The best workout apps can rival personal trainers. Workout and exercise apps offer privacy, motivation, and support, helping users make drastic fitness changes or simply stay in shape. Here are our picks for the best workout apps of 2023.
Before beginning an exercise program, check with your doctor for advice on what types of exercise are best for your individual needs.
Best Motivational Fitness App: SWEAT
SWEAT is a woman-centered, all-in-one fitness app designed to motivate and inspire women to work out, eat differently, and feel better about themselves. Choose workouts from five top trainers with different specialties, such as post-pregnancy fitness, muscle-sculpting, high-intensity strength training, heavy lifting, and yoga.
Great variety of workout content.
Includes recipes, meal plans, and shopping lists.
Focused on women, with top female trainers.
Subscriptions are a bit pricey.
The SWEAT Forum is a great feature, creating a support network of other caring women with many of the same goals and life hurdles.
SWEAT is available for Android and iOS devices, as well as the Apple TV and Apple Watch, including HealthKit integration.
Download for:
Best-Designed Workout App: Zova
Zova is a stylish all-in-one workout app that offers video and audio workouts as well as tracking for runs and walks. Sort exercises by strength, cardio, or flexibility, and enjoy a variety of special classes hosted by celebrity trainers and influencers.
All-in-one fitness app with guided workouts and run/walk tracking.
Apple Watch support monitors your heart rate during a workout.
Available only for iOS devices, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
If you have an Apple Watch, the Zova ZX5 workout program shines, using heart rate training to burn maximum calories with workouts such as Body Burner, Strength and Sculpt, and Cardio Sweat. There are three new workouts a week, so you’ll never get bored.
iOS device users without an Apple Watch have access to more than 500 workouts and stretch routines, health and fitness courses such as “Build Unbreakealbe Healthy Habits,” and motivational talks, such as, “Progress Not Perfection.”
Best Free Workout App: Nike Training Club
Nike Training Club provides free workouts for bodyweight-only sessions, yoga classes, targeted training programs, full-equipment home workouts, cardio, boxing, endurance, and more, for all fitness levels. Nike made its NTC Premium version free to all members, as well, so everyone has access to class-style workouts, programs, and expert tips on nutrition, sleep, and more.
Huge variety of workouts for all-around fitness.
Nike Training Club Premium is free.
Support for multiple languages.
iOS app works only on devices with iOS 12 or later.
On-demand classes offer a streaming, studio-style experience, or opt for a gym-friendly whiteboard workout. New workouts drop every month. Sessions range from 15 to 60 minutes and include more than 185 free workouts.
Nike Training Club is available for iOS and Android devices, as well as the Apple Watch.
Best Basic Workout Apps: Adidas Running by Runtastic and Adidas Training by Runtastic
Adidas Running by Runtastic and Adidas Training by Runtastic are companion apps that focus on motivation and fitness. The free Adidas Running tracks your distance, time, speed, elevation, calories burned, and other stats. Create a group and run with friends or join one of the many Adidas Runners groups and be part of worldwide events.
Companion apps create a well-rounded fitness routine.
Premium membership unlocks new plans, workouts, and features in both apps.
Might need to use two different apps.
Adidas Training by Runtastic is focused on short, quick workouts. Select muscle groups and create a personalized workout, and then join challenges, compare your activity to others, and find new ways to push yourself.
The Premium Membership unlocks all Premium features in Adidas Training and Adidas Running, including six training plans.
Download Adidas Running for:
When Adidas purchased Runtastic, the company stopped supporting the Runtastic fitness app collection (Push-Ups, Squats, Sit-Ups, and Pull-Ups). Instead, exercises in these specialties were incorporated into the Adidas Training by Runtastic app.
Download Adidas Training for:
Best Running App to Make Running Fun: Zombies, Run!
Zombies, Run! is a popular iOS and Android running app that turns your regular run into a post-apocalyptic survival audio experience. In this fitness game, you are a runner en route to one of humanity’s last remaining outposts. They need your help to gather supplies, rescue survivors, and defend their homes.
A zombie horde chasing you forces you to run faster.
Interesting storyline that grows with each run.
Syncs with Apple Health.
Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease battery life.
Take on missions as you get chased by zombies and collect supplies as you rebuild your town. Use interval training to create missions as you track your runs and share your progress.
This fun fitness game is unique and effective. Play the first four missions for free and unlock one extra mission every week, or upgrade to unlock more than 400 story missions plus Interval Training and AirDrop Mode. Subscriptions are monthly or yearly.
Best Celebrity Trainer Fitness App: My Fitness by Jillian Michaels
Celebrity personal trainer Jillian Michaels heads this comprehensive wellness app which offers video workouts that can be mixed and matched. The free version offers a seven-minute workout. Upgrading to the Premium plan provides more than 800 workout exercises, the ability to stream titles from Jillian’s DVD workout library, a customized meal planner, and more.
Workout Generator creates a workout session focusing on a specific body part.
Meal plans provide options for vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, and pescatarian users.
Jillian Michaels hosts every workout on this app, so if you’re not a fan, this app isn’t for you.
The Premium version is free for seven days free and then charges a monthly or annual fee.
Best Workout Tracker: Fitbit
The official Fitbit app is required for syncing Fitbit tracker data. It’s also a solid method of tracking workouts in general, keeping track of meals, and staying motivated with friends. The app turns a smart device into a Fitbit tracker for free, which makes it a great option for those who want to experiment with activity tracking before investing in a Fitbit wearable.
Tracks steps without needing a Fitbit wearable.
Leaderboards full of friends due to the brand’s popularity and Facebook connectivity.
Keeps records on all your workouts and activities.
Device notifications can be a bit much.
Windows app seems updated less frequently than others.
In addition to tracking physical activity, use the Fitbit app to keep a record of your workouts, such as gym or pool sessions. The free app is robust, with audio and video workouts, sleep tracking, stress-management and nutrition tools, and more. The Premium version unlocks habit-forming programs, additional audio and video workouts, and advanced insights.
Best Running App: Runkeeper
Runkeeper is a popular running app for both beginners and experienced runners. Go for a run, walk, hike, or take on any activity, and get a clear view of your training in real-time. The app also encourages you to get active more often. It’s one of the best at tracking your route and also provides training plans to improve your speed and endurance.
Seamlessly connects to other fitness apps.
Spotify and iTunes integration.
Workout comparison tool keeps you aware.
Need the Premium version for some basic functionality.
Set goals, follow personalized routines, join challenges, and see your progress to stay motivated. Upgrade to the premium version, Runkeeper Go, and get tailored motivation and in‐depth details on your progress and history.
Best Workout App for People Short on Time: 7 Minute Workout
7 Minute Workout is a fitness app designed to get everyone exercising for seven minutes a day. Choose from more than 10 workouts, including 7 Minute Workout, Glamour, Cardio, Arms, Pilates, and Alternative, or make your own.
Create custom workouts and share them with friends.
Solid Apple Watch support.
The overall design of the app could be better.
Exercises in this simple, flexible app require no special workout equipment, only household items like chairs and steps.
Upgrade to the Pro version for alternative workouts, custom workouts, customization options, and more.
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