The gym is a place where you can go to get in shape, improve your health, and have fun at the same time. But it’s also a place where you can feel overwhelmed and intimidated by the scale of options available to you.
If you’re new to the gym or just want some help getting started, here are some of the best apps for your workouts.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For The Gym
The benefits of fitness go on and on, but you need consistency and discipline to stick with a routine long enough to reap those benefits. That’s where technology can help.
The right app can act as a virtual personal trainer or training partner to keep you motivated and accountable.
Healthline looked high and low for the best fitness apps to help you out, and we chose the year’s winners for their quality, user reviews, and overall reliability.
Keep reading for our picks of the 12 best fitness and exercise apps.
A quick look at the best fitness apps
Best free fitness app: Nike Training Club
Best app for group fitness lovers: obé Fitness
Best tried-and-true fitness app: Peloton
Best fitness app for women: Fit Body
Best fitness app for men: Centr
Best personal trainer-led fitness app: Le Sweat TV
Best low impact strength training app: TRX Training Club
Best prenatal and postpartum fitness app: Studio Bloom
Best size-inclusive fitness app: Big Fit Girl
Best strength training app: Jefit Workout Planner Gym Log
Best yoga app: Glo
Best app for runners and cyclists: Strava
How to choose the best fitness app
With so many fitness apps on the market, how do you know which one to choose? Here are some factors to consider before downloading:
Credible instructors. For safety purposes and best results, we recommend choosing an app with workouts that are created or led by certified fitness experts.
Fitness goals. Do you want to build strength or run faster? Or maybe you’re interested in losing weight or becoming more flexible. Whatever your motivation is, be sure to select an app that caters to your exercise needs.
Budget. While some are totally free, most apps require a monthly subscription cost. Luckily, all the apps on our list offer a free trial period, so you can try a few classes before going all in.
Equipment needed. Most apps offer classes that require some equipment, such as yoga blocks, dumbbells, or kettlebells. Unless you’re willing to purchase new gym equipment, look for an app with classes that are compatible with your current home gym setup.
User reviews. While you should definitely take reviews with a grain of salt, reading what other users think can be valuable intel as you decide whether a workout app will be the right fit for you.
There’s nothing wrong with trying out a few fitness apps before settling on one — the most important thing is that it helps you reach your goals safely and effectively.
How we chose the best fitness apps
Quality. We considered not just the quality of the workouts but also the expertise and credibility of the instructors leading them.
Ease of use. We looked for apps that are easy to navigate and offer filters to quickly find your perfect workout.
Reliability. We read through countless reviews to weed out apps that frequently crash or have streaming issues.
Workout types. We included apps to suit a variety of workout needs and preferences.
Recommendations. All the apps below are ones we’ve personally used or that were highly recommended by people we know. We also made sure to pick apps with mostly positive customer reviews.
Vetting. All the apps below have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.
Healthline’s picks of the best fitness apps
Best free fitness app
Nike Training Club
Price: free
iPhone rating: 4.9
Android rating: 4.6
Work out with Nike trainers live or on demand with the Nike Training Club app. After downloading the app, you’ll get customized workout suggestions based on the results of a quick quiz.
The app offers a range of exercise styles, including high intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, core, cardio, and strength training workouts. You can also search by muscle group, workout focus, and equipment to find your perfect class.
As a bonus, in 2020, Nike made its premium content free for all users.
Pros
free to use
wide selection of workouts
multiple filters, including muscle group, equipment available, and duration
warmups and cooldowns included
Cons
takes up a decent amount of storage space on your phone
can’t play your own music while streaming classes
quick transitions and fast-paced moves may be difficult for beginners
Best app for group fitness lovers
obé Fitness
Price: $26.99 per month, free 7-day trial
iPhone rating: 4.8
Android rating: 2.5
obé Fitness brings the feel of a boutique group fitness class to your living room with more than 15 types of classes, including HIIT, dance cardio, sculpt, and more.
The app offers 20 live classes each day — filmed in a fun neon studio — in addition to its extensive on-demand library of more than 7,000 classes.
Workouts range from 10 minutes to an hour long. The top-notch instructors bring the energy and will even shout you out during the live classes.
It’s also a favorite of Healthline Nutrition and Fitness Editor Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, who appreciates that the large selection of 20-minute classes makes it easy (and fun) to squeeze a sweat session into her day.
Pros
live classes
specialized offerings, including targeted training programs and prenatal classes
class options for all ages
high energy classes and instructors
particularly great for HIIT, cardio kickboxing, and dance cardio
Cons
short trial period
strength training may not be challenging enough for more serious weightlifters
some reports of Android app crashing
Best tried-and-true fitness app
Peloton
Price: $12.99 per month, 30-day free trial
iPhone rating: 4.9
Android rating: 4.5
Peloton is best known for its cycling classes, but with the Peloton digital app you can access workouts from strength training and HIIT to outdoor running and yoga.
You can work out in real time with expert instructors and other members from around the world or take one of the app’s on-demand classes.
Peloton classes feature curated music playlists, and each instructor brings their unique style to their classes.
Just keep in mind that although the instructors provide modifications, true beginners may find most of these workouts too challenging.
Several Healthline editors have commented that the Peloton app is the key to their at-home fitness success, and the app was featured as one of the best fitness gifts in a recent Healthline roundup.
Pros
fan favorite with a 4.9 out of 5 rating from nearly 600,000 reviews on the Apple App Store alone
curated music playlists
classes ranging from 5–75 minutes long
modifications provided during workouts
cycling and treadmill classes included
Cons
Peloton lingo for cycling and treadmill workouts may not match the resistance levels on non-Peloton cardio machines
time elapsed isn’t displayed during classes
some classes may be too challenging for true beginners
Best fitness app for women
Fit Body
Price: $19.99 per month, 7-day free trial
iPhone rating: 4.9
Android rating: 4.8
A community created for women by women, Fit Body features 12 programs led by 4 expert trainers to help you reach your fitness goals.
The classes are designed to be 30 minutes or shorter, but if you have extra time, we recommend taking advantage of the stretching and foam rolling videos as well.
What’s more, the app offers 72 weeks of meals plans with custom portions according to your daily calorie needs, plus access to 300+ recipes to create your own meal plan.
There’s also a community function within the app, allowing you to connect with others on your wellness journey.
Pros
offers nutrition tips and meal plans
tracks workouts and mental/emotional wellness
includes alternative move suggestions during workouts
Cons
may not be challenging enough for some
Best fitness app for men
Centr
Price: $19.99 per month, 7-day free trial
iPhone rating: 4.7
Android rating: 4.6
Known for his muscular physique, actor Chris Hemsworth decided to share his methods by creating the Centr app.
Touted as “your PT, dietician, chef, and wellness coach all in one,” Centr offers daily workouts, meal plans, and recipes, plus a mindfulness component, all via a convenient weekly planner.
With big-name trainers like Luke Zocchi — Hemsworth’s personal trainer — and Gunnar Peterson guiding you through workouts, you’ll be pushed to your limits.
However, some reviewers find the workouts a bit too challenging for beginners.
Pros
weekly planner for meals and workouts
warmups and cooldowns included in workouts
diverse range of training methods and styles
Cons
not the most beginner-friendly
suggested recipes and ingredients are expensive
limited progress tracking options
Best personal trainer-led fitness app
Le Sweat TV
Price: $16.99 per month, 7-day free trial
iPhone rating: 5
Android rating: 5
Created by Charlee Atkins, CPT, Le Sweat TV essentially gives you a personal trainer at your fingertips.
During the workout, Atkins is right there with you, providing helpful cues and modifications for all fitness levels.
You can browse the 250+ workouts by body part, equipment needed, or desired class length (5–30 minutes) to get started. You can also stream the videos on demand or download them for sweat sessions on the go.
Pros
genuine and relatable trainer
classes feel like one-on-one training sessions
doesn’t require a lot of equipment
Cons
workout library not as robust as others on this list
limited workout styles
lacks longer classes
Best low impact strength training app
TRX Training Club
Price: $5.99 per month for On Demand or $19.99 per month for All Access, free 30-day trial
iPhone rating: 4.6
Android rating: 2.8
If you’ve ever used a TRX suspension trainer at the gym, you know how great of a workout it is. TRX straps use gravity and your body weight for a full-body workout.
TRX Training Club helps you execute suspension training workouts with live daily classes or by using a fun replay option where you can add your own music.
There’s also a full library of on-demand classes, which you can access with either an On Demand or All Access membership.
Pros
includes 500+ workouts across 15 programs
option to use your own music
can provide a good workout even for more advanced athletes
Cons
requires TRX suspension straps
doesn’t offer a wide range of workout styles
Android users complain that the app is difficult to navigate
Best prenatal and postpartum fitness app
Studio Bloom
Price: $29.99 per month, 7-day free trial
iPhone rating: 4.9
Android rating: 4.8
Designed by prenatal and postnatal exercise specialist Brooke Cate and taught by other experts, Studio Bloom classes help expecting and new parents perform workouts safely during and after pregnancy.
The app offers more than 300 classes, including strength training, injury rehab, meditation, yoga, cardio, HIIT, boxing, and cycling.
While some workouts require dumbbells or resistance bands, there are plenty of bodyweight options to choose from as well.
Unique to Studio Bloom, the app teaches diaphragmatic breathing as the foundation of every exercise. It also offers free consults with in-house pelvic floor therapists after both vaginal and cesarean births.
Pros
classes for prenatal and postpartum stages
evidence-based methods
modifications explained during classes
access to pelvic floor therapists
Cons
may not be challenging enough for advanced exercisers
some users complain about a lack of diversity in teachers and models
Best size-inclusive fitness app
Big Fit Girl
Price: $11.99 per month, 7-day free trial
iPhone rating: 4.9
Android rating: 4.7
Created by Louise Green — author of “Big Fit Girl” and “Fitness for Everyone” and president of the Size-Inclusive Training Academy — the Big Fit Girl app makes fitness accessible, no matter your size, age, or fitness level.
Starting with chair exercises and working up to more advanced moves, Green offers a wide range of on-demand cardio and strength workouts.
If you’re brand-new to working out or have injuries, Green’s app will meet you where you are, allowing you to work your way up safely and confidently.
Pros
emphasizes size and ability representation
workouts progress slowly with a focus on safety
includes expert interviews, modification series, and daily mantras
Cons
may not be challenging enough for advanced exercisers
best workout apps for beginners
Do you know those annoying motivational gym posters? The ones with words like “SUCCESS” and “ACCOMPLISHMENT” splashed across a cheesy photo of some dude sprinting along a beach at sunset? That kind of tackiness is disappearing fast thanks to the motivational power of fitness apps.
That’s great news, but there’s another reason why workout and fitness apps are so effective: they make it easier than ever to track and monitor your fitness goals. And now that most of us are spending more time at home than ever, thanks to COVID, these apps make it easy for men to do beginner workouts at home without having to risk working out at the gym.
There are so many free (or really cheap) fitness apps out there that we thought we’d save you some time by hand-picking our Top 5:
- Johnson & Johnson Official 7-minutes Workout
Free Download for Android and iOS
This app gets top marks for providing easy-to-follow workouts that can be done at home (think push-ups, burpees and jumping jacks). Routines vary in duration and intensity, and the short videos and countdown clocks keep you motivated. The app also lets you control your music folders to create heart-pumping playlists.
- Nike Training Club
Free Download for Android and iOS
With more than 100 workouts crafted by professional Nike trainers, this app is a powerhouse of useful (and dare we say, sexy) videos to light a fire under your couch-locked butt. Beginners can set specific fitness goals, like strength, toning or weight loss, and use the tutorial library to get each exercise right and avoid injuries. Are you feeling competitive? Link your profile with your buddies for extra accountability.
- FitBit Coach
Free Download for Android and iOS
Getting kudos for working out feels great, to be sure, but there’s more to wearable fitness tech than showing off your new exercise regime. Using a wireless FitBit device you wear on your wrist, this app recommends walking, running and bodyweight exercises tailored to your daily activity levels. The workouts are shared on your smartphone or computer, ranging from 7 to 60 minutes, depending on the time you have. Step-by-step videos show you how to make all the moves and provide plenty of fun motivation and easy tips, while Fitbit Radio offers various music stations to groove to while working up a sweat.
- CARROT Fit
$4.99 Download for iOS
We can all use a bit of a laugh when we’re starting on a new fitness regime. CARROT Fit brings that gut-busting hilarity using a 7-minute workout routine that kicks a few spurs into your saddlebags. Power through your workout with tasks like Celebrity Face-Punching, and plank with a new perspective using the Dragon Mating Dance. The app does number-crunching for you and syncs with Apple’s Health app so that you can save your workout data in the HealthKit database. If you can handle a bit of sadistic mockery as motivation, CARROT Fit is for you.
- Strava: Run, Ride, Swim
Free Download for Android and iOS
This app is ideal for tracking your activities through the urban outdoors. It has a simple display chock full of data like running pace, distance travelled, and calories burned. You can also use Bluetooth add-ons to collect heart rate and other biodata as you progress. Find friends and motivate each other with comments on workout summaries, or explore the best running, cycling and swimming options for beginners in your city.
Remember, workouts don’t have to be motivational-poster-worthy. Walking five city blocks a day can lower your risk of heart attack by 25% – it’s that simple and easy!
Is there a fitness app that’s worked for you? Tell us your favorite fitness app in the comments below!
This article was originally published on July 11, 2015.
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Adam Bisby
Adam Bisby
Adam Bisby is a Toronto-based freelance journalist and father of two. He’s been covering men’s health for over 20 years. As well as researching and blogging for Don’t Change Much since 2015, Adam’s award-winning work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and National Post newspapers.
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13 Comments
Oni Srivastava on September 7, 2021 at 5:57 am
your tips are so useful I’ve not worked out in about a month fixing to start back. So happy that you cover each and everything about the workout routine.
Reply
Stephanie Woods on September 7, 2021 at 2:40 pm
Happy to hear we can help! The apps these days sure to make it easy to sneak some exercise in during the day.
Reply
Ashish Reddy on September 5, 2021 at 10:54 pm
Last year Covid-19 shaken me up and I understood the importance of health. Thanks, Adam for sharing these amazing workout apps. I have decided to do exercise regularly using these.
Reply
Stephanie Woods on September 7, 2021 at 2:34 pm
We are so happy to hear these apps have gotten you moving! I think COVID-19 has been a real eye-opener for all of us.
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Sophie Hill on September 3, 2020 at 4:06 am
Now has never been a better time to work on our fitness levels since lockdown! Some may have been doing it along the way but there will be some that have missed the gym! Very helpful! Great Post! Thank you for the interesting points!
Reply
Ted Szwaba on January 18, 2020 at 7:08 am
My weight is out of control!I need help?ciatica and lower back issues. Working on my eating habits.350 lbs and climbing. HELP ME PLEASE.I’m on disability. .money is always a issue
Reply
Timothy on January 21, 2020 at 10:28 am
Hi Ted,
Thanks for reaching out. First, you have taken a great step in working on your eating habits – keep that going because it is so important. The next step is to make sure you are getting at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. With your weight and back pain, exercise may be a challenge with your sciatica and back pain, but you need to move and something as simple as going for a 30-minute walk every day will put on you a healthier path. Eventually up this to 2 walks per day if you can – one in the morning and another at night. Even making a small change like this will require you to be very disciplined and determined, but you can do it. And drink more water than you can possibly imagine!!! 8 tall glasses per day.
These tips should not impact your financial situation as they are things you can do for free. Eventually, Ted, you will build momentum and things will improve – the change will not be overnight, it will take weeks and months, but you have to stick with it. Once you start making progress, Ted, look at small tips to improve your sleep, reduce alcohol consumption, and if you smoke save that hurdle for last as it the biggie!
And we have to suggest going to visit your doctor. He/she may have other solutions for you. There are plenty of tips on DontChangeMuch.ca that you can adapt and implement into your daily routine. Each small change Ted is a mini win!!!! Remember that and build up lots of mini wins!
Lastly, Ted, check out some of the stories of guys similar to you that have made small changes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-OD7pmpHs0&list=PLTgf-qsuGhYOADUdlxlC0zp3GU2qoSa0F
Kind regards,
Team DCM
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