Two Cents: Nike Training Club
If you ask me to do anything other than run, you’ll usually get this: a not so happy camper.
But today, ladies and gentleman, I present to you my two cents on what may be the best exercise tool since the treadmill. Whoa…bold claim? Indeed, but one I’m happy to back. Here’s my two cent review on the new Nike Training Club iPhone app.
Full disclosure: while I am a Nike ambassador, they did NOT ask me to review the app. Instead, it was something that I happened to stumble upon and fall madly in love with. So here goes…
Unfortunately, I don’t have $200+ a month lying around to pay for a personal trainer. As much as I’d like one, I think that the free Nike Training Club app (yes, FREE) is the next best thing. Their site describes the app as follows:
“Nike Training Club is a full-body training app designed for you to make yourself whatever you want to be…Inspired by world-class athletes and developed by a Nike professional trainer, each one of the 90+ drills builds on the fundamentals of strength, cardio, interval and core training.”
Not only is the user interface clear and beautiful to look at, without reading any instructions it was easy to figure out how the app works:
Step 1: Drag Yourself Out of Bed
Awesome. We’re off to a great start.
Step 2: Choose a Goal
This ranges from “Get Lean,” “Get Toned,” “Get Strong,” or “Get Focused.” All of the different workouts have a handy description do you know just what you are getting into. “Get Lean” focuses on high interval cardio drills while “Get Focused” is comprised of a variety of 15 minute workouts to target specific areas.
Step 3: Choose a Level
Within each workout you can choose beginner, intermediate or advanced. This wimpy, no-upperbody-strength-gal will stick with beginner for upper body, thank you very much.
Step 4: Choose a Workout
With workouts ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, you can squeeze in a quick workout or get your butt kicked.
Step 5: Get Your Sweat On
I think we know what happens next…
Ok, so this all sounds fine and dandy, but it’s the extra bells and whistles that really make me never want to workout without the app again. Throughout your workout, the app has an interface that features a clock counting down to the end of the workout in its entirety, a clock counting down until the end of that drill, a photo of the exact drill that you are on, and options to read instructions or what a video tutorial on how to do the exercise. You’ll also want to make sure that you are wearing your headphones while using this app as you can choose your own playlist to accompany the workout (no more cheesy workout DVD music) and there is a women who talks you through the routine, updates you on your time and gives helpful tips throughout the workout. You know what this all equates to? PRACTICALLY A FREE PERSONAL TRAINER!
Once you’ve had your butt kicked, you can track your progress, earn badges and sync them to the Nike Women’s site for additional rewards. I consider it digital bling-blang!
Two Cent Takeaway: In earlier posts, I’ve confessed my love of workout DVDs and my desire for a personal trainer. However, this handy app is everything that a runaholic who knows she should be cross training could ever dream of. No more cheesy DVD instructors, no more awful music, and finally the helpful motivation to ensure that I get my strength training sweat on. The workouts are envigorating, challenging and definitely easy to mix into marathon training (which I will be doing). Cherry on top? It’s absolutely free…need I say more?
Two Cent Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (and that’s the first 5 I’ve ever given)!
Happy Running!
———
Day 49: Woops, overslept
Day 50: Three mile repeats at 10k pace plus NTC ab ripper!
I actually did my second Nike training workout last night and it had me sweating less than 10 minutes in! I love that there are different lengths of workouts and that it uses equipment most people have at home already. I also like that you can listen to your own music while doing the exercises and that there are videos explaining how to do each move.
Can you tell I really like the app?!
Hahah, we’re suckers!
I don’t have the iphone! Can i get it on my ipod touch?
Hey Keri,
I use it on my iPod Touch and it works great. Plus no one call call you mid frogger
Hahaha! It would be a shame if someone called mid frogger!!!
Yup, iPod touch too!
first of all, top photo, fantastic
this actually makes me want to try this app! how awesome!
Hahah, thank you. I was afraid everyone was looking at me like, “Why is she taking photos in the gym?!”
A free app? I am all over that!
They had me at free
Trying immediately. This looks amazzzing.
Wow, this looks like an awesome app! I think I’ll download it right now!
I’ve been wanting to start weight training as well, and I always hate to just go to the gym and try to figure out what to do. I usually just skip it. It’s much more fun to go for a run or a swim or a bike ride…
It seriously makes the time fly. I think you’ll love it, esp. bc you can do it at home with George.
wow, that actually sounds pretty good! Next time I’m in the gym I might have to try it out!
This looks really often, i just started lifting again, and by just started i mean yesterday and felt kind of clueless. I’m definitely going to check this out!
This looks amazing! I need an iphone or droid, my blackberry could never do amazing things like this!
Yes, join the other side
Jinx! I was totally downloading this app when I decided to check my blog reader and saw your post!!
Can’t wait to try it!
Sweet! LMK what you think of it
I am going to find this amazing app on my ipod touch! thank you paige!!
*page…. why do i always spell your name wrong? FAIL!
No worries AT ALL! I’m used to it
Nope, still not convinced. bahaha, I’m so lazy. Nothing will get me in the weight room and out of my running shoes… so imbalanced.
but MAYBE, one day, when I own an iphone, I’ll give this a go.
Hahaha, that’s what I thought to until I tried this. Do it. Do it. Do it.
I used this app a few days ago and my abs still hurt! I love it….I need someone telling me what to do when it comes to weights, but I’m too cheap for a personal trainer! Thanks for letting me in the on secret!
I cannot believe this app was FREE. I usually quit any routine I come up with, because I get so bored. Especially running. I can’t go out by myself. I have to have my roommate there so I can complain about how miserable I am. Can you tell I don’t like running that much?? But THIS—this is a dream come true. It’s the ADD exercisers dream, AND it’s kicking my ass!
Hey, Have you been keeping you with NTC? I just started it a couple days ago and I was going to try to track my results on my blog definingkay.blogspot.com. Im interested to see if anyone got good results using the program. Hopefully its effective.
AMAZING!!! I’m a cross country runner and I LOVE IT! it makes me stronger, improves my physique, and prevents injury