We’ve tried and evaluated some of the top fitness apps for people of different fitness levels and workout preferences. Given the skyrocketing expenses of gym memberships, it might be time to download the best fitness apps instead.
One of the fitness apps from our roundup may help you reach your objectives, whether to increase strength, burn fat, or put on muscle. Even though some home gym equipment now has a valuable companion app, you should always pick the ideal training software.
For instance, you would concentrate on running apps like Strava to learn how to train for a marathon. Some of the applications we’ve selected are best used on treadmills or exercise cycles, while others offer choices for recovery and mindfulness. Several applications are entirely free or at least provide a free trial for a month or two, while some, like Peloton, demand a monthly fee.
How Do workout Apps Work?
You can download fitness apps to your mobile device to help with your workout routine and lifestyle choices. You can use them to create fitness objectives, monitor your progress towards those goals, try out new exercises, obtain professional fitness advice, connect with like-minded people, stay encouraged, and more.
Also, several fitness apps connect to wearable fitness equipment.
Are workout Apps Safe?
Although workout apps are generally safe, if you’re new to exercising or considering beginning a new program, speak with your doctor first to ensure the plan is a good fit for you. To avoid unintended strains, pains, and injuries, proceed cautiously and start gently while attempting a new type of training in an unsupervised setting.
How Did We Choose the Top workout Apps?
The Forbes Health editorial team looked at more than ten apps from the iOS and Android app stores and ranked them according to the following criteria to find the top fitness apps:
- Price
- class setting
- Exercise variety
- Existence of supplementary features
- Social interaction
- Information on nutrition and diet
The top 10 workout applications for 2023
The top fitness apps put yoga, aerobics, strength training, and more in the palm of your hand.
1. Nike Sports Club:
My go-to app when I first started exercising frequently was Nike Training Club. It offers a variety of fitness regimens, including bodyweight exercises, HIIT, cross-training, yoga, core exercises, and even professional health advice from Nike trainers to keep you on track.
The routines are simple to complete because each exercise, along with the recommended amount of time, is demonstrated in a video. This helps you stay on task while exercising and mentally gets you ready for the one after that. The app also syncs with your Apple Watch and captures your activities while providing health information like your heart rate.
The best feature of this app is that it’s free and provides access to a wealth of materials for users of all skill levels.
2. Apple Fitness Plus:
One of the top fitness apps for Apple users is Apple Fitness Plus. A wide selection of workouts is available, led by various trainers, including HIIT, strength, core, yoga, Pilates, and meditation courses. During testing, we also appreciated the presence of two teachers who provided changes for beginners or those who wanted to push themselves further. This feature is beneficial because there is no way to filter classes based on difficulty.
At first sight, the app could seem overwhelming, but classes can be filtered by the trainer, time, and your preferred music for working out. Also, you can add courses to your library, enabling a quick selection of courses you have already completed or intend to study in the Future.
If you’re wearing one of the most significant Apple Watches, you may view metrics from your Apple Watch on the screen while working out. After a 2022 update, you won’t need to wear an Apple Watch to attend Apple Fitness Plus classes, but you’ll still have access to hundreds of fitness sessions you can take at home or in the gym, even if you don’t.
3. Peloton:
Suppose you can’t afford a Peloton exercise bike or Tread to keep in shape. You may choose from countless engaging classes that will strengthen, tone, and give you that Peloton buzz. There is also the possibility to join live sessions and compete against friends, and the instructors stand out in terms of their eagerness from the group.
It was tough to become bored when testing this app because it included everything from strength training to yoga to HIIT cardio. Combining sessions is fantastic since it allows you to incorporate a cool-down or stretch into your workout smoothly. The sessions are simple to follow on a phone or tablet, but for the whole Peloton experience, we suggest watching the workouts live on TV.
To assist you in achieving your goal, whether to get stronger or “destroy your core” in four weeks, the Peloton programs provide you with a lengthier schedule of lessons. Also, many workout collections make it simpler to locate a variety of workouts by genre, such as strength training for runners, resistance band training, or Pilates courses.
Peloton is a fantastic workout app with some of the most inspiring instructors. Still, it’s worth having access to one of the finest exercise bikes or the best treadmills to take the cycle and tread sessions. Beginners can try the app for 30 days without charge to see if they like it.
4. Future:
The app’s connectivity makes it special. With a top-tier personal fitness coach who keeps in touch with you frequently, provides feedback, and personalizes your routine. They consider your degree of fitness, goals, and even the equipment you can access. The app’s developers think maintaining connections is the key to achieving your objectives. They pair you up with a partner who can hold you accountable.
To begin using this app, you must complete a brief quiz about your workout preferences, your ideal coach, and your goals. On this app, there are many coaches who have extensive backgrounds in their specialized fields.
Users are advised to wear an Apple Watch or an Android wearable compatible with the app to get the most out of the experience. These devices provide your coach with precise information so they can monitor your progress and change your plan as you go. Future isn’t the most affordable software at $149 per month, but considering that a typical personal training session may cost much more, it’s a good deal.
5. EvolveYou:
EvolveYou is a workout software to consider if you enjoy mixing up your exercises by switching between cardio and weightlifting, Pilates and HIIT, the gym, and at-home workouts. The app was created specifically for ladies by personal trainer Krissy Cela and featured six different trainers with various fitness regimens to pick from.
Throughout testing, we discovered that the software was simple to use, albeit occasionally, we did encounter some glitches. The exercises were straightforward to follow, making the app suitable for both complete beginners and more seasoned gym goers. Also, you don’t have to watch a video to do the exercise, which we liked. You may play your music or listen to a podcast instead.
You can access all aspects of the app during the 14-day free trial period and check out the routines before subscribing.
6. Zova:
The trendy fitness software Zova provides audio and video workouts and tracking for runs and walks. Choose your workouts based on their strength, cardio, or flexibility, and choose unique programs led by influential people and celebrities.
The Zova ZX5 workout program excels if you have an Apple Watch since it uses heart rate training to maximize calorie burn during exercises like Body Burner, Strength and Sculpt, and Cardio Sweat. You won’t get bored because three new routines are added each week.
Users of iOS devices without an Apple Watch have access to more than 500 stretching and exercise routines, motivational speeches like “Progress Not Perfection,” and health and fitness courses like “Create Unbreakable Healthy Habits.”
7. Centr:
You could choose Thor’s preferred fitness program if you’re seeking a workout routine. The Centr app, developed by actor Chris Hemsworth, aims to integrate exercise with food planning and mindfulness to improve physical and mental health.
Centr provides daily exercise videos that you may use at home or in the gym, spanning a range of disciplines (HIIT, strength training, boxing, and even yoga and Pilates). Meal planning makes finding delicious, healthy foods easy, while guided meditations and sleep advice help you get in the correct frame of mind.
Throughout testing, we adored the range of lessons offered by the app but wished we could bring our music to listen to in class. When the gym’s WiFi was down, we also wished there was a way to download routines.
The 7-day free trial for Centr is available, and monthly memberships are $29.99. Although an annual subscription substantially reduces the monthly pricing, bringing it down to just $10, you should consider this.
8. Zombies Running App:
A well-known running app for iOS and Android called Zombies, Run! transforms a routine run into a post-apocalyptic survival audio experience. You are a runner in this fitness game, making your way to one of humanity’s final outposts. They need your assistance to gather supplies, save survivors, and protect their homes.
While being pursued by zombies, complete objectives and gather materials to help restore your village. While you keep track of your runs and communicate your progress, use interval training to build missions.
This entertaining training game is unique and valuable. A weekly bonus mission is unlocked by completing the first four missions for free. You can upgrade to gain access to more than 400 story missions, Interval Training, and AirDrop Mode. There are annual and monthly subscriptions.
9. Sweat:
The creation of Australian personal trainer Kayla Itsines Sweat began in 2015 as a collection of free downloadable “Bikini Body Guides” and has now developed into comprehensive training software with various programs and recipes to assist you in reaching your objectives. Every woman can find a structured program that suits her needs, whether she is a new mum starting her postpartum fitness journey or a young lady trying to boost her self-esteem in the weightlifting area of the gym.
Kelsey Wells, Chontel Duncan, Britany Williams, and Stephanie Sanzo are among the trainers, as Kayla herself. If you want to add the occasional barre session to your schedule, you can quickly switch programs and sign up for on-demand sessions. The exercises work with Apple Watch as well. Although there isn’t a free app version, new users can join up for a 7-day trial.
In testing the app, we enjoyed the variety of activities but found it annoying to skip between exercises manually. Despite this, we still used the program frequently. This software is unmistakably targeted toward women, though men may undoubtedly use the workout schedules.
10. Strava:
One of the most significant running applications available, Strava lets walkers, cyclists, and runners track their progress with a free and paid subscription. You can track 31 activities despite the app’s reputation as a running and cycling app. Alpine skiing, canoeing, riding an e-bike, rowing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and yoga are among the activities on the list.
Strava is an app for recording your progress, so it’s crucial to note that no actual exercises are available on it. As a result, unlike the other apps on this list, wait to sign up and anticipate following a strength training session. The subscription edition of the app offers users the chance to use the Routes tool on Strava, which provides ideas based on where other runners in your region have logged their miles, segments, advanced performance analytics, and training plans. The free version of the app is excellent.
Strava supports several running trackers and Wear OS and Apple Watch devices. ( But be cautious about disabling location tracking if you find yourself near a restricted place. Another helpful feature is Strava Beacon, which enables friends or family to follow your live location while you run. This option is meant to keep you safe.
