Category Archives: 10 Best Fitness and Exercise Apps for 2026

The 11 Best Free Workout Apps Tested by Experts 2025

You receive a personalized plan that would costs hundreds of dollars elsewhere, and you don’t need to go to the gym to meet with a trainer, which is why we think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1stq8X_jY1s it’s the best workout app for home use. You’ll pick your preferred training style and stay in that track for 5 to 6 week blocks, which gradually get more challenging. The Aaptiv fitness app is a great pick for women (or anyone, really) because it offers a variety of quality workouts, multiple methods of accountability, and a reasonable monthly subscription fee of $14.99. For those needing a solid program for strength training, we highly recommend Boostcamp. This online portal provides you with hundreds of training programs from top fitness professionals and experts—folks like Dr. Eric Helms, Dr. Swole, or Jim Wendler, creator of the 5/3/1 workout.

Q. I’m not very good in the kitchen, so would a workout app with nutritional coaching teach me how to cook?

best workout plans app

Included are world-class coaches along with a variety of training options, including yoga, running, suspension training, and more. Inaccurate posture or training might pose a lot of risk to your health and body. So, you must ensure that you are connected to a reliable digital trainer only.

Log new Strava activity in Notion databases

Aaptiv (available on Android, iOS, and the web) specializes in audio-based workouts, meaning you don’t have to keep your eyes or fingers on a screen to exercise. You can choose from one of the music styles the app offers or connect to your Spotify account. Note that the service’s seven-day free trial requires a valid credit card. Nike’s Training Club app offers a comprehensive fitness solution for those seeking long-term exercise commitment.

  • Lindsay Scheele is a certified personal trainer, ISSA-certified nutrition coach, Level 1 CrossFit coach, and lead reviewer on GGR Everything.
  • While there’s strength training, yoga, Pilates, and cardio activities to choose from, I found the HIIT workouts to be the best part of the app.
  • When we talk about value in a product, we want to make sure it’s worth its price.
  • Some offer cardio sessions that you can do on any equipment or connect with the brand’s equipment (such as Peloton) for more in-depth metrics and workout insights.
  • If you aren’t able to find your type of exercise in the app, you can create a custom exercise to use again later.
  • No matter how simple or sophisticated the app may be, if it gets you moving and keeps you moving, it’s an excellent choice.

Do workout apps really work?

Sure, there will be an instructor with you throughout the workout but it’s not like a Peloton class where they’re cheering you on by name. Anthony says the insturctors, however, still have a contagious energy that motivates you through each workout. Although training in your own home gym can be rewarding, there are times when training by yourself isn’t as motivating as having a training partner. Many lifting apps provide an online social community of support to help you stay motivated. Other apps will also notify you on new personal records throughout your training, keeping you feeling motivated and inspired for the next workout.

Kabuki Strength New Generation Power Bar Review (Plus 2-Year Update)

She was also able to track my workout progress through the app and my Apple Watch, which she used to give me feedback during our weekly check-ins. Gymverse also offers really great wearable connectivity; when I tested it with my Apple Watch, I could start, track, and end workouts on my watch rather than needing to open the app on my phone. And if that’s not enough, Gymverse offers calorie tracking when paired with a wearable, which is a nice addition and helps you get a better view of your overall fitness. Another downside is that the sleep and recovery tracking are pretty mediocre.

Shred: Home & Gym Workout

You can get exclusive programs from our top-notch trainers in one place, along with routines from other all-star content from Men’s Health, Prevention, and Runner’s World. WH lifestyle director Lindsay Geller has also been using it more than ever, thanks to their recently launched prenatal track. WH editors and SID trainers alike are obsessed with Ladder, which was co-founded by a WH advisory board member, Lauren Kanski, CPT. It gives you the best of both worlds with intense and effective guided workouts and personal training from actual coaches. Unlike other apps, Bloom Method provides exercises and education on how to strengthen and relax the pelvic floor.

Nike Training Club: The Best Fitness App with The Most Variety.

It’s different from other apps on this list since it’s not a follow-along fitness class but an advanced activity tracker. Strava tracks important stats (like speed, pace, elevation and more) so you can improve your performance over time. Interestingly enough, Future was cofounded by Justin Santamaria, the same engineer who helped create FaceTime and iMessage. Now, Santamaria brings his tech-savvy expertise to the virtual personal training world. Most fitness apps don’t offer much personalization, but you’ll get the best of both worlds with Future, which combines personal training with the convenience of working out at home on your schedule.

Apple AirPods Max: $450

To move them, I would have had to upgrade to the Elite plan.” She also found it easier to navigate mail.topendsports.com madmuscles review through the desktop version for workout plans, and then locate them on the app afterwards. Some workouts feature trainer-led sessions, while others offer exercise clips with rep tracking. This cross-platform availability ensures users can track their workouts anywhere. The app syncs data across devices, maintaining a consistent record of progress. Jefit’s focus on weight training makes it a top choice for strength enthusiasts. Users benefit from the app’s flexibility, allowing them to switch between coached and self-guided sessions.

Nike App

NTC’s wide range of Programs will help you make progress on your own schedule and at your speed. We’ve navigated through this digital landscape to bring you the top five free workout apps perfect for beginners. Classes are led by celebrities like Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union, and cover a range of intensity levels and durations (from 5 minutes to 35 minutes or more). “The instructors provide modifications for people of different fitness levels as well, so you can choose a specific intensity, but still expect to have modifications /fitness/products/apps/mad-muscles.htm available for your level,” MacPherson says. In a study published in the September 2019 JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth, college students who used fitness apps were more active than students who didn’t use apps. The researchers attributed this to the fact that app users felt like they had higher levels of social support and self-efficacy than non-users.

The best workout app for yoga

That’s because it connects you with a real personal training coach, which includes virtual calls and a custom fitness plan. For each workout, the app presents you with an exercise overview, complete with instructional videos for how to perform each move. Turns out Peloton offers more than just their high-tech spin bikes and treads. They also have an app that has a wide range of workouts you can do at home. You can follow along with their live studio workouts for bootcamp or strength classes. You can even hop on your own (non-Peloton) bike or treadmill and be guided by their instructors.

This can be great for people wanting a slice of connection as they power through their workout programs, and can even make the journey feel less lonely (despite the digital environment). We think it’s a great value for the price, considering you get so many different class options. With that said, there are cheaper options on this list but if you really want a cardio-first workout program, iFIT is your best bet. Once you enter this information, the AI technology creates workouts, which it then adjusts for gradual improvement as you enter post-workout feedback. “The AI is extremely smart,” our tester said, giving the program a 3.5 out of 5 for instruction.

Best Workout Apps For 2025

The list includes hiking, canoeing, an e-bike rides, rowing, alpine skiing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and yoga. Sweat, founded by personal trainer Kayla Itsines, has plenty of structured programs based on your goals and lifestyle, offering workouts and nutrition plans to help you get the most from your training. Or, if you’re looking to keep costs down, Nike Training Club is completely free, while Fiit offers access to all group classes without charge.

Training Variety

Upon sign up, you’re immediately given access to a large library of strength-based workouts as well as sessions for yoga, pilates, HIIT workouts, and mobility. Our tester appreciated how each live and on-demand class was led by certified trainers, giving the quality of instruction a 5 out of 5. With so many apps to choose from, however, it can be difficult to determine which platform is the best fit for your home screen. Do you want an app that’s specific to your training interests, or one that caters to a variety of disciplines?

best workout plans app

Connect With Your Community

  • If you want a bit of added motivation, without hiring a trainer, it’s hard to think of a better option than joining a virtual race and competing against real users.
  • Lindsay tested the Caliber Pro membership, which gave Lindsay access to group programming and coaching.
  • For example, a workout tracker won’t need a rating for GPS accuracy, and a running app doesn’t need a score for how it adheres to progressive overload.
  • After using the app myself, I’d say this one gets a 5 out of 5 for instruction.
  • While you can work out like an ancient god, the app acts like a 24/7 virtual fitness coach tailored to your goals and experience, including meal planning and daily workout programs.
  • As a strength athlete myself, one of the most important things I’ve had in my 25-year weightlifting career is a coach.

Egohome’s Cyber Monday sale is offering massive discounts on select products. Right now, you can score up to 65% off, plus an extra 20% with the CNET exclusive code EGOHOME20 at checkout. Its beautiful HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, 120Hz frame rate, four HDMI inputs and Sony’s XR Contrast Booster make it a very appealing choice for your watching experience. If you want the sound quality of the AirPods Pro with the comfort and security of over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max are for you. These headphones are some of the best high-end noise-canceling headphones and a popular option for holiday gifting.

Popular Reviews

It’s a great app and has served me well, but I’m getting bored of my routines and tired of making templates and mail.topendsports.com madmuscles plans on there. The Conjugate Method was created by powerlifter Louie Simmons at Westside Barbell, and it’s sometimes called Westside Barbell Conjugate Method or Westside’s Conjugate Method. The Conjugate Method alternates between max-effort lifts and dynamic exercises in three-week cycles to refine strength and skills. Because we always want to know what our community is up to, we posted a poll in our Home Gym Community Facebook group asking what fitness programming our members follow.

Apple M3 iPad Air (13-inch): $650

We give the app 5 out of 5 stars for both ease of use and equipment demands. Now you have access to various workout programs that can be done at home or in the gym, such as yoga, strength and Pilates, all taught by different women personal trainers. The app also offers meal plan options if you’re looking for healthy recipe ideas. Inside Apple’s Fitness app is Fitness+, a membership offering a variety of video workouts. You can choose from various activities, including dancing, HIIT cardio, kickboxing, and yoga, as well as more restorative wellness classes such as meditation.

selectDon’t wear your Hokas to lift weights — personal trainers explain why

There are also community features that allow you to share your progress and get inspiration from others. WH editors and our trusted Strength In Diversity (SID) trainers are constantly testing and trying new fitness apps throughout the year, so we polled them about their most-used and most-loved platforms. The apps on this list represent the ones that fast-tracked strength and performance gains, were user-friendly, and really delivered on the user experience, and kept us returning to our workout plan. Consider these picks the ones we will never delete (even if we are running low on storage!). Speaking as a certified personal trainer, workout programs for men and women can essentially be the same, with variations in weight used, repetitions performed, range of motion, or amount of time for resting.

Online Workout Planner

Not only that, there is a ton of variety with iFIT, earning it a 5-star rating for this category. You’ll have access to machine-specific workouts and strength training, circuit training, yoga, and Pilates. In our original iFIT reviews, the app featured more than 16,000 on-demand workouts, with tons of new options added since then. Plus, you’ll also be https://app.smore.com/n/5p7c8-health-skill-related able to choose from studio-style workouts, instructor-led outdoor workouts, and self-led scenic outdoor workouts. Your running workout data can also be exported to any additional fitness trackers or health apps you utilize.

Beachbody on Demand — Best for Losing Weight

My favorite aspect is how smoothly this app integrates with your personal music app, like Apple Music or Spotify. I love curating my own playlists while running and Nike took that into consideration. We do want to note, though, that the Alo Moves platform is primarily centered around individual workouts and programs rather than working toward certain goals or progressive overload.

The Best Workout App Deals This Week*

His works have been previously featured by DICK’S Sporting Goods as well as Gear Patrol. In Print Journalism from Penn State University and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When not training, testing products, or writing content, Ben spends his time pursuing his other interests which include cooking, hunting, fishing, hiking, DIY projects, and intramural sports, among others. A challenge you most likely face if you work out at home or in the gym, is deciding what exercises to do if you don’t have a personal trainer who can guide you. The good news is there are other ways around hiring a personal trainer if you want to achieve your fitness goals. Workout apps and services can be helpful since many are designed to tailor to your exercise preferences and fitness goals.

Apple Fitness+

Future is an outstanding app in nearly every category, but the only real drawback mail.topendsports.com/fitness/products/apps/mad-muscles.htm is the cost, as it’s certainly not cheap. Typically, we like to see some sort of free trial, especially for a service with such an expensive cost. Those who join without our code won’t receive the free month, so we docked a couple of points for the trial period.