Fitness goals are hard to achieve mainly because they’re hard to stick to, particularly post-Christmas when it can seem impossible to escape the notion that you need to lose weight.
While online programmes and mobile apps have now swamped the fitness industry, there’s something to be said for how effective they actually are, despite being a convenient way to commit to getting fit without a gym membership.
Having tried several platforms in the past in the hopes of actually achieving my own health and fitness goals, it was refreshing to find an app that offered plans I managed to stick to, and more importantly, enjoyed.
Though I always look forward to exercising outdoors in the summer months, the motivation to do so on a cold, dark winter’s evening is hard to muster up.
But with the KIC fitness app, I found myself actively looking forward to the workouts and even blocked out time each day to do them; when before, I would find excuses to dodge anything that wasn’t low-impact Pilates or yoga-based workouts.
KIC fitness app: Overview
Branded as “the feel-good fitness app”, founders Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw have been on a mission to change the relationship people have with wellness and themselves since 2015.
As the brains behind the successful business, the pair have injected their own passion and ethos into every aspect of the app – from the range of workouts available to the encouraging demeanour of the instructors who lead each one.
Kic started out as Keep it Cleaner, a recipe e-book that launched in 2015 as part of the original mission to make healthy eating easier. The app was then launched in 2018 and transformed their business into an empowering holistic wellness company that “cuts through the noise” of toxic diet culture.
The app is available to download on the App Store and via Google Play. It embodies a positive, encouraging outlook on wellness through meal planning, workout programmes and on-demand exercises, all of which are included in an affordable subscription.
Those wanting to give it a try can sign up for a free seven-day trial or subscribe with a monthly (£14.99), quarterly (£39.99), or yearly (£99.99) membership.
How I used the app
As someone who jumped on the trend of taking up Pilates in 2023, and thoroughly enjoyed it, switching to high intensity interval training or gym-style strength workouts wasn’t on my radar. While Kic has an expansive range of brilliant Pilates classes spanning five to 30 minutes – all with different focuses, I challenged myself to try something different.
I decided to put the four-week beginner program to the week in a bid to improve my stamina and strength while putting all those form-improving Pilates skills to the test.
The app is full of equipment, equipment-free, home, and gym options when it comes to the workouts, and there’s hundreds to choose from. I opted for the equipment free program which promised to perfect my form, master the basics and reach fitness goals with three workouts a week, for four weeks.
Described as “like having a PT in your pocket”, I had big expectations for it, one of which was that I wouldn’t feel encouraged enough to complete the mixture of strength and HIIT workouts. But in the very first video, Kic founder Steph and colleague Danny reassured me that I should let go of all expectations and focus on being proud of simply “showing up” to each session.
After just one workout I was taken a-back by how easy it was to follow which gave me the confidence boost I needed to branch out from my comfortable Pilates routine. And it certainly had me hooked as for the first time, I was actually looking forward to the next workout.
Each workout is led, and demonstrated by Steph and alternate between HIIT and strength. The 20 minute sessions are divided into four sets of four minutes with a 60 second rest between each set to help you power through, and kitted out with a built in timer to help you countdown your progress.
The calendar feature allows users to schedule their workouts and stay accountable, and even better, automatically adjusts the schedule if one is missed, or done at an earlier date than planned.
I found that the program, which can be found in the “feel good challenges” section of the app, is enough on its own, but was easy to supplement with warm-down routines, ab-blasts, glute sessions and even dance classes which can simply be searched for in the app. All of them are guided by an instructor so they’re easy to follow along and gain some words of encouragement as you go.
Kic app features
Workout categories offered by KIC include:
- Pilates
- Strength
- HIIT
- Yoga
- Low impact
- Bootcamp
- Treadmill
- Boxing
- Dance cardio
- Pre and postnatal
In addition, there is also a range of other features including:
- Mind – offers guided meditation, soundscapes and affirmation sessions
- Meal planning – budget-friendly, breakfast, dinner, sides, snacks and meal prep all with dietary requirement features and a recipe shopping list creator
- Trainers and experts – meet the experts and filter workouts by their names to find their specialities
- Programs – beginner running, strength, Pilates, pregnancy and fitness routines
The verdict
My three-month trial of Kic did not end in a significant difference physically, but I saw an undeniable improvement in my strength and stamina.
At the start of the four-week program I left each session feeling as mentally strong and happy as I did in the final week but towards the end, I found that I had lost the urge to give up when things felt difficult.
I have overcome a life-long battle with doing proper push-ups and have gained a wealth of knowledge about sustainable fitness, wellness from within and how to stay on track when the going gets tough.
One of my few criticisms of the app is that the dance workouts come without music and it’s hard to find the right beat to some of the routines even on a good playlist, so I feel that would really enrich the experience.
Early on in my trial I also noticed some glitches in a few videos but these were quickly resolved which made the app even easier to use.
On the whole, this app has become my go-to for keeping fit and the short workouts have become the answer to making the most of my lunch breaks during a work day, and for all those times I’ve found myself short on time but eager to burn some energy.
What I like most about Kic is that it does exactly what it says on the tin. The ethos is clear and encouraging without patronising beginners, and with so many workout styles to choose from, it’s completely debunked the common myth that lifting weights in a gym is the only way to lose weight.
