Whether you’re a novice at the gym or an experienced lifter, you can find a workout app to keep you motivated and on track. But there are a lot of options out there, so you’ll need to choose one that works for your goals and fitness level. To help, we’ve rounded up the best workout apps for your needs—from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and strength training.
Competition for workout apps heated up during the pandemic, and a number of effective, polished services have emerged. Some require a monthly fee, but others are free. Some have features such as iCloud backup, summary for every workout, online lockers, sharing with friends or with your personal trainer (if you’re working with one), the ability to add your own exercises, customizable rest timers and more.
Some apps have built-in workouts, while others offer a community feel, like group classes, which can help you stay on track and prevent boredom. Some, such as iFit, can sync with a fitness tracker to automatically record your exercise. Others, such as Gym Hero, let you use your smartphone as a virtual coach and provide audio cues for each workout session.
You’ll also want to make sure your choice of an app can work with the equipment you have at home, such as a treadmill or exercise bike. Aaptiv, for instance, has workouts that are suitable for both beginners and advanced athletes, and you can adjust the intensity level. Its unique feature is that it pairs audio cues from instructors and trainers with songs you love—not boring, canned beats—giving the app a personal training feel that many users love.
Other apps have more specific programs that progress over weeks or months, such as Le Sweat. This workout app, designed by world-class trainer Charlee Atkins, offers a 30-day booty challenge and a beginner program with strength and cardio workouts. Reviewers say that it can have a personal trainer feel and that it may get you legit results if you stick with it.
Other apps, such as Jefit and Strong, focus on helping you reach your lifting goals. Jefit has a tracking feature that allows you to log your weights and exercises, while Strong helps veteran lifters avoid boredom by providing a suite of features that lets you discover new moves, watch instructional videos and customize rest timers. Both are free, but the Elite subscription adds audio cues and more advanced analytics. best workout apps