Anyone who has spent a good amount of time with me over the past 2 years knows how obsessed I have become with Nike’s free app: Nike Training Club. The first thing I will say is download it. Download it NOW, because it’s free and I want you to have it before they get wise and start charging for it.
Like I said, I have been using this app for 2 years upon the recommendation of a friend, and love how it has totally changed my workout regimen. I get bored at the gym often, and am always looking for new workouts, plans, and classes to take to get me motivated again. I have tried so many things, and can’t wait to share with you my favorites here on theStyleSafari, but NTC has been one of the things that has stuck with me over time. There are so many awesome features of this app, and I honestly become giddy with excitement when I talk about it. So imagine that enthusiasm when I walk you through it, in all it’s glory:
1. Workouts- The main feature of the app is it’s sheer amount of 30 and 45 minute total body workouts that span beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. You simply choose if you want to “Get Lean” (more cardio based), “Get Toned” (longer light-weight intervals), or “Get Strong” (increased strength exercises), and the app will bring forward an array of exercises sorted by difficulty. Each workout specifies if any equipment is needed, and most can be modified to be done without equipment which makes it the perfect workout tool for travelers and hotel-room workouts. The workouts involve HIIT tactics such as combining 30 seconds of burpees with a 1 minute plank and 1 minute of lunge walks, which works all your muscles, guarantees you will be sweating, and ensures that you are never bored. They also all finish with a 5 minute stretch to make sure you are really taking care of your body. My favorite workouts are “Slim Chance” under “Get Lean> Beginner”, “Slim Effect” under “Get Toned>Intermediate” and “Stinger” under “Get Toned>Intermediate”
2. Get focused- These are KILLER 15 minute workouts that target a specific body area, including abs, back, arms, butt and legs. There is also a 15 minute yoga and a 15 minute cardio blast. New “Get Focused” workouts are uploaded constantly and many are done with Nike women athletes, including Gaby Douglas, Maria Sharapova and Gracie Gold. My favorites are “Hollywood Ab Blast” and “Better Butt”. Oh, and if your man thinks these workouts are easy and only good for girls I suggest you challenge him with any of these and see if he makes it through :)
3. 4 week Plans- One other amazing features of this app is the custom 4-week plans it creates for you based on your Lean, Toned, or Strength goals and your fitness level. It then asks if you want to add running to supplement your workouts, and creates a 4 week 4-or-5 day workout program for you. Although I have never successfully finished all 4 weeks of the program, it is my goal to complete one this summer before my wedding.
The Nike Training Club app also connects with music apps on your phone to allow you to play custom playlists, it has videos that explain proper form while you do each move, and the trainer motivates you while you are working through each interval. You can connect with your friends and collect badges and Nike Fuel, which is the same form of measurement the Nike fuel band fitness tracker uses. I could go on and on about how much I love this app, and I have incorporated it into my weekly fitness routine to make sure I get an AMAZING total body workout, FAST, for CHEAP.
Have you used the NTC app? What do you think? I would love to hear what your favorite workouts are and if you have an idea for another workout class/program/app that I should try. I’m always looking for new innovations and fitness and would love to hear about your favorites!
