However, that doesn’t mean workouts should be boring, so we use this category to assess how much variety there is for users, both in terms sustainable health habits of training styles (strength, cardio, etc…) and actual workouts. Nobody wants to pay for something they may not like, so fitness apps with free trials earn higher points than those without. In fact, apps with no trial periods earned a 1-star rating in this category.
Step 2: Choosing the Right Exercises for Your Personalized Plan 🏋️♂️🤸♀️
This comprehensive approach ensures balanced progression rather than creating imbalances from overspecializing. With over 1,200 exercises programmed into the system, you’ll never run out of training ideas. The sheer variety keeps workouts engaging while ensuring comprehensive physical development.
A free version also exists, but doesn’t offer any coaching support but rather a library of trackable gym workouts and instructional videos. Our testers tried out the premium version to give an all-encompassing review. Yes, in-person classes may sometimes feel better, but workout apps are effective. So, whether you’ve been wanting to do strength training, HIIT, cardio, yoga or something else, you can get started with these top recommendations that are always right at your fingertips. Basically, if you’re looking to strength train with a lot of different equipment, you should find a workout tracker that provides a pretty comprehensive list of strength exercises.
Apps for Every Fitness Journey
Prices will vary and it will depend on what other equipment is necessary to get the full subscription experience. Upon signing up you’ll get a free trial for a week and then you have the choice of a few membership options to choose from. If you have an Apple Watch, you can pair it to sync your heart rate and calories burned to Fitness Plus, where you can see those stats on the screen in real time. Due to the different functions of these workout subscriptions, we did not include the best overall in the category. Instead, we have highlighted why these apps are unique and who would most enjoy trying them out. Get a daily workout in with the help of these apps that can work with your smartphone, tablet or TV.
Free vs. Premium Stretching Apps – Is a Subscription Worth It?
When it comes to the workouts, we score the available instructions at 5 out of 5, too. Each program comes with step-by-step details to complete each movement along with helpful photos illustrating how the exercises should be done. “Even despite the plethora of knowledgeable insight, the app remains easy to use with no real hiccups while navigating the platform,” adds our tester. Our tester adds, too, that this isn’t the best app for cardio enthusiasts. For running or cycling, we recommend downloading the Strava app in place of Caliber. However, for $11.99 per month, the app allows you to participate in asynchronous competitions, set and track goals, create training plans, and measure your performance.
Progress Tracking
You can browse the 250-plus workouts by body part, equipment needed, or desired class length (5 to 30 minutes) to get started. You can also stream the videos on demand or download them for sweat sessions on the go. Healthline looked high and low for the best fitness apps to help you out.
Workout Planning Apps
Some popular programs, as well as advanced analytics, are locked behind the Boostcamp PRO paywall. While there’s plenty to do in the free version, gym goers who love crunching numbers and data will get more stats and charts in the PRO version. “I love that it has detailed charts and stats to track my lifts over time,” he says. “Plus, there’s analytics, including an anatomy chart that’s heat-mapped based on volume, so you can add any neglected muscle groups to your routine.” He rates the ease of use a 5 out of 5. Zwift scored highly in most categories, but as it’s more of a racing app than a platform that provides instruction, we only gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars for accountability and instruction.
Subscribe To Our Digital Health Newsletter
Get started with popular programs (Stronglifts, Starting Strength, PPL, and more), or make your own. Progress is easily visualized by exercise and body part training, and Workit helps you keep track of cardio sessions. (Membership is free for owners of Peloton bikes.) Peloton offers guided workouts in everything from yoga to cardio to stretching.
Whether you’re interested in getting stronger, improving your agility, or chilling out with some yoga or Pilates, the Nike Training Club app has you covered. Zwift uses game features to make indoor cycling and running more fun, but the app has a history of crashing and isn’t great on small phone screens. Compared to most other apps, Fitbod is very reasonably priced, though the trial is a little short. It should be noted that customer reviews are mixed, with some reviews even calling BetterMe a scam. These reviews mostly talked about the nutrition side of the app, and also complained about cancelling their subscription. We had no issues in our testing, however, and more recent reviews seem generally more positive.
- For a comprehensive personal training experience, we recommend the Caliber app above all others, and feel confident calling it the best personal training app out there.
- Below are some considerations worth thinking through before hopping into the app store and deciding on a plan for your needs.
- As well as accessing my personalised program, I appreciated that I could watch other sessions, for example, on days when my shoulders felt tense and needed extra support.
- The app is free to download and use and doesn’t require any trial period or subscription payment.
- If you ever need cues on performing an exercise, you can use Aaptiv’s visual workout guides that show you how to perform 250 movements, such as deadlifts or dumbbell rows.
- It’s also relatively similar to Glo – but slightly cheaper, and focused on stretching rather than yoga and Pilates.
Comparison of the Best Stretching Apps: Features, Prices, and Suitability
This naturally encourages volume-based training, helping shift your mindset toward muscle building rather than just chasing one-rep maxes. Led by Chris Hemsworth, Centr delivers high-quality strength, HIIT, yoga, nutrition, and mindfulness coaching—suitable for all levels. Ladder pairs you with a certified coach for strength-focused programming, featuring daily routines and expert feedback. Downloading a fitness app can be an excellent way to get the ball rolling on your training regimen, but there are a few factors to think about before opting for one service or the next. Below are some considerations worth thinking through before hopping into the app store and deciding on a plan for your needs.
The best stretching app for daily movement
Overall, Amanda gives Nike Training Club a 3.5-star rating for accountability. 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. Fitbod scored well in most categories, but the free trial is limited to three workouts, and we’d like to see more emphasis on progressive overload. The app will not reward progress until you have logged your previous sessions, which allows for both accountability and progressive overload. If you want an app with more accountability features, Future connects you with a coach who will observe you and provide actual feedback.
The monthly fee is affordable at $19.99 per month, or $199 per year, but you’ll need to purchase additional equipment if you don’t already own a Zwift trainer. You’ll either need the Zwift Kickr Core 2 to use with your existing bike or the standalone Zwift trainer. Neither is exactly cheap, with the Kickr costing $549 at the time of writing. To be clear, there are no instructors or live workout classes in the Zwift app, but you’ll be able to join virtual races with other users.
Best fitness app for community
According to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), a well-structured workout plan should include a mix of cardio, resistance training, and flexibility exercises. The yoga and pilates track is ideal for beginners and intermediate yogis alike. Most sessions are anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes and require nothing more than your body and yoga mat.