Health & Fitness Apps for The Classroom

I have been reading Mr Robbo's - The PE Geek blog and here are his suggestions for apps to use in the classroom for appling exercise principles and practices. Or, use them for yourself when exercising!

1. Couch to 5km - this app guides you through an interval training program to get you to eventually run a continuous 5km run! Included in every workout is a warm up and cool down. Mr. Robbo suggested using the app to "discuss the many approaches available today to promote physical activity within the community, or, have students report on the strengths and weakness of the exercise method used in the app". Check it out: Couch to 5km

2. Runkeeper - Mr. Robbo says "go for a run/walk/ride/jog/ski while running the program and your activity will be recorded". With GPS available on most phones, Runkeeper gives you stats such as total distance, speed, elevation, and even google map tracking ability so you can track your activity in real time - I say C-O-O-l!! Check it out: Runkeeper

3. Hundred Pushups - this app is designed to improve your core strength. After completing an initial pushup maximum test (pre-test) the app designs an appropriate training program to guide you to achieving 100 pushups (post-test). Mr. Robbo says that this would be a great app to "explore fitness components and how an individual can train to improve their sports performance" or I say improve their level of general fitness! Check it out: Hundred Pushups

4. Gym Goal ABC - this app is an exercise database that allows you to keep track of your workouts but also includes step-by-step animations of over 250 exercises...WOW! Mr. Robbo says "this would be a perfect tool in a classroom to teach students about exercise concepts such as progression, overload and specificity" or a great "how to" application for students in designing their own fitness program. Check it out: Gym Goal ABC

5. Pedometer - why go by one when you have an app for it right on your iPhone or iPod touch. The Pedometer will track your steps, distance and calories burned to help you lose weight and stay healthy! Pedometers can be used to measure the physical activity of students, teachers, or Mr. Robbo says "take it to the next level and compare the activity level of a variety of occupations that have differing physical demands". Check it out: Pedometer

6. Beep Test - this app is the same as the Fitnessgram Pacer test which tests your aerobic fitness. It allows you to individually complete the "beep test" (my students know it as the "Pacer test") and then records and plots your changes over time! This would be a fantastic way to movtivate yourself to work towards continual improvement. In the classroom this can be used as a pre and post test where students could measure the change in their VO2 max levels throughout the semester at home on their own! Check it out: Beep Test

7. Geocaching - I've already addressed geocaching in a previous blog (so you should know what it is!) but here is an iPhone app that allows you to search for and participate in a geocache hunt anywhere, anytime! Check it out: Geocaching

Thanks to Mr. Robbo for the information on some very cool apps for the physical education and / or health classroom! Now, do you think I will be able to get my administrations approval to use a cell phone in class? What do you think?