Fun Walking Apps for Exercise and Exploration

Staying fit is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it’s also something that’s easier said than done. Between busy schedules, work, kids and expensive gym memberships, working out can sometimes fall to the bottom of your to-do list – or fall to the wayside entirely.

When you want to get in a quick sweat sesh with limited time and resources, one of the best things to do is get outside and walk. Not only is it an effective way to stretch your legs and burn calories, it’s also a fun way to explore the world around you. By using an interactive walking app, you can take your walks up a notch by gaining important insights on your activity, set goals for yourself and even track your journey through a fantasy landscape.

Here are a few fun walking apps to fuel your fitness fire.

Fantasy Hike

Have you ever wanted to go on a quest like your favorite fantasy characters? Well, now you can! Fantasy Hike is an interactive and fun walking app that tracks your steps by narrating your journey to the fictional Mount Fire. See how many miles you’ve traversed each day, collect achievements and even compete with other fantasy characters. Every step you take is one step closer to triumph. Available on the App Store.

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GPS My City

If you’re heading abroad and still want to get your steps in, consider downloading GPS My City to your device. As a collection of thousands of self-guided walking tours from around the world, this app allows you to explore on your own without losing your way, with voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions and a step tracker to see where you’ve been. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

iNaturalist

Although it doesn’t count your steps, iNaturalist is a definite motivator for any plant lover to get outside and move. Essentially a social network for nature enthusiasts, iNaturalist lets folks learn about plants together. Log your unique findings by taking a photo, record your observations, connect with the community of over a million users and even help others identify plants they’ve logged. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Merlin ID

Less into flora and more about fauna? Try Merlin ID, an app that can identify hundreds of birds from just their song. When out and about on your walk, simply let Merlin ID listen to the birdsong and watch as it names all the birds it hears in your proximity. You’ll be a distinguished birder in no time! Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Peloton

You don’t have to have a Peloton to move with Peloton! Known for their mega-popular stationary bikes, Peloton has shifted their premium fitness content onto an app that includes not just spin classes, but also yoga, strength training, rowing and, yes, even walking. All digital classes are guided by a professional and can be taken on a treadmill or outside – there’s even a hiking class. Available on the App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore and Roku.

Zombies, Run!

Sometimes pretending you’re being chased by zombies is the only way to stay motivated, and that’s just fine. Co-created with novelist Naomi Alderman, Zombies, Run! is a fun walking app that puts you at the center of a zombie apocalypse where if you hear them, it’s time to move! Listen to your own music as the app runs, track your mileage and collect supplies with every walk or run to use against your next undead encounter. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Stride

Your steps = your territory. That’s the premise behind Stride, a walking app that allows you to essentially claim your walks as your own kingdom. The further you walk, the more territory you can claim. Compete with people in your neighborhood, city or state to see who can cover the most ground, or team up with others to climb the ranks together. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

Ready to start walking? Start with one of these highly-rated fitness trackers.

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Do you have a favorite walking app? Let us know in the comments!