2016's best fitness apps to quit the gym for

Your phone can help you lead a healthier, happier life. You just need to know the right apps to download. Photo / Getty

We spend too much time staring at our phones - just ask the pedestrians we almost walk into on a daily basis. If scrolling through your phone's news feed or swiping right were Olympic sports, we'd definitely take home a medal. But in reality, the only things getting a workout are our thumbs. That's not to say your phone can't help you lead a healthier, happier life. You just need to know the right apps to download.

The health and fitness website Greatist.com tested hundreds of health and fitness apps to come up with its list of the best of 2016. The website looked at whether an app had been highly rated by users, provided something unique and was easy to use. It also looked at reliability, whether it drained a smartphone's battery and whether the app had the ability to "grow and innovate."

Below is a selection of the fitness-related apps it liked. (See the full list here.)

1. Couch to 5K

If you have wanted to try running but never known where to start, download Couch to 5K. The free eight-week programme gives users three workouts per week. (Free; iOS and Android.)

2. Zombies, Run!

Running becomes way more fun when each step gets you closer to carrying out your mission, collecting materials for your base camp and keeping humans safe from the zombie apocalypse. There's a reason this game became the highest-grossing health and fitness app on iTunes in just two weeks: Even though it's free to download, you'll start shelling out money like you do for Candy Crush. Except that this game helps you get your sweat on. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android.)

3. Fitnet

Fitnet is the workout app for people who can't carve out time to go to the gym. The app features an abundance of five- and seven-minute targeted workouts, so you don't have to sacrifice time with your friends and family to achieve your fitness goals. In addition, the app uses your phone's camera for a whole new kind of selfie - one that measures how closely you follow the moves shown on the screen. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android.)

4. Sworkit

Tell Sworkit the type of workout you're looking for (strength, cardio, yoga or stretching) and the amount of time you've got (anywhere from five minutes to an hour), and the app delivers the moves to follow during your sweat session. If you opt for premium ($4.99 per month), the app lets you get even more personalized, by setting the number of reps and the areas of the body you want to focus on. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android.)

5. Motion Traxx

Listening to music can be the perfect way to add extra oomph to your workout, but crafting the perfect playlist is tricky. That's where Motion Traxx comes in. The app combines coaching from world-class trainers with music designed to set the perfect intensity for every phase of your workout. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android.)

6. Strava Running and Cycling

If you're a serious runner or cyclist, you need one place to keep track of your most recent runs and rides, and no other app comes close to the capabilities offered by Strava. The app can track distance, speed, elevation, calories burned, heart rate, power and cadence. Then it synthesizes all of this data into easy-to-understand graphics. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android.)

7. Spotify Running

Part of the Spotify app (and let's be honest, you probably already have that on your phone), Spotify Running measures your pace and picks a song with the beats per minute to match it. It's about time your music matched your cadence instead of the other way around. (Free; iOS and Android.)

8. Yonder

Think of this as Yelp for the outdoor enthusiast. Enter your location and find dozens of suggestions for hiking, biking, kayaking and skiing, with reviews and tips from fellow outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. (Free; iOS and Android.)

9. Daily Yoga

Never be bored by yoga again: More than 50 classes shot in HD video are just a few taps away. Each sequence has a specific focus, from increasing flexibility to strengthening your core. Plus, there's a library with videos of more than 500 poses. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android.)

10. Freeletics

Looking for body-weight workouts? Freeletics has more than 900 that last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Whether you choose to work out in the kitchen, on the subway or in your office, Freeletics can deliver a great workout for your fitness level. (Free; iOS and Android.)

11. MyFitnessPal

This is not strictly a fitness app, but MyFitnessPal is the most popular health and fitness app in the world, and it's easy to see why. The app's database of more than 6 million foods, including from specific restaurants and stores, makes it easy to track what you eat. (Free with optional in-app purchases; iOS and Android.)

• From Greatist.com