When it comes to exercise equipment, the most valuable piece of gear is where you least expect it: in your back pocket. Today, there are a ton of workout apps devoted to all kinds of fitness, from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and strength training sessions. Whether you’re new to fitness and are looking for something to help get you started, or are someone who just needs a little more accountability, the best workout apps will help you meet all of your health and fitness goals.
Meet the Experts: Denise Chakoian, owner and founder of CORE Cycle.Fitness.Lagree and Maricris Lapaix, CPT, a Centr trainer.
Whatever those aspirations are, we’ve rounded up the most efficient, effective, and easy-to-use apps to help you meet them. These sweat-inducing downloads include trainer demos that’ll walk you through each move, modifications to help you work up to a full range of motion, and motivation to help you get the most out of every workout. So what are you waiting for? Download one (or a few) of these workout apps now.
1
BEST OVERALL
Nike Training Club
SHOP AT NIKECREDIT: NIKE
PROS
- Completely free
- Celebrity trainers featured
- Also includes nutrition advice
CONS
- Reviewers miss its old planning feature
Recommended by Denise Chakoian, owner and founder of CORE Cycle.Fitness.Lagree, personal trainer, cancer exercise specialist, and boutique fitness consultant, this pick is also free and editor-approved. Channel your favorite pro athletes with this must-have workout app. Nike Training Club offers more than 180 routines and additional content from top trainers and some of the athletes you love (think: Serena Williams and Cristiano Ronaldo). Whether you’re working with a full gym or just with your bodyweight at home, get a major burn in from quick sessions to 45 minute classes, organized by activity (from yoga to running to weights). Don’t forget to share your workouts with your friends when you’re finished.
What Reviewers Say: “I have several fitness apps that I’m looking to weed out. I keep coming back to the Nike app because it’s easy, simple. The design of the app is clean and intuitive. The workouts are really good…bottom line is you’re getting a premium product at no financial cost to you.”
| Number of exercises | 300-plus |
|---|---|
| Exercise types | Yoga, strength training, HIIT, endurance |
| Cost | Free |
2
MOST VERSATILE
Peloton App One
SHOP AT PELOTONCREDIT: PELETON
PROS
- Save workouts for later
- Filter by instructorTrack your progress and goals
CONS
- Search function is finicky
Turns out Peloton offers more than just their high-tech spin bikes and treads. They also have an app that has a wide range of workouts you can do at home. You can follow along with their live studio workouts for bootcamp or strength classes. You can even hop on your own (non-Peloton) bike or treadmill and be guided by their instructors. If you want to take your workout outdoors, you can take your phone or tablet with you. Plus, it offers guided running workouts, and you can preview the moves for most others to get yourself mentally prepared. The app can track your mileage, pace, and your splits so you can gauge how you are doing. And, it motivates you by tracking how often you workout and challenging you to maintain streaks.
What Reviewers Say: “I am hooked! I plan on keeping my membership and plan to incorporate it into my routine. I have been able to keep up with workouts from the same people who I have grown to love.”
| Number of exercises | Thousands |
|---|---|
| Exercise types | Cycling, running, yoga, HIIT, strength training, and more |
| Cost | $12.99/month and up |
3
BEST WORKOUT APP FOR WALKING
Apple Fitness+ App
PROS
- Customize a workout plan
- Close your rings
- 4K ultra HD video
CONS
Reviewers say it glitches sometimes
Apple fitness+ boasts a series titled Time to Walk, which features various guided walks by celebrities. From Jamie Lee Curtis to Rebel Wilson to Dolly Parton, these walks are must-listens. The app is only available on Apple products, but features an array of other exercises, including HIIT, yoga, meditation, and more. You can share the subscription with up to five family members. Get three months free when purchasing a qualifying apple product, or one-month free upon subscribing with an existing product.
What Reviewers Say: “I have completed 100+ trainer led workouts in the last 7 weeks. I have enjoyed the variety of trainers, workouts, and music. This app has motivated me to stick to my goals and create a life changing routine that I actually look forward to every day.”
| Number of exercises | 5,000-plus |
|---|---|
| Exercise types | Yoga, HIIT, strength training, running, and more |
| Cost | $9.99/month or $79.99/year |
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4
BEST WORKOUT APP FOR RUNNING AND CYCLING
Strava GPS Cycling and Running App
SHOP AT STRAVA.COMSHOP AT ALLTRAILS.COMCREDIT: STRAVA
PROS
- Training plans available
- Features fatigue and freshness tracking
- Easy to use
CONS
- Subscription required for access to all features
Another app recommended by Chakoian, if you’re into cycling or running, you need to get into Strava. This app, which gets its name from the Swedish word for “strive,” tracks your workouts with GPS and then analyzes your stats (think: distance, elevation gain, heart rate). It’s like a high-tech cycling computer right in your phone. Plus, you can join challenges, share photos, follow your friends’ activities too, and see what routes are most traveled in your area.
What Reviewers Say: “Strava you have just about every conceivable feature and aspect of a great running/biking app. Great social interaction, widespread usage, which makes the segment portion great almost everywhere I run/bike, and the BEST analytics.”
| Exercises | N/A |
|---|---|
| Types of Exercises | Running, cycling, walking, hiking |
| Cost | Free with in-app purchases |
5
BEST WORKOUT APP FOR BEGINNERS
Aaptiv
SHOP AT AAPTIV.COMCREDIT: AAPTIV
PROS
- New workouts uploaded each week
- Includes goal tracking for accountability
- No need to watch a screen for instruction
CONS
- No nutrition content
Download Aaptiv, take a quick fitness quiz about your goals, and get going. The app will set you up with workouts to do on your favorite cardio machine, at home on a yoga mat, or outside. Where this app excels: It pairs audio cues from instructors and personal trainers with songs you love—not boring, canned beats—so it’s more engaging than most recorded workouts. It’s basically like your favorite cycling class in the palm of your hands.
What Reviewers Say: “I love the idea of a trainer in my ear pushing me because that’s what I need when I work out … I never get bored or tired or feel like I am doing the same old thing every time.”
| Exercises | 2,500-plus |
|---|---|
| Types of exercises | Strength training, cardio, yoga, pilates, mobility, and more |
| Cost | $14.99 monthly |
6
BEST CELEBRITY-FOUNDED WORKOUT APP
Centr
PROS
- Self-guided and live classes offered
- Includes four to 13 week fitness programs
- Shopping list feature keeps nutrition info and ingredients in one place
CONS
- Equipment required for many workouts
Want to be as strong as Thor? Chris Hemsworth’s fitness app is a good place to start. What started as the star’s personal wellness journey evolved into what is now Centr, a digital destination for all things health and nutrition. It offers personalized coaching, specialized equipment, and also has a focus on mental wellness. “Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned in the fitness world, there’s something for everyone, including HIIT, Pilates, yoga, and strength training,” explains Maricris Lapaix, CPT, a Centr trainer. “There are even workouts designed for when you’re in a time crunch but still need to get a workout in, ranging anywhere from five to 25 minutes.”
What Reviewers Say: “Phenomenal! Workout programs are well rounded, appropriate for all levels and offer available programs to reach any goal. Recipes are half the reason I keep the app. Healthy but so diverse and flavorful, easy to follow directions and nothing basic. For someone who was a personal trainer for years, this app is a great all around life coach!”
| Exercises | 4,000-plus |
|---|---|
| Types of exercise | HIIT, Pilates, yoga, and strength training |
| Cost | $29.99/month |
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7
BEST WORKOUT APP FOR PERSONAL TRAINING
Future Fitness
SHOP AT FUTURE.COCREDIT: FUTURE
PROS
- Very user friendly
- Diverse workout plans
- Great for building strength
CONS
- Pricey
If you feel as though pre-recorded workouts and group chats aren’t enough to help you stay motivated, Future may be a good option for you. That’s because it connects you with a real personal training coach, which includes virtual calls and a custom fitness plan. For each workout, the app presents you with an exercise overview, complete with instructional videos for how to perform each move.
What Reviewers Say: “I have never felt healthier and more comfortable in my own skin and I owe it all to the Future app.”
| Exercises | N/A |
|---|---|
| Types of exercise | Strength and conditioning |
| Cost | $199/month |
8
BEST WORKOUT APP FOR YOGA
Daily Yoga App
$1 AT DAILYYOGA.COMCREDIT: DAILY YOGA
PROS
- Includes gallery of zen music to set the mood
- Classes available for all levels
- Meditations also included
CONS
- Payment required for access to all workouts
Get your Om on with the more than 100 yoga and meditation classes available through Daily Yoga. Choose your session based on the area of your body you’d like to work on and your experience level. Newbie alert: There’s an entire series of beginner-friendly tutorials if you’re just starting out. The app also connects you with other yogis to ask questions and share experiences, and it keeps records of your practice—so you can look back on your sessions and see how you’re making progress.
What Reviewers Say: “Excellent for beginners like me. I also love that there’s different programs based on your level as well. The audio and visual instructions are much better than some other apps since it’s an actual person not an avatar. Totally love this app!”
| Exercises | 100-plus |
|---|---|
| Types of exercise | Yoga and meditation |
| Cost | Free with in-app purchases |
9
BEST WORKOUT APP FOR ALL
Hearst All/Out Studio
SHOP AT ALLOUTSTUDIO.COMCREDIT: ALL/OUT STUDIO
PROS
- Prevention-approved workouts
- Little to no equipment required
- New programs every month
CONS
- Difficult to choose where to start
If you love Prevention’s at-home workouts, you’ll get a never-ending supply of our moves plus popular programs from our friends at Women’s Health, Men’s Health, and Runner’s World with the All Out Studio app. Download it, and you’ll have access to hundreds of workouts at every skill level, targeting every muscle in your body, from top certified trainers. If you don’t yet know your favorite type of workout, this is a great opportunity to shop around, try a little bit of everything, and narrow down your strengths.
What Reviewers Say: “I love this app because of the variety of exercises, fitness styles, and diversity of the coaches. There is something for every day of the week and for lots of different users. That’s why I’ve recommended this app to so many friends.”
| Exercises | Hundreds |
|---|---|
| Types of exercises | Strength, mobility, cardio, and more |
| Cost | $14.99/month or $89.99/year |
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10
BEST WORKOUT APP WITH NUTRITION TRACKING
Caliber Strong Fitness App
PROS
- Workouts include instructional videos
- Methods are science-backed
- Easily syncs with fitness watches
CONS
- Workouts are mainly strength-based
If you’re looking for an app that has it all—meal planning and workouts—Caliber is hard to beat. It offers a tiered membership based on what you can afford, and all of its methods are science-backed. Upgrade to get access to group coaching or one-on-one coaching, keep track of your reps and weights during workouts, and work with a trainer to develop a nutrition plan that will help you meet your goals.
| Exercises | 500-plus |
|---|---|
| Types of exercises | Strength training |
| Cost | Free with in-app upgrades |
How to choose the best workout apps
There are countless workout applications out there for a variety of price points, operating systems, fitness levels, and so much more. To narrow down the seemingly endless options, consider the following before downloading:
✔️ Price. Luckily, there are quite a few free workout apps that go above and beyond. Whether you’re searching for a running app, Pilates app, or another form of exercise, there’s plenty to choose from. But be mindful of hidden costs. Some applications allow free trials, but you’ll eventually hit a paywall. Do your due diligence and find a plan that works best for you and your budget.
✔️ Fitness levels. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s a fitness app out there for you. But be sure your needs are being met before paying a pretty penny for a paid plan. If you’re a beginner, ensure that the app you choose will grow with you in your fitness journey by looking to see if they offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. If you’re a seasoned athlete, make sure the app you choose has varying levels of intensity and enough to offer in the long run.
✔️ Tech requirements. 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 a purchase.
✔️ Level of guidance. Plenty of fitness applications offer one-on-one coaching with seasoned trainers, but that’s not always everyone’s desire. Consider what you want from the app: do you want to learn how to perform certain moves? A tailored fitness routine? Or perhaps you just want to simply log the details of your run or swim to keep track of your progress. Either way, make sure the application meets your needs prior to deciding.
