15 Best Workout Apps of 2026

The prescribed workouts can be tailored to your available equipment, and you’re in constant communication with your personal trainer through the app’s chat feature and video call capabilities. Instead of juggling various apps and programs for my timer, form cues, and workout schedule, everything is conveniently consolidated in one location. Consider the workouts you enjoy or want to check out, whether that’s yoga, strength training, cardio, or HIIT.

Options Available

To earn 3 out of 5 stars, there may be some repetition and many similar workout formats/types, but it’s tolerable, and our testers could see themselves using this app for quite some time. The Nike Training Club app received high scores for most categories, though it earned average rankings in a few select areas like equipment demands and progressive overload. However, she does note that the app can send you notifications if you enable them in your settings, and you can join programs or challenges. Overall, Amanda gives Nike Training Club a 3.5-star rating for accountability.

That said, Nicole notes that you may have to dig around to find what you need. “Once you get used to it, it’s easy enough; things are clearly labeled,” she adds. 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. You can follow your own route or explore Strava’s massive network of roads and trails, built by millions of athletes worldwide. “The mapping tool makes it easier than ever to plan runs and workouts in advance, especially when following a training plan with specific distances and paces,” one runner noted. I looked at how intuitive the apps were to navigate, and if the free version had significant limitations or annoying upgrade requests.

To join Apple Fitness Plus, you can try it out for free for up to three months and then have the option to pay month-to-month, $10 or $80 for the year. If you’re on a family plan, you can share access to Apple Fitness Plus with up to five family members. The price of an app is a strong deciding factor for many, especially since some apps can cost upwards of $200 per month, while others are free for life.

Aaptiv Audio Fitness App

Some apps try to shame you into working out, or bombard you with notifications, so I liked this approach. Nike’s app also offers push notification reminders (which you can turn off) to prompt you when it’s time to do a workout. Where applicable, apps were favored if they offered thoughtful training plans that incorporated progressive overload.

Hevy: Best Gym Logger/Strength Training App

Calisthenics has exploded in popularity as people discover the incredible strength and control you can build using just your bodyweight. The Movement Athlete makes this discipline accessible to everyone, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. Pliability (formerly ROMWOD) sits firmly at the top of the mobility app category, offering a comprehensive library of mobility sessions backed by sports physiotherapy principles.

Murcia Fitness Time Ladies

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 Upper / Lower Split – Complete Workout Program Guide

Generally, fitness trackers are less bulky to wear than GPS running watches or smartwatches and cost less. They can also run for a week or more between charges, while you generally need to charge a smartwatch daily. However, she also points out that “in-person programs feature one-on-one, tailored interaction,” providing personal accountability and a sense of community that many online programs might lack.

How to get the most out your pick of the best workout apps

• An audio-focused streaming workout app that lets you take your workouts anywhere you want to go.
• Some of our favorite free workout apps include Caliber, Nike Training Club, and Map My Fitness.
• I do like the included modules for chair yoga and personalized weight loss journeys, but I don’t believe there’s enough content to keep things interesting or engaging for extended periods.
• “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.
• Created by Lia Bartha, this platform reimagines classical Pilates with a fresh, modern twist, anchored by mindful movement that has garnered a raving fan base.
• An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past five years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big enough for your smartphone.

For example, a running app won’t offer much training variety and doesn’t require equipment (aside from your best running shoes, of course). Aaptiv is a great option for people looking for an alternative to video-based workout programs. JuggernautAI costs slightly more than the average app, thought it offers a longer trial period than most so new users can experience the programming. The program is centered around getting stronger and improving the big three lifts (squat, bench, and deadlift). If you’re not interested in https://www.hellopeter.com/harnafit powerlifting (or powerbuilding—a combination of bodybuilding-style training and powerlifting), this likely won’t be the best workout app for you.

Best Workout App for Running: Nike Run Club

The app is an extension of this, with hundreds of classes to choose from, all set to an infectious beat, with motivating instructors. The app can feel a little overwhelming at a first glance, but classes can be filtered by trainer, time, and the music you prefer to work out to. You can also add classes to your library, which lets you select classes you’ve taken before, or plan on taking in the future, at a glance. Fitness apps can be handy tools for supporting your training and nutrition goals, especially if you’re at the starting line of your training, still wondering, “what is cardio?

Essential Health & Fitness Apps

One of the newer safety features on the Strava app is called the Beacon, which lets you share your location in real time with an emergency contact. Before you sign up for a workout app, it’s strongly recommended that you determine whether workout apps are compatible across all your devices. While many work on both iOS and Android, some are available on only one of them. If an app requires you to have access to a full gym or only has a small percentage of workouts that can be performed with minimal equipment, that was cause for a 1- or 2-star rating.

How we chose the best workout apps

Once you sign up for a paid subscription, you get access to personalized fitness plans to meet those goals. Paid plans are around $14.99 per month, but don’t be surprised if you get a discount as a first-time user. Lifters, old and new, may not appreciate BetterMe as the majority of the workouts are bodyweight with several dumbbells-only workouts. Still, it gets a 5 out of 5 for equipment demands, as people can do these workouts almost anywhere, but it’s not the best app for strength training.