Activity trackers. Calorie counters. Phones with heart monitors.

 

Technology companies are clearly fascinated with fitness and health these days.

 

As technology starts pushing us to be healthier and fitter, some apps are even trying to replace the personal trainer or the gym entirely.

 

The idea is pretty simple: While personal trainers can create a safe and effective workout, they can be expensive and sometimes inconvenient. A fitness app, though, can travel where you are and is relatively inexpensive — and sometimes even free.

 

So I spent the month of January on a personal fitness challenge, seeing what provided a better workout: a real personal trainer or a personal training app. And while the trainer pushed me hard and motivated me to keep my expensive appointments, I found that the app was best suited to my lifestyle and might have the most long-term potential.