PhilSTAR L!fe Recommends
Which fitness tracker and apps are best to use? Fitness coaches, seasoned runners weigh in
Fitness beginners and enthusiasts are spoilt for choice when it comes to fitness trackers and apps.
These devices and software are the new workout buddies. They help track your workout, gain insight on your activity, give you health data at a glance, and even motivate you to beat that PR.
Gadgets are not really must-haves for workouts, but these are good additions to your fitness arsenal as they can get you in the right headspace or make you feel excited to go for a run like proper attire.
If you're unsure of what pieces of fitness tech to get, PhilSTAR L!fe has you covered with recommendations on tried and tested apps and trackers from trainers and seasoned runners.
Apps
Strava
If you have friends who run, you've probably come across a photo of drawn paths on a map. Those screenshots come from Strava, a highly-recommended app by several runners.
In this app, you can record your runs or bike rides and it will provide metrics such as your heart rate, pace, distance, elevation, cadence, and power output.
But more than a tracker, Strava is also a social network where you can share your races and workouts with friends and followers, as well as discover routes and trails.
"With the running hype and the rise of fitness races [like Spartan and Hyrox], I think it's important to be data-centric," Spartan Race podium finisher and marathoner Daniel Hilaria, who's been running for eight years, told PhilSTAR L!fe.
"Having a Strava app can be a good start [for those who want to get into running]."
Anton Damasig, who's been running since March 2022 and has completed two marathons, multiple half marathons, and 10K races, also recommended Strava.
"It helps me track progress and analyze runs," he said.
Strava is available for download from the App Store and Google Play.
Garmin Connect
Nylah Bautista, a World Triathlon level 2 coach and trainer for Adidas Runners Manila, shared that Garmin Connect is a must-have app.
"It’s a game-changer for tracking and understanding your fitness holistically—whether you’re training for a race or just staying active," she said.
"For women, features like the menstrual cycle tracker are especially valuable since it helps you see how your body’s rhythms impact energy, recovery, and performance. No more guessing!"
This app, made for users with Garmin watches, provides vital health data at a glance like your heart rate, sleep score, body battery, training load, and stress levels.
It also has Garmin Coach, which offers a variety of adaptive and prebuilt plans for running, cycling, and strength training so you can train for events, achieve milestones, and improve your fitness.
Garmin Connect tracks different workouts, such as running, swimming, kayaking, and lifting weights. Moreover, you can connect and compete with friends, similar to Strava.
Garmin Connect is available on the App Store and Google Play.
MyFitnessPal
For fitness coach Roy Sumpio, MyFitnessPal is a highly recommended app. It's an all-in-one food tracker, calorie counter, macro tracker, and fitness tracker.
"Most often, people unconsciously underestimate or overestimate their caloric intake and macros, whether the goal is to lose fat mass or gain muscle mass. MyFitnessPal allows better tracking and accountability to help someone be consistent and precise in their diet," he told L!fe.
The app gives you insight into your food habits and diet. Its description on Google Play describes it as "like having a nutrition coach" to help you with meal planning, fitness tracking, and logging a food diary every day.
Users can also connect MyFitnessPal to other workout apps like Garmin Connect, Strava, Adidas Running, Apple's Health, Samsung Health, Fitbit, and more.
MyFitness can be downloaded through the App Store and Google Play for free.
Strong
For runners who also want to train their strength, the Strong app can help reach your goals.
Like the other apps on this list, this app tracks workouts—it's like a notebook on your phone where you can plan your training and log your reps. Additionally, it includes instructions for certain workouts so you can do them properly.
"Tracking can help you with the progression of your weights," fitness coach Dale Termoso shared.
Strong is available on the App Store and Google Play. A pro version of the app is available for $4.99 (PhP285).
Fitbit app
If you have a Fitbit, its companion Fitbit app is something you should try using, according to running coach Ace Glaraga Bartolata.
"It helps me track my activities, especially when running," she said, adding that it also logs other workouts like yoga, lifting, and more.
Bartolata also loves how the app tracks quality sleep, women's periods, and food and water intake.
Even if you don't have a tracker or smartwatch, you can make use of the app and track your Active Zone Minutes, calories burned, and more on your smartphone through the Fitbit app.
There's a curated list of audio and video workouts you can follow, from HIIT, to cardio, strength, running, biking, yoga, and more. When you need to take a breather, the mindfulness features can help relieve stress and improve your mood through in-app audio sessions.
Fitbit, however, is no longer sold in select Asian countries like the Philippines, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The Fitbit app is available for download through the App Store and Google Play.
Fitness trackers
Garmin
For runners Damasig, Bautista, and Hilaria, Garmin is a must-have fitness tracker.
"I use the Garmin Forerunner, which is perfect for runners—accurate GPS, long battery life, and all the stats I need. It syncs with Strava seamlessly and helps me train smarter," Damasig shared.
Bautista, on the other hand, loves the Fenix series. "[They're] perfect for balancing hardcore metrics with everyday style.
"[Garmin] watches are built for athletes but designed for real life. The data is comprehensive (VO2 max, training load, and even stress tracking) but the ecosystem stays intuitive," she said.
"Plus, the designs are sleek enough to wear from workouts to work meetings without missing a beat."
"[It's] the best watch out there," added Hilaria.
Garmin offers several wearables and smartwatches for different use cases. For instance, those who are health-oriented can try the Venu or vivoactive series, while the Lily series is more geared toward women.
The Forerunner line, meanwhile, is built for runners and triathletes. The Forerunner 165, available at P10,490, features a 43mm touch display, 11-day battery life, and built-in GPS for time, distance, pace, and speed.
This watch tracks heart rate, VO2 max (maximal oxygen consumption), stress, and blood oxygen saturation.
Apple Watch SE
Fitness coach Termoso, meanwhile, said that the Apple Watch SE can be a great option for general use.
"[It's like] a smartphone on your wrist, plus it has good accuracy and precision in tracking sleep, heart rate during physical activity, and your resting heart rate," he said.
The latest Apple Watch SE was released in 2022 and features up to a 40mm display, crash detection, optical heart sensor, fall detection, emergency SOS, and up to 18 hours of battery life. It can track workouts like running, hiking, cycling, swimming, HIIT, yoga, strength training, multisport, and more.
It starts at P14,990 for the GPS version and P17,990 for GPS + Cellular.
