The Best Apps to Track Your Progress as an Amateur Athlete

2 December 2024

Let’s be honest—we all want to get better at what we do, especially when it comes to sports. Whether you're trying to shave off a few seconds from your mile time, add more weight to your squat, or just stay consistent with your training, tracking your progress can be a complete game-changer. And as an amateur athlete, you’re probably not hiring a personal coach or spending hours analyzing data like the pros. But guess what? You don’t need to.

With the rise of technology, there are tons of apps out there that can help you do it all—track, analyze, and improve your performance. These apps are like your personal assistant, keeping an eye on your stats while you focus on crushing your goals. So let’s dive into the best apps to track your progress as an amateur athlete. And trust me, you’ll want to grab your phone after reading this!

Why Should You Track Your Progress?

Before we jump into the apps, let’s talk about why progress tracking even matters. You might be thinking, "I already know I’m getting better because I feel stronger or faster." Sure, that’s great! But tracking your stats gives you actual data—like cold, hard facts.

Imagine trying to bake a cake without measuring the ingredients. You might get a decent cake, but it wouldn’t be perfect. Tracking your fitness is like measuring the ingredients in that cake. You get a clear picture of what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change. Plus, it’s super motivating to see those numbers improve over time.

Alright, enough cake talk. Here are the best apps that will help you track your athletic journey like a pro.

1. Strava: The Social Athlete’s Best Friend

If you’re into running, cycling, or any endurance sports, Strava is a must-have. It’s like social media for athletes, but instead of selfies, you’re sharing your workouts. Beyond the social aspect, Strava’s tracking abilities are top-notch. It uses GPS to monitor your routes, distances, elevation, and even your pace. It’s like having a coach in your pocket, minus the whistle.

What’s cool about Strava is its segment feature. You can compare your performance on specific routes with others in your area or even compete against yourself. It’s a great way to push yourself and stay motivated. Plus, you can join challenges or create your own to keep things fresh.

Best For: Runners and cyclists who want to track their progress, challenge themselves, and connect with a community of like-minded athletes.

2. MyFitnessPal: The Nutrition Guru

Let’s not forget that performance isn’t just about what you do in the gym or on the track. Your nutrition plays a huge role in how well you perform. That’s where MyFitnessPal comes in. It’s one of the best apps for tracking your food intake and making sure you’re fueling your body properly.

The app allows you to log your meals by scanning barcodes or searching for foods in its massive database. You can also set goals for your macros (like protein, carbs, and fats) based on your fitness goals. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or maintain your current level, MyFitnessPal can help you stay on track.

Best For: Athletes who want to optimize their nutrition and ensure they’re fueling their performance correctly.

3. Nike Training Club: Your Free Personal Trainer

Don’t want to spend big bucks on a personal trainer? No problem. Nike Training Club has got you covered. This app offers a wide range of workouts, from strength training to yoga, all designed by professional trainers. The workouts are divided into categories based on time, equipment, and fitness level, so there’s something for everyone.

One of the best things about Nike Training Club is that it tracks your progress automatically. You can see how many workouts you’ve completed, how much time you’ve spent training, and even track your fitness improvements over time. It’s like having a personal trainer that fits in your pocket and never lets you skip leg day.

Best For: Athletes looking for a variety of workouts and structured progress tracking without the hefty price tag of a personal trainer.

4. RunKeeper: For The Data-Driven Runner

If running is your thing but you want more detailed data than what some apps offer, RunKeeper is a fantastic choice. It tracks your pace, distance, and time using GPS, but it also dives deep into analytics, offering metrics like heart rate (if you have a compatible device), cadence, and splits for each section of your run.

The app also offers personalized training plans, which are perfect if you’re prepping for a race or just trying to hit a specific goal. And don’t worry—you don’t need to be a marathon runner to use it. RunKeeper is super user-friendly and works for runners of all levels, from beginners to advanced athletes.

Best For: Runners who want detailed analytics and training plans to take their running game to the next level.

5. Fitbod: Strength Training Simplified

For those of you who prefer lifting weights over pounding the pavement, Fitbod is your new best friend. This app is designed for strength training and takes the guesswork out of creating a workout routine. It builds personalized workout plans based on your fitness level, goals, and the equipment you have available.

What sets Fitbod apart is its ability to track your progress in real-time. As you log your sets, reps, and weights, the app adjusts your future workouts to ensure you’re consistently progressing. It also tracks muscle recovery, making sure you’re not overtraining any specific muscle groups.

Best For: Amateur athletes who focus on strength training and want personalized workout plans that adapt based on progress.

6. Whoop: The Recovery Master

You can train as hard as you want, but if you’re not recovering properly, you’re not going to see the results you’re after. Whoop is an app designed to help you track your recovery, sleep, and overall readiness to train.

Whoop works best when paired with a Whoop Strap, a fitness tracker designed to monitor things like heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate, and sleep quality. The app then gives you a recovery score each day, indicating whether you should push hard or take it easy. It’s like having a coach that tells you when to train and when to rest.

Best For: Athletes who want to optimize their recovery and ensure they’re training at the right intensity.

7. Zwift: The Virtual Training Playground

Sticking to a workout routine can be tough, especially when you’re doing the same boring workouts day in and day out. Enter Zwift, the app that makes indoor training fun. Zwift combines virtual reality with fitness by letting you run or bike through virtual worlds. You can race against others in real-time or just enjoy a scenic route in a virtual landscape.

Zwift tracks all your performance data like speed, distance, and power output, and it syncs with a variety of fitness devices. It’s the perfect app to keep things interesting while still tracking your progress.

Best For: Cyclists and runners who want to mix up their indoor training while tracking performance metrics.

8. Garmin Connect: The All-In-One Tracker

If you’ve got a Garmin device, then you’ve probably heard of Garmin Connect. It’s an app designed to work with Garmin wearables to track everything from your daily steps to your advanced workout metrics. Whether you’re into running, cycling, swimming, or strength training, Garmin Connect has a feature to help you keep tabs on your progress.

What makes Garmin Connect stand out is its in-depth analytics. You can track things like VO2 max, heart rate zones, and even your stress levels. Plus, it syncs with other apps like MyFitnessPal and Strava, making it a great all-in-one solution for amateur athletes.

Best For: Athletes who already use a Garmin device and want an app that can track all aspects of their fitness journey.

9. JEFIT: The Gym Enthusiast’s Planner

If you’re the type of athlete who loves spending time in the gym and tracking every single rep and set, JEFIT is the app for you. It’s essentially a digital workout log that allows you to track your strength training sessions in detail.

You can create custom workout plans or choose from the app’s library of routines. JEFIT tracks your progress over time, showing you how much stronger you’re getting with each workout. It’s a great tool for anyone serious about strength training.

Best For: Strength athletes who want a detailed workout log and progress tracker.

Conclusion: Find the App That Works for You

At the end of the day, the best app to track your progress as an amateur athlete comes down to your personal preferences and your sport of choice. Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, weightlifter, or just someone trying to stay in shape, there’s an app out there that can help you stay on top of your game.

The key is to find one that fits seamlessly into your routine—something that’s easy to use but still gives you the data you need to improve. So go ahead, download a few of these apps, and start tracking your progress. And remember, what gets measured gets improved!