every workout you complete. I'm not really sure what they are for, but it seems they are to keep track of your workout activities and compare you to others on a leader board. I guess that's good if you are the super competitive type.

Cost
The app is free to download from the app store. Most of the workouts are free too. There is a "pro" version which costs $.83 a month or you can get three moths for $1.66/month. It's a pretty good deal, but we haven't bothered with the "pro" account since the free workouts seem to be working just fine for us.

As you can see the app has a lot to offer. If you are looking for a workout routine you can do at home give this app a try. I can't guarantee it will work for you, but it sure beats sitting on the couch all day.

*Workout Trainer is available on the iPhone, Android and iPad. If you have an Apple Tv and the iPhone 4 you can watch your workout on the big screen. Just mirror whats on your iPhones screen to the Apple tv.

Valentine Stitches

I connected with a fellow embroidery lover a few weeks ago, Rachael from Imagine Gnats. She just developed some very cute embroidery patterns for Valentine's Day that I was lucky enough to test. If you'd like to stitch up a cute super hero Valentine girl or boy you can purchase the pattern in her Etsy shop. They come in a conveniently downloadable PDF so you still have plenty of time to finish one before next Tuesday.