Do you hate paying gym fees? Are you sick and tired of all that awkward workout equipment? Okay, okay. That was a pretty good impression of an infomercial, right? In all seriousness, I've been messing around with a new fitness app called "Yes, Drill Sergeant!" that's available as a free download on the Apple App Store, and it may be worth a look for anyone that's looking to spice up their workout routine.
Yes, Drill Segeant! combines humor, fitness and progress tracking to create a one-of-a-kind experience. The app uses a cartoony, military-esque style to encourage the user to keep moving and complete their mission or workout. Upon first boot, the user will be asked to either "enlist" as a regular user or use the app as a guest. Be warned that if you do select the guest option, your progress will not be tracked. The good news is that enlisting as a regular user isn't a hassle because the app allows users to sign in using a Facebook account or a regular username and password. I was happy to see that option along with several other customizations within the app.
After setting up your profile, the app introduces you to a handful of military officers and trainers who will act as guides during your workout, feeding you encouragement and barking orders to move you along your "mission." The app includes one free character, Sergeant McTesty, along with three other trainers that are available as in-app purchases. Each trainer offers a different routine and workout, and for users that really enjoy the app, these characters only cost a few dollars for the entire lot. The app also promises to introduce more sergeants and missions in the future, both free and paid, which should go a long way in keeping workouts both fresh and engaging. I look forward to seeing the new content as its released.
For the sake of the review, I stuck with the free Sergeant McTesty character. I was given the option to choose between basic or advanced workouts, with the hardest ones opening up after I reached a certain progress rank. My workouts included exercises that were similar to the ones that I ran in high school. I was very happy that the app allowed me to play my own music within the app. While my tunes were interrupted every so often by a new order or drill, it kept the routine fresh. Overall, the app provided a fresh take on what might otherwise have been just another boring run. It reminded me to stop and do a couple of pushups or kickbacks every once and a while and made for a more well-rounded workout.
In terms of presentation, Yes, Drill Sergeant! is very polished. I was really happy to see a cartoon-style approach implemented within a fitness app. While the characters will encourage you to push yourself, the slight humor also reminds you to have a good time, which is just as important. The application runs smoothly and both the audio and visual presentation is perfect.
The Wrap-up
The Good: A perfect blend of humor and encouragement to push users during their workouts, Yes, Drill Sergeant! is worth checking out when looking for a new fitness app. The presentation is great and the characters are interesting, offering new workout routines to different users.
The Bad: It was somewhat disappointing to learn that additional trainers cost money, but I understand that the developer needs to make money.
The Verdict: Yes, Drill Sergeant! by CodeKiwi is a fun and innovative way to change up your boring workout routine. I highly recommend trying the app, if only just for some chuckles. It might seem silly to listen to a cartoon character bark orders in your ear, but it will definitely add a new twist to your workout. With plenty of different workout styles and challenges to choose from, Yes, Drill Sergeant! should keep you moving for quite some time. Be sure to download the quirky yet effective fitness app from the Apple App Store and let us know what you think!
NOTE: This app review is provided as part of PhoneDog's sponsored app review program. More information can be found at http://www.phonedogmedia.com
