My doctor suggested several apps for me to try for fitness routines, including Sworkit, fitness buddy, and several apps from Runtastic. I'm interested in hearing about VoiceOver accessibility with these apps, particularly Workout apps from runtastic. The video clips in the app store had no spoken feedback. So I was wondering if the apps themselves do? Any feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated!
Comments
accessibility
I downloaded six of the runtastic apps to my phone: 6-pack abs, leg trainer, butt trainer, push ups, sit ups, and squats. The trainers talk you through 3-5 exercises per workout by counting off the sets (3 sets of 12 for example). they will tell you the name of the exercise but there is no text on the screen describing how to do the exercise. There are a large number of unlabeled buttons but the buttons needed to skip the sign up process and start the workouts are labeled. At the end of the workout I can see my duration amongst a screenful of unlabeled buttons. For the push ups, sit ups, and squats apps, they use the accelerometer to count how many exercises you do, and they will also talk you through the sets (3 push ups to go). The good thing is that with these three apps, you can move at your own pace. There is text on the screen to tell you how to get the phone to measure your movements for the exercises (for the sit ups, lay the phone on your chest in landscape mode and hold it in place with your hands. for the push ups, put your face close to the phone or touch the screen with your nose). I didn't notice a duration or any other information among the unlabeled buttons at the end of the workout. The short story is, the runtastic apps are mostly inaccessible, but they do contain enough accessibility to initiate the workout and have the voice guidance count off the sets for you and help you keep your pace.
Sworkit
I use Sworkit. The exercises are not described. Most are common names i was already familiar with. Many ware new to me. Some are easy to decipher from the name, but there are lots i have no clue as to the activity. I have enlisted the aid of a friend who also uses the app and is familiar with the less descriptive monikers.
Otherwise, the app is very accessible. Most things are labeled well and it's fairly easy to get around.
one issue I had to learn was that locking the phone causes the routine to pause, and I was not able to figure out how to continue. I now start the routine, and leave the phone unlocked during my exercise.