Are you considering starting a new exercise regime? Or are you considering an exercise app that claims to work wonders for your fitness and help you lose weight and tone up?

You might be tempted to download an app or even a range of apps on your smartphone, tablet, or wearable fitness tracker. However, before you put all your faith into a fitness-tracking app, you need to think about what will really motivate you and get you burning those calories. Learn more about the dangers of relying on fitness apps and trackers and how to avoid these issues.

1. Your Exercise Can Quickly Become Boring

Some exercise apps are one-note, single-activity programs that draw you in with special offers or cheap rates. Others promise "easy" workouts that you can do in just a few minutes. But you'll quickly find that these dull, repetitive exercise sessions don't excite you beyond your initial interest. Once that subsides, you’ll forget you even downloaded them.

2. Apps May Not Motivate You to Exercise

People don’t form exercise habits unless they really want to. Unlike the commitment levels required to join a gym or fitness class or engage a personal trainer to oversee your efforts, apps can easily be set aside and ignored.

Unless you take care to create workout reminders and alerts on your phone—and heed them­­—you may find that you simply forget. If you are going to use an app to learn the ropes or discover new fitness routines, make sure it's one with depth and customizability.

3. Gimmicky Apps Will Not Sustain a Commitment to Exercise

Some apps boast a flashy interface and offer gimmicks like badges or tokens as a reward for completing workouts. While these tokens might be fun at first, they may not be enough to keep your interest and build an exercise habit.

However, they might provide a fun way to motivate your kids to get active. Consider making fitness a family activity, so that your kids—and their seemingly endless energy—can challenge you to keep up the habit even when you're feeling tired.

4. Apps Might Provide Inappropriate Workout Advice

fitness instructor guides a man with a prosthetic leg through weight training

The trouble with following fitness routines on an impersonal app is that we’re all unique, and the “one size fits all” approach simply doesn’t work when it comes to exercising. So, apps that don’t use any information about your fitness level and goals to personalize their recommendations may provide little value.

Further, if you simply follow what a fitness app says to do, you're missing out on a wealth of knowledge from trainers, trustworthy wellness channels on YouTube, and other professionals.

5. Fitness Apps Might Not Teach Technique Correctly

Unlike a good fitness instructor in a live class, apps may not teach exercise techniques clearly and correctly. This is especially true within apps that do not provide clear visual demonstrations. And most apps will definitely not notice that you’re performing a movement incorrectly and provide real-time feedback.

Remember to use apps for guidance, but don't ignore your body or any advice from a professional.

6. It’s Too Easy to Cheat in Your Workouts

Have you ever seen anyone wave their wrist around while lazing on the couch watching TV to fool their smartwatch into thinking they’re moving? Although wearable technology improves all the time, devices don’t always interpret movement correctly. This means that you can cheat fitness apps connected to wearables. Here are some more reasons why you shouldn’t get a fitness tracker.

7. You're Concerned About Fitness Data Privacy

Often, fitness apps ask you to disclose personal data—including your name, email, birthday, and even your photo—when signing up. You may also be asked to connect your social media accounts.

With the rise in data privacy concerns, especially regarding health data, you may be reluctant to share your personal information. Explore these types of apps to avoid if you care about privacy.

8. You Might Feel Isolated When Working Out Alone

There are real issues to consider if you’re exercising alone at home all the time. Without engaging with a real instructor or attending a class, you may feel isolated, and this could negatively affect your mental health.

You don't have to sign up for a crowded gym to connect with others on a similar fitness journey. The best fitness apps often contain a social element or allow you to invite your friends to challenges. Do a little research to find an exercise community that suits you.

Exercise in a Way That Meets Your Individual Needs

There are so many excellent exercise apps on the market that you are spoiled for choice. Therefore, you can be very careful about which apps you choose to guide your fitness journey. If an app isn’t suiting your needs for any reason, choose another one, or find a different way of working out. Whatever method you choose, you're improving your well-being by staying active.