10 Best Workout Apps of 2026, Tested by Personal Trainers

This is the only trial option for users, which we only gave this 3 out of 5 stars for the trial period. It’s not always easy for newcomers to embark upon a fitness plan, but Muscle Booster offers a streamlined process that learns your goals and crafts an easy-to-follow workout regimen to help you achieve them. IFIT offers fitness lovers versatility with machine-based classes and classes that do not require anything more than a towel or mat. Anyone looking for a home-exercise program will be hard pressed to find a more technology forward, expansive and inclusive platform than iFIT. 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.

how to compare workout apps

Best for experienced trainers

The app essentially connects you with instructors through an extensive array of classes. Consider an app that provides evidence-based workout routines that’ll help you achieve your goals. While deciding which fitness app to sign up for, experts recommend thinking through the following factors, all of which I took into consideration while creating our list of favorites. We also made the distinction that free apps mean that there is a free version of the app available—not just a free trial. Each item that makes the list may have a premium version, but there is a free version that is robust and easy enough to use to be added onto this list.

  • These apps are virtual libraries with hundreds of workout classes, and they do all of the planning for you — just press play and follow the trainer on your screen.
  • A cyclist, for example, isn’t going to be using the same workout app as a gym-goer.
  • You’ll also find plans for bodybuilding, powerlifting, Olympic lifting, athletic training, bodyweight training, and more.
  • There are workout programs available on FitOn, but they’re shorter ones—about 2 to 4 weeks long.
  • This makes it accessible for anyone wanting to better understand their nutrition without financial commitment.
  • From initial consultation and program delivery to progress tracking and ongoing communication, everything happens within the branded app environment.

Best Workout App for Muscle Gain: SHRED

If you’ve ever done a BodyPump class in your local gym, you’ll have been introduced to the world of Les Mills. It’s a series of tempo-based classes, set to music, designed to get you fitter and stronger. The app is an extension of this, with hundreds of classes to choose from, all set to an infectious beat, with motivating instructors. Of course, if you really want to make noticeable changes to your body, you’ll need to focus on your nutrition. The app has hundreds of recipes to choose from, and I was able to tailor my meal plan to my dietary requirements. The recipes are delicious, and easy to follow, and I appreciated having everything in one place.

What do the strength standards mean?

how to compare workout apps

It earns 5 out of 5 stars for workout variety, and it’s affordably priced compared to other apps. If you’re looking for an app that takes the guesswork out of your training, TR[Ai]NER by Element 26 is worth considering. This AI-powered workout app offers programs you can customize based on your preferences, equipment access, and personal goals.

For Beginners

This app works well with seasoned fitness buffs, and yet it is also user-friendly to accommodate beginners. The app allows you to track your progress to keep you motivated to move up to the next level. Whether you’re a professional or a casual swimmer, this app can help you achieve your best every time you hit the water. This is, by far, the most accurate app for automatically counting strokes and tracking your kicks. It thus gives you an idea of whether you were able to closely adhere to your training plans or if some improvements are necessary.

Best Fitness Apps for Yoga

The design and user interface feature lots of handy elements, with AI always one tap away. There’s also a high degree of personalization, and you can use the chatbot to ask questions about lifting, form, nutrition, or anything else you need. Lloyd Coombes is a freelance contributor from Essex, UK, with a passion for fitness and tech. He can be seen at TechRadar, iMore, Live Science and more on a regular basis, and enjoys weightlifting and middle-distance running. We’ve reviewed these apps and plenty that didn’t make the cut to bring you our recommendations, bringing years of tech and software experience to the table.

We’ve tested the best workout apps to help you train at home

You’ll pay much more per month, but you’ll receive more hands-on guidance from personal trainers and nutrition coaches. One downside to TR[Ai]NER by Element 26 is that it doesn’t provide a ton of accountability. You also won’t find any nutrition coaching or features like community leaderboards, forums, or push notifications to remind you to work out. Some are free or offer free trials for a week or month, which lets you test out the app before officially committing to it.

Best Workout Apps for Every Fitness Level, According to Personal Trainers

Although more equipment is needed than in other apps we reviewed, Amanda still gives JuggernautAI a 4-out-of-5-star rating for equipment demands. “You can swap in exercises each day or for an entire block based on what you have handy,” she explains. The https://madmuscles-review.com/workout-apps/apple-fitness-app-review/ app works well, but doesn’t offer any sort of interaction, such as live classes or interaction with instructors.

Overall, A Win For Android Users

Typically, we like to see some sort of free trial, especially for a service with such an expensive cost. Those who join without our code won’t receive the free month, so we docked a couple of points for the trial period. Compared to most other apps, Fitbod is very reasonably priced, though the trial is a little short.

Receiving trophies or badges for completing workouts, and leader boards where you can earn points and level up, are examples of reward features that can be found in some apps. Leaving aside money, there are two main categories to consider when choosing a home workout app. There are hundreds of home workout apps in the Apple App store and Google Play store, so how do you decide which is the best app for you? The purpose of this guide is to explain the main differences that exist between different home workout apps. If you don’t feel the need for an online support system, there are still ways to stay on top of your workouts. Some apps will add calendar reminders or push notifications to help remind you of your workout schedule for the week.

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You can contact us directly at [email protected] or visit our editorial contacts page to find an editor or news writer by topic. Since your BMR represents how many calories your body burns when at rest, it is necessary to adjust the numbers upwards to account for the calories you burn during the day. Our TDEE calculator uses the best formulas and displays your score in a way that’s easy to read and meaningful. Christina is a health commerce staff writer at Fortune with more than a decade of experience crafting engaging content for digital platforms.

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