I'm a person who writes everything down. Everything.
Most people think of it as an organized, responsible way of conducting yourself. For me, it's always been a necessity. I have a kick-ass long-term memory, but my short-term memory is not the greatest. I find that writing things down helps a lot to that end, but it would be nice not to have to frantically search for a pen and paper (or a digital alternative) when something important comes up on the fly.
I've always been interested in activities that are supposed to give your brain a workout, like jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and logic puzzles. As the world has become a more digital space, I have tried to find activities that provide some of that same kind of stimulation. Sure, you can do a crossword on your phone, but it's just not the same — largely because the temptation to cheat by looking stuff up online is brutal.
I realized that direct substitutes weren't going to cut it and I had to try something different. In my search, I happened upon the world of brain training apps. It turns out that people have been looking at brain training apps as tools not just for improving skills for personal benefit but for scholastic and professional use as well. We all spend so much time on our phones that it only makes sense to take the desire to improve these skills mobile!
With that in mind, I decided to dedicate my usual mobile gaming time to trying out three of the most popular brain training apps the Google Play Store had to offer. I tried Elevate, Lumosity, and NeuroNation. I decided to try the free versions of the apps, although each offers a paid experience that's said to take your learning "to the next level."
After working my brain out with these, I found that one particular app among the three flexed my mental muscles better than the rest. Scroll through to find out which one worked the best for me.
I started off with Elevate, which I had a very brief experience with once before. I previously had it for a week before the notifications drove me nuts, and I determined it wasn't worth the hassle.
Elevate is designed to help you in five different areas: writing, listening, speaking, reading, and math.
You start out with an assessment that takes two to four minutes. It develops your baseline Elevate Proficiency Quotient (EPQ).
From there, you're given three exercises a day to help develop your skills.
Before you begin, you're asked if you'd like to do the recommended exercises or a "quick" version. If you sign up to be an Elevate Pro member, you get five exercises a day, as well as unlimited access to games, additional premium content, and pro study materials.
What I liked most about Elevate was that it really varied the activities based on what your progress was from day to day. I felt challenged at points but was never frustrated, which I think is important in retaining people with these kinds of apps. If things are too hard, chances are you'll seek out a more fitting alternative.
In just a few short days, I made some decent progress. I like that it's laid out in a way that allows you to see your progress, good or bad. I'd be interested in seeing what Elevate Pro has to offer, since it has an additional 19 games beyond what's available in the free version.
Next up was the Google Play Store's top-rated pick, Lumosity.
Lumosity challenges five core cognitive abilities: speed, memory, attention, flexibility, and problem-solving.
Like Elevate, you take a "Fit Test" that determines your starting point. It's also similar to Elevate in that you get three training exercises a day.
These exercises are developed by neuroscientists around the idea of neuroplasticity. In other words, it keeps in mind that your brain changes over time.
Lumosity's games felt more like regular games than "brain games," but they were still fun. I felt sucked in for the first two days but felt myself losing interest as the games repeated.
While you can see where you're at on the Lumosity Performance Index (LPI) at any time versus other users in your age group, tracking progress involves "Insights." Insights are only available for premium members.
The last app I tried was NeuroNation.
NeuroNation focuses on five categories: numeracy, language, reasoning, memory, and perception.
NeuroNation asks you about your goals before you begin, which is something I thought the other apps lacked. It focuses your activities based on your response and your performance on the three introductory games you're asked to play to test your starting point.
I found NeuroNation's games a little frustrating, because they each had a tutorial that felt lengthy. There also wasn't much variety, as there are only six free games on the app.
If you're willing to pony up, NeuroNation Premium is $4.33 a month, giving you access to an additional 26 games, which could make all the difference.
Overall, I felt like NeuroNation didn't offer enough in the free version to compel me to invest in the premium upgrade. I also got bored of the games pretty easily. The simple interface might be better for older people interested in the app, but for me, it felt clunky.
Final Thoughts
The science behind the power of brain training apps is uncertain. There are varying statements from scientists on both sides of the argument — although it's important to note that some scientists who have commented have financial stakes in brain training apps. Some studies have found that the apps have "no discernible effect," while others say that only certain types of apps have real benefits.
Still, doing something to work out your brain is better than nothing. While I wouldn't expect miraculous results in the course of a week, dedicating a little time to sharpening up each day certainly couldn't hurt.
If I had to continue with one of these apps I tested for the long haul, I'd go with Elevate. Its free version gives you the most out of any of the apps, and in my opinion, it does the best job at straddling the line between fun and challenging. Depending on what you're looking to get out of it, you might find a different one works best for you. Either way, kudos for doing something good for your mind!
