Most wellness apps are geared toward younger audiences. As you get older, your dietary and fitness needs change, and it's not easy to find apps that factors in everything those 50 and up need to stay healthy. Once you do find a good fit, though, it can be greatly beneficial.
"It's always important to listen to your body—especially as you age," says Courtney Virden, a fitness trainer and pelvic floor expert. "As you get older, your balance can get worse and your connective tissue becomes thicker and more brittle, which eventually leads to pain and/or restricted range of motion. And for women, the likelihood of pelvic floor issues increase. Older adults need apps designed to improve these issues."
Experts In This Article
- Courtney Virden, fitness trainer and pelvic floor expert
Even with all the wellness apps available for younger audiences, options for older generations, like stretching apps, are on the rise, making it easier to find something that meets your needs. Take Mighty Health, for instance. The app—which is tailored to older adults—just announced that it's raised $2.8 million in funding. There are other apps that make the cut, too, and these are the best options for older adults.
The best fitness and wellness apps for older adults
1. Mighty Health
When you download Mighty Health, you get a health coach that not only keeps you motivated, but also creates a plan just for you. You'll have access to low-impact exercises that are easy on your joints, as well as heart-healthy nutrition plans. Everything is also backed by doctors and trainers, helping you reach your goals in a safe and effective way. Find it on the App Store and Google Play.
2. Flip50
The Flip50 app has one mission: helping every person fifty and older create a healthy lifestyle. The guided lifestyle program gives you weekly plans tailored to your needs, including custom weekly menus, activity plans, and stress relief/self-care tips from experts. You also get access to gyms and classes, as well as discounts on things like massages and acupuncture. Find it on the App Store and Google Play.
3. MapMyWalk
You don't need to do high-intensity workouts in order to stay in shape. Really, all you need to do is get outside and walk. MapMyWalk allows you to track your walks and progress, as well as find fun new routes to take. You'll also get motivational feedback that helps you reach the personal goals you set on the app. Find it on the App Store and Google Play.
4. Noom
Noom is a behavior change app designed by psychologists that doesn't focus on short-term goals. Instead, it focuses on life-long results. While the app is meant for all ages—helping people get fit and eat healthy through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques—it's been shown to help the older generation in a big way. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Diabetes followed 14,767 of Noom's participants and found older adults were able to safely and effectively lose weight during the program, which can help decrease their risk of diabetes and other health issues. Find it on the App Store and Google Play.
5. SilverSneakers GO
The SilverSneakers GO app is tailored to older adults at every fitness level. When you're doing a workout, you can adjust each easy-to-follow exercise based on your comfort level by tapping your intensity level of choice: easier, standard, or harder. There's also different programs you can do—including strength, walking, and meditation—in order to reach your fitness and health goals. Find it on the App Store and Google Play.
Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.
- DeLuca, Laura et al. “Relationship Between Age and Weight Loss in Noom: Quasi-Experimental Study.”JMIR diabetesvol. 5,2 e18363. 4 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2196/18363
