Expert-Tested: The Best Workout Apps 2026

The SHRED app is significantly more affordable than the average workout app and includes a 7-day trial for new users. 4.5 stars on major app stores, users commend Fooducate for its educational approach to nutrition and its comprehensive database of food information. Calm offers a limited free version, with full access to its extensive library of content available for $14.99 per month or $69.99 annually.

top fitness apps for wellness goals

For cardio-focused apps like Peloton or Zwift, you may need special hardware to take full advantage of the offerings. This level of customization and personal touch can enable you to stay focused on your goals, and you can rest assured that each workout you complete has been tailored to help you get closer to them. Not every app will provide ongoing accountability to help you stay motivated, but we consider it a positive when we do see an app offering this feature. This means if you’re an Android user, you’ll be unable to use Ladder’s programming, which is a major flaw in terms of accommodations. 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 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.

Best Health App for Hydration: Water Reminder

Some apps even have coaching check-ins or community boards for additional accountability. Once you’re past the beginner stage, you’ll probably need to repeat workouts many times, focusing on progressive overload, to continue to make progress. 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 of training styles (strength, cardio, etc…) and actual workouts. To earn 3 out of 5 stars, an app should have programs you can join that give you a structured workout schedule, but they are not coached programs or group programs (you just follow it on your own terms). Maybe you get push notifications, or there’s a feature where you can integrate the workout app with your online calendar, but no human support or interaction. Because the programs we tested are 100% online, it’s important that the platform is easy to use and doesn’t take away from the workout experience.

Ideally, look for apps that are highly rated and backed by healthcare professionals, such as doctors or dietitians. On rainy days, Headspace + Penzu are the best combo to tap back into that feeling wherever you are. Even when carefully kept, paper journals can be read by anyone who happens upon them. Penzu keeps your journals safe with double password protection and military strength encryption so you can rest easy knowing that your entries are secure in the Penzu Vault. Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year. At the time of writing, every Fitbit Air purchase will come with three months of Google Health Premium for free.

Best Workout Apps Video Review

You can deviate from the workout plan given by BetterMe, though, as there is an entire workout library. That said, Nicole notes that you may have to dig around to find what you need. “Once you get used to it, it’s easy enough; things are clearly labeled,” she adds. Read our Caliber App review to learn more about this premium fitness app. Caliber received above-average scores in most categories, but the personal coaching plan isn’t cheap, so we gave this 3.5 out of 5 for pricing. “Everything the app suggests makes sense, as long you’re honest and logical about your goals.

Workout Variety

This AI-powered workout app offers programs you can customize based on your preferences, equipment access, and personal goals. Available modules include a four-week dumbbell muscle build program, a four-week metcon/HIIT program, and a six-week full gym strength gain program, among others. We give the app 5 out of 5 stars for both ease of use and equipment demands. Some fitness trackers can last up to two weeks on a full charge, while others can’t make it through a full 24 hours. Think about how you plan on using your tracker; if you’re looking to take it along for a backpacking trip or an ultramarathon, you’ll need one with a robust battery.

Best running app for training plans

If you click on a run, you’ll be able to see your time, distance, and calories, as well as more in-depth data on your pace, speed, timing, heart rate, stamina, and more. Compared to Fitbit and Apple, Garmin Connect gives you a huge amount of data, without asking you to pay an additional monthly fee. Another option I like is the $179.99 Garmin Vivomove Sport, which actually dominated this category in the past few years. It’s hard to beat the price, especially since it gets you access to Garmin’s platform. However, Garmin’s “hidden” OLED display can get washed out in bright lighting, and battery life was significantly shorter than that of other hybrid analog watches at around five days.

With an ISSA certification, you can pursue a variety of career paths in personal training, group fitness, and nutrition coaching. Our certification is recognized by over 10,000 gyms nationwide, giving you access to a wide network of potential employers as you advance in your fitness career. Plus, our job guarantee provides extra confidence in your ability to succeed. Tailored how fitness app subscriptions work meal plans and one-on-one nutrition coaching to fuel your workouts and recovery.

Whether you’re monitoring your nutrition to lose weight, switch up your eating habits, or simply hold yourself accountable, MyFitnessPal makes it easy. In addition to choosing your meal plan, you can also select specific ingredients that you’d like to avoid, the amount of variety you prefer, and your desired portion sizes. Highly recommended by my sister, a new mom and full-time grad student who is always on the go, PlateJoy is an app designed to help you save time while still eating healthy. Whether you’re a health enthusiast or a nutrition newbie, the MyPlate Calorie Counter app from Livestrong is well worth the download. While some apps may be free to download and use, others may require a subscription or offer in-app purchases. Going to get a work journal this week because I’m really so tired of wondering what happened with my day.

On-1 Personal Training

It still includes Garmin’s more advanced tools such as PacePro for pacing, route and course tracking, automatic activity detection, and a smart wake alarm that aims to wake you during lighter stages of sleep. It also uses Garmin Connect, Garmin’s companion app, for useful health and training insights. The Fitbit Charge 6 is the most advanced band-style fitness tracker you can buy from Fitbit these days, and it’s packed with more features than you’ll find from the Fitbit Luxe at the top of this list.

Your Expert Guide to Making Budget-Friendly DIY Ankle Weights

The community part of the app allows you to follow your friends, running frenemies, and work colleagues and even set up group challenges, like fastest 5K or longest monthly mileage. Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Truthfully, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra left me a bit disappointed after reviewing it — not because it’s a bad piece of hardware, but because it copies a bit too much from Apple.

top fitness apps for wellness goals

Don’t Order Meat Online Until You Read This

Even so, this is the most full-featured fitness smartwatch a Samsung phone owner can buy. It’s truly hard to beat the Amazfit Band 7’s $49.99 price — doubly so since you can often find it on sale for even less. Wearing the Band 7 feels like a throwback to 2014, which is great if all you’re looking for is a simple and casual tracker that won’t break the bank. The ideal fitness tracker for hardcore athletes will look different than the best one for casual users looking to get a few more steps in. It’s easy to schedule a workout for later with workout scheduling — and with the casting feature, you choose where and how it happens, on your phone or casted to the big screen. Because when you want to make some life changes or form better habits, small ‘nudges’ and flexibility can get you there.

The 8 Best Calorie Counter Apps

It’s also got excellent battery life, with an estimated 30 days on a single charge. I got a little less in testing at around 25 days, but that’s still much better than the vast majority of flagship smartwatches. This also looks way more stylish than beefier multisport watches with similar battery life. Whether it’s weight loss, strength building, or overall wellness, our comprehensive approach to wellness ensures that you can focus on achieving your goals in a supportive and empowering environment. The Ultrahuman Ring Pro is the best smart ring for those focused on metabolic health and biohacking, offering deep insights into sleep, recovery, heart rate variability and temperature trends through a lightweight design. Here, we’ve rounded up the top smartwatches and wearables for every type of person, from runners and biohackers to folks who just want regular reminders to tend to their health.

What to look for in a food tracking app

  • Although it costs about $200 a month, Future features a user-friendly interface, customizable programming, and excellent support from your personal coach.
  • These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with food or an eating disorder.
  • So, if you’re looking to save a bit of money, I’d highly recommend giving Coopah a go.
  • This involves timed notifications that remind you to drink up every hour (or whatever cadence you want).
  • Despite the somewhat meager training insights, I still found it to be a user-friendly tracker that offers value for the price.
  • The community part of the app allows you to follow your friends, running frenemies, and work colleagues and even set up group challenges, like fastest 5K or longest monthly mileage.

The Apple Watch SE 3 was released alongside WatchOS 26, which includes additional fitness and wellness features. Workout Buddy uses your fitness data to generate personalized insights, advice, and pep talks through a virtual assistant. Your Workout Buddy will remind you of your goals, recent achievements, and recap your results at the end of your workout. WatchOS 26 also comes to the Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 6 and above, and all Apple Watch Ultra models. The Oura Ring 4 isn’t functionally that much different from the previous Gen 3.

You can change some of these privacy settings, but you can’t turn it off completely, so you’ll want to be mindful of that. One of Amanda’s favorite features, though, is “Relative Effort,” which measures how much cardio effort went into your training. This involves timed notifications that remind you to drink up every hour (or whatever cadence you want).

Bodybuilding Workout App Online Personal Trainer Bodybuilding com

Our team may know the best home gym equipment like the back of our hands, but you don’t have to go on a shopping spree in order to start exercising. Thanks to “YouTube University,” learning how to work out from home, or on-the-go, has never been easier. There are thousands upon thousands of free workout videos to choose from, and our list will get you moving in the right direction. When you think of a typical aerobics class, you probably imagine something like leg warmers, leotards, and hip rolls for days. Between shimmying, shaking your hips, and the cha-cha, you’re certain to work up a sweat — without ever leaving your living room. ai-powered fitness apps The 15-minute mat workout will help tone your lower body with graceful ballet-inspired movements like bridge variations.

Advanced Bird Dog

RPE is a scale of intensity with 0 indicating rest and 10 referring to exercise at a person’s maximum capacity. One way that exercise experts achieve this involves a person estimating their “rate of perceived exertion or effort,” or RPE. YouTube and other streaming services mean that a person can learn from trainers in the comfort of their home. However, some exercises are also more complicated and involve transitions from floor to standing. The air jump rope requires a person to “swing” an imaginary jump rope in the air.

She said this is a useful app for beginners or those trying something new who might want some guidance without paying for a personal trainer. Adidas Running is built for runners of all levels, from beginners to marathon training. The core app is free to use, letting you track distance, pace, calories burned, heart rate, and personal stats for running and other activities like cycling, hiking, and yoga. There are a ton of free workouts and features for you to use, so you don’t get bored.

Bent-Over Barbell Row vs. Other Row Variations: Which Builds a Stronger Back?

best workout apps for fitness beginners

AllTrailsIt’s not formally a workout app, but if walking is your preferred form of exercise, AllTrails is the perfect companion. You can find local routes, explore paths before you head out, and read reviews so you’re prepared for the conditions. That’s all free, and there’s the AllTrails+ subscription, which adds offline download and live navigation. If you’ve ever done a BodyPump class in your local gym, you’ll have been introduced to the world of Les Mills. It’s a series of tempo-based classes, set to music, designed to get you fitter and stronger. The app is an extension of this, with hundreds of classes to choose from, all set to an infectious beat, with motivating instructors.

The app makes it easier to stick to a structured routine with detailed workout planning and logging tools. You can choose from pre-made workout plans or create your own based on your goals. There’s also a community forum where users can exchange tips and encouragement. However, the UI feels a bit dated, and the app has occasional sync issues. Online workout programs vary in price, from less than $10 a month to $150 and beyond for online personal training. It really depends on how much oversight you need and what you’re willing to pay for it.

Overall Rating: 4/5

best workout apps for fitness beginners

After using the app myself, I’d say this one gets a 5 out of 5 for instruction. Every exercise has a video demonstrating the move and you can even listen for form tips. Not only can your trainer include demo videos, but you can also send videos to your coach for form tips — perfect for mastering those back squats and deadlifts on your own.

  • Plus, knowing thousands of other people are sweating with you right now creates a sense of camaraderie that makes solo home workouts feel less lonely.
  • The step-by-step guidance ensures you’re doing each exercise correctly, minimizing the risk of injury.
  • So, one doesn’t need to copy the workout schedule of another person when the body demands different.
  • This formula includes key performance ingredients like citrulline to support blood flow and muscle pumps, along with beta-alanine to help delay fatigue during intense training.
  • You’ll be able to build muscle and aid weight loss from the comfort of your own home or in a commercial gym as you follow along with instructor-led workouts.
  • As natural collagen production declines with age and physical stress, supplementation can help support long-term wellness and recovery goals.

Features:

The Apple Watch SE 3 is easy to use, especially if you have used an iPhone before. The apps are similar or identical, and the square shape of the watch makes it easy to scroll through notifications and texts. It shows detailed workout, health and sleep metrics via Apple Health and Apple Fitness, no subscription required. You can also use the Siri voice assistant to make requests and send voice texts, which is much easier than typing a text mid-run, in my experience. Bodybuilding.com Signature Pre-Workout is designed to deliver a reliable boost in energy, focus, and endurance without overcomplicating your supplement stack. Built with proven ingredients, it helps increase alertness and training intensity so you can get more out of every session.

Other Free Workout Apps We Researched and Tested

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. If you’re working on your running, an app that can track your GPS location will be extremely helpful. And if you’re looking to do a mix of things, find the app that offers that level of variety. Each workout app we’ve tested has been rated across 14 different aspects to determine the best fitness apps.

Kick-Start Your Health Goals with Flex Fitness

Others focus more on strength training with weights, including dumbbells, kettlebells, or gym machines. Some apps offer cardio sessions that can be done on any equipment, while others, like Peloton, connect with their own machines to provide more detailed metrics and insights. If you prefer workouts that require little to no equipment, make sure the app you choose is designed with that in mind. Of course, scrolling the app store can feel overwhelming, and not every fitness app delivers high-quality programming.

Best for Yoga – Yoga-Go

The app boasts over 3,000 programs tailored to yoga, pilates, and barre, along with fitness-minded series for HIIT and strength training. Plus, the library is constantly growing with new modules being added daily. For beginner and experienced yogis alike, Alo Moves can be an excellent download offering over 170 flows and sessions across a wide range of yoga categories. Additionally, the app has other programming for pilates, barre, HIIT, and strength training with new modules being added daily. Personally, I love the filter in the search tab for this app, allowing you to pick and choose your preferred workout modality, available equipment, length, etc. The app is generally easy to use and follow, including easy-to-follow exercise videos for the non-live workouts.

Equipment Requirements

Each pre-recorded class is led by a motivational instructor and has options for various lengths and intensities, making this a great option for beginners and pros alike. The app is ideal for lifters who already know what they’re doing and want an efficient way to stay organized. It lets you create custom exercises and categories according to your training style. Our tester wasn’t too familiar with Olympic lifting but found the instructional videos very helpful for these HIIT workouts.

A 20-minute home workout is better than no physical activity, but only performing 20-minute home workouts may not be enough weekly exercise. As with all advanced exercises, maintaining a straight spine is key here. Because of the power and strength they require, you’ll feel the burn quickly. Extending your arms overhead can challenge your mobility and range of motion in your upper body, as well as give your lower body the benefits of a squat.

One-leg forearm plank hold

However, if you have your heart set on personalized workouts, premium music, and access to exclusive training programs, the premium account may be for you. Caliber also has a live community for motivation and support within the app. If you’re looking for extra support, you can upgrade to one of Caliber’s coaching programs that start at $19 per month with a free trial. What stands out most about FORM is the instructors’ ability to expertly blend various forms of workouts into one platform that still feels uniform, intentional, and aligned.