How to Make Your Own Workout Routine on an iPhone

Your iPhone can help with your workouts.
Image Credit: Eva Blanco/iStock/GettyImages

If you can't or won't join a gym, your iPhone can double as a personal trainer. One of the best things about the iPhone is that whatever you want to do, there's probably an app for it.

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Depending on your knowledge of fitness, you could go with an app that lets you build your own workout or one that allows you to combine pre-designed exercises. You can also find a "create your own workout" app on android phones as well.

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Read more: How to Use LIVESTRONG.com's Free MyPlate Calorie Counter for iPhone and iPad

Workout Planner App

Before designing a routine, choose a workout planner app to help you set it and organize it. The iPhone offers a number of free apps as well as paid apps. More expensive apps offer more interactive capabilities and might come with pre-designed workouts, videos or calorie counters.

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If you're using a "create your own" workout plan app, make sure the app allows you to create a workout routine using exercises from the database or prompting you to enter additional activities. You can even arrange the exercises into different routines, depending on whether you want to focus on cardio training or weight resistance.

According to a January 2016 article published by the American Journal of Medicine, apps help people achieve their fitness goals by monitoring activity and sending reminders for scheduled workouts. Individuals might also find additional motivation through apps, engaging in friendly fitness competition with other app users.

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Read more: Fitness Apps to Fuel Your Competitive Side

Get Specific With Your Workouts

If you're training for a particular goal, such as running a marathon or toning your muscles, it makes more sense to get an app that will help you with that goal, rather than using a general fitness app. With a workout trainer app, you might also be able to add music or use a video to help guide you through the routine you just designed.

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To keep things simpler, use the iPhone's calendar to set up a workout routine. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, healthy adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week to maintain a healthy weight. In addition, whole-body strength training should be performed at least two times per week.

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Prioritize Your Goals

Decide how long you can dedicate to each workout and make sure that it fits in with your goals. For example, if your goal is to increase muscle size, weight training workouts should be a priority.

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If your goal is general health and fitness, you might be OK with just 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Enter the days you choose into the calendar and set up the reminder feature so you know what you're supposed to do on that day.

After you've designed the workout, use other iPhone apps to help you work out more effectively. For example, use a calorie counter or food diary app to help you track your diet. According to the Mayo Clinic, 3,500 calories make up 1 pound of fat. Using a food tracking app can help you create a caloric deficit. Some apps will even give you suggestions on what to eat based on your exercise level.

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