Whether you’re exercising at home, or on the road, the best workout apps have become one of the most versatile fitness tools out there. I have used a lot of workout apps over the years – Sweat, Strava, Pliability – to help stay motivated and focused when it comes to staying active. But I need a fitness app to meet specific requirements, and up until a few months ago, I hadn’t found one that suited me. By combining research-based training methods and effective exercises, DIE RINGE creates training plans that successfully help you build strength and muscle. To make your search for the best home workout app easier, we’ve compiled a handy overview of the top workout apps for home training.
Do workout apps really work?
The app covers a wide spectrum of needs—low-impact and wall Pilates, strength, walking, chair and mobility sessions, plus mindset and nutrition tools—so users can progress or scale back without leaving the platform. Muscle Booster is our pick for the best workout app for beginners because it removes much of the guesswork that can make starting a fitness routine intimidating. The fact that you can train effectively at home with bodyweight or simple equipment, then transition into fuller gym routines as confidence grows, makes it ideal for someone progressing from true beginner to intermediate. There are a few mobility plans in there, but nearly all of the programs are focused on strength training, using your body weight, dumbbells, garage gym, full gym, or any other type of equipment you have access to.
It takes the planning out of exercise
If you’re able to stay on task, there is a deep social network behind this simple workout tracker. The free app will analyze basic workout stats, but for a deeper dive into statistics, the premium subscription is needed. Also, GPS apps like Strava aren’t incredibly private and can reveal a lot about your location and other information. This may be something to consider before jumping into an app like this. You can read all of our thoughts on this app in our Strava fitness app review.
- I have used a lot of workout apps over the years – Sweat, Strava, Pliability – to help stay motivated and focused when it comes to staying active.
- Yes, there are fully free apps and platforms, and many paid apps have free tiers with limited features.
- To make your search for the best home workout app easier, we’ve compiled a handy overview of the top workout apps for home training.
- While I wouldn’t expect an in-depth account, understanding why a certain style or technique is being used I think works wonders for motivation.
- I think it‘s very neat, especially if you train with a trainingmax and percentages.
- Others help you to track your activity and diet, giving you new insight to your nutrition.
Free Workout Tracker
Pairing a structured workout app with creatine and pre‑workout can make your training more effective, but only if you use them intentionally and safely. I’ve been using an app called Jefit for probably more than 10 years now, they offer some paid features that they have been improving but I’ve never had their subscription because it does everything I need without it. Although I have used their donation feature previously because I have used it so much.
Other Interactive Features
There are some pre-programmed routines, or you can create routines with some basic knowledge, but it doesn’t look like it is coaching you. I think that’s the main distinction with Peak Strength, which is asks you what is your goal, asks you what equipment you have or don’t have, and then creates a specific workout plan based on that. It’s not quite like TrainerRoad but it does adjust the plan as you go, with specific periodization and what not. BTW I’m not affiliated in any way, I’ve just been very satisfied over the past few months.
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You should know the type of training you should do to best achieve those goals. While many fitness apps have diverse options of daily workouts—HIIT, strength training, cardio, and barre—some apps may specialize in only one or two modes of training. Unlike most apps on this list, Nike Training Club doesn’t have a free and premium version; it’s just free. During the pandemic in 2020, Nike decided to make their app completely free, including specialist tips on nutrition, recovery, and weight loss, providing huge value in a free app for all people on their fitness journey. With the free version, you can log your own workouts, or let the Caliber algorithm create a custom workout program for you, based on a quick assessment while setting up the app. The app is free of ads and contains a library of over 500 exercises.
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If you are on the hunt for a free workout tracker, Hevy enables users to create routines, monitor progress with exercise charts and personal records, make exercise-specific notes, and connect with other users. Our tester, Megan Capritto (GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto’s sister) tried out ClassPass and found the setup and ease of use both quick and simple, rating both a 5 out of 5. “After setup, the user experience was very simple,” Megan says. “All the icons are listed at the bottom and they are super easy to navigate.” To search local classes, you just use the search icon, and the videos are in another section. If you’re looking for guided workouts, ClassPass can be used in two ways.
While it’s not essential to use Apple Fitness+, it can certainly come in handy for yoga, Pilates, and some strength sessions. Learn calisthenics skills step by step with structured plans that adapt to your progress. Access your training from any device and never miss a workout. If you’re looking for more nutritional support, we suggest checking out our best meal delivery services for weight loss, or trying out Noom in combination with Reverse Health. We enjoyed that Reverse Health offered inclusive imagery for all body types, so the program felt supportive, according to Paige. “My only comment is that the pictures in the beginning while registering were clearly AI generated, and it would’ve been more encouraging to see real photos,” she said.
Matt is a writer and fitness coach who’s been working in the fitness industry for 13 years. Caine is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Having competed in Olympic weightlifting for over two decades, Caine has amassed several national and international titles over the years, including being a three-time Pan American Champion. A former gym owner, he also has more madmuscles hellopeter than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness. Progress was according to my fysio plan going to take at least 1 year. So I kept to the program and noticed reps were increasing, then weight was increasing over time.
Accountability
The way their programs are structured from warm up, interval and cool down provides an even flow not provided by other fitness apps. There are different programs, depending on what you are looking for or trying to accomplish. There are guides that help with form – which I find extremely helpful.
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There are gravel-specific plans, plans for crushing a 100-mile mountain bike race, or keeping up with your crew at the local criterium. Yes, there are fully free apps and platforms, and many paid apps have free tiers with limited features. You’ll usually trade off personalization, coaching, or advanced tracking at the free level, but free options can still work well.
Accountability needs vary a lot depending on lifestyle and personality. If you struggle to stay consistent, you may want coaching, check‑ins, leaderboards, or reminders that nudge you to show up. If you’re already in a routine, simple streak tracking, calendar views, or progress charts might be enough. When choosing an app, think about whether you want human interaction, app‑based nudges only, or almost no external pressure.
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Megan Capritto, sister of GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto and our tester for FitOn, found the interface for the app very easy to use and intuitive, giving it 5 stars out of 5. There is also solid instruction for each of the trainer-led workout videos. You filter out the workouts by the equipment you have as well as skills. The app is very easy to use, and Amanda rates it a 5 out of 5 in its ease of use. Provided by Under Armour, Map My Fitness is easy to set up and sync with other apps and devices, like Garmin, Apple Health, UA connected footwear, MyFitnessPal, and others. The interface is clean and easy to navigate as well, leading Amanda to rate both the setup and ease of use a 5 out of 5.