5 Apps You Should Sync to Apple Health

After a brief delay, several HealthKit-enabled apps went live last week, meaning they can connect to and share data with Apple's new Health app. Whether you're prepping for a marathon, trying to lose a few pounds, or trying to be more active, it should come as no surprise that there is indeed an app for that. And Apple would like to gather all your data via colorful graphs to show you just how well (or poorly) you are doing with your fitness goals.

But which apps connect with the Health app, and how do you connect them? First things first: your device must be running iOS 8.0.2, which arrived on Thursday after the bug-ridden release (and subsequent deletion) of iOS 8.0.1. Anyone who upgraded to iOS 8 or purchased a new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will automatically get the Health app, but it is largely useless until you update.

You can keep tabs on which apps are linked with the Health app via the "Sources" tab. Any iOS developer can tap into HealthKit, and Apple is showing off about two dozen apps via an "Apps for Health" section on App Store. But here are a few you might want to consider downloading and integrating with Health.

FitStar Personal Trainer
(Free download, in-app purchases start at $4.99)
FitStar is a personal-training app that customizes workouts for you based on feedback you provide. Forget the DVDs; FitStar evolves with you, according to the company. FitStar Basic includes two sessions per week, while FitStar Premium provides unlimited access to FitStar's workouts for $4.99 per month or $50 per year. When you sign in, NFL player Tony Gonzalez appears at a Facebook Chatheads-like bubble to help guide you through the sign-up process.
Connecting to Health: In the FitStar app, navigate to Settings > Services > Connect to Your Health Data, which will give you the option to sync data about calories and workouts.

UP by Jawbone
(Free)
"First, the UP system gets to know you—tracking your activity, diet and sleep," according to Jawbone. "Next, it shows you how to make simple adjustments that, over time, add up to an all-new you." The company can track your activity via two fitness gadgets: the $80 UP and $130 UP24. The main difference is that UP24 includes Bluetooth 4.0, which lets you sync data wirelessly rather than plugging the UP into the headphone jack of a supported smartphone. But you don't need a Jawbone gadget to use the UP app with the Health app.
Connecting to Health: As soon as you launch the app, it will ask you to "Join Up" or "Sign In." If you join up, Jawbone will ask you to Track Activity via the Health app, which can catalogue sleep analysis from your tracker, as well as steps.

MyFitnessPal
(Free)
MyFitnessPal helps you stay on top of your diet and exercise by cataloguing food intake. It's similar to the Weight Watchers app, except that it count calories rather than points - you get a certain amount of calories per day based on how much weight you want to gain, lose, or maintain. You can also sync up fitness devices like the Fitbit or Jawbone UP, as well as connected scales, for more accurate data on activity and weight. Check out PCMag's review of the iPhone app.
Connecting to Health: In the app, navigate to More > Settings > Sharing & Privacy > HealthKit Sharing. Once enabled, go into the Health app, select Sources > MyFitnessPal and choose which data the Health app can access.

Human
(Free)
We've all heard the recommendation to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. The Human app helps you reach that goal by cataloguing your activity using the phone's motion co-processor. Just put your device in your bag or pocket, and Human keeps tabs on you activity. Connecting to Health: As soon as I got my account set up, a pop up window requested access to Apple's Health app so it could provide calorie, cycling, walking, running, and workout information.

Noom Coach: Weight Loss
(Free, In-app purchases between $4.99 to $49.99)
When looking for this app in the App Store, I initially searched for "Noom Couch," but sadly this app won't help me perfect my lounging skills. Instead, Noom Coach aims to help you avoid getting overwhelmed by the weight loss process. More detailed coaching will cost you via in-app payments.
Connecting to Health: Tap the sunburst next to the word "Coach" in the top left > Settings > Connect Health Data > the "Yes, Let's Go!" button.

Other apps that connect to Health include:

• Run with Map My Run+ ($2.99 plus in-app purchases)
• Lifesum (Free with in-app purchases)
• Yummly Recipes & Grocery Shopping List (Free)
• WebMD (Free)
• MotionX 24/7 ($0.99)
• CARROT Fit ($2.99 plus in-app purchases)
• Zova (Free)
• 7 Minute Workout (Free with in-app purchases)
• HumanaVitality (Free)
• Patient IO (Free)
• Centered (Free)