One of my all-time favorite Android apps, CardioTrainer from Worksmart Labs, just got even better. I finally installed this software update the other day, and I’m impressed. Let’s go over what the CardioTrainer app is, how it works, and how to get it.
Brief history
The CardioTrainer app launched its beta program in November 2008, the first day the Android Market went public. It offered the ability to map your location via GPS, log your workouts, and give you an idea of how many calories you’ve burned. Worksmart soon released an update to the app. They offer a premium membership that allows you to track your weight loss and a race against yourself feature.
I downloaded the app in December 2009 after the sweet purchase of my HTC Eris. Exercising in the winter in the north is not usually something you enjoy. But ironically, with the ability to track all the mileage and time spent walking, hiking or biking, it became almost a game to see how far I could go! I have been using the CardioTrainer app for the past 7 months and have experienced extreme results.
How does it work
When you start it up, it goes to a home screen and gives you the option to log your workout immediately. Once you click “Start Training”, the map screen will appear and automatically start recording your ride. Choose the dropdown arrow next to “Walk” or “Run” to change it to whatever workout you’re currently doing. You can select different options, such as whether you are going to walk outside that day, instead of walking inside on a treadmill.
Once you’re done, press the stop button labeled “End Workout.” You now have the option to save your workout or discard it. If you choose to save the workout, you keep the history on the CardiacTrainer website. It has its own personal URL that you can visit on the CardiacTrainer website, and it’s available from the Settings icon. Your route is saved and you can see a high-level view of where you’ve been. On the right side, it shows more details like time, distance, pace, and the number of calories burned.
That is all! Your workout has been saved to Facebook (if you have that option enabled) and you can review the history and see how many miles you’ve covered since you started using the app.
The History icon in the bottom menu shows you how far you’ve come, how many workouts, including time and distance.
move your robot
Another additional feature that you can install is a module called “Move Your Bot”. You compete against other friends who use the same application. The more you use it, the more energy points you will get. Whoever has the most energy points is the leader. I haven’t used this feature much as I have a limited number of friends using the app. You can also purchase a “Losing Weight” module for $2.99 that helps you track how much weight you’ve lost and gives you goals for how to lose a particular amount of weight.
Settings
There are several options available under the Settings icon.
Use miles and pounds
Unchecking this option will allow you to use the metric system to track mileage and weight.
send track automatically Unchecking this box will disable the ability to upload your saved workouts to the CardiacTrainer website.
Enable Voice Output/Voice Output Settings I have it turned off, but you can have an audio alert that tells you how much time has passed and if the workout has stopped. You can set your own interval for how often it alerts you.
music settings
I usually run Pandora in the background during my workouts, but you can enable it to play the music from your playlist automatically when you start your workout. You can also choose which playlist to use, for example, if you create a playlist specifically for working out, you can tell the app to play music from that playlist. How amazing!
show map
You can use a Google Map display below the track or turn off the Google Map image.
GPS/pedometer settings
These options allow you to set how often the GPS will be updated. I have mine set to every 10 seconds.
Show rhythm instead of speed
If you uncheck this option, the pace will show miles per hour, instead of miles per minute. The default is to have this option checked, and I have left mine as is.
use SGD
Leave this at the default as well.
Calorie Calculator Settings
Enter your current weight for more accurate calorie burned readings. As you lose weight, remember to update your new number!
Auto start and auto pause settings
You can set the time interval for how long you want it to run until your workout automatically starts. Set to Never to disable the autostart feature.
This is where you enter your Facebook information if you want your workouts to be posted on your wall. You can also add a Facebook tab titled CardioTrainer which will give you a graph of all your workouts! I love that feature, but I’m not so sure about the Wall posts. I’ve gotten some feedback from people, but mostly positive feedback. I usually don’t like to post a lot on my wall unless it’s meaningful. But on the other hand, while exercising I have the added incentive to go further or faster because I know all my friends will see how I did it.
How to get CardioTrainer
From your Android phone, go to Market, search for “CardioTrainer”, install and launch it. It is very easy and free! You get a free trial of the Lose Weight and Racing modules, but I haven’t expanded on those yet. I may go ahead and purchase those modules in the future.
Download it today, it’s a program that will change your life! You will have fun exercising, you will improve your well-being and you will compete with your friends at the same time.
CardioTrainer is owned and licensed by WorkSmart Labs, Inc. No affiliations or gifts were given to the reviewer of this app.
