MyMacros+ was created by a former bodybuilder, so it allows you to be as meticulous as necessary when it comes to tracking. It also allows you to change your macro goal each day and input macro goals in grams or percentages. My Macros+ has a library of over five million foods and barcode and nutrition-fact scanners. The best part of My Macros+ is that it is easily accessible, available on web, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Apple Watch. There is also a pro version of My Macros+ that provides more in-depth insights into your tracking. One of my favorite parts of The Sculpt Society app is the ability to comment on classes in a discussion board.
Rather, we find it better suited for people who have been training for at least six months because it lacks some of the human coaching and motivational tools that gym novices may want. As a fitness coach and competitive athlete, I found it to be a very useful workout app. It’s flexible, but it also tells you what the priorities should be for each day.
How can you make workout apps most effective?
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!). Whether you’ve never run before in your life or you’re returning after a break, the Coopah app is a welcoming and helpful tool for building your running fitness. It creates personalized plans tailored to your goals, or, if you don’t have a specific event in mind, you can choose the ‘Just Run’ option.
Peloton
- The more you log your data, the more your algorithm learns in an effort to keep you progressing through PRs.
- This isn’t the best app for serious runners – there are no training plans or competitive running metrics, but if you want to make running with your local running club more fun, it’s a cool way to do that.
- As such, this information may not be ideal or relevant for individuals identifying as male, or those yet to enter those stages of life.
- There are 200 different missions, and a person can create their own.
- Start by identifying your fitness goals, as they will guide your app selection.
- The app works well, but doesn’t offer any sort of interaction, such as live classes or interaction with instructors.
These real users show that you don’t need to spend a lot to get fit. From losing weight to gaining muscle, their stories prove that free apps can change lives with regular use. The rise of inexpensive workout apps matches a big change in how we exercise.
Best running app for Apple watch wearers

Workout apps come with various pricing options, from free versions with basic features to premium subscriptions or one-time purchases. Assess your budget and compare the value offered by each app, such as workout variety, coaching options, and additional perks like meal planning or community access. Every app we’ve tested offers a free trial, which you can use to help you decide before committing. 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?
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While the pricing varies, the highest tier of Caliber starts at $200 per month, which is significantly more expensive than the average app. However, it offsets this with affordable group coaching and a free forever plan. 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. She also notes the app syncs with the Apple Watch but not apps like Garmin, Fitbit, or Strava, and she found it a bit frustrating to manually enter workout data later. This alone is an incredible value, and we give the app 5 out of 5 stars for interactive features.
What sets Aaptiv apart from other fitness apps is its library of audio-only workouts, says Thomas, who recommends it. Each one is like a mini podcast that combines instructions from trainers with music that’s paced to exercises. You can choose from workout types like strength training, yoga, HIIT and Pilates, and there’s programs you can do outside, as well as on the treadmill, stairmaster, bike and elliptical machine. Without the video component, you can focus on your form instead of watching someone else, which eliminates distractions, according to the brand. You can choose workouts based on factors like type of exercise, how long you want to exercise for and your favorite trainers or music. Aaptiv exclusively offered audio-only for years, but it now also has video content as well, similar to the other apps on this list.
Convenient Daily Formula for Wellness and Recovery
But where it stands out is that the app features integrated video tutorials for each exercise. The videos are clear and well-produced—perfect for people new to strength training. As a general fitness tracker, the metrics aren’t super comprehensive; it tracks PRs/PBs and workout length. PUSH isn’t your best choice if you want to track more cardio fitness-type metrics like HR, or if consistent strength training just isn’t a priority for you. Fitbit (owned by Google) is a great Apple Fitness alternative if you don’t have an iPhone or Apple Watch (though you can use it if you do, too).
Best Workout Apps Comparison Table
The app is generally easy to use and follow, including easy-to-follow exercise videos for the non-live workouts. Noom combines psychology and behavioral science with traditional weight loss features like meal and activity tracking, personal coaches, and online communities to help customers adopt a healthier lifestyle. Considering the sheer variety of well-designed workouts, our testers gave their overall experience a 5 out of 5. Reverse Health is a weight-loss program app that’s specifically designed for people during and after menopause.
Best workout apps compared
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. Testers also loved the energizing, motivating workouts for all levels, as well as the wellness series focused on sleep, nutrition, and self-care. Many classes are filmed in stunning locations and led by instructors like Emily Sferra, Anabella Landa, and Bianca Wise, who keep sessions interesting and never boring.
Best Free Workout App for Guided Workouts: ClassPass
Digestive support can become especially important for active individuals consuming high-protein diets or larger calorie intakes where nutrient processing and digestive efficiency play a larger role. Daily use may help support a more balanced digestive routine and overall gut wellness. Losing weight and keeping it off requires a lifestyle change that gives you the freedom to live without scheduling your day around a diet.
Best overall workout app
There is basic community interaction through a community feed, but if you’re looking for a lot of support in your fitness journey, you may want to look for a different running app. Yes, with newer workout apps, such as Future, you can get connected to a personal trainer through an app. It will cost more compared with other apps but will be cheaper than a standard personal training session at the gym.
If you like to decide whether it’s leg day based on legitimate workout apps how you felt when you rolled out of bed, you probably won’t like this fitness tracker. Unfortunately, if you primarily work out indoors, you won’t get much out of the app. It’s just not great at tracking activities like Pilates or weightlifting. And if you’re privacy-conscious or just not all that competitive, a lot of the strongest features are kind of useless. Pliability isn’t just an app—you can also stream its content on your computer—but iPhone users can access all of the content natively on their device.
Work out with Nike trainers live or on-demand with the Nike Training Club app. After downloading the app, you’ll get customized workout suggestions based on the results of a quick quiz. The right app can act as a virtual personal trainer or training partner to keep you motivated and accountable. The free version of AllTrails gives you access to hundreds of thousands of saved trails worldwide, making this a great tool for those who get the itch to travel. You can also save your favorite trails to an easy-to-access list, as well as create your own routes and trails.
If you’re starting to work out and need a plan to follow, a fitness app can be a good way to start. A workout app can help you figure out exactly what to do when you exercise. Some of these apps let you customize your workout based on the space and equipment you have at home, your preferred exercises and your current fitness goals. There are some that even function as a personal trainer without having to set foot in a gym. A training program, on the other hand, is typically a list of exercises methodically selected by a personal trainer (or AI, in some cases) to target specific muscle groups. Typically, you can go at your own pace and won’t need to follow a live class or workout video.