The pandemic created many restrictions, but besides the fear of getting sick, many people reported high levels of stress 2 years after it started. Increased levels of anxiety and depression are still something millions deal with everyday. This doesn’t come as a surprise: new lockdowns, self-isolation, lack of social life, loneliness – those factors have not gone away.

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So how can we help ourselves in these difficult times? There is one simple remedy that can lift your spirits – exercise! According to HarvardHealth, a regular workout routine has tremendous effects not only on your body but on your mind as well. It promotes relaxation, fights anxiety and relieves stress. Studies show that workouts help endurance athletes treat anxiety disorders and clinical depression, so the physiological and psychological benefits of training are undeniable.

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How do you start working out when you’re unable to go to a gym? Workout apps are your best bet! However, it can be tricky to choose the right app for you. Here are our top 5 most effective apps for losing weight and fighting stress anytime, anywhere.

Full Body Workout Plan for Men

If the gym is not an option and all you have at home is your running shoes, no worries! The app Full Body Workout Plan for Men will have you covered on all the basics. With this app, you’ll get daily workout programs for the main muscle groups featuring only bodyweight exercises.

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The app allows you to target specific muscles, track your weight loss and make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. All the workouts were created by a professional fitness coach to strengthen and tone muscles in the same way you would at the gym but without any equipment.

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The exercises are easy to follow, with clear instructions and video guidance. After just a few weeks of using the Full Body Workout Plan for Men app, you can get six-pack abs, strong arms, a sculpted chest and shredded legs in the comfort of your own home!

Muscle Booster

Want to get stronger, faster and healthier? Muscle Booster will help you with that! This app was developed for men who care about their health and look after their appearance. Muscle Booster can become your personal fitness trainer and help you get in the best shape possible.

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With Muscle Booster, you can work out at home or at the gym; you can even use it on vacation! The app boasts a smart training algorithm that will guide you through the needed amount of sets and reps, making sure you get the proper rest in between. Just like a real coach!

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When using Muscle Booster, you set your main goal, like burning fat or gaining muscle, and then add an additional goal, which could be building strength or improving health. You can also choose your desired body shape and the problem areas you want to focus on. Beginner or pro, Muscle Booster will help you reach your goals!

FitCoach

FitCoach is a great app created for people who want to lose weight, build healthy habits and lead an active lifestyle. This is an amazing option if you don’t have time for the gym but want to get ripped.

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The app allows you to set personalized goals, like muscle gain or weight loss, as well as target specific areas, like abs, legs or back. Moreover, if you use HealthKit, you can export your data from one app to another to maximize your results.

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FitCoach has a cool new-age feature – when you enter personal data, the app’s intelligent algorithm will make an individualized workout plan with a combination of activities that will help you reach your goals faster. Additionally, you’ll be able to access the app’s extensive library of 1,000+ workouts!

Yoga Go

If you are a yoga lover or want to be more flexible, you should get friendly with Yoga Go. This app combines fitness and weight loss with harmonizing and balancing your emotions. With Yoga Go, you can tone your body, sculpt your muscles and focus your mind.

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Why yoga? It’s not only effective with weight loss but also great at increasing flexibility and managing stress. With this app, you’ll get a well-toned body and calm mind in one go! If you’ve never tried yoga, don’t worry! The app allows you to customize a workout plan and is completely beginner friendly.

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Yoga Go offers easy-to-follow workouts from 7 to 30 minutes long, so there’s no excuse to skip training if you are short on time! You can burn up to 200 calories per session and share your results with fellow yogis.

Runiac

If running or walking is your preferred way of staying fit, Runiac will help you achieve your fitness goals. The app allows you to customize your weight loss plan and take a 30-day challenge that’ll help you sculpt your body, improve stamina and overall health or set a personal goal, like running 5k.

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With Runiac, you can track your progress and workout time, as well as receive a daily report of how many steps you took and calories you burned. You can also monitor your progress and increase the difficulty when you’re ready.

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If you’re not able to run, you can still get fit by walking. The app offers a warm-up and a fantastic interval training schedule for this activity. Can’t go outside? Runiac can be used on the treadmill too! One thing to note: the app is free to download, but further use requires a subscription.

To sum up

Getting your body moving is crucial for health. There are many benefits to having a good workout routine that go beyond losing pesky extra pounds. Psychology Today notes that regular exercise reduces anxiety, improves mood and sleep, boosts energy levels and maintains a healthy immune system. It also makes us stronger, healthier and happier!

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So if you want to get your post-lockdown pizza-fueled body back into beach-ready shape (plus help your mental health!), try one of the apps we mentioned above! They are proven to be effective, but without your dedication, they won’t provide much help. So stay consistent and don’t give up. Who knows, you might become the next Arnold Schwarzenegger!