For this review, we used and tested over 40 popular fitness apps and programs over several months (details at the bottom of the article), and evaluated them on price, ease of use, effectiveness, enjoyment and purpose. In testing, we appreciated the assortment of available on-demand workouts and programs, but admittedly focused on the 171 available yoga flows. Our tester had no issues navigating through the available sessions, giving this yoga app’s user interface a 5 out of 5.

Master Your Strength Training Volume

The best fitness apps combine that library of information with engaging, easy-to-use interfaces that work with your fitness goals. If you need guidance or motivation, consider apps that provide coaching features. These may include virtual personal trainers, live classes, or AI-driven feedback to ensure proper form and progress tracking. For those who prefer a more personalized touch, look for apps offering one-on-one coaching sessions or tailored workout plans. A little coaching can go a long way in keeping you dialed into your schedule and on top of your goals, though it makes sense that some folks may not be interested in the extra stress of keeping up with a coach.

The Schwinn IC4 and BowFlex C6 magnetic resistance bikes offer lots of versatility, suiting beginner and seasoned indoor cyclists alike. You can connect to workout apps and challenge yourself against other riders or simply cycle, tracking basic metrics on the bike’s monitor. Over five years of testing both the IC4 and C6, we’ve found they maintain a dependable — and quiet — ride. It tracks activities you wouldn’t typically see, such as bowling, ballet, Pilates, ice hockey, and horse riding. I used it to track a mat Pilates class and an indoor cycling session given my orthopedic boot status (no running for me—sigh). I take calorie burn stats with a grain of salt when using any tracker, but it got the job done for giving a rough estimate on exercise intensity.

How long should you wear a smart posture corrector per day?

How much you get out of fitness apps has a lot to do with what kind of motivation you need to be successful, says Davis. “Are you a self-motivated person, or do you need the energy of being around others in a space? But if you need someone else to motivate and encourage you, you may benefit more from in-person workouts with a personal trainer, or group fitness classes where you’re surrounded by people. Some workout apps let you download videos for offline use, while others require a constant internet connection. Live classes or sessions with virtual coaching almost always need a working connection, so it’s important to check how each app handles offline access.

How to choose the best fitness app

Ideally, a good fitness app will support multiple levels of expertise so that as you get fitter and more comfortable, you can push yourself to the next level. All of the workouts can be done from home, and for most of them, you’ll only need one set of dumbbells. The app has loads of on-demand classes you can try, including yoga, Barre, and mobility, as well as different challenges to join to keep you motivated. Once you’ve chosen your program, you check in once a month to keep track of your progress. Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world.

Access several iterations of Itsines’s much beloved BBG program, plus workouts from other fitness influences, like Kelsey Wells, Stephanie Stanzo, and Chontel Duncan, on this app. Other perks of downloading include meal-planning help and the option to participate in exercise challenges with women around the globe. While we note whether the workout apps we’re sharing require an iPhone or Android, be sure that you don’t need additional tech, like a heart rate monitor, exercise bike, treadmill, or rowing machine before making unimeal app reviews a purchase.

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

Bodyweight training can build real strength and endurance, particularly for beginners. CNET’s fitness app review notes that bodyweight-only apps are the fastest-growing segment of the home fitness market precisely because the barrier to entry is zero. Free doesn’t always mean free — and that distinction matters when you’re trying to build a routine without a credit card. When evaluating free apps, it is crucial to look out for hidden paywalls that lock advanced statistics, historical tracking, or specific premium workout plans. Many “free” apps also rely heavily on ad-supported models, which can interrupt your workout flow. If you want to avoid ads entirely without paying, Nike Training Club remains the gold standard.

Kettlebell Workouts by Fitify

• And, if you’re a beginner, no worries— a variety of levels, intensities, and class lengths are offered.
• This is perfect for anyone who tends to overtrain or struggles with balancing intense workouts and recovery (me).
• You can assess your current joint mobility across different areas, revealing limitations you might not have realized.
• On the opposite spectrum of the Apple Watch Series 11, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is exclusively designed to pair with Android smartphones.
• This flexibility is invaluable for anyone who trains in multiple environments.
• You can also add or skip workouts, so it really feels like an app that works with you, meeting you where you’re at.

What sets Alpha Progression apart is its sophisticated approach to progressive overload. The app analyzes your performance in past sessions and provides precise recommendations for weight and rep targets in every single set. This ensures you’re always progressing optimally without the guesswork that plagues most gym-goers.

Best for Calisthenics – The Movement Athlete

Gym-goers will also appreciate the self-guided option, which lets you move through exercises at your own pace. Let’s take a closer look at the 10 best home workout apps and discover what they have to offer. Whether you’re searching for the best free workout app or a premium at-home workout app, each app has been carefully reviewed to help you make the best decision for your training. Our team underwent hands-on testing of each app’s setup, usability, workout quality, and overall value, with a special focus on how well they support consistency over time. We looked for apps that are not only effective, but realistic to stick with for different lifestyles and fitness levels.

Quick Picks — Find Your Fit

I didn’t receive any of these notifications (thank God), but did get detailed daily reports of my heart rate zones during workouts and nightly sleep cycles like all fitness trackers in this guide. I gave up the gym a few years ago and have been looking for the best workout apps to train at home ever since. I wanted something fun, with effective routines from personal trainers and yoga teachers.

Health Coach

Apple Fitness Plus is the best workout app if you’re embedded in the company’s ecosystem, especially if you use an Apple Watch. There are HIIT, strength, core, yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes, taught by a range of different trainers. Sorry to brag, but our own All / Out Studio app just happens to be one of the best streaming fitness apps available. That’s because the programming was created by the world’s most elite trainers, as well as our own certified team of fitness experts.

I chalk it up to the face being thinner, which translates to less bulkiness. Despite the thinner case, it feels durable with its titanium and scratch-resistant screen, and thick band, although I find the band too big for my wrist. On the opposite spectrum of the Apple Watch Series 11, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is exclusively designed to pair with Android smartphones.

People seem to either really love this total-body exercise—or absolutely hate it. As the name would suggest, Burpee Be Stronger is entirely centered on the classic bodyweight move, offering burpee challenges of varying length and difficulty. Turns out Peloton offers more than just their high-tech spin bikes and treads.

What to Avoid in Workout Apps

We selected StretchIt as the best fitness app for stretching because we found the content to be effective, enjoyable to follow and simple to track progress. Cronometer Gold unlocks advanced features like AI photo logging, future meal planning, detailed nutrient breakdowns, the Nutrient Oracle (which suggests foods to fill nutritional gaps), and an ad-free experience. You don’t need to follow a specific training program – the app simply assesses your current strength capabilities and highlights where you stand. This makes it perfect for anyone, regardless of their current training style.

The iFit app features a library of over 16,000 live and on-demand classes that range from mental health and recovery to rowing, running, HIIT and strength classes. You can get the full studio experience virtually through iFit, and is a great boost to any home gym set-up — with or without equipment. Every client gets a certified fitness professional who will prescribe training programs, follow up daily to assess progress, make program adjustments as needed, and offer accountability. For anyone who has spent more time researching home workout apps than actually working out, the answer is simpler than the market makes it appear.