The NHS app helps people boost their physical and mental health (stock photo) (Image: Getty)
People looking to lose weight or boost their fitness could reach their goals sooner with a free NHS app. This ‘lesser-known’ app motivates users to exercise more frequently, requiring no fitness equipment whatsoever. All you need to get started is a pair of comfortable shoes and a phone.
Available on the App Store and Google Play, the NHS Active 10 app helps people boost their mental and physical health by promoting brisk walking. It’s built on the principle that a brisk 10-minute walk daily, otherwise known as your ‘active 10’, is associated with multiple health benefits.
As the NHS explains: “Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get more active or improve your mood, Better Health and Active 10 will be here to support you reach your health goals.”
The app description explains: “We all know how important it is to be active. The good news is you don’t have to go to the gym or start expensive fitness programmes, walking briskly counts too!
“Just ten minutes of brisk walking every day can get your heart pumping and can make you feel more energetic, as well as lowering your risk of serious illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Going for a brisk walk is a great way to clear your head and improve your mood.
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“Active 10’s are simple to fit into your day, from taking the dog out to going for a lunchtime walk there are lots of opportunities to include brisk walking into your daily routine.”
The app includes several features, tracking steps and the number of brisk minutes walked, with rewards for each brisk minute. There’s also a pace checker that helps people check whether they’re walking at a brisk pace, and an option to set goals to track progress.
Users can view up to twelve months of walking activity, and there are tips on achieving a healthier lifestyle. It’s available free of charge from the NHS alongside the NHS Couch to 5K app, which tends to be better known than its walking counterpart.
Both walking and running can help improve health, and for some people, using a mix of both apps could be helpful. However, the walking app could be ideal for people looking for low-impact exercise they can easily incorporate into their everyday routine.
The free app is popular with reviewers. The NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker has an average rating of 4.7 out of five on the App Store, with over 50k ratings. It also has an average rating of 4.5 out of five stars on Google Play, with over 10k reviews, reports the Mirror.
One response said: “An excellent and easy to use app for motivating us non-runners. A (virtual) gold cup is awarded for every brisk 10 minute walk you achieve.
“So it’s nice to set a target and try to beat previous ones (with no pressure). Some days I manage only 10 minutes and other days up to 80 minutes or more. It’s great to keep active and feel healthier. Highly recommended.”
Another fan of the app wrote: “Very good app for people looking to start a regular walking routine, using building blocks of 10 minutes of brisk walking. Rewards system built in for motivation.
“Easy to use, doesn’t require data outdoors or personal info. For experienced/ regular walkers it’s a good way of checking if you are actually walking briskly. I’m now using it alongside Pacer which tracks speed, distance etc. to help keep me motivated.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
