Nike Training Club, Peloton, Centr, and Apple Fitness+ are strong choices because they include beginner-friendly classes and clear coaching cues. If strength training is the priority, Fitbod and Caliber are useful because they organize exercises into repeatable sessions rather than leaving you to build workouts from scratch. Nike Training Club earns the best overall spot because it covers the widest range of users at no cost. The app includes beginner programs, bodyweight sessions, strength workouts, yoga, recovery, and short routines for busy schedules.

Best for Improving Athletic Performance – Mobility Manual

Nike Training Club is a free fitness app with a robust workout library that includes one-off workouts as well as periodized programs led by certified instructors. I primarily train for strength and hypertrophy, and Boostcamp is the best app I’ve ever used. I love all the data it provides, and there are so many great programs to choose from within the workout library. Compared to the average workout app, Zwift is more affordable, and has a longer trial period. However, you’ll need compatible hardware, and it’s only good for cycling workouts. We think it’s worth it, especially if you want personal coaching, and when you use our GGR-exclusive discount link, you can enjoy your first month completely free.

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It is less ideal for users who want live coaching or detailed nutrition tools, but for structured strength training, it offers one of the most practical day-to-day experiences. Each app was tested through mulle workout sessions, including at least one beginner-friendly session, one intermediate or advanced session where available, and one workout using limited equipment. For apps focused on running, cycling, or walking, we assessed GPS accuracy, pace feedback, audio coaching, route history, and compatibility with wearables.

Best Workout App for Bodyweight Training: BetterMe

Priority should be given to policy actions that address disparities in levels of physical activity, promoting, enabling and encouraging physical activity for all. You should expect a little muscle soreness after workouts, especially in the beginning. But if you find that your body is simply not recovering between workouts, you may be overtraining. With the exception of “welcome” muscle soreness, an exercise program should make you feel good. Strength training, sometimes called resistance training, should be performed two to three times a week. Squats, lunges, push-ups, and the exercises performed on resistance machines or using weights or bands help maintain and even build muscle mass and strength.

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. GGR writer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto gives Aaptiv a 4-out-of-5-star rating for accountability. She notes there is a supportive online community, challenges you can join, and the ability to add your workout program to your calendar. When you use the calendar option, your workouts come up as appointments with calendar reminders, which is ideal for anyone establishing a routine. Nike offers a free strength-based training app that reduces the barrier of entry for weight-based workouts at digital personal trainer apps home or in a commercial gym.

Best for Calisthenics – The Movement Athlete

When it comes to exercise and fitness for seniors, most can begin without consulting a doctor – but there are exceptions. If you have a major health condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, osteoprosis, or a neurological disease, definitely talk to your doctor first. People with mobility issues such as poor balance or arthritis should also get advice from their doctor. Other studies found that while tracking was the most common feature of these apps, apps that combined exercise education and tracking or turned exercise into a game were more effective. The best fitness app will depend on a person’s exercise goals, ability, and the type of exercise they would like to do. People may also benefit from working out with a personal trainer or joining an in-person class led by a qualified instructor.

What is the best fitness app for home workouts?

The programming on a macro-level may not be adequate for intermediate or advanced exercisers, and it only earns 3 out of 5 stars for the category. Despite the easy setup, the app offers plenty of great features to help you stay motivated and make sure you’re continuing to make progress over time. This app received high scores in nearly every category, but it’s a little limited in workout variety and interactive features. Because this is a powerlifting program, it may not be a surprise that you’ll need a squat rack, bench, barbell, and weight plates to complete your workouts. It will also be helpful to have access to dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands for a handful of different exercises.

Best for accessible workouts: Big Fit Girl

• It will also be helpful to have access to dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands for a handful of different exercises.
• The AI Coach is particularly impressive, combining advanced language models with Strength Well’s proprietary data to offer intelligent, on-demand coaching.
• In addition, a regular exercise program can make your sex life better, lead to better quality sleep, reduce your risk of some cancers, and is linked to longer life.
• Some apps even have coaching check-ins or community boards for additional accountability.
• Not only is it one of our best workout apps for beginners, but it’s packed with an array of equipment-free training plans that are geared toward just about anyone.
• You can get it on the brand’s website or on either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Muscle Booster and Fitbod are both excellent for home training, as they adapt to whatever equipment you have available, including none at all. Yoga-Go is also a strong choice if you prefer low-impact movement, with sessions starting from just 7 minutes and no equipment required. We selected Berg Movement as the best influencer program because Sondre’s expertise and teaching ability shine through every aspect of the app. His background as a professional performer and coach means the programming is both practical and effective.

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Many people think of exercise as an integral part of weight loss, and although diet is also extremely important, they’re not wrong. Generally, aerobic exercises (cardio) are great for expending calories and reducing fat. But don’t overlook the effectiveness of strength training, which optimizes your body’s ratio of lean muscle to fat (It’s also the best exercise for bone strength). Fitness and workout apps are becoming increasingly popular as more people work out at home.

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We also love that the app offers an onboarding quiz, guided plans, and daily checklists remove decision fatigue, making it easier for beginners and busy users to stay consistent with their strength programs. The app covers a wide spectrum of needs—low-impact and wall Pilates, strength, walking, chair and mobility sessions, plus mindset and nutrition tools—so users can progress or scale back without leaving the platform. 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.

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We selected Yoga-Go as the best yoga app because it delivers genuine quality across multiple disciplines, not just yoga, and the accessibility of the content makes it suitable for all levels. The Chair Yoga section is particularly impressive for older adults or anyone wanting a very gentle entry point into regular movement. The app’s intuitive design makes logging workouts simple and effective, with gamification elements that keep motivation high. As you complete workouts, you unlock new content within the app, creating a sense of progression that encourages consistency. The content is varied, ranging from 5-minute targeted sessions to 45-minute full-body routines.