You’re not staring at a blank screen wondering what exercises to do—the app gives you a structured plan. Progressive overload (gradually increasing the demands on your muscles), is the foundation of strength training. The best app to log workout for this purpose needs to make tracking and beating previous performances effortless. Testing workout apps isn’t about downloading them and poking around for ten minutes. Real evaluation happens in the gym, under fatigue, when you’re between sets and just want to log your numbers without thinking.
- The app has workouts for every skill level and equipment access, provides video demonstrations, and allows you to track your progress.
- Progressive overload isn’t just about adding weight—it’s about maintaining consistent rest periods and effort levels.
- Knowing my week is already planned allows me to stay focused and on track with my fitness goals.
- The app suggests workouts based on your preferred type of exercise (indoor cycling, outdoor running, stair climbing, strength training, stretching, yoga, and others), as well as your music preferences.
- Because of that, even as the best-rated app by the ACSM, they write that Sworkit still didn’t fit guidelines well enough to be used as an exercise prescription (there’s no free app that does).
- I’ve spent the last two months testing twelve different workout tracker apps.
8fit: Workout and Nutrition Planning App
Pick between circuit-based gym workouts, bodyweight sessions, cardio and weight-training combos, HIIT offerings, kettlebell and dumbbell-centric routines, and frankly, too many other workouts to list in this article. The kettlebell can be a great strength training tool, but to reap its benefits (and stay safe in the process), you need to know how to wield it correctly. This app offers 45-plus kettlebell exercises and five workout programs with a voice coach and high-def video demos to guide you along the way. This app offers a simple monthlong exercise plan centered on the classic bodyweight move. Users will tackle a certain number of squat variations every day (the app includes 13 total squat variations incorporated into six different workouts) with rest days interspersed throughout.
Other popular workout apps we recommend
It’s a rare breed in today’s subscription-heavy app landscape. Filter workouts based on “no equipment” or “bodyweight only” in the app. Fitness assessment functionality helps users determine their starting level by tailoring exercise regimes and meal plans to match their goals.
The best apps for tracking nutrition: Cronometer and Macrofactor
Creative types can combine poses to create their own flow, or if you’d really rather just follow someone else’s lead, you can do just that with 100-plus guided yoga workouts and meditation sessions. Award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman cocreated this fitness-meets-gaming app that allows users to live out their “very own zombie adventure story” while also completing a run or walk. As you log steps, you’ll hear a zombie-themed audio drama (imagine guttural breathing, rattling groans) that miiiight just inspire you to pick up the pace. App makers would love for you to believe that the best discounts for fitness and gym apps happen between November and January, but it’s just not true. Deals crop up all year round, and some sales never seem to end.
So, these are the reasons that show the rise of the popularity of workout apps worldwide. But before moving to the list of best workout apps for free, let’s first understand the reason behind their popularity. I’ve been working out in my living room since I was a teen, doing Winsor Pilates and Kathy Smith VHS tapes.
The strength training & wellbeing app made by women, for women.
This widely beloved UK-based activewear brand announced all home workouts are now free on their conditioning mobile app. Platforms such as ClassPass, which allow users to have access to a variety of gyms and studios as well as mainstream gyms such as Equinox, have allowed customers to pause memberships without penalties. Setgraph excels at custom exercises—you can name them whatever makes sense to you and start logging immediately. Apps with large pre-built libraries (JEFIT, Hevy) sometimes make adding custom exercises more cumbersome because they assume you’ll use their database. Android apps often sync with Google Fit, providing similar centralized data management. The integration is generally less robust than Apple Health, but it works for basic activity tracking.
Best Workout App for Weightlifting: TR(AI)NER by Element 26
Progressive overload isn’t just about adding weight—it’s about maintaining consistent rest periods and effort levels. This matters for progressive overload because context is everything. Maybe you hit 315 for 5 reps three months ago but madmuscles review haven’t touched that weight since.
Peloton The Peloton App
If users are unsure about how to do workouts, Seven’s 3D guides will help them speed up with each exercise. 7 Club membership ($9.99 per month or $79.99 per year) gives users personalized training plans and access to all workouts. ClassPass rose to fame in the world of fitness apps by offering an easy way to book classes at your favorite fitness studios. You can still do that with a variety of paid plans, but the app now also offers a library of more than 4,000 classes you can stream at home any time—for free.
Who It’s For
She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women’s Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. 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. Another staffer said it’s the first platform that’s helped her exercise consistently in years, thanks to a knowledgeable, encouraging trainer.
Meet Your Coaches
It’s impossible to try them all, but I have tried a lot! There are a lot of free YouTube workouts, but I can’t stand being halfway through a set of pushups and having an ad for deodorant start, so I almost always opt for the app. Another take on the yoga app is Find What Feels Good, which offers a library of over 700 videos designed for all levels. Find What Feels Good boasts a global community with daily sessions and weekly and monthly report series. This app makes it easy to stream workouts to AirPlay-enabled devices such as Apple TV and Chromecast.
No matter what you’re looking for, Alive has you covered. “Targeted plans, specific muscle focus, full-body—you name it, they got it,” says Savary. Find exactly what you’re looking for in the catalog of over 100 workouts, including bodyweight routines, strength training with weights, HIIT, yoga, meditation, dance cardio, and barre. After taking a quick intro questionnaire, you’ll be provided with a personalized plan. The app boasts plenty of progressive programs and challenges, unique features like health talks, metric and data tracking beyond what’s on the scale, and even cycle-syncing workouts and perimenopause support. It can be overwhelming to scroll through your app store, peruse social media, or poll your friends to find a good workout app.
Day Challenge
Changing it up and keeping your body guessing can help with weight loss (if that’s one of your goals) and improves muscle endurance, stamina and cardiovascular health. Your usual 20 minutes may start to feel easier, and a longer walk may become your new norm, which will burn more calories, speed up your metabolism and improve your circulation. He makes you feel comfortable no matter what skill level you are.