When it comes to Pokemon GO, there's one unavoidable fact: Sooner or later, you're going to have to do some walking.

Yes, you can get it in the car and drive around to different Gyms to avoid using the old shoe leather express, but some exercise simply can't be avoided. For example, the game is smart enough to know when you're in a car versus traveling by foot, so driving the 10 km to hatch the Pokemon egg isn't going to work.

Then again, some additional exercise is never a bad thing, and Niantic and Nintendo should be commended for getting people off their couches and roaming around outside. Now the next step is to see how that additional physical activity is paying off for you.


Maybe a future update to Pokemon GO will incorporate a fitness tracking function. Until then we'll have to rely on what's out there, but fortunately, plenty of free apps are up to the task. Here's what to download to keep tabs on your Pokexercise.

(Sorry, couldn't resist there.)

ASICS Runkeeper—Run Tracker

iPhone & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone and Apple Watch, compatible with iPad
Released: 2009-01-14 :: Category: Game

FREE!

While it's capable of doing much more than tracking how far you walk, the free version of Runkeeper is an excellent choice for tracking how far you've walked, how many calories you've burned, and making sure you know where you are at all times. That's handy since the GPS link in Pokemon Go is a bit, shall we say, unreliable, at times. Runkeeper also has training plans in case you need to be in better shape to track down that elusive Pokemon you've had your eye on.

UP® – Smart Coach for Health

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
Released: 2014-09-28 :: Category: Game

FREE!

One of the bigger issues with free walking apps is that they often need to be synced with an actual piece of fitness tracker hardware to function. The Jawbone UP is one of those, but the app of the same name can work with just your iPhone, no additional purchase necessary. This app keeps you up to speed on your best streaks and other milestones, though it's not going to let you know once you've caught your 50th Pidgey.

Fitbit: Health & Fitness

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
Released: 2011-10-18 :: Category: Game

FREE!

What we just said about UP applies to the Fitbit app as well. Most people know the name because of the very popular line of Fitbit bands and trackers, but it's not as well known that the free app can do some basic fitness tracking on its own by utilizing data from your phone's sensors. And we're not talking about marathoning here, just walking around hunting down pocket monsters. If all you need to do is track your steps, this is an excellent choice.

Endomondo

+ Universal & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
Released: 2009-10-07 :: Category: Game

FREE!

Happily, this app tells you exactly what it does right in the title. Easily track your distance traveled, calories burned and other pertinent information with this one, perfect for the Pokemon hunter who is constantly out there incubating. Plus you can set goals and issue yourself challenges, but then you're coming perilously close to "real" fitness, no?

Map My Walk by Under Armour

iPhone & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone and Apple Watch, compatible with iPad
Released: 2011-04-29 :: Category: Game

FREE!

This is another app whose name shouldn't be hard to remember. Map My Walk is part of the Under Armour family of apps, and like all the others on this list, it utilizes your phone's GPS sensors to inform it about how much walking you're doing.

You can't really go wrong with any of these free apps, and paired with Pokemon GO, you just might find yourself amazed with how much extra exercise you're getting. Based on what we've seen and heard from the game's developers, that's definitely part of the point.

Posted in: News, Lists
Tagged With: List, Iphone, IPad, Pokemon, Fitness tracker
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