Smartwatches are getting smarter. You can now use them to crank up your heating, see who's at the front door and even order a pizza. It's fitness tracking where they still come into their own though, counting every rep or footfall to better keep tabs on your improving exercise levels.
Whatever wearable you've got, it's likely to be well supported on the fitness front too. Whether you've got the Apple Watch Series 2 strapped to your wrist, are sporting an Android Wear timepiece or a general fitness tracker, there are loads of apps out there to build on your device's core skills and up your activity-tracking, fitness-boosting game.
But which should you be giving your time and which are better left overlooked? Well, whether you're looking to lose weight, get toned or simply cut the carb count, these are the best fitness apps for your wearable. Now there's really no excuse to avoid exercise.
Strava
Whether you're a runner or a cyclist, Strava is one of the most comprehensive fitness apps going, and it's stepped away from your smartphone to play nice with your wearable gadgets. Using GPS for accurate tracking, it brings all the usual heart rate, distance and calorie metrics to the fore. The unique addition here though is Route, a clever trick that lets you save your current route for a later date or download a new one that another app user has already posted.
Adding a competitive element to your fitness sessions, Strava lets you set records on your regular routes. If you cycle the same way to and from work every day, it will break down your route into a range of blocks. Now that half mile section between two sets of traffic lights is your race track for a new PB.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear, Fitbit
Run 5K
Fitness apps aren't just for those who are well versed in the ways of exercise and their favourite training tips. They can be great at getting beginners off the sofa and working towards a set goal too. For those looking to improve their fitness sessions, Run 5K will help you maintain enthusiasm as you work towards your new fitness target.
Instead of simply telling you to run, the app will relay helpful, and encouraging training tips to your arm. Guiding you through sessions that mix up jogging and walking to get you started, over a timeframe of your choosing, the app will build up your levels and slowly increase the amount of effort you need to exert.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear
Zombies, Run!
Getting fit doesn't have to be a chore. If you struggle staying motivated, the right wearable app can help you gamify your exercise sessions. The king of the fun fitness apps is Zombies, Run! Like training for a 10K fun run in the setting of The Walking Dead, it transforms the tedium of running and switches it out for compulsive, and sometimes terrifying storytelling.
Throwing you into the middle of a zombie apocalypse, the app transports you through a story that essentially, forces you to run and collect supplies that help your base. You can even choose your own custom playlists as the story unfolds in between your tracks through a series of dynamic radio messages and voice recordings. Just remember: every time you hear zombies, it's time to run.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear
Endomondo
Endomondo was quick off the starting block when it came to wearable app support, and it's continued at a steady pace with regular refinements and improvements. Now there's more to it than simply monitoring your run duration, pace and average heart rate.
There's voice command support included, a feature we're rather fond of, plus a customisable screen that'll show you whatever stats are most important to your current activity be that running, cycling or a casual stroll through the countryside.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear, Samsung Gear, Pebble (iOS and Android)
Nike+ Run Club
The Nike+ FuelBand may have been one of the original fitness focussed wearables to make us stand up and literally be counted, but Nike's knocked its hardware efforts on the head to focus on software instead. The latest offering is the Nike+ Run Club app.
Although coming pre-installed on the Apple Watch Nike+ model, all Apple Watch users can make use of its fitness tracking stills with the free app. Mapping your run with customisable screens to show the data relevant to you, it builds around Nike's coaching platform and will drop you reminders when your next exercise session is due. With leaderboards and personal awards, there's enough to keep you motivated too. You can even send fellow runners a virtual cheer.
Free, watchOS
Seven - 7 Minute Workout Training Challenge
Following a fitness plan doesn't have to involve being beasted by a person trainer down your local gym. You can ditch the PT and strap the training regime to your wrist instead. Following the popular 7 minute workout plan, this app offers wrist-based access to you training plan.
Offering visual reminders of what exercise is next, Seven will also count down your remaining reps, to make sure you're not cutting any corners. Once your quick-hit workout is complete, the app will relay your training results, with your average heart rate map helping show how your fitness levels are improving week to week.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear
Apple Watch Activity
The more basic of the two fitness apps preloaded on all Apple Watches, Activity is still definitely worth your time. It makes exercise and activity levels understandable and easy to follow, with its simple, three ring user interface. Combined with the straightforward 'Move', 'Exercise' and 'Stand' labels, plus three easy distinct, bold colours, it gives you a glanceable overview of your daily actions.
With all the data being synced back to the Activity app on your iPhone, Activity's fitness skills run deeper, too. Tap any of the rings and you get a deeper view of that day's efforts, with run times, steps counts and when through the day you burnt the most calories.
Free, watchOS
Apple Watch Workout
Apple's other Apple Watch staple, the Workout app is designed for those who really want to get detailed stats, rather than just a casual summary. There are specific modes for running, walking and cycling, while it'll show you real time information as you workout, ranging from elapsed time to calories and pace.
If you're running in the city, with your progress constantly being interrupted by busy roads and traffic lights, you can set up auto pause to stop your data being skewed every time you're forced into an impromptu stop.
Free, watchOS
FitStar Yoga
Your workouts don't just have to be about getting your heart rate up and the sweat pouring as quickly as possible. FitStar Yoga guides you through a more relaxing, body-contorting exercise session. You watch screen will count down times to hold each position and even give you a visual guide on what you need to do.
At the end of your session you'll be given details on your calorie burn and can let the app know whether you found the workout too easy, too hard or just right. Your answers will help better tailor the next session to your needs.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear, Fitbit
Runtastic
Runtastic has really impressed with its ability to support a multitude of wearables, with the app now supporting everything from the Apple Watch Android Wear to Samsung's Gear series and the Pebble.
As well as all the usual fitness metrics and customisable activity screens, Apple Watch and Android Wear users can quickly start a run though Siri and 'OK Google' voice commands. Without halting your phone on a run, you can also keep track of your stats during an activity and pause direct from the watch screen. There's similar features baked into the Gear and Pebble versions too, but they both lack voice commands of any sort.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear, Samsung Gear, Pebble
Lifesum
Fitness isn't just about running, cycling or the occasional gym session. What you put in your body is as important to your overall fitness as what you do to burn off that food-based fuel. That's where Lifesum comes in. As well as relaying your day's calorie burn and time active, it'll let you effortlessly keep tabs on your food and drink intake too.
As well as counting how many glasses of water you've drunk to ensure you're staying hydrated, the app lets you manually add your food intake. By knowing what's going in and what you're working off, Lifesum can then relay your current energy status direct to your wrist, letting you know when you need to get off your arse or get on the snacks.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear
Sony Lifelog
If you're still hanging on to your Sony built wearable, the company's Lifelong app is a great way to keep tabs on your fitness levels. Compatible with everything from the Sony SmartBand and Sony SmartBand Talk to the excellent Sony SmartWatch 3, Lifelog does more than just track your steps, calories burned and distance.
It interacts with other apps to build a more rounded view of your day, from the pictures you snap to the tunes you listen to, laying everything out in a colourful graph. It's not just limited to Sony-made gadgets, either, with a broader Android Wear app now available.
Free, Android Wear, Sony SmartBand
CARROT Fit
This is another 7-minute workout based app, just with a bit of a difference. Instead of comforting you through your exercise regime, its integrated AI is a bit of sadistic joker. Transforming traditional exercises into more exciting sounding alternatives -
Each 7-minute session will take you through 12 hilarious exercises with 30 seconds spent on each and 10 seconds of rest between. Importantly though, despite making you gurn and grimice, it will have you exercising with a smile on your face.
£3.99, watchOS
Google Fit
Google's first attempt at a fitness tracking app has been steadily and consistently improving since its release last year, adding in a plentiful array of new features to make it a worthwhile download. It uses the sensors on your connected Android device to track your activity stats, nothing particularly new there, but recent updates have also brought what Google refers to as experimental step detection for when you're out with your watch sans phone.
There's also support for over 100 activities, the ability to set daily goals and of course all the collected data is beamed back to the companion app, which is available on both the web and Android.
Free, Android
Runtastic Six Pack Abs Workout
When you don't want to run, there are plenty of wearable fitness apps that'll help you keep fit indoors and out of the rain. For those looking to firm up their stomach muscles, Runtastic's Six Pack Abs Workout is one of our favourite.
Keeping you phone out of the sweaty splash zone, all exercise tutorials, graphics and rep counts are moved to your smartwatch, guiding you through everything from crunches and twists. Custom training plans let you decide how regularly you want to work out and let you graph your progress from flabby to fit.
Free, watchOS, Android Wear
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