I jokingly say that I don’t need to be active because I frequently practice an Olympic sport – chess. Joking aside, the simple truth of the matter is that I need to get off my behind and adopt a healthier lifestyle, one that involves getting up from my desk chair or my couch.

Health & fitness apps for Android are a dime a dozen. That’s why I put together a list of the 5 most useful apps for getting in shape. These are apps from big-name companies, apps that have proven they’re a worthy addition to your collection of apps.

1. S Health – Samsung’s all-in-one companion for a healthy lifestyle

With S Health, Samsung aims help you adopt a healthier lifestyle and stay fit. You can use this Android app to track your activities, to set goals, and to see how close you are to achieving said goals. The app is just as suited for first-time users as it is for avid runners.

S Health’s Main Features

• Track everything – keep track of how many steps you took, monitor your heart rate, log how much food you ate and how much water you drank. By using built-in sensors and manual input, S Health can track lots of fitness and health-related information.
• Goals and Programs – set a fitness goal and track your progress towards achieving that goal. Programs will help you reach your fitness milestones and go beyond your limits.
• Data visualization – intuitive charts will help you easily understand all the data the app collected, keep track of your goals, and see your progress.

Samsung introduced S Health when it rolled out the Galaxy S4 smartphone and for a long time, the S Health app was available only to a handful of Galaxy smartphones. This is no longer the case. Samsung recently updated the app and included support for all Samsung smartphones since the Galaxy S3 and for non-Samsung Android devices. You don’t have to have an Android-powered Galaxy to use Samsung’s S Health, the app works with non-Samsung devices now!

Get the S Health app for Android from Google Play here.
Please note that the S Health app works with Android 4.4 or newer.




2. Google Fit – Make a healthy change in your life

Google wants you to make healthy life choices, meaning it encourages you to be more active. That’s the reason why the search giant released Google Fit, an Android fitness app that you can use to track your activities, to set and reach fitness goals, and to easily visualize all your fitness data.

Google Fit’s Main Features

• Activity tracking – the app uses sensors built into your Android smartphone to track your walking, running, and cycling.
• Set and track goals – you can set goals based on things like distance, steps, or burned calories. Once you’ve set a goal, the app will let you track you progress and will give you performance-based recommendations.
• Widget and watch face – by putting the Google Fit widget on your Android’s screen, you can easily see how close you are to reaching your daily goal. And by using the Google Fit watch face for Android Wear, you can also see how close you are to reaching your daily goal. Google Fit is compatible with all Android Wear devices.

Get the Google Fit app from Google Play here.
You can manage your fitness data from the Google Fit webpage which just got a big material design update and looks better than ever.




3. Microsoft Health – Actionable insights for healthier living

The Microsoft Health app gathers information from the fitness devices and apps that you use daily, and based on the information it gathers, it delivers “actionable insights for healthier living.” Ideally, you’d want to use the Microsoft Health app with a Microsoft Band. You’ll be able to track your heart rate, burned calories, and sleep quality.

If you don’t have a Microsoft Band, you can use your Android smartphone, but you won’t be able to track that much. Your Android’s built-in sensors will help you track burned calories and daily steps.

Get the Microsoft Health app from Google Play.
The Microsoft Health app is also available for iOS and Windows Phone.




4. RunKeeper – Track your runs and more

Some 45 million people from all over the world use the RunKeeper app to track their walks and runs, to reach and crush training goals, to chart how much weight they lost, and to improve their fitness and their health. This app can be used by people who just want to get off the couch and it can also be used by hardcore fitness enthusiasts.

RunKeeper uses your Android’s GPS to measure distances, to calculate running pace, cycling speed, and route distance. It can notify you about these while you work out; you’ll get audio updates about your total mileage, speed and pace, or calorie count. And speaking about audio, it’s worth noting that RunKeeper integrates with your music app so you can listen to music while you’re walking, running, or cycling.

RunKeeper’s Main Features

• GPS tracking – use your phone’s built-in GPS to track workout distance, pace, and speed.
• Goal Coach – pick the goal that is right for you: lose weight, get fit, learn to run, run a race, or challenge yourself. Once you pick a goal, you can chart your progress. Once you reach your goal, you can share your success with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks.
• Personalized routines – people with busy schedules are sure to love the fact that personalized routines adapt to their busy schedules.
• Audio coaching and audio updates – you can follow an existing training program or you can create your own with audio coaching. While you’re working out, you can get audio updates about your calorie count, pace, speed, and mileage.
• Listen to music – RunKeeper integrates with your music app so you can listen to music while you work out.
• Keep workouts connected – RunKeeper integrates with lots of popular fitness apps and devices, including the MyFitnessPal calorie tracking app and Fitbit, Pebble or Android Wear devices.

Get the RunKeeper app for Android from Google Play and the RunKeeper app for iOS from Apple’s App Store.




5. Zombies, Run! – An epic adventure and the run of your life

The story behind this ultra-immersive running game goes something like this: an epidemic has turned all but a few survivors into zombies. You’re a runner and you’re headed to one of humanity's last remaining outposts. It’s up to you to use your running and help gather supplies, rescue survivors, and defend the outpost. You’ll get to experience an award-winning zombie adventure story co-created with award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman.

Zombies, Run! Main Features

• Walk, jog, run – the title may have you think that you have to run all the time. That’s not the case! You can walk, you can jog, and you can run. The game is fun at every speed!
• Zombie chases – every time you go out on a mission, the zombies will try to catch you. Keep in mind that if you’re chased by zombies, you’ll have to speed up. While you’re out on a mission, you must collect supplies to rebuild your town.
• 200+ missions – there are so many missions that you’ll never run out of motivation. On top of that, you can create your own missions (available if you upgrade to the paid Pro version).
• Audio experience – you’ll hear the zombies in your headphones, you’ll hear your mission in your headphones, and you’ll hear your music through your headphones.

Learn more about Zombies, Run! on its official website.
Get Zombies, Run! for Android from Google Play. The app is also available for iOS and Windows Phone.