With the heavy cold of winter already becoming a forgotten memory, it won’t be long before an Olympic summer inspires the inner athlete in us all. Whether you are already a regular exerciser, looking to get into shape or raise your game, or just fancy a new challenge, there are a number of ways your iPad or iPhone can help you. It can even be like having a personal trainer in your pocket. We’re here to show you how to get the best out of it, so that it gets the best out of you. Cue that Rocky soundtrack, and let’s get ready to get ripped.

iMapMyRun + ($1.99), Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro ($2.99), and Runmeter ($2.99) are all packed full of useful ways to maintain your data and connect to communities where you can share your achievements -a huge help in terms of motivation.

Finding where to run is important and WalkJogRun Running ($3.99) scores highly among the running community as it essentially provides a forum to find recommend paths already (heavily) trodden by runners. Add-ons include training plans created by a professional coach for all levels and distances such as 5k, 10k, half and full marathon.

More important than a local spot to thrash out the miles on a regular basis is finding the real motivator-a race you can compete in. Nothing focuses the mind on hitting your weekly goals than the looming presence of a half marathon on the horizon and nothing makes all the effort more worthwhile than the feeling of crossing a finish line in front of a crowd. And if you really want the challenge of a lifetime, check out Ultimate Running Races ($2.99) providing detailed information of over 500 races worldwide. Whether you want to race through a Brazilian jungle, across volcanoes in Nicaragua or stumbling up the steps of the Great Wall of China, this app can help you out.

One of the things you’ll find yourself saying, often when no one is even listening, is how hard it can be to motivate yourself for those seemingly endless plods along the same few routes and, after you’ve really started to become a regular path-pounder, even your music, no matter how big the playlist, will seem repetitive. So, for something a little different, check out Zombies, Run! ($6.99), an interactive, immersive game in which you are the protagonist and the more you run, the more supplies you gain while keeping those Few extra steps ahead of the zombies. While the price and concept may be off-putting to the hardcore running fraternity, for those who want to insert a little more fun into their exercise, this could be just the ticket.

Author Bio:

Guest Post by Kashif Raza. Visit ellipticalcrosstrainers.org.uk to find out elliptical cross trainers online.