icon-account icon-glass

Join the community!

We'll keep you up to date with interesting news, product information and offers so you never miss out.

No boring newsletters and we'll never share your address. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Popular Searches

Popular Products

The Lean Protein
Whey protein powder for weight-loss.
The Energy Booster
Pre/intra-workout powder with BCAAs.
The Glow Booster
Collagen supplement for skin.

CATEGORIES

The 8 Best Fitness Apps To Maximise Your Workouts

18th November 2020

Fitness Health

18th November 2020

By Shivraj Bassi

Left, right, left, right - swiping through Instagram, Hinge and BBC News is basically an Olympic sport at this point. Sadly, you can’t achieve your fitness goals through thumb movements alone. Innermost have tracked down the best apps for fitness and health that will keep you on track to smash all of your workout goals and leave you feeling healthy, happy and on the best path for you. 

Couch to 5k NHS

Ok, so this might not be the sexiest-sounding app out there. However, if you’re new to fitness or have previously concentrated on sports other than running (weightlifters, we’re looking at you) it’s a free, simple, well designed and effective place to start. 

Pick the voice of your trainer and they’ll talk you through a series of runs and walks designed to gradually build up your stamina. The app will automatically dip your music  to tell you what’s coming up next. By the end of week nine, you’ll be running for 30 minutes without stopping. Look at you go! 

Free on iOS and Android

Nike Training Club

If you’re time short but desperate for abs that could shred cheese, the Nike Training Club is a great choice for short, sharp workouts which need little-to-no equipment. You can choose to target certain body areas and switch up the difficulty level depending how much you’re looking to challenge yourself. 185 free workout videos make this one of the best fitness apps around. 

Free on iOS and Android

Down Dog

The name of this fitness app might scream yoga, but Down Dog offers a wide variety of workouts. What makes it stand out is how it lets you customise what you want to work on. You can choose the type of workout, what to focus on, the difficulty level, the music and the pace, and the app will create a workout tailored exactly to you. 

The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the endless customization will keep you coming back for more. There’s a free version of this fitness app, but the paid for version has more options to choose from.

Free, with the paid version costing £7.99 per month for iOS and Android

Body by Blogilates

The popular Cassey Ho rose to fame with her Blogilates videos on YouTube, which focus on an accessible yet effective form of at-home pilates. This app is a must for fans of Blogilates or those who want a reliable and exceptionally cheerful instructor to guide them through workouts. 

One of the best fitness apps, it makes the list thanks to the access it gives to all of Cassey’s videos, a monthly workout calendar and an online forum, plus inbuilt challenges to keep you motivated. 

Free with optional in-app purchases on iOS and Android.

Strava: Ride and Run

For anyone who has moved beyond a casual lunch break run or cycling to work instead of getting the tube, Strava is a must-download. The app tracks distance, elevation, speed, heart rate, calories burned and more, which it then synthesises into easy-to-comprehend graphics. No other app is as easy to use or as comprehensive, and it’s useful for keeping all of your fitness data in one place. 

Free with optional in-app purchases on iOS and Android.

Aaptiv

This fitness app is an audio-based model. With thousands of available workouts covering outdoor running, gym sessions, marathon training and yoga, among many others, all you need to do is pick your poison, plug in your headphones and get training. 

You can filter by trainer, duration and difficulty level, and every workout is accompanied by a curated playlist. 

Free with optional in-app purchases on iOS and Android.

MyFitnessPal

You’ll definitely have heard of MyFitnessPal, and for good reason - it’s one of the best fitness tracking apps out there, and it’s been going strong for 13 years. If you’re looking to monitor what you’re putting into your body, warts and all, it’s a solid choice. 

The database contains the calories and nutrients of more than six million foods, from homemade protein bars to packaged snacks and takeaway coffees. You can set diet goals and track your macros, and the community feature allows you to connect with other users. 

Free with optional in-app purchases on iOS and Android.

Calm

You can’t smash your weightlifting goals in the morning if you don’t sleep well the night before. Health encompasses more than just workouts, making Calm one of the best fitness apps on the market. It has guided meditations, music and courses that promote a sense of calm and relaxation. 

Famous for their bedtime stories which are designed to get you to snooze off quickly, you can choose from a number of celebs to guide you into slumber, including Harry Styles, Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley.

Free with optional in-app purchases on iOS and Android.

< Older post Newer post >

Product Spotlight

The front of The Fit Protein packaging.

The Fit Protein
With 31g of protein and only 144 calories per serving. Formulated to boost energy, and accelerate muscle repair and recovery.
New Vegan Formula

Need Expert Advice?

Take the quiz

Take the quiz

If you're not sure where to start, take our 5 minute health consultation to get product recommendations tailored to your goals.
Read more

Other Insights

Whey Protein 101: Everything You Need to Know

Whey Protein 101: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re at all interested in health, fitness or nutrition, you’ve probably heard about whey protein. It’s one of the most commonly used sources of protein for supplements and it can offer a wide range of benefits to users.  But let’s hit the brakes a second – what exactly is whey protein? And what are these supposed benefits? Let’s break it down.  What is whey protein? Whey protein is a high-quality protein source which comes from whey (no prizes for guessing that) – otherwise known as the watery stuff which separates from the curds when making cheese. Once separated, the whey is processed to remove lactose and other components we don’t need, leaving behind a concentrated whey protein which is then dried into a powder form. Sounds a bit strange, granted, but it’s a real powerhouse. Whey protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids (the ones our bodies can’t make on their own). It’s also quickly absorbed by the body, making it a great choice for a post-workout refuel. Benefits of whey protein With comparisons out the way, what are the benefits of adding whey protein into your workout plan? 1. High nutritional value Whey protein is widely considered the best form of protein supplement because of its superior nutritional profile. Not just a complete protein, whey typically contains more protein per serving and is absorbed by your gut much faster than other types of protein. In short, you get more of the good stuff and you get it faster, too. Win-win. 2. Supports muscle growth and repair Whey protein’s high protein content and broad suite of amino acids makes it perfect for both muscle repair and those looking for gains. Whey contains a high concentration of the BCAA leucine, which is the primary amino acid involved in muscle growth. This makes it a great accompaniment to your workout routine. Regular intake of whey protein has also been shown to help reduce inflammation throughout the body, which is a huge plus for recovery and general wellbeing. 3. Supports weight management and satiety Whey isn’t just a great supplement for muscle growth, it can also be hugely beneficial for those trying to manage their weight. Whey protein has been shown to significantly reduce feelings of hunger, which can make it much easier to stay on track with a healthy diet. For example, Innermost’s The Strong Protein contains just 147 calories for a 40g serving, making it an effective, delicious and convenient solution to keep on deck.  4. Convenient and versatile Speaking of convenience, it doesn’t really get more convenient than whey protein. You can throw together a delicious, nutritious shake in seconds whether you’ve got your favourite milk on hand or just water. Or, if you’re feeling creative, head to the kitchen and bake with it (protein pancakes – yum), or mix it into oats, yoghurts and smoothies for some serious treats that taste and feel good. Whether you’ve got time to cook up a storm or you’ve only got 30 seconds before you need to be out the door, whey protein makes nutrition easy. How can whey protein support your fitness goals?  Whey protein is a great supplement for a range of fitness goals. Let’s take a look at how. If you’re trying to build muscle… Whey alone won’t do the job – you’ve gotta put the work in. When you’re done sweating up a storm, take your whey right after your workout (as soon as possible but definitely within 60 minutes for maximum impact).  Whey helps to repair muscles which are damaged during exercise as well as promoting growth to make you stronger for next time. You know what they say, no pain, no gain… If you want to push your workouts even further with whey on hand to repair the damage, try pairing your protein shake with The Power Booster for an extra hit of power, strength and speed. If you’re focused on fat loss… Swap out the snacks for a whey protein shake to cut down on calories and keep you fuller for longer between meals. The high protein content of whey can also help to preserve muscle mass if you’re in a calorie deficit, which is another big plus.  If you’re training for performance or endurance… When you’re looking to perform at a high level or for an extended period of time, repetition is a key part of the process. However, with repetition comes aches, pains and inevitable recovery time. Whey protein is a great recovery aid which can help to reduce muscle soreness and support your immune system while your body is undergoing physical stress. Work whey into your diet and get back on the grind in no time. How does whey compare to other proteins? When you’re shopping around for the best protein, there are a lot of factors to consider. Let’s take a quick look at how whey protein stacks up against the competition. Whey vs casein protein Both whey and casein are derived from milk, with casein making up around 80% of the total protein content of milk. The question here is: why isn’t casein seen as much on the shelves?  There are a few reasons, one of the main ones being casein is absorbed by the body at a much slower rate. The amino acids in whey protein stay in your bloodstream for around 90 minutes until they’re absorbed, whereas casein amino acids can stay in your system for as long as five hours. If you’re looking for a quick hit, especially after a workout, whey is the way to go.  The branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) profile of whey is also superior to casein, meaning it can be more effective at building muscle.  Whey vs soy protein Soy offers a good alternative option for many as it’s a plant-based source of protein which also contains all nine essential amino acids. While studies have shown little difference in muscle growth and strength development between soy and whey protein, there are other downsides to soy protein which whey doesn’t have. Soy protein contains considerably less leucine and lysine than whey (the amino acids responsible for muscle growth and repair, blood sugar regulation and the production of hormones and energy), which can be a big turn off for many.  As such, whey is widely considered a higher-quality protein source than soy, but soy protein typically comes with a smaller price tag, making it an appealing choice for many. Whey vs pea & rice protein Two other popular sources of protein are pea and rice protein. These are often used together, like in The Fit Protein or The Health Protein, to offer a balanced and well-rounded vegan protein option. Both rice and pea protein contain all nine essential amino acids, albeit in a slightly lower density than whey. To put it plainly, whey retains its crown as the most complete protein source, but for those who can’t or don’t want to have whey, pea and rice protein offer a fantastic option.   It’s the whey to go When it comes to protein supplements, whey is widely considered to be the most complete form you can get your hands on – and for good reason.  With a high concentration of protein per serving, broad range of amino acids and huge variety of ways to enjoy it, whey is an easy way to support your fitness goals, whatever they are. If you can’t have whey, or maybe just don’t want to, check out our range of vegan supplements for some plant-based alternatives.   We’ve shown you the whey (sorry), now go forth and conquer.  References Schoenfeld, B., Aragon, A. (2018) How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution. Int Soc Sports Nutr. Click here. Zhou, L., Xu, J., Qin, L. (2015) Effect of whey supplementation on circulating C-reactive protein: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 7(2). Click here. King, N., Slater, G. (2015) The effect of a whey protein supplement dose on satiety and food intake in resistance training athletes. Appetite. Click here. Schoenfeld, B., Aragon, A. (2007) Bovine milk in human nutrition – a review.  Lipids Health Dis. Click here. Lynch, H., Buman, M. (2020) No Significant Differences in Muscle Growth and Strength Development When Consuming Soy and Whey Protein Supplements Matched for Leucine Following a 12 Week Resistance Training Program in Men and Women: A Randomized Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Click here.
Read more
The Dangers of Silica

The Dangers of Silica

Ever opened a sachet of hydration powder, only to have a puff of dust cloud waft up into your nostrils? You're not imagining it. Most electrolyte drinks on the market contain silica - a synthetic anti-caking agent added to keep powders dry, free-flowing, and easy to manufacture at scale. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes ingredients that doesn’t need to be there… unless your priority is speed and profit margins, not people. Let’s break this down. What is silica? Silica (aka silicon dioxide) is a compound found in sand, quartz, those little sachets that come with new shoes, and yes - in many processed foods and supplement powders. In this industry, it’s added to prevent clumping and help powders flow smoothly and zip through high-speed packaging machines. It’s not added for your health. It’s added for efficiency.  And here’s the thing: silica is not inherently dangerous when eaten in small quantities — it occurs naturally in some foods, after all. But when it’s inhaled, it’s a whole different story. Let’s talk about silicosis Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing in fine particles of silica.  Many of these powders are so bone-dry and ultrafine that you can’t help but inhale a bit when you open a sachet. And while regulators have deemed it “safe” for consumption, they’re not telling you what happens when you’re breathing that dust in day after day. We think it matters. Why it’s used anyway (and why we don’t). Silica makes life easier for big manufacturers. When a powder is dry and ultra-fine, it runs like a dream through industrial machinery. That means more sachets filled per minute, fewer machine stoppages, and higher production yields. In other words: cheaper, faster, more profitable. It’s what most brands do - especially the ones backed by big investors who demand a return on their money. That’s just the way it works. Innermost is proudly independent. Something we don’t talk about often enough is that we’re 100% self-owned. No outside investors. No pressure to cut corners to meet someone else’s margin goals. That means we get to put your health - not shareholder value - first. We created The Hydrate Blend to be 100% natural, functional, and free from synthetic fillers. No nasties. No shortcuts. And absolutely no silica. Yes, it might cost a little more than the cheapest stuff on the market - but it’s better for your body, and your lungs. Let’s call it what it is. Most people will never think twice about inhaling the powder that wafts up out of their electrolyte powder. But we do. Because we know the supplement industry loves to hide behind shortcuts and call it innovation. Loves to throw in cheap ingredients because they’re easier - not because they’re better. Loves to race to the bottom on cost while pretending they’re leading on health. That’s not us. That’s never been us. We’re not here to cut corners. We’re here to raise standards. And sometimes that means doing things the hard way - like formulating a hydration product without any silica in it, knowing full well it’ll be way harder to do. But your health is worth the effort.
Read more