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[Oppo]

I'm sure some of you have noticed this.

I use My Fitness Pal and Runkeeper extensively. However I use the free, slightly crippled, ad-infused versions. I'm quite glad this option exists but there seems to be no reasonable middle-ground between "completely free" and "crazy expensive". Are there alternatives?

For instance.. (this is $CAD so adjust down about 20-25% for $USD...)

MFP: $14 / month, or $70 / year
RK: $14 / month, or $55 / year

There is no way in hell I'm ever gonna pay that. The delta for functionality to price is berserk. I might consider that yearly price as a one-time, forever-unlocked thing. maybe. But yearly? Are they high?

Like, is there something I'm missing here, or are they just able to charge people desperate to lose weight (and "be serious" about it) that much? It seems crazy to cost so much more than, say, Netflix, or PS+.

I sort of thought the market would respond to this and offer $5/10 versions of MFP and RK... I do believe there are some cheaper running apps but I like the way these two talk properly to HealthKit and don't double up my step counting with my runs, etc. Is this the new Gym Membership That You Are Supposed To Forget About But Keep Paying?

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Probably because people pay it.

 

[Vanillalite]

I'm fine with a one time payment, but app subs for shit like this can GTFO.

 

[RoadHazard]

What do these do that the free Google Fitness and the Apple equivalent don't?

 

[Gravy Boat]

Cheaper than a gym membership and sessions with a personal trainer.

What do these do that the free Google Health and the Apple equivalent don't?

As far as I understand they actually guide you through set workout schedules.

 

[esmith08734]

Those prices are ridiculous, especially when there's a ton of proven FREE methodologies online. Just do a little research. I would never PAY to use some else's methods. Every one's body is different so a particular program won't exactly work for everyone, even if the overall goals are the same.

 

[Auctopus]

Runkeeper is definitely not that expensive in the UK. They have sales aswell, I got a year sub for £15 and the amount of courses and training they have is incredible. They sent me from 10k to Marathon quicker and more efficiently than I could've on my own (and they did it to my schedule.)

 

[Polk]

Probably if it was 1/2/3$ a month it would be still lower income than those few people paying current prices.

I like what Jefit does. You could disable ads for one time fee ($4,99) but they also have subscription service which gives you more stats.

 

[Subpar Scrub]

Cheaper than a gym membership and sessions with a personal trainer.

I use these apps.

None of them are close to being the value of a personal trainer or gym membership. I only used personal trainers 3 times when I started lifting 2 years ago (ensuring correct form) and it helped me more than any images on an app did.

And of course the gym membership speaks for itself. Subbing to the app doesn't give you access to thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

 

[Gravy Boat]

I use these apps.

None of them are close to being the value of a personal trainer or gym membership. I only used personal trainers 3 times when I started lifting 2 years ago (ensuring correct form) and it helped me more than any images on an app did.

And of course the gym membership speaks for itself. Subbing to the app doesn't give you access to thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Why do you use them then?

And I understand that they're more than just images. They have videos that show you correct form, as well as literally guiding you through a workout as you're doing it. Maybe I'm mistaken with the specific apps mentioned in the OP but I purchased one a while ago for about £5 and that's what it did. You tell it your goals/availability and it builds a work out schedule that you follow. It does more too but I can't remember the specifics, I've barely used it.

 

[Oppo]

if you have one-time paid apps that you use for calorie tracking or running and really like, please post 'em!

I will switch happily but the app store is such a vast sea of noise, and again the HealthKit integration is important. the MFP step tracker works super well for instance, I don't have to do a damn thing, it just reports in etc. Or is asking to replace MFP sort of like asking to replace Photoshop at this point.

 

[helloresolven]

I'm not sure what features you get out of Runkeeper, but check out Strava if all you want to do is track runs. No ads. It does have a sub that adds some additional features, but they aren't anything crazy and seem more to focus on cyclists versus runners.

 

[kavanf1]

Totally agree OP. I use MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun daily and would definitely pay for an ad-free version, but the price they're charging is insane. Especially when it's only for a year.

 

[Subpar Scrub]

Why do you use them then?

And I understand that they're more than just images. They have videos that show you correct form, as well as literally guiding you through a workout as you're doing it. Maybe I'm mistaken with the specific apps mentioned in the OP but I purchased one a while ago for about £5 and that's what it did. You tell it your goals/availability and it builds a work out schedule that you follow. It does more too but I can't remember the specifics, I've barely used it.

Yeah the ones I use are primarily used to track my calorie intake. It helps when they have the ability to submit foods to a community page and such, makes inputting it all much easier. The main issue with these apps is that after the first 3 months of training, you're usually golden. There's no need to follow a routine someone else made when you should know what works most effectively for you by that point. Scaling your lifts weight and reps should also be fairly straight forward by that point.

All I was saying about PTs is that they can usually pick up on incorrect form much better than you can looking in a mirror. Slight adjustments can change how weight is distributed through the body by a considerable amount, and while the videos can work for some people, I see others look up a new exercise on BB.com or some other site while sitting infront of their weights and immediately fuck up. They can watch a 2 minute video on the one motion, detailing how to stand and how to move, yet their form is still trash because their inexperience leads them to believe their form is fine.

I use myfitnesspal for its calorie tracker and the price in Aus for the ad-free version is trash.

 

[gundalf]

Fitness Nuts are by majority very wealthy.

 

[Ivan A Nguyen]

I believe it's the same reason people spend so much on exercise equipment. Spending money gives the illusion of progress towards one's goals. I have lost count of how many people list 'Signing up for a gym' as one of their first steps towards weight loss. This is because it takes no effort, aside from spending the money, and it's a commitment with out real action. Fitness apps are the same way. Pay here to unlock this, sign up here for this subscription, or buy this product that ties into the app are all no effort steps people can take to show how super serious they are about fitness starting next Monday.

Is everyone like that? No, but I bet more people pay into these things and never use them as much as the people who ride the free train all the way to their goals. This is a little sad because it should be the other way around. I still haven't paid the 10$ to unlock 5x5 Strong Lifts on my iPhone despite getting great results and using it for close to a year.

 

[StuffRuff]

I've also noticed this trend and can't for the life of me fathom why they've made them so expensive.

On a recommendation note though, Nike+ Running app is by far the best app for running (IMO) and is free. I've tried Endomondo, Runkeeper, Strava and a few others and found Nike+ superior. Bonus that it ties in better with my Apple Watch than the other too.

 

[KernelPanic]

I use MFP and the price isn't worth it all, although the ads have gotten more obnoxious lately. It was free until Under Armour bought them

MFP is best for entering all your meals and seeing your calories and macros, nutrients etc.

You can log your workouts and calories burned etc but those figures are only estimates.

 

[Jacksinthe]

Step 1 - get a free app that tracks calories.

Step 2 - join FitGAF.

Step 3 - profit.

You don't need a guide. You need a bit of research and everything you do you can do on your own. FitGAF is a great place and the OP is filled with EVERYTHING you need to start.

If you can count calories, understand macro ratios and have access to a gym - you don't need an app. It's not that difficult to learn what you need to do - motivation is the only hard part.

 

[Amory]

Because people will pay it

 

[Commanche Raisin Toast]

you're the one actually doing all the working out. all they are doing is giving you little rep and set guides. they have to figure out a way of getting you to pay them for that since there's very little they can offer you that you can't just find on the net and write down on a notepad.

my wife got me to get the 5x5 app, and since i had a lot of google play credit (thanks Rewards!) i unlocked the premium version, just so i could have a few extra features and also the Google Fit integration. it's silly.

 

[pinsomniac]

Under Armour paid ~$500M for MFP. They have to make that money back somehow.

 

[Chorazin]

Unless you need super precise macro calculations (like I do), there is NO REASON to pay for MFP. NONE.

 

[Fewr]

The best part of JeFit is free.

There's also an ad-free version, and a subscription service, but none are essential.

 

[Onemic]

Cheaper than a gym membership and sessions with a personal trainer.



As far as I understand they actually guide you through set workout schedules.

Dont get a personal trainer?

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

What do these do that the free Google Fitness and the Apple equivalent don't?

Track all your food.

I use the MyFitnessPal free version and it works fine. I pair it with UnderArmor's app for fitness tracking (UA bought MFP) and it all links up, all free.

 

[Couleurs]

There used to be a $10 Runkeeper Pro version that had all of the features of the current subscription version (no ads, extra reports etc). I bought it in 2009 or so and a few years later they switched to the subscription model and removed features from RKP to get you to subscribe. Scummy as fuck and ill never give them another dime.

 

[otapnam]

Why pay for rk? If youre seriously running you're going to get a watch and that does way more than rk can. You can sync everything to rk free strava etc as well

 

[UnemployedVillain]

How is the free MyFitnessPal crippled? What more functionality do you need?

 

[Oppo]

Step 1 - get a free app that tracks calories.

Step 2 - join FitGAF.

Step 3 - profit.

You don't need a guide. You need a bit of research and everything you do you can do on your own. FitGAF is a great place and the OP is filled with EVERYTHING you need to start.

If you can count calories, understand macro ratios and have access to a gym - you don't need an app. It's not that difficult to learn what you need to do - motivation is the only hard part.

I get what you are saying here but it's not about need. I like having the data. I also know how to eat and run. but I like data. so thanks but I'll keep the apps.

will give Nike+ a shot for sure

How is the free MyFitnessPal crippled? What more functionality do you need

I said slightly crippled certain views and comparisons are not available. honestly I'd pay to just stop it from nagging me about upgrading, they present views that basically ambush you which is eye rollingly dumb.

Why pay for rk? If youre seriously running you're going to get a watch and that does way more than rk can. You can sync everything to rk free strava etc as well

waiting for smart watches to get a little smarter. I just run with the phone in my hand.

 

[Zoe]

Why pay for rk? If youre seriously running you're going to get a watch and that does way more than rk can. You can sync everything to rk free strava etc as well

You eliminate the syncing step, easy sharing, live tracking, and the maps are right there for you during your run.

 

[Shadowheart]

I'm assuming to get the ignorants who think they can pay to skip the work and get the results. There are plenty of free apps. As for skill and fitness, no way around doing the work. It's genetics. No way around it.

 

[Jacksinthe]

I get what you are saying here but it's not about need. I like having the data. I also know how to eat and run. but I like data. so thanks but I'll keep the apps.

Nothing is stopping you from keeping your own logs. Nothing. I love me some data but Google docs handles all of it for me. Log everything on your own of that's your thing and you won't have to pay a glorified excel sheet to do it for you.

 

[Oppo]

Nothing is stopping you from keeping your own logs. Nothing. I love me some data but Google docs handles all of it for me. Log everything on your own of that's your thing and you won't have to pay a glorified excel sheet to do it for you.

well, again, as per OP I'm not actually paying.. and it's 2 button presses. plus I can't log elevation changes without a device and back around we go.

 

[K.Jack]

I wouldn't get them myself, but is $55 a year really a figure we should call expensive?

 

[GrizzleBoy]

Used my fitness pal since forever and never paid a penny

 

[otapnam]

You eliminate the syncing step, easy sharing, live tracking, and the maps are right there for you during your run.

Youre fussing with a phone app when u should be running. Your watch syncs once u get home. You can have tapiriik sync across multiple tracking sites and apps for u.

I just got a fitbit and strava sync connected my Garmin to fitbit so I only have to wear my running watch when I run. It's pretty awesome.

 

[Ixian]

It's not free, but for calorie tracking I use Joy, which costs $2/month (in 3 month blocks). There's a month long trial available, too.

I find its user interface cleaner than MFP's while presenting more information and offering a lot of features that I miss when I have to use MFP. I still interact with the free version of MFP on a day-to-day basis because it's what my girlfriend uses and still think it's a great tool especially because of the app and device support, but Joy fulfills my personal needs much better.

Joy's food database isn't as big as MFP's though, but MFP's food database is also dirty as hell from a lot of bad / duplicate entries.

 

[kirblar]

Fitness Nuts are by majority very wealthy.

This. It's a luxury industry.

 

[Zoe]

Youre fussing with a phone app when u should be running. Your watch syncs once u get home. You can have tapiriik sync across multiple tracking sites and apps for u.

I just got a fitbit and strava sync connected my Garmin to fitbit so I only have to wear my running watch when I run. It's pretty awesome.

I take out my phone at the beginning of the run, tap a button if my HRM hasn't already synced, hit the start button, stick the phone in my belt, and I run.

If I get lost, I can take out my phone and look at the map.

If there's an emergency, I can use my phone.

If I need to find someone else on a run, I can look at their live run and catch up to them.

A watch doesn't offer all of that.

 

[SmellyHoundRedux]

Same reason we pay for the bottled form of stuff that falls out of the sky for free.

 

[kavanf1]

I wouldn't get them myself, but is $55 a year really a figure we should call expensive?

I'm happy to pay for a good product but the level of value provided by the premium versions of these apps simply isn't there for most people. There's an untapped market of users who would pay £5 a year for the basic app without ads, but who will never ever consider paying nearly £50 a year for a load of features that are only nice to have, not essential.

 

[Chorazin]

I take out my phone at the beginning of the run, tap a button if my HRM hasn't already synced, hit the start button, stick the phone in my belt, and I run.

If I get lost, I can take out my phone and look at the map.

If there's an emergency, I can use my phone.

If I need to find someone else on a run, I can look at their live run and catch up to them.

A watch doesn't offer all of that.

My watch does, (LG Urbane LTE 2nd Edition), but it's easier to use those features on a phone.

 

[Mareg]

Man wait until you see how much a full year sub to Yousician all instruments costs me.

Guitar + Piano + Ukulele + Bass (all available instruments) yearly plan is $179.99 ($14.99 per month)*

And that is in US. I pay in CAN so it cost me dearly.

But for the amount of value packed in, I can't complain. I never ever pay for apps. Maybe once I paid 1$ for Lara Croft on iOS. Yousician yearly, I see it as an investment.

I think these kind of sub app have people that evaluate the value of the service Vs the price of a real life equivalent. For these trainer app, they compare themselves to a real trainer. I'm not saying an app is the same as the real person. Just that the people that evaluate and price those subs are basing the price value on said real trainer would cost. Be it a musician trainer or a gym trainer.

 

[Grinchy]

They probably need it to be worthwhile to them, knowing that most people are going to be all gung-ho about working out for the first month and then give up immediately. Gotta extract the bucks while you can.

 

[Omegasquash]

Eh. MFP plus Fitocracy have always worked for me. Not interested in paying for either, so I don't.

:shrug:

 

[Wag]

I bought a used UP3 for $30. The fitness app is pretty good. What's in the paid apps that's not in the UP one?

 

[The Faceless Master]

probably because if they charge 1/5 the price, they won't get 5x the customers

 

[AstroLad]

Honestly the pay tiers of these apps (and I've actually tried them for both) really don't add that much functionality unless you're an extreme power user.