The only thing you’ll be missing is some of the Pro plans, as well as advanced training stats and analytics. Science-based strength training app connecting you with elite personal trainers for truly personalized programming and accountability. Shred offers impressive variety, from guided strength training to HIIT, cardio, yoga, and sport-specific programs. You can filter workouts by body part, equipment type, duration, and difficulty level. Some are completely free or offer a free trial, and some require a monthly subscription.
Supports Muscle Pumps, Endurance, and Training Intensity
According to GGR Senior Staff Writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, tracking your progress is the key to making long-term improvements. If you’re seeking a more holistic fitness platform with a keen emphasis on safe, effective, and expert-surrounding weight loss to complement your exercise plans, Found is your best bet. Not only did we interview the brand on how to go about your health journey safely, but we recommend the platform for its personalized approach that you’ll actually want to follow. Reputable fitness apps encrypt all data transmission and storage using industry-standard protocols, adhering to GDPR and CCPA privacy regulations. Daily Burn never sells personal health information and provides granular privacy controls allowing users to limit data sharing. Most platforms store data on secure cloud servers with multi-factor authentication and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access.
Best Workout Apps of 2026
- We selected Cronometer as the best calorie tracking app because of its commitment to accuracy and depth.
- While music listening is limited, the app’s organization renders it a solid wellness partner.
- Just like their local class options, these trainer-led workout videos vary from strength training to high-intensity workouts and everything in between.
- The app is particularly brilliant for bodybuilding and hypertrophy-focused training, with graphs showing your estimated 10RM and improvements over time.
- Whether you are looking to gain muscle, lose weight or build endurance, looking at your progress report will show you how far you’ve come.
- Lindsay loves competing with friends and has done multiple half marathons, CrossFit competitions, and more.
The powder format mixes easily into water, coffee, smoothies, or protein shakes, making it simple to incorporate into your morning routine or post-workout nutrition plan. Consistent use can help support overall wellness while complementing your broader health and fitness goals. MyFitnessPal has the largest food database of any app and pairs it with macro and exercise tracking. It’s not a workout app on its own, but combined with a workout program, it gives you the calorie precision needed to maintain a deficit.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Workout Apps
When starting, look for videos labeled specifically for beginners and make sure your doctor clears any new exercise routine. Most apps also include video demonstrations for each movement, along with progress tracking and structured plans to help you stay consistent and accountable. Shred also offers full-length studio classes in yoga, boxing, HIIT, and more. “It creates running workouts with interval variations based on the time I want to exercise—great for mixing up my routine.” Behind that catchy name is one of the best workout apps for those on a time crunch.
“Most people already eat pretty well—the real challenge is knowing what’s actually working for your body,” says nutrition expert Molly Downey, RDN, LDN. Victoria Giardina our commerce editor and content strategist reviewed the platform and loved making her own routines with a combination of dance, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and Pilates. If you’re expecting, there are also pre- and post-natal options taught by experts in that realm.
Matching app programs to specific fitness goals
Budget considerations must balance against feature requirements, while compatibility with existing devices and fitness goals determines practical usability. Flexibility manifests in multiple dimensions beyond scheduling convenience. A busy executive can complete a 20-minute strength circuit during lunch breaks, while shift workers can access 24/7 programming regardless of gym hours. Families benefit from shared device access, eliminating multiple membership fees while accommodating different fitness levels and preferences simultaneously. At-home workouts that focus on body weight exercises are an effective way to build strength and muscle mass, improve aerobic fitness, and manage body fat. We also appreciate apps that combine live and on-demand classes, with fresh content added regularly to keep your routine interesting.
Julie Banderas Weight Loss: Transforming Health & Lifestyle
It could easily be our top pick for strength work on this list, as you can use it in the gym or at home with equipment, too, by choosing workouts based on what you have. Peloton is arguably the most interactive platform on our list, allowing members to virtually connect and compete with each other as they work toward their individual fitness goals. I personally love when an instructor calls members out on their milestone rides, runs, or workouts. The online membership includes access to a huge variety of classes, both live and on-demand. Each class is packed with intentional movement and expert instruction—and the platform caters to all experience levels. It brings all the results of a pilates reformer, without requiring the reformer.
Train with real people and real energy.
The health and fitness industry is on the route toward massive transformation, all thanks to AI advancements. Now is the right time to partner with Folio3 Digital Health and leverage our fitness app development services to get your customized fitness app up and running. Check if the application has options for adding current fitness levels, goals like weight loss or building muscle, and available equipment.
How to choose the best workout app
In practice, this meant built‑in improvement plans that gradually increased weights, sets, reps, distance, or intensity over time, rather than random standalone workouts. 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…) how to choose a trustworthy workout app 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.
Intermediate routine
Surrounding yourself with fellow goal chasers is the best way to reach the finish line. Connect your Apple Watch or allow Health Kit access and never miss a beat on your performance. Around the same time as the streamer partnered with Netflix, it also developed a short series with meditation app Headspace, and the Headspace Guide to Meditation is currently still available on Netflix.
CERTIFIED PERSONAL COACHING
I’ve found probably almost 100 classes in that time that I love and keep going back to, with pre-uploaded sessions to choose from as well as live classes. We’ve found most instructors to be engaging and high-energy, bringing positivity to classes and creating a community feel. Plus, everyone who teaches on the Peloton app is required to be a certified personal trainer—which means you’ll only be taking classes with thoroughly vetted, knowledgable instructors. Bartha offers classes ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, so it’s easy to squeeze in a workout even if you’re short on time. And if you’re new to pilates, there are a ton of great tutorials and beginner-friendly workouts.