As I look deep into my crystal ball, I see, in the next 5 years, the explosion of smartphone devices, and many more iPod fitness applications. You will soon notice that most people will not only have a phone, but a phone, plus, a computer capable of browsing the Internet, taking pictures, shooting video, and just about anything else you can imagine. Welcome to the smartphone generation! If you are not carrying a smartphone now, you surely will be in the near future.

That leads me to smartphone applications. We have just seen the beginning. Therefore, at the time of publishing this post, I am going to list my top 8 favorite iPod fitness apps.

1. iFitness - This fitness iPhone application has over 100 illustrated exercises with added text descriptions. You can create your own favorite workout, and save it. To make it easier on the user, exercises are grouped together by the muscles they target.

2. Ultra Pedometer - iTreadmill - Keeps you on pace just as a treadmill would. They have a feature called  “dial-a-pace.” According to reports, it is very accurate.

 3. Tap & Track - This fitness nutrition app has a built in USDA database of 7000 food items to assist you in making intelligent decisions. The iPod application has four different weight loss diet plans, and can calculate your BMR (basal metabolic rate).

4. Calorie Tracker by Livestrong - This nutrition tracking tool has a database of a whopping 525,000 foods that provides accurate nutrition information. This app allows you to track how many calories you really consume, burn, and your daily net caloric intake. Calorie Tracker is the companion piece for The Daily Plate service.

5. Nutrition Menu- You have access to the nutrition information for over 79,000 food items. You also have the opportunity to track your personal diet from meal to meal. The iPhone application has nutrition data from 38,000+ restaurant menu items.

6. Hundred Pushups - This application works in coordination with the site http://www.hundredpushups.com. It will coach you into working up to 100 push-ups in 6 weeks.

 7. Yoga Stretch - This app provides you with a personal yoga instructor that walks you through yoga lessons. Audio, images, and music are provided.

8. Men’s Health Workouts - You have access to 125 exercises, and 18 overall workouts to choose from.

There you have it! The top 8 iPhone fitness applications, and other smartphone devices allow you to have your virtual personal trainer with you at all times. You will be seeing a lot more on this in the near future. Jump aboard! Just remember, within 10 years practically everyone will not only have a cell phone, but a powerful computer attacked to it.