Since you can use them anytime, anywhere, they’re also one of our favorite tools for staying consistent (and seeing real results). You’ll also be able to export your workout data to fitness trackers or health apps of your choice. GGR product tester and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto has no complaints about using MapMyFitness or exporting data. Overall, she rates the running app a 5-out-of-5 for both app setup and ease of use categories. Some workout apps let you download videos for offline use, while others require a constant internet connection. Live classes or sessions with virtual coaching almost always need a working connection, so it’s important to check how each app handles offline access.
Other popular workout apps we recommend
If you’re looking for programming to do at your own pace, this is likely not the app for you, but if you want to be led through a workout with high quality instruction, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Home Gym Club Training is a collaboration between Garage Gym Reviews and Boostcamp, providing over 1,000 training programs that you can track from your phone, including exclusive workouts created by the GGR team. Whether you’re training at home or your local gym, the last thing you want is to head into your session without a plan in place. Having a structured workout routine you can follow eliminates potential guesswork, helps maximize efficiency, and encourages progressive overload—a key principle for building strength and muscle.
Best Workout Apps to Hit Your Goals, Tested and Personal Trainer–Approved
Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family. Workout apps are a fantastic tool for guidance, structured routines, and cues to help with form. However, they cannot fully replace the individualized attention and expertise of a personal trainer in a one-on-one session.
Do any workout apps actually work?
Get expert-tested reviews, real data, and no-BS recommendations sent to your inbox. “All of the stats and analysis that the premium version offers are impressive,” says Amanda, who is also an avid runner and triathlete. For this reason, MapMyFitness earns a 5-out-of-5-star rating for both the price and the overall value category.
- We also brought in real-life testers to share their experiences, including how challenging the workouts were, how engaging the classes felt, and whether the apps helped them stay motivated.
- What it does mean is that a training program should revisit some of the same exercises for a period of time to help you improve your form and get stronger.
- She gives Down Dog a 5-out-of-star rating for ease of use and the setup process.
- In terms of equipment needs, it depends on the type of training you select.
- That said, you may notice that many of these apps are not gender-specific and can help anyone get closer to their fitness goals.
- The Bloom Method and the Studio Bloom app are ideal fitness and wellness resources for women trying to conceive, prenatal, and postnatal.
What are the best workout plans for women?
Our goal is to provide free and open access to a large catalog of apps without restrictions, while providing a legal distribution platform accessible from any browser, and also through its official native app. As a CPT, these are all things I want for my own program and my client’s programs, too. Using an app helps you take the guesswork out of coming up with your own program or just having general anxiety about not knowing what to do for your workout on any given day.
Best Workout App for Pilates: Melissa Wood Health
Some apps, such as Future, offer virtual personal training so you can receive tailored guidance from the comfort of your home. If you already work with a trainer, it is worth asking whether they use an app to program and track your workouts, allowing you to combine professional expertise with the convenience of digital tools. Yoga is a great form of low-impact exercise for those who are expecting, and this app provides a ton of personalized content to choose from.
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More repetitions, more sets, less rest time, or greater range of motion are some examples. It’s also a bonus that Peloton’s live workouts have high-quality audio and video. It’s worth noting that if you stream the app on your phone, you won’t have access to the leaderboard during workouts. That feature is reserved for all-access members who is mad muscles legit are using the Peloton app on a Peloton cardio machine.
While it requires a monthly fee and smart equipment, its engaging platform is perfect for cyclists and runners who want to elevate at-home training. The iFIT app can make your indoor cardio workouts more engaging through a few different avenues. You’ll have the opportunity to join instructor-led workouts, participate in challenges and live races, and choose location-based scenic workouts.
Expert Programming
“Each subcategory gives a seven-day crash course in techniques and workouts, which is a good place to start, whether you’re pregnant or newly postpartum,” says Nicole. Unlike other apps, Bloom Method provides exercises and education on how to strengthen and relax the pelvic floor. There are also birth preparation classes that can help you mentally and physically prepare for the demands of child labor. Zwift feels as if you’re playing Mario Kart, except all the drivers are on bikes and the characters are avatars designed by you and other users. Plus, you get one hell of a workout while competing in this gamified experience that can be found on many of the top-rated exercise bikes. “The logbook can be used in kilogram or pounds and you don’t have to round to the nearest whole pound like you do with some apps, which is nice,” says expert product tester and Marvel fanatic Brittany Combs.
“If I did upper body yesterday, I can choose a ‘custom’ workout and pick a different body part, and it creates a new session. Each exercise shows full instructions and videos.” Get fit with the comprehensive workout app Female Fitness – Woman Workout. Log your workouts and track your progress on Hevy app while being part of an amazing community of 13+ million gym athletes.
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Erin has experience writing and editing workout-based, human interest, product reviews, and advertorial stories within the fitness industry. She has also completed her nutrition coach certification from NASM and personal training certification from ISSA. Erin enjoys cycling, yoga, and spending her free time outdoors with her family and Goldendoodle, Nimbus. 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.” 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.
NUTRITION
Our expert product testers and reviewers have vetted more than 20 workout apps to make your decision that much easier. And you can trust us—we’re a group of industry experts, including certified personal trainers, Olympic-level athletes, and nutrition coaches. To determine our top picks, we focused on apps with a wide variety of content, from strength and cardio to yoga and Pilates, ensuring users of all fitness levels can find something that suits their goals. We also prioritized effectiveness, favoring thoughtfully programmed workouts and motivating instructors who provide clear guidance and encourage users to stick with their routines. A seamless, intuitive interface was another key factor, making it easy to navigate classes, track progress, and stay engaged. After having a baby last year, I finally embraced the convenience of workout apps myself.
If you’re traveling, heading to a location with limited service, or simply want to avoid interruptions, it’s a good idea to download a few favorite workouts in advance. That way, you’ll have options ready to go, whether you have internet access or not, keeping your routine consistent no matter where you are. Rebecca Ravee Norris, a freelance journalist, has been using this app for three years now and rates it as a surefire 10 out of 10.