Exercise, particularly cardio, provides stress relief and fitness for senior caregivers to maintain health. The MapMyRun app makes it easy for anyone to start running and track their progress over time by offering suggested routes using GPS and tracking distance run, time and calories burned.
Running provides a great exercise option because it allows the user to set the pace of the activity, so caregivers can start out their training regime by alternating between walking and running and then build up to more vigorous and continual running as their endurance improves. Caregivers can select a suggested running route from those built into the app with set mile lengths such as roughly 2.5 or 5 miles, or they can simply start running and the GPS function on their phone will pick up on the route as they run.
The Live Tracking option that can be enabled allows users and their friends within the app to see the progress of the run as it takes place. Once a run is complete, the app provides stats including overall distance, duration and pace. Users also have the ability to enter a run into the system after it has occurred if they were unable to use their phone to log it as they ran.
Listening to music during a workout can help motivate the runner, so the app also allows users to select a playlist to play while they run without having to switch back and forth from MapMyRun to the music app on their phone. Once users begin to log runs on a regular basis, they can look at their log of runs and see how their health and endurance have improved. The paid version of the app also includes extra features, such as a coaching function to help encourage runners and assist them in getting the most out of their workout.
MapMyRun is available for Apple and Android platforms.
Senior caregivers, let us know your feedback on this app and keep us posted if you discover additional apps that assist with caregiving duties and help relieve caregiver stress. You may also refer-a-friend to a senior caregiving job and win prizes weekly and monthly on Caregiverlist.
