If you are like most athletes, you possibly keep the records of your training in a spreadsheet, clipboard, or a daily planner. You can find different programs in the market with logging capabilities. But how do you choose the best fitness software for you?
User-friendliness
No matter how slick-sounding, technologically advanced, or powerful a program is, if it is hard to use, then you possibly won’t use it. The main reason you buy the software is because you would like to make your life better and so you wouldn’t want to spend eternity trying to find out how it works.
You can glean the program’s user-friendliness from online reviews and by studying any screenshots on the company’s site or even packaging.
Utility
While the features are equally essential, the application you buy should improve your fitness performance. It should offer real utility particularly in your attempt to achieve fitness goals. It should work well on your computer as well.
To find out the application’s utility, you should first consider the services the software should offer you and what you like. For instance, if you’ve been recording your running mileage on a note pad, you may the application that lets you track your running and one that can give a total of your mileage per month.
Before buying the application, always check out your system requirements and then ensure your system exceeds or satisfies the minimum requirements.
Performance/Stability
While bugs have been problematic since the inception of computers, good software will have a way of eliminating them. To test the stability of your fitness application, you should consider allowing a third party to test and verify. Besides, favorable reviews from trade journals, word-of-mouth recommendations, and demo programs may point to a product’s stability.
Support
The company should be able to stand behind its products and provide useful guidance when you need it. Find out if they can respond to your emails in good time. They should have phone number, email address, or contact form on their website. If the company has a weak support system, beware.
Upgradeability
As you grow as a coach, athlete, or trainer, the fitness software you buy should grow with you. Therefore, when evaluating the program, try to figure out where may be after one or two years. Does the software have advanced and compatible applications to continue supporting you even after you move up one level or two?
If your fitness routine has to yield results, you should consider obtaining fitness software.
